What's The Deal With CBD For Pain Management? Here's Everything We Know Right Now

With more research being conducted than ever before, scientists are delving into how hemp-derived CBD might help manage pain and how it interacts with our bodies to reduce discomfort.

If you're hoping to use hemp CBD to help with pain, here's everything you need before making a purchase, including information on whether oral or topical CBD is better for pain. Plus, our top picks for the best CBD for pain management below.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The cannabinoid has been linked to a range of potential benefits, such as promoting a more even mood or better sleep.*

When purchasing a hemp CBD product, you'll have the choice between broad-spectrum hemp, full-spectrum hemp, and CBD isolate. Here's what that means:

Full-spectrum hemp: Full-spectrum hemp has the "full spectrum" or array of the hemp plant's cannabinoids—including CBD—as well as other beneficial native compounds, like terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids. This full array of intrinsic botanical bioactives is thought to facilitate the "entourage effect." By law, full-spectrum hemp extracts in the U.S. can have up to 0.3% THC by dry weight (i.e., trace levels).

Broad-spectrum hemp: Broad-spectrum hemp retains many of the beneficial compounds found in full-spectrum hemp but filters out any THC. These extracts are sometimes referred to as "THC-free" products.

The best way to understand CBD's impact on your body is through knowing the basics of your body's endocannabinoid system or ECS. Discovered in the 90s, the ECS is a cellular-level communication network. It's responsible for maintaining homeostasis across all the body's organs and physiological functions, including stress resilience, mood, sleep, appetite, inflammatory balance, and pain modulation.

The ECS is made up of cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and specific enzymes. Cannabinoids can either be produced by the body (called endocannabinoids) or introduced from plants. The latter are called phytocannabinoids. CBD is just one of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

Each cannabinoid interacts with the body differently; THC is thought to bind directly to your cannabinoid receptors, which is why it may have psychoactive effects.

Researchers are still working to understand how CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors. Current theories1 suggest that CBD suppresses the breakdown of the body's naturally occurring cannabinoids.

This is important because low cannabinoid levels have been linked to a variety of health concerns, including migraines. (Read more about endocannabinoid deficiencies here.)

Outside factors like nutritional deficiencies, stress, and environmental toxins can all cause low cannabinoid levels. For example, stress causes the body to create an enzyme that breaks down cannabinoids.

Introducing phytocannabinoids is a helpful way to support your body's natural cannabinoid levels so it continues to perform at its best—which means supporting your body's inflammatory response.

While the research is limited, here's what we do know from animal studies. A 2017 study2 found that a localized injection of hemp CBD could help with joint comfort in rats.*

Another preclinical animal study using topical application of hemp CBD3 had similar findings, showing it could help reduce joint swelling and discomfort. 

The two main CBD products formulated for pain management include topical products or ingestible formulas, like oils, gummies, and capsules. When it comes to choosing between the two types of CBD, you should consider your type of pain and personal preferences, according to Mandy Bliss, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, the lead clinician at Serenity Health in Louisville, Kentucky.

"Some people appear to benefit more from the oral preparations," says Bliss. Unlike topical applications of CBD, oral ingestion will allow the hemp to enter your bloodstream. As a result, it can encourage a more even mood along with promoting pain relief.*

When it comes to topical products, some added ingredients may provide additional comforting effects. Often these are botanical ingredients linked to specific benefits.

For instance, popular cooling ingredients include menthol and camphor for pain relief. Some brands also add ingredients expected to support your body's inflammatory response, like turmeric and arnica. Generally, you can also look to topical hemp CBD products to hydrate your skin with additions like aloe and eucalyptus.

Similarly to topical products, other botanicals may be added to oral tinctures for additional benefits. For instance, a tincture that is designed to support better sleep may include ingredients linked to calming effects, such as lemon balm, valerian root, or chamomile.*

As registered RDN and certified holistic cannabis practitioner Emily Kyle, M.S., previously told mindbodygreen, the potential side effects of CBD are mild. These include dry mouth, fatigue, and some digestive issues like loose stools.

While CBD is still a relatively new market category, it appears to provide a diverse range of potential benefits, including pain relief. Research is ongoing, but many individuals are optimistic about the role CBD could play in the future of pain management.*