CBD gummies are a popular alternative to other forms of cannabidiol (CBD), such as oil tinctures and topical CBD. They’re convenient, easy to take and come in a variety of flavours. But do CBD gummies work for pain? Let’s take a look at the science behind CBD gummies for pain relief.
Do CBD Gummies Work for Pain?
The scientific research on CBD for pain relief is still in its early stages. However, there is some promising evidence that CBD may help to relieve pain.
A 2018 study looked at the effect of CBD on rats with arthritis. The rats were given CBD gummies for pain relief and the results were encouraging. The rats that received CBD had less pain and inflammation than those that did not receive CBD.
Another review determined that there was evidence that CBD and cannabis could be effective in treating chronic pain in humans.
So, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD gummies for pain relief may be effective, and scientists believe that the cannabis derivative has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Furthermore, there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence from users of CBD gummies and other forms of CBD. However, some experts believe that more clinical research is needed to confirm these results.
How Long Do CBD Gummies Take to Work for Pain?
CBD gummies can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to work for pain relief. This is because it takes time for the CBD gummy to travel through your digestive system and be absorbed into your bloodstream. Once it’s in your system, it will start to interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This system is responsible for regulating pain, mood, and sleep. By interacting with this system, CBD can help to reduce pain and provide additional benefits associated with CBD.
Are CBD Gummies Good for Inflammation?
Experts believe that CBD gummies and other CBD-based products can be beneficial for inflammation, which is your body’s natural healing response to infections, toxins and wounds (i.e. when your cells become damaged). In some diseases, such as arthritis, the body triggers inflammation when there is nothing to fight off and can damage the tissues.
One study found that CBD can help with inflammatory conditions, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases and multiple sclerosis thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Additional Benefits of CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are notable for several wellness benefits in addition to pain and inflammation relief, including:
- Anxiety relief
- Stress relief
- Improved mood
- Better focus
- Deeper, healthier sleep
Some CBD gummies are infused with additional ingredients to further enhance wellbeing, such as Mission C Multivitamin + CBD Gummies where each gummy contains 10 vitamins, Zinc and Iodine to support your immune system, boost energy and improve thyroid function.
How to Choose the Best CBD Gummies for Pain
There is probably no such thing as ‘best CBD gummies for pain’ but some gummy bears are certainly better quality than others. While CBD is considered a very safe substance, some CBD edibles may contain less healthy ingredients. Furthermore, legal CBD products in the UK must contain less than 0.2% THC (the cannabis ingredient that has psychoactive effects when ingested or inhaled). It is always worth spending a little time researching the brand and product before purchasing; a reputable brand will show transparency around the ingredients, CBD sourcing and the extraction process, and will be able to provide third-party laboratory reports for confirmation of product purity.
Types of CBD
A CBD-based product will typically contain one of three types of CBD:
Full-Spectrum CBD
CBD extracted as full-spectrum contains a broad range of cannabinoids (including THC), flavonoids and terpenes that occur naturally in hemp.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
This extract contains many of the beneficial components of the hemp plant, except for THC.
Pure CBD Isolate
As the name suggests, this type of CBD is pure and does not contain any additional hemp compounds.
Of the three types of CBD, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD are considered the most effective due to the ‘entourage effect’, whereby the efficacy of each component is enhanced as a result of the natural grouping of hemp-derivatives.
CBD Gummies Dosage
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the dosage of CBD gummies. Your body weight and metabolism will play a role in determining the optimal dosage for you. Generally, it’s advisable to begin with a low dose of approximately 10 – 15mg and observe how you feel. If you feel that you need a larger dose, increase it slowly and gradually until you find the dose that works for you.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Taking CBD Gummies for Inflammation and Pain?
Side effects are uncommon with CBD, which is generally considered safe. However, as with any treatment, some mild side effects may occur, such as drowsiness, nausea and dry mouth. CBD may interact with medication, so check with your doctor before using CBD edibles if you are taking prescription medications.
CBD is a non-addictive and non-psychoactive cannabinoid. However, there is a risk when purchasing CBD gummies (or alternative CBD products) that the product contains THC in quantities higher than the legal limit (0.2%). Always purchase from a reputable provider, check the ingredients list of your product and request a copy of their independent lab testing report if you are unsure.
Finally, one downside to taking CBD gummies is that CBD isn’t inexpensive. However, as cannabidiol use increases in prevalence, costs may reduce. For many, the price of CBD products is worth it for the mental and physical wellness benefits.
Final Thoughts
CBD has been shown to help reduce inflammation and alleviate some of your pain if you have chronic discomfort. CBD oil is a popular method to take CBD for pain, but CBD gummies are possibly a more practical (and often more delicious) choice.
Although more study is needed to fully back the usage of CBD for pain and inflammation, the evidence that does exist is encouraging. We always advise you to talk with your doctor before using CBD supplements to be sure they're appropriate.
