Finding Natural Relief for Phantom Pain With CBD
Chronic phantom pain can be detrimental to your quality of life. Unfortunately, finding relief with regular opioid use can be dangerous and even hazardous to your health. Luckily, regular use of naturally derived options like CBD can offer relief so you can live a more comfortable, pain-free life without relying on opioids alone.
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a chemical found in the cannabis plant and has been recognized as a natural pain management option for people suffering from chronic pain conditions such as phantom pain. So, what is phantom pain anyway? This type of neuropathic pain affects people who have lost a limb, making them experience pain where the limb once was.
What Causes Phantom Pain?
While it was previously thought to be a psychological issue, researchers now recognize that phantom pain is in fact a genuine sensation coming from the brain and spinal cord. Luckily, sufferers no longer have to rely on painkillers or opioids for relief, as CBD has provided relief to many who’ve tried it.
How Can CBD Help?
Recent research shows how CBD can help phantom pain sufferers. CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which has two types of receptors. The first type, CB1 receptors, are a part of your central nervous system and influence things like appetite, memory and mood. The second type, CB2 receptors, are found in the peripheral nervous system and deal with inflammation and pain. When CBD interacts with these CB2 receptors, signals of pain are blocked from reaching the brain and the rest of the body, allowing for relief from pain, discomfort and even swelling.
Does CBD Work?
Studies have shown that CBD has a positive effect on chronic pain sufferers. In one study, 53% of participants were able to reduce their opioid use after eight weeks of regular CBD use, some even eliminating their opioid use completely. With concerns about the side effects of opioids on the rise, this is welcome news for anyone looking for a natural alternative.
It seems unfair to experience lingering phantom pain after the already painful trauma of losing a limb, so it’s reassuring to know help is out there. Regular CBD use may allow patients to live a happier, more comfortable life.
