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For too many Seattleites, chronic pain gets in the way of living life to the fullest. They’re forced inside by migraines, curtains closed against the sun. Or stuck in bed with pain from cancer or fibromyalgia. Or unable to walk the steeper streets in Queen Anne or Capitol Hill due to back pain or arthritis.

Often, there’s no easy treatment for chronic pain. In cases where prescription medication can be effective, too often it’s intoxicating or causes unwanted side effects. Physical and psychological therapies can be lengthy—and costly. Surgical procedures can involve significant recovery time. And medical devices like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units, which can help with chronic pain conditions including osteoarthritis and neuropathy, can require frequent use to be effective—making it difficult to lead an active life.

Thankfully, more and more locals are discovering that CBD can be an effective part of their chronic pain management—and are using it to get back to living their best lives.

The Power of CBD for Fighting Chronic Pain

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of cannabis that is increasingly being used to treat pain as well as inflammation, seizures, and anxiety. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid—it doesn’t get you “high”—that interacts with the human body’s natural cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which can impact anxiety, appetite, metabolism, mood, and pain perception.

According to one recent review of relevant research studies, relief of chronic pain “is by far the most common condition cited by patients for the medical use of cannabis.” But the evidence in support of using CBD for pain isn’t just anecdotal. The review made the following conclusion based on the research literature: “There is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.”

Another study reviewed the literature regarding the effectiveness of CBD in relieving chronic pain. It found evidence in the literature supporting CBD’s effectiveness in treating chronic pain from conditions including neuropathy and cancer, as well as nociceptive pain from bumps, bruises, broken bones, burns, and sprains.

The evidence is strong enough today that Health Canada approved a drug called Sativex (generic name: Nabiximols), which combines CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), for the treatment of pain from cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Forms of CBD Available

Those taking CBD to relieve chronic pain have a variety of options to choose from. CBD oils are popular and easy to use. CBD tinctures, made from soaking cannabis in alcohol and taken orally, are fast-acting and store well. Capsules are tasteless and ensure accurate dosing. Edibles, including gummies and lozenges, can come in tasty flavors and are similar to capsules in that they can take longer to take effects than CBD delivered via oils and tinctures.

Other options include topical CBD treatments for painful skin conditions. These include creams, ointments, balms, and salves. CBD treatments also come in nasal, oral, and topical sprays, with nasal and oral sprays typically being more fast-acting.

Somewhere among these options is the right CBD delivery system for you. Ah, sweet relief!

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