CBD Oil vs Ibuprofen for Inflammation and Pain

CBD Oil vs Ibuprofen for Inflammation and Pain Relief

Pain and inflammation are your body’s way of navigating pain. However, these natural reactions to imbalance or injury can impact your well-being and wellness journey. Earlier this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 20% of Americans live in chronic pain. When navigating chronic pain many turn to common painkillers, however, sadly others’ journey in treating pain leads them to dependence on dangerous opioids.

While these approaches can be effective in pain management, these drugs also have serious potential side effects, such as ulcers, heartburn, headaches, addiction, dizziness, liver or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Is it possible that there is a natural alternative? Research points to CBD as an alternative to dependence on pharmaceuticals.

Ibuprofen is one of the most common pain management and anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the release of chemical compounds created by our bodies in response to trauma, injury, infection, or trauma. By halting the production of specific enzymes, Ibuprofen is able to target your body’s response and mitigate pain perception and inflammation. As effective as ibuprofen can be, it comes with a cost to our bodies’ organs and other significant health risks.

CBD, the Endocannabinoid System: Balancing Your Body

Your body’s endocannabinoid system (ESC) is a major player in your central nervous system’s mechanisms for pain control. CBD activates your own systems to bring about balance and puts your body to work for you. Just like with ibuprofen, cannabinoids like CBD can regulate your body’s pain responses to impact pain levels, and inhibit overactive pro-inflammatory molecules.

Clinical studies and animal studies have demonstrated the cannabinoid CBD’s anti-inflammatory and pain management properties, offering scientific reinforcement to the mounting anecdotal evidence pointing toward CBD’s effectiveness. In fact, a recent CBD treatment study for chronic pain found that 42% of participants used CBD instead of their regular medication, and another 97% were able to decrease the amount of opiates consumed when using cannabis products. So what does the research actually say?

CBD activates the TRPV-1 receptors impacting pain perception according to a 2018 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology
CBD is able to bring balance to the inflammatory process by lowering the level of cytokine production by the immune system according to a 2009 study by Future Medicinal Chemistry
The same study showed that CBD can reduce TNFα, a protein that stimulates inflammation in the body. When TNFα is decreased, inflammation is decreased.
According to a 2013 study in the journal Neurobiology of Disease, CBD decreased pro-inflammatory mediators, and CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects have significant potential in treating MS.
The Adenosine receptor, or A2A receptor, promotes anti-inflammatory actions in the body. CBD is believed to increase the effects of adenosine, which in turn decreases inflammation according to a 2018 study by the journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Due to the stigma against hemp and cannabis derived products, we are still in the early stages of clinical research, but there is solid evidence that CBD has the potential for therapeutic success. CBD has little to no reported side-effects, nor does CBD contain the psychoactive compound THC (less than 0.3% THC is the legal limit in CBD products), associated with feeling “high.”

CBD offers a viable and natural alternative to traditional pharmaceutical approaches to pain management. For those living with chronic pain, reliance on medications like ibuprofen may not be the ideal long term solution. Taking charge of your health and choosing a more holistic approach may just be the thing you were looking for.

How do I manage my pain with CBD?

There are many ways to take CBD. Most commonly are CBD oil tinctures, but there are also capsules, edibles, vape liquids, topical creams, and even CBD beauty products. Check out our guide to choosing the right method for you. Once you have found your preferred way to take CBD, the next step is figuring out which dosage is right to provide the desired effect.

All reputable CBD products will list the amount of milligrams of CBD contained within a product. As a rule, start slow and increase your dosage as necessary. For most mild to moderate conditions, the recommended dosage is 25mg of CBD taken twice a day. For those experiencing severe conditions, it never hurts to consult a medical professional regarding dosage or other treatment options.

How do I find the right CBD product?

Finding the right CBD product can be tricky at first. The CBD industry is relatively new, and a quick Google search provides you with a dizzying amount of brands and ways to take CBD. PopularCBDBrands.com is an online resource to help you stay informed about the latest science behind CBD, and connects you with safe, effective, and top-rated CBD products.