CBD as an alternative pain reliever: What it can really do

Recurrent or chronic pain is part of daily life for millions of people today. Even if conventional therapies and preparations often work well, the side effects are often severe, and the quality of life of those affected is significantly restricted.

For this reason, interest in alternative pain therapy options has increased significantly in recent years. Products from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa), such as medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD), are considered particularly promising.

But do cannabis medications really deliver on the promises of numerous testimonials? When is the use of medical cannabis recommended, and when is CBD the better choice? And what does research actually say about the effects of CBD?

CBD exerts its pain-relieving effect through various mechanisms in the body, primarily through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and other pain-regulating systems. Detailed information on how CBD works for pain can be found in our article CBD Oil for Pain.

Basically, CBD indirectly interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays an important role in pain regulation. It also acts on other receptors involved in pain perception. This variety of possible mechanisms of action has led to extensive research into the effects of CBD on pain.

Scientific interest in CBD as a treatment option for pain has risen sharply in recent years. But how reliable are the results?

Chronic pain affects about 20% of adults worldwide and often significantly reduces the quality of life of those affected. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Mondello et al. (2023) examined 20 randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of CBD for chronic pain.

The results were mixed: while some studies showed significant improvements, others could not demonstrate clear benefits. The authors concluded that the evidence for the pain-relieving effect of CBD is in the "low to moderate" range and that "further well-designed clinical studies" are needed. (1)

The most important criticism: most studies work with too few participants, and the studies are usually too short to obtain reliable results.

Neuropathic pain, i.e., nerve pain, is considered particularly difficult to treat. It often responds little or not at all to conventional pain relievers. According to a study by Xu et al. (2020), the use of topical CBD could help. The study participants reported a significant reduction in their pain when the CBD product was applied topically to the skin. (2)

However, critics note that many studies on CBD for neuropathic pain are conducted with combination preparations (e.g., CBD and THC). This makes it difficult to isolate the specific effects of CBD. It remains unclear to date whether CBD alone is as effective as in combination with THC.

For inflammatory pain, such as that typically found in osteoarthritis or back pain, CBD is particularly promising. A clinical study (3) already showed in 2017 that CBD reduced both inflammation and neuropathic pain in osteoarthritis in an animal model. The results also indicate that CBD may not only act symptomatically but also slow the progression of the disease.

However, here's the caveat: the transferability of animal studies is limited, and more research in clinical studies on humans is urgently needed to make more reliable statements.

High-quality CBD oils from Hanfgeflüster

Certainly: The research results are very promising and a great hope for all those suffering from pain. But how reliable are the results really?

A review by Villanueva et al. from 2022 (4) concludes that CBD shows promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of chronic pain. However, according to the authors, higher quality clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer observation periods are needed to fully evaluate efficacy and safety.

An important aspect in the discussion about CBD is and remains the placebo effect. CBD has received enormous media attention in recent years. The expectation that CBD works very well against pain can actually influence its effectiveness.

A 2018 study (5) showed that the placebo effect can be very strong in pain treatments in general – up to 30% of reported pain relief could be attributed to it, according to the authors. (5) Even if this makes it difficult to assess the actual, pharmacological effect of CBD, it shows one thing: CBD can have a positive effect and significantly improve the quality of life of those affected.

The optimal dosage of CBD can vary greatly and depends on various factors, including:

• Type and intensity of pain

• Body weight and other individual characteristics of the pain patient

• Sensitivity to cannabinoids

• Type of CBD product (oil, spray, topical application, etc.)

In most clinical studies, dosages between 15 mg and 300 mg of CBD per day were investigated, with higher dosages often showing better results.

We generally recommend that you consume CBD mindfully: start with a low dose (5-10 mg CBD twice daily) and observe the effect on your body and your symptoms. Slowly increase until the desired effect occurs. This way you minimize the risk of possible side effects and find your individually optimal dosage.

CBD is available in various forms. The choice of administration method depends on your personal preferences. However, the effectiveness of pain treatment varies depending on the administration method.

For localized pain, topical applications may be useful, while for chronic or systemic pain, CBD oils or sprays are usually more suitable. Consult your treating physician to find the optimal application for you.

Particularly interesting in connection with CBD is its potential as an alternative or supplement to conventional painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen) and opioids.

But CBD can also be the better choice compared to medical cannabis, because it is not addictive and does not have psychoactive effects. This makes it much easier to integrate into everyday life and reduces the risk of stigmatization. However, unlike medicinal hemp, cannabidiol is currently not available on prescription and is instead sold as an over-the-counter food supplement. CBD products are therefore considered food and are not covered by health insurance.

Overall, CBD can therefore at least be a valuable addition to pain management - especially for patients who suffer from the side effects of conventional painkillers and are looking for a remedy that can be easily integrated into their everyday life. It is important that you consume CBD mindfully, slowly increase the dose (and adjust it if side effects occur) and only take high-quality products.

• Moderate pain relief: For many patients, CBD can lead to a noticeable, though often moderate, reduction in pain.

• Better tolerability: Compared to many conventional painkillers, CBD causes fewer side effects.

• Positive accompanying effects: In addition to pain relief, CBD can have positive effects on sleep, stress perception and mood, thus indirectly improving the quality of life of those affected.

• Complete pain relief: CBD is not a magic bullet that makes all pain disappear.

• Immediate effect: For most people, the full effect of CBD only becomes apparent after regular use over several weeks.

• Consistent effect for everyone: The individual response to CBD can vary greatly - what works well for one person may not have the same effect for another.

We recommend viewing the use of CBD as part of a holistic approach to pain management. Measures such as physiotherapy, psychological support, relaxation techniques, and conventional painkillers when needed, work in conjunction with CBD to improve patients' quality of life.

If you want to try CBD for pain relief, you should keep the following in mind:

• Start with a low dose (5-10 mg CBD per day) and increase it slowly until you achieve the desired effect.

• Keep a pain diary to monitor the effects precisely.

• Positive effects often only appear after regular use over several weeks. Be patient!

Unfortunately, there are many disreputable providers on the market. Therefore, when purchasing, make sure to choose only high-quality products from reputable providers in Germany or the EU. We source all our hemp from Europe, and product quality is continuously monitored in the laboratory. This also ensures that our products remain below the approved THC content of less than 0.3% and are not psychoactive.

We generally recommend consuming full-spectrum oils, as they are more natural and contain other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes (keyword "entourage effect").

Especially if you are already taking other medications or suffer from health problems, you should definitely talk to your doctor before using CBD to minimize risks and side effects.

One thing is certain: CBD can do a lot, and research has recognized this. However, further research is still needed to confirm the results and determine in detail how and in what dosage CBD works best against pain. Especially for neuropathic pain and inflammation, the evidence certainly points to the positive effect of CBD.

Even if it's "just" the placebo effect: CBD has positive health effects and can help significantly improve the quality of life for pain patients. It is important to ensure particularly high product quality, consume mindfully, and, if necessary, consult with your doctor.

Medical Disclaimer