If you suffer from chronic muscle and joint discomfort, you have likely tried everything to relieve it: over-the-counter pain medicine, prescription pain medicine, heat, cold, physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture. Muscle pain can significantly decrease your quality of life, resulting in mobility issues and fatigue.
If you’re an athlete or someone who likes to be very active, it can be especially frustrating to see your muscles decline. You’re desperate for a moment to relax and experience a reprieve from muscle pain. You have likely heard talk of the medicinal benefits of CBD for chronic physical and mental health issues, but how does it really work? Read on to find out all you need to know about using edibles CBD for muscle recovery.
Where does CBD come from? Is it the same as marijuana?
CBD oil or cannabidiol is the second most active ingredient in marijuana. It comes from the flower of the cannabis plant and is mixed in with other ingredients such as hemp oil and coconut oil, making it edible. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants, but the majority of CBD oils on the market today are extracted from hemp plants. Marijuana contains both CBD oil and another, more active ingredient called THC, but CBD oil contains only trace amounts of THC after it is extracted from the hemp plant.
Is CBD addictive? Will I get high from CBD edibles?
Edibles CBD are not addictive and you will not get high, which is what makes them such a great alternative. Other intensive medications can contain opioids while CBD oil does not have addictive properties. Unlike marijuana, CBD oils and edibles contain only small amounts of THC. While marijuana plants are grown specifically to have large amounts of THC, allowing those who consume them to get a high, hemp plants usually contain 0.3% or less THC—which is the legal limit.
How do edibles CBD relieve muscle discomfort?
You probably learned about the nervous system and the endocrine system in school, but you may not have learned about the endocannabinoid system. This system contains receptors that inhabit the membranes of cells. There are two separate groups of receptors. The first is CB1 receptors, which are found in the brain and nervous system and target immune cells, motor coordination, and discomfort perception. CB2 receptors mostly target areas in the immune system such as the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. CBD oil influences receptors tied to the nervous system, bringing you a feeling of calm and soothing your nerves.
How much CBD is safe and how should I take it?
Doctors have concluded that it is safe for humans to consume up to 1,500 milligrams of CBD per day, although you might want to start out with just five to ten milligrams a day and see how you feel. Some experts say that you can take one to six milligrams per 10 pounds (Men’s Health). If you weigh 150 pounds, that’s around 150 to 750 milligrams. If this all sounds confusing to calculate, edibles CBD or topicals may be a better choice than regular hemp oil or raw hemp. Hemp edibles and gummies that are infused with CBD contain a predetermined amount of CBD, so you know exactly how much you’re taking. For instance, if you take one gummy that contains 30 milligrams of CBD, you will get a decent dose and hopefully some soothing relief on your nerves and muscles without taking too much.
If CBD gummies aren’t your speed, there are certainly other CBD options for temporarily relieving muscle discomfort. There are topical salves and ointments that contain CBD which can be great for maintaining muscle health. These salves not only contain active ingredients (hemp oil) that are meant to soothe your muscles, but you also get the added benefit of massaging on a cooling salve. Ahhhh.
Many CBD topicals also contain additional essential oils with benefits such as coconut oil, lavender oil, beeswax, shea butter, and Vitamin E. Of course, raw hemp, which is intended to be ground, rolled, and smoked as a joint, is an option too.
What types of pain does CBD treat?
Edibles CBD can be used for joint pain and chronic pain as well as neuropathic pain. Pain involving swelling, tenderness and stiffness in the joints, as well as neuropathic pain—which often includes tingling, numbness, and shooting or stabbing pain—can both be improved by CBD.
Whether you prefer ointments, oral medications, gummy vitamins, or a traditional joint, CBD comes in many forms and delicious flavors. If you suffer from a chronic condition that contributes to your muscle pain or you’re just looking for a solution to aches after a workout, there are enough benefits to CBD to make it a worthwhile alternative or supplement to traditional medicines.
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