How to Use CBD Oil for Pain Relief

CBD oil is among the most versatile and convenient ways to get your CBD fix, especially for pain relief and management. You can add CBD oil to pretty much anything or use it on its own if you want. CBD oil can be used sublingually, applied topically, or added to your tea or edibles recipes.

But, to make the most of this oil, you have to choose the most effective method for your needs. In this case, you have to learn how to use CBD oil for pain relief more effectively. We’ve shared a guide to guide you through how to do so to achieve the best pain relief results.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil refers to oil derived from the cannabis or hemp plant. Typically, CBD oil comes in three different forms based on its extraction. Full spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, including CBD. It also comprises trace amounts of THC, no more than 0.3%. Broad spectrum CBD oil has all the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant but zero amounts of THC.

On the other hand, CBD isolate oil contains CBD in its purest form with no other compounds. The two former variants of CBD oil are ideal for people who want to enjoy the benefits of all the compounds extracted from the plant in addition to CBD. What makes CBD oil unique from other CBD products is its versatility. You can use the oil in a wide range of methods.

Primarily, CBD oil is taken sublingually by placing a few drops under your tongue. However, you can also mix it with skin products and apply it topically on your skin. Furthermore, CBD oil can be combined with other edibles for ingestion.

For example, you can use it to make CBD tea, CBD cookies, or CBD brownies. Additionally, CBD oil comes in the form of capsules you can swallow or specially designed cartridges to use in vaporizers. What’s important is to determine why you want to use it and the results you intend to achieve. Doing so allows you to pick the suitable method for using CBD oil.

How to Use CBD Oil for Pain Relief

CBD oil is one of the most effective CBD products for pain relief and management. There are plenty of ways to take CBD oil effectively for pain management, as mentioned above. Here are the common methods;

Orally

You can take CBD orally by mixing it with edibles, foods, or drinks of choice. Alternatively, you can take CBD oil in the form of capsules. Simply wash down the capsule with a glass of water. However, orally ingested CBD oil will take longer to yield effects. Additionally, it will have a lower absorption rate due to metabolism and digestion, which eat at the CBD. It will take you anywhere from 15 to 120 minutes before you start to notice the results.

Vaping

You can also find CBD oil in specially designed cartridges to use in vaporizers. This type of CBD oil is designed for vaping. Vaping provides instant results. However, the effects are also short lived, typically about 2 hours.

Sublingually

CBD oil can be placed under the tongue. This offers one of the quickest ways to experience pain relief as the effects are felt instantly. The CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membrane. It takes about 5 to 25 minutes to start experiencing its effects. However, you will have to deal with the strong and earthy hemp flavors.

Topically

If you want to target a specific area, you can use CBD oil topically. To use it on the skin, you first need to mix it with a lotion or cream. Topically applied CBD oil aids in effective targeted pain relief, inflammation, and stiff joint pain. Additionally, you can apply the CBD oil mixture deep into the muscle tissues if you have muscle pain.

But, it’s worth noting that it might be difficult for CBD to penetrate the thick human skin. In this case, it simply works with Endocannabinoid system cell receptors of the skin. Therefore, topically applied CBD oil is a good remedy for targeting pain areas near the skin or muscles.

Effective Dose

There really is no set dosage for taking CBD oil. After all, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate CBD. So, the actual dosage is always open for interpretation and usually varies from individual to individual. To determine the correct dosage, you have to consider several factors.

The first key factor is your tolerance levels. If you are a first-timer or beginner, it’s always a good idea to start with the lowest dosage, about 3 to 5mg of CBD. As you use it, you can then gauge your tolerance and results level to figure out whether or not you need to continue upping the dosage. People with existing chronic conditions are advised to consult a physician so they can know if CBD oil is safe to use and how much to use.

Side Effects

Generally, people tolerate CBD quite well. Unlike THC, it doesn’t produce any intoxicating effects of feelings of anxiety, even at high doses. Nonetheless, it does have its fair share of negative effects that some people may experience.  In most cases, people experience these side effects due to taking higher doses. But, some people may also just have poor tolerance for CBD. According to scientists, some of the common side effects of CBD oil include;

• Increased fatigue and tiredness
• Diarrhea and stomach problems
• Loss of appetite
• Increased weight gain or weight  loss
• Hormonal change (caused by prolonged use of CBD)
• CBD oil also affects the effectiveness of some medications (it is best to talk to a physician if you are on medication before using CBD oil)