Treating persistent pain and inflammation with CBD
With the medical-industrial complex in disarray, DCs are making a difference in people’s health in the U.S. DCs are more and more viewed as the leaders of natural healing and nutrition rather than spine adjusters. Many people are now turning from conventional, expensive medical treatments to more affordable and effective chiropractic care.
Supplementing health
One of the ways chiropractors are changing American health patterns is through the addition of nutritional supplements that people are lacking in modern diets. Chiropractors see patients every day who have chronic conditions caused by a lack of certain nutrients in the body. DCs know the answer is not more prescription pills treating the symptoms, but rather giving their patients the nutrients their bodies need to repair themselves naturally.
One critical supplement DCs use to help with long-term illness is CBD. This is not a claim that CBD can cure or prevent any disease. I am simply providing relevant summaries with references to recent articles from major universities and research organizations. With this said, I want to point to those studies and discuss how cannabidiol (CBD) may be used to prevent chronic illnesses in patients. We will outline the reasons the research points to so many positive conclusions and discuss any potential risks associated with CBD treatment.
Is CBD safe?
The quick answer is “Yes — as long as you know exactly what you are buying.”
The World Health Organization states CBD is generally well-tolerated with a good safety profile. Reported adverse effects may be a result of drug-to-drug interactions between CBD and patients’ existing medications. Several countries have modified their national controls to accommodate CBD as a medicinal product. To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.
CBD is one of the many chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, another compound found in cannabis, CBD is non-psychoactive; in other words, it does not induce a “high” state of mind. CBD is specifically noncomedogenic and is classified as a phytocannabinoid, a chemical found only in plants. With this said, humans have naturally occurring endocannabinoids in their bodies, which are strikingly similar to phytocannabinoids. These similarities are one of the reasons researchers believe CBD is so beneficial to humans.
Diseases caused by inflammation
The potential of CBD to treat a variety of ailments has shown promise in both human and animal studies. In particular, it has been studied for treating persistent pain and inflammation.
For example, a study on humans conducted by the World Health Organization found CBD to be an effective reliever for many pain conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. Another study conducted on mice showed that CBD reduced inflammation in their hind paw joints and both prevented and reduced pain.
Considering its ability to reduce persistent pain and inflammation, there is a strong argument for using CBD to treat or prevent chronic illnesses. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health states that CBD, CBG and the CBD+THC combination exert a predominantly anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. In contrast, THC alone does not reduce pro-inflammatory or increase anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes, are associated with inflammation and pain in the body. By reducing inflammation and pain, CBD could potentially reduce the risk of developing or worsening these chronic illnesses.
Diseases caused by oxidation
In addition to reducing inflammation and pain, research suggests that CBD may also reduce the risk of developing a variety of chronic illnesses by providing protection against oxidative stress.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, oxidative stress may play a role in the changes in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease. Oxidative stress can lead to an “attack” on brain cells by chemicals called free radicals. It is these free radicals that cause oxidative damage. Signs of oxidative stress are found not only in the brain, but also in the cerebral spinal fluid and urine of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Another study by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that CBD has great therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic complications, and perhaps other cardiovascular disorders, by attenuating oxidative/nitrative stress, inflammation, cell death and fibrosis.
Preventing disease
Moreover, certain CBD cannabinoids — CBDA and CBGA — have been studied for their potential to fight off infections and reduce inflammation caused by bacterial and viral infections, including COVID.
New research has found that cannabidiol is active against gram-positive bacteria, including those responsible for many serious infections (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae), with potency similar to that of established antibiotics such as vancomycin or daptomycin. The research was presented at ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
It is important to note that CBD may have the potential to help, but as with all supplements, some contraindications should be considered. Studies have shown that CBD may interact negatively with other medications, such as blood thinners. It is essential that pregnant women speak with a doctor before using CBD for treatment. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects that may come with high CBD usage, including dizziness, lethargy and/or nausea.
Overall, research has provided evidence that CBD could be used to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as protect against adverse effects of oxidative stress and bacterial/viral infections. Despite its potential efficacy, we do not believe CBD is a “miracle cure.” Still, it is a critical component DCs can use in combination with their expertise to help their patients get off prescription medications and lead happier and healthier lives.
JOE KRYSZAK, MBA, is president of Stirling Professional CBD, the brand built by and for chiropractors and professional offices, giving back to the chiropractic industry. Since 2014, Stirling has grown, extracted and produced the purest CBD available. Stirling Professional brings amazing CBD+ products to patients with the industry-leading lineup of 2,500-mg CBD lotions, THC and THC-free capsules and gels, and four great solutions for better sleep, bringing affordable solutions to patients. For more information, go to stirlingprofessional.com.
