
Is CBD Oil for Pain Addictive?
Chronic pain is a debilitating and challenging condition that negatively impacts many aspects of life. Unfortunately, treatment options often center on potentially harmful pharmaceuticals. But CBD oil for pain is a natural, non-addictive, and safe alternative.
Living with chronic pain is an incredibly challenging experience affecting millions worldwide. In the United States, more than 1 in 5 people report pain on most or every day. This persistent physical discomfort can make life a daily struggle, yet the medical community often overlooks this invisible condition.
The term 'chronic pain' broadly describes continuous or intermittent physical discomfort that lasts more than 12 weeks. Common causes include arthritis, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, migraine headaches, and lower back problems. The pain can range from mild discomfort to severe, intense agony. As a result, your sleep, mental health, relationships, and social life can suffer — it's physically and mentally draining.
Furthermore, managing this type of pain is complicated as no single treatment or medication works for every person and every condition. You may begin a desperate search for relief, trying combinations of over-the-counter and prescription drugs and therapies to alleviate your discomfort. Unfortunately, these measures often fail to provide adequate relief or don't offer long-term solutions.
Often, the medications that doctors recommend are habit-forming and accompanied by a long list of side effects. As a result, people with chronic pain find themselves in a dilemma — take dangerous drugs and risk addiction or suffer through the pain.
However, there is a natural alternative. A different way. Nature's way. Full-spectrum CBD (cannabidiol) oil extracted from hemp plants is a non-addictive, natural option for managing chronic pain. It's available without a prescription, and studies show it has powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. But is CBD oil for pain addictive?
The answer is no. Unlike opioids, which are habit-forming and can lead to misuse and overdose, hemp oil is non-addictive. It won't make you feel high or increase your dependence on the compound over time — it helps your body heal itself naturally from within. Continue reading to learn more about CBD oil for pain and how it can help you find relief from chronic discomfort.
CBD oil for pain — the evidence
Many people with cancer, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions report that CBD oil helps them find relief. Anecdotal evidence is growing, with people sharing success stories online via social media, blogs, and forums. Additionally, clinical trials examining these effects are in their infancy, but early results are promising.
- A 2015 review of 79 clinical trials examined cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, for medical use. The studies typically showed improvements in pain measurements with cannabinoid use. The average number of people reporting at least a 30% reduction in pain was greater with cannabinoids and with placebo.
- A 2017 review of 11 clinical trials with over 1,200 volunteers found that CBD eased helped chronic neuropathy pain. Neuropathy is a type of chronic nerve pain caused by nerve damage that can result from injuries, infections, and medications such as chemotherapy treatment.
- A comprehensive 2018 review evaluated the effectiveness of cannabis and CBD for pain. It assessed numerous studies of various types of pain, including cancer, fibromyalgia, neuropathic, inflammatory, and rheumatic pain. The authors concluded that CBD was effective in pain management, was generally well-tolerated, and didn't cause negative side effects.
- A 2020 review suggested that CBD was beneficial in relieving chronic pain, improving sleep, and reducing inflammation for specific conditions.
Although further research is needed, the evidence suggests that CBD oil is a safe and effective option for those with chronic pain.
Is CBD oil for pain addictive?
No, CBD oil for pain or any other purpose is not addictive and does not produce intoxicating effects.
According to a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) report, "evidence from well-controlled human experimental research indicates that CBD is not associated with abuse potential." In other words, CBD is not habit-forming.
Furthermore, not only does CBD have no potential for misuse, it may help those living with drug addiction. Preliminary evidence suggests that it could lower the risk of developing cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders. It may also help prevent relapse after a period of detoxification and sobriety. Moreover, it can help support sobriety after detoxification.
Choose CBD for pain
There's still much to learn about CBD oil for pain and its potential, but current evidence suggests it's a safe, natural, non-addictive alternative to mainstream treatments.