CBD may be an option for
treating various types of chronic pain. A study using an animal model, found in the
European Journal of Pain, showed that topical CBD, applied to the skin, could help reduce inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. In another study, CBD has shown an inhibitory mechanism for inflammatory and neuropathic pain (two other types of chronic pain) that have been proven challenging to treat. More research is required when it comes to the interaction of CBD in the body as it relates to pain control.
It is interesting to note that out of the wide variety of health issues that CBD has been touted for, the most striking and backed with the strongest scientific evidence is
CBD’s effectiveness over childhood epileptic syndromes. Videos and studies have demonstrated CBD’s ability to reduce, and even in some cases eliminate seizures altogether, especially in certain syndromes where anti-seizure medications have failed.
More studies have also suggested CBD as a treatment for schizophrenia and dementia. A second common advantage people find with consuming CBD products, as opposed to THC, is its non-psychoactive nature.
Products with only CBD will not get you high, and do not produce the same euphoric effects as THC.
CBD does not impair, so it is considered safe to consume before driving, working, or performing any safety-sensitive tasks. And unlike almost any other drug, you cannot overdose on CBD (or THC for that matter).
The research surrounding CBD’s interactions with other drugs is limited, but existing studies show that it can be a safer alternative to other medications (like opioids for pain) due to a lack of dangerous side-effects.
Some animal studies on CBD do point to possible stomach irritation, fatigue, and changes in appetite. However, these effects pale in comparison to the long list of side-effects of other drugs, including overdose and dependency.
CBD is growing so much in popularity that the global market is expected to grow
from the millions to the billions by 2025; this means you can expect a market saturated with high- and low-quality product. Read below on some helpful tips for safely navigating the world of CBD in Canada:
- Carefully read labels
Lucky for us Canadians, the CBD and cannabis market is all federally regulated, and goes through a stringent process in terms of quality control, so labels on Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) and licensed retail store CBD products are reliable.
- Read and research
Licensed retail stores and the OCS are under strict order to not use any medical or prescriptive language for sales, so contact your doctor with any concerns you may have about CBD.
- Understand your work drug policy
If you regularly consume CBD products, but could be tested at work for cannabis use, you will want to monitor how much of the ‘traces of THC’ you are ingesting each day.
