Does It Take a Long Time for Cbd Oil to Take Away Back Pain
By the time I finish my Thursday night Muay Thai sparring sessions, I'm beat — and beat up. The kicks I take to my legs don't always leave bruises, but they still smart. It's also my second workout of the day after a 7 a.m. lower body lifting session, so I need a little something extra to help my sore muscles recover.
Lately, I don't turn to ice or compression therapy to soothe my aches. Instead, I've been trying out CBD supplements. The cannabis byproduct, also known as cannabidiol, is only one of nearly 100 chemical compounds called cannibinoids found in the plant.
Cannibinoids interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, and there is substantial evidence that the compounds have therapeutic properties for treating various health conditions and managing pain. For some, CBD is also appealing because it lacks the mind-altering effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.
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I settled on three CBD supplements to test: an oil, a topical roll-on stick, and a topical cream. To help better understand what effects the CBD might be having on my body, I spoke to Dr. Tanuj Palvia, an interventional sports and spine specialist who often treats patients using alternative pain management techniques.
Generally, Palvia said CBD is great for muscle recovery. In his experience, he's observed a wide range of benefits, including reducing inflammation, stimulating appetite, relaxing and soothing sore muscles, and improving sleep. There's still a dearth of scientific research on CBD, but preliminary research backs up some of its alleged benefits.
Hemp Meds CBD Oil
Gold Liquid Hemp Oil
hempmedspx.com
What it is: Liquid CBD, derived from hemp. The company says there are also vitamins, minerals, terpenes, and other trace cannabinoids in the mix, along with MCT oil derived from organic coconut oil and palm oil.
How to take it: Orally, just like any other liquid supplement. Put the recommended dosage in your mouth (three-quarters of a teaspoon), then swallow.
How it tastes: Earthy and strangely sticky, but not unpleasant. There was no weird aftertaste, and I wasn't burping the flavor after washing it down with water, like I have in the past with fish oil supplements.
I started my CBD recovery trial by taking a dose of oil twice a day, first thing in the morning and right before bed.
Aside from the taste, I didn't feel much of an immediate effect from the oil. That shouldn't come as a big surprise, according to the expert. "Most sublingual formulations of THC or CBD cannabis products, such as the hemp oil, will take 20 to 40 minutes to produce any therapeutic effect," said Palvia. "The advantage here is that sublingual administration results in therapeutic benefit in all muscles."
My sore muscles didn't feel much different than under any other recovery protocol over the long term — but after a few days, I did feel like my early mornings were less groggy. Researchers believe CBD can help with sleep, so that squares with the data we have available. Rest is a major factor in recovery, so I considered the oil effective in that sense.
HempMeds Active Relief Roll-On
Active Relief Roll-On
hempmedspx.com
What it is: A roll-on applicator filled with a "proprietary herbal blend" of 10 percent hemp extract and 5 percent menthol USP.
How to take it: Topically, by rolling the stick on your sore muscles no more than four times in one day.
How it feels: Ever use Icy Hot or BioFreeze? This has the same vibe. There's a refreshingly numb tingly feeling wherever you spread it, along with a distinct sharp peppermint smell that will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in an athletic training room.
The roll-on worked more immediately than the oil. As soon as I rubbed it into my aching hamstrings, I felt the same pinprick cooling sensation I've experienced hundreds of times using other menthol-based topicals like BioFreeze. The effects lasted for the better part of an hour, dulling the soreness in my muscles.
After a few treatments, I was hooked — but I wasn't exactly sure how this differed from the other non-CBD products I've used to treat stiff legs. Turns out, I was taking on the soreness through an entirely different system.
"CBD and other cannabinoids work through the endocannabinoid system, an entirely different pain pathway compared to traditional topical agents. For example, Icy Hot, a menthol, and Tiger Balm, a capsaicin, work at the Transient Receptor Potential Channel," Palvia said. "Therefore, via this alternative route, a Roll-on formulation of CBD can provide an adjuvant source of pain relief during recovery."
With both CBD and menthol, the roll-on allowed me to take on muscle pain at two points. My hamstring kept aching despite the treatment, however, so the two-pronged approach isn't guaranteed to do more than address soreness in the short term.
Medix CBD Cream
Medix CBD Pain Cream
medixcbd.com
What it is: CBD cream made from hemp oil and other ingredients like aloe and menthol. There's a higher share of menthol here than in the roll-on, at 9.5 percent.
How to take it: Take a small dab of cream on your hands and rub it onto the affected area. Medix recommends only applying every 4 to 6 hours.
How it feels: Since there's menthol involved, it's not much different than the roll-on, smell and all.
Using the cream was messier than the roll-on stick. There is a slightly oily residue on the applied area with the cream, which gets messy if you have lots of body hair or need to put clothes back on immediately. I preferred the roll-on for this reason.
The hot and cold sensation was stronger with the cream, and I felt the effects for longer. The smell also followed me around longer, after having used my fingers to spread out the goop. If you have a habit of touching your face, this probably isn't the cream for you.
The Last Word
These supplements worked for me — in the short term. General muscle soreness receded through the treatments, but I had a few nagging pains from a half marathon and a training injury that continued to give me issues. If you're going to use CDB to manage your achey muscles and joints, speak to your doctor first (and check to make sure it's legal where you live).
Brett Williams, NASM Brett Williams, a fitness editor at Men's Health, is a NASM-CPT certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter who splits his workout time between strength and conditioning training, martial arts, and running.
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Does It Take a Long Time for Cbd Oil to Take Away Back Pain
Source: https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a23567965/cbd-oil-cream-pain-recovery/
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