CBD & Pain Relief

Millions of people in the United Kingdom struggle with chronic pain and are desperate for help. Now Cannabis research is indicating that CBD and other components in hemp extracts may hold the keys for helping to turn down the volume of pain in the body, ease inflammation, and calm the mind so that you can stop focusing on pain and get back to living.

Pain is something that most people deal with on a regular basis – 38% of adults in the UK are in pain daily. Chronic pain is believed to affect between one-third and one-half of the UK population, with a wide range of demographics presenting with various symptoms related to long term pain. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people suffer from chronic pain, especially given that many people who experience chronic pain don’t actually realise they have it. One of the primary ways that people treat chronic pain is through the use of pain killers, which can be addictive and can cause severe health problems.

So, does CBD affect pain?

Pain is a difficult thing to measure. One issue is that pain is a subjective experience. Additionally, pain can be caused by different things. For example, neuropathic pain, or nerve pain, is quite different than pain cause by inflammation, like in arthritis.

There is preclinical and clinical evidence that suggests that CBD might be an effective pain reliever for some people, especially when combined with other compounds from the Cannabis plant. It should be noted that there is a pharmaceutical available in several countries called Sativex which contains both CBD and THC and is used for chronic pain. There are no pharmaceuticals currently available for chronic pain that contain only CBD.

CBD-rich hemp extracts may be able to influence pain in several ways – by modulating that way the brain signals you to tell you that you are experiencing pain, by reducing inflammation which can cause or exacerbate pain sensations, and by distracting the mind away from focusing on the sensation of pain.

Pain Signalling

One way that CBD can affect the experience of pain is by modulating the “volume” of pain signalling in the brain. This is particularly important for people experiencing chronic pain. It does this by manipulating glutamate and GABA signalling. Glutamate is an excitatory compound while GABA is an inhibitory compound. In healthy subjects CBD tends to decrease glutamate signalling in the brain, which is associated with excitability and heightened pain signalling, and increased GABA signalling in the brain, which is associated with relaxation and decreased pain signalling.

Inflammation Reduction

Additionally, CBD has been demonstrated in pre-clinical research to be a potent anti-inflammatory compound in some regards. CBD appears to influence a wide variety of anti-inflammatory effects on a lot of different types of tissues in the body. This indicates that CBD may hold promise in reducing the sorts of inflammation that can lead to chronic pain – particularly as seen in various forms of arthritis.

Distraction

Another way that CBD might help address the experience of pain is by reducing anxiety associated with pain, and by taking one’s mind off the pain. This is more likely to occur with CBD products that feature additional compounds from the hemp plant. Additionally, many chronic pain sufferers are depressed, and it has been shown that mental health states can influence the subjective experience of pain. When people are depressed, pain is often felt more intensely than when they are happy. If CBD can help relieve anxiety and improve mood, it may indirectly then reduce the experience of pain.

CBD Products and Pain

It is also important to note that the method of consuming CBD will influence how it acts on pain. Topical CBD products will typically provide localised relief in the area where the product is applied. This is because our skin is very effective at its job – keeping things out of your body and away from your blood vessels.

Strict criteria is followed to ensure the CBD broad-spectrum hemp extract we use is free from pesticides, toxins, microbial contamination, kosher certified, vegan and non-GMO. Our Super Terpene Blend works in syngery with our broad-spectrum oil, which contains a wide range of natural occurring terpenes, including myrcene, limonene and caryophyllene.

All our bath and body products are infused with our proprietary Dreem Complex for elevated evening relaxation. This is made up of the following ingredients:

• Broad-spectrum CBD (Hemp Extract Oil) – Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, this restorative, regenerative, replenishing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant protects and repairs the skin from cellular damage, soothes irritation, and balances sebum production.
• Arnica (Montana Flower Extract) – A toning herb that eases acute inflamed conditions of muscular tissue, and healing to scar tissue and bruised skin.
• Juniper (Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil) – Packed with healing compounds and antioxidants, this essential oil cleanses and purifies on all levels, containing flavonoids that offer anti-inflammatory effects.
• Lavender (Lavandula Angusifolia Flower Oil) – This deeply renewing, and highly soothing flower is particularly helpful for breakout-prone skin, thanks to its natural clarifying properties. Anti-inflammatory and useful for treating skin irritation. Relieves muscular and joint aches and pains and supports sleep.

Dreem Recommends…

It may be best to tackle pain with CBD from multiple approaches – a localised topical approach near the area in pain, while also consuming CBD orally, so that the CBD can interact with the brain and help address pain from that angle as well.

Night Drops: Half an hour before bedtime, dispense 6-8 drops under your tongue and hold for 60 seconds before swallowing. Once familiar with the effect of Night Drops, you can adapt the dose to suit your needs. Do not exceed more than 17 drops per day. This is a dietary supplement.

Bed Balm: Massage a small amount to targeted areas as desired. Ideal for reflexology and pressure point massage.