Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most promising cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The last few years have seen a remarkable upward curve for the compound, with many research groups and studies trying to determine its effectiveness in treating many diseases and disorders. One angle of this research is focused on finding the potential of CBD for neuropathy, i.e., nerve pain management. How fruitful have these efforts been, and what can we expect in the future? We answer these and many other questions in this brief.   

Nerve Pain & How CBD Might Help with It

Neuropathic pain is defined as the pain that stems from damaged nerves. Commonly dubbed nerve pain, this kind of pain is a bit different from the pain messages that are transmitted along the healthy nerves from specific damaged tissues. Here, we mainly discuss the tissue damage that results from falls, cuts, or even arthritic knees. Currently, neuropathic pain is treated by using different medicines. These medicines differ from those commonly used to manage damaged tissue pain.

Using cannabis-based medicines to manage neuropathic pain initially sounds slightly surprising, but there has already been decent progress in this field. Several products, such as oils, sprays, and tablets, are used for managing neuropathic pain. The active cannabis ingredient in these products is either obtained from the cannabis plant or made synthetically.  

So how does it work? How CBD helps with pain management is a phenomenon yet to be fully understood. However, the research so far gives us a decent idea of the events that might occur in this process. Like other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, CBD is also a cannabinoid that interacts with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating several critical functions in the human body. Some of these include learning, memory, sleep, temperature, and pain control. Not only pain control, but it also concerns itself with the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. Hence, the interaction of CBD ligand with endocannabinoid receptors seems to be the primary signaling event explaining the compound's mechanism of action.

What Does the Research Tell Us?

Let us take you back to 2014 when a research study found that CBD had a diminishing role on neuropathic pain and patients undergoing chemotherapy. Although chemotherapy is an excruciating procedure, only the patients undergoing the treatment can relate to its pain intensity. So that cannabis solved this complicated challenge was a fresh breath of air for the researchers. Similarly, a 2020 study found that CBD served as an effective agent in countering brain inflammation. Some other cities also point to the favorability of this potential treatment for neuropathic pain. Of course, many factors must be considered when we talk about a research study and the results derived from it. There is a need for bigger sample sizes and more populations to be studied before we can form opinions that will allow rolling out CBD products for treating neuropathic pain specifically. However, there is no denying that this is undoubtedly one of the options that scientists can consider soon.

Considerations for Purchasing CBD Products

Findings from the research are undoubtedly intriguing, which means that you will be interested in scratching your credit cards for a CBD product that can manage your nerve pain. However, before you dash out to shop for such products, let us share with you a few critical insights. Some factors you must keep in mind when purchasing such products include potency quality, third-party independent testing, the type of the CBD and, of course, labelling. Reading the label is extremely important as it can give a clue to the presence of additional ingredients.

Are There Any Side Effects?

One factor playing in CBD's favor right now is that it is well-tolerated by the human body. Sure, some side effects have been reported. However, these rare side effects are mild compared to other cannabinoids, say THC. These side effects may include dry mouth, diarrhea, diminished appetite, and a general feeling of fatigue. But compare this pain with the excruciating neuropathic pain, and you will undoubtedly agree that using cannabidiol for nerve pain management is justified.

Other Cannabinoids Are Useful Too!

It is pertinent to mention that CBD is not the only cannabinoid investigated for pain management. Instead, certain other cannabinoids have shown promising results in this regard. Furthermore, some research studies focused on determining the effects of a mixture of cannabinoids, for example, CBD and THC. Studies have also been conducted using dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC. So, one can be pretty confident about the future of neuropathic pain treatment using different cannabinoids obtained from the cannabis plant. CBD is, perhaps, the most promising candidate right now. But if the final results are not optimal or favorable, then the focus would undoubtedly shift to other good cannabinoid candidates.

More Research Is the Way Forward

Currently, we are looking at a cannabis landscape in which CBD is dominating other cannabinoids significantly. However, one must mention here that this is just the start. We cannot build 100% authenticated opinions based on the results of a few studies that we have shared in this brief. Instead, one must put more faith in research, invest more, and then form opinions based on the result. Cannabidiol is proving to be a game-changer in neuropathic pain management. It is yet to be seen if this is something that will continue to be a topic of interest for researchers in the years to come. One hopes that the odds always remain in this cannabinoid's favor!

To Wrap it Up!

That would be all from this brief. Hopefully, this brief helped increase your current knowledge of CBD and its possible potential in treating neuropathic pain. When it comes to CBD, there is always an element of magic associated with it. Of course, it is too early to predict the true potential of this cannabinoid concerning neuropathic pain. However, the future certainly looks bright at the moment. Perhaps more research on this cause can solve the problem of treating neuropathic forever. On that hopeful note, we bid you farewell from this space!

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to be prescriptive – please consult your doctor or healthcare provider before including CBD into your routine.