Every once in a while a new product splashes onto the market claiming to be a miracle cure for chronic pain. Recently, cannabidiol or CBD oil has become that product, and odds are you’ve seen an advertisement for CBD oil, CBD gummies or CBD products on the radio or in a magazine. CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant, but unlike medical marijuana, CBD products do not contain THC, the primary psychoactive compound in the plant.
Like a lot of passive treatment options in the chronic pain community, CBD oil has earned mixed reviews. Some patients are calling it a wonder drug, as they say it’s been able to rid them of arthritis pain, calm their anxiety and help them sleep. Doctors on the other hand are a little more skeptical of the actual science behind the drug, but then again, since CBD products have been shown to have fewer side effects than traditional opioids, who are doctors to condemn a product that appears to be working for some people?
Is CBD Effective?
By most scientific reports, the jury is still out on whether or not CBD oil has a causal relationship with reducing chronic pain. A study involving rodents found that CBD helped to lower arthritis-related pain and inflammation in rats, but that same study has yet to be conducted on humans. Another recent study published in the journal Pain suggested that low-dose CBD may be effective at reducing pain and anxiety by interfering with a neurotransmitter linked to both. However, Dr. Gabriella Gobbi, who conducted the second study, said more research still needs to be conducted on how CBD really affects the body.
“[CBD] should be more thoroughly studied by doctors and scientists, and then go though the drug development stages and approved by regulatory agencies before being commercialized,” said Gobbi.
The problem is we’ve kind of skipped those middle steps, and that can be dangerous. Even if CBD oil is effective for some, there’s always the chance that we’re missing a potential side effect because the product hasn’t been thoroughly vetted by medical research. There’s also the possibility that the effectiveness is largely a placebo effect in a number of individuals, but again, placebos have been used to treat a myriad of health conditions in the past, so if it’s working for someone, it might be worth continuing.
With that said, if you’re considering beginning or continuing a CBD product regimen, run it by your primary care physician or pain management specialist. While it has shown promise for some conditions, it certainly won’t help certain ailments caused by physical problems, like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Don’t waste your time with a passive treatment that will not work if you’re dealing with these conditions. Talk to your doctor, uncover the root cause of your pain, and then determine if CBD oil could be effective for your condition. If you’re a candidate, odds are your doctor will be open to helping you explore the benefits of CBD oil.
One last thing of note – CBD oil is governed differently across the US. It is illegal in some states, while others allow it. Here in Minnesota, hemp products are legal so long as the THC concentration is below 0.3. So while CBD oil may be legal at the state level, it’s actually illegal at the federal level. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration considers all cannabinoids, including CBD, a schedule 1 drug, which means it’s as illegal as heroin from the federal government’s perspective. The federal government isn’t activly enforcing CBD’s illegal status, so while it’s unlikely you’ll get in trouble for purchasing or using it, it’s worth remembering that it’s not completly legal in the US, and it could affect your employment depending on where you work.
For more information on CBD oil or your chronic pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.