If you’ve wondered if you can use CBD topicals for neuropathy, the answer is—probably.
What is neuropathy?
Chances are, if you have peripheral neuropathy, symptoms can include tingling, stabbing or burning pain and weakness or numbness in your hands or feet. The cause generally is because of damage to your peripheral nerves. Damage could be from traumatic injuries, diabetes, infection, metabolic problems, exposure to certain toxins among other causes.
Can CBD topicals help neuropathy?
Once you’ve developed neuropathy, CBD can’t cure it, but it can help relieve the major symptoms. Prescription medications, which generally are opiates, are often costly and produce negative side effects. Not so with CBD. Studies show that this alternative treatment can help reduce the symptoms that keep you from living your life fully.
How does CBD work? Glad you asked.
Humans and animals all have an endocannabinoid system, complete with CB-1 and CB-2 receptors. CB-1 is found mostly in the nervous system and brain. CB-2 is found outside the brain and tends to monitor and regulate the immune system.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, “The endogenous cannabinoid system—named for the plant that led to its discovery—is one of the most important physiologic systems involved in establishing and maintaining human health.” The ECS helps keep balance, or homeostasis, in our bodies.
A study of chronic conditions theorized that endocannabinoid deficiency is often a factor in people who suffer from chronic conditions. Our bodies create endocannabinoids to stimulate the receptors. When the balance is off, the receptors can’t do their jobs. Illness or imbalance occurs. On the other hand, to kick-start the system, small doses of cannabinoids from CBD can signal the body to make more endocannabinoids and build more cannabinoid receptors.
How does CBD help?
As a known analgesic, CBD topicals can help relieve the pain quickly and effectively, because it’s absorbed into the skin immediately, getting right to the heart of the pain. But, CBD also is a strong anti-inflammatory, which reduces inflammation, another major factor in causing pain.
CBD works like this. It either binds with our receptors acting as a natural kickstart for receptors to create and maintain a balance. Or it blocks the enzymes that remove excess endocannabinoids, giving them more time to work.
The entourage effect in CBD
Essentially, the entourage effect is when all the components of the CBD work together to support your health. So, when you look for a CBD topical for neuropathy, you’ll want to find a product with full-spectrum hemp oil (FSHO). It contains all the cannabinoids and compounds found in the hemp plant. In addition, it contains many essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, proteins, chlorophyll, fiber, flavonoids and terpenes. FSHO contains dozens of cannabinoids. The most abundant is CBD, which makes up 90% of this full-spectrum oil. Other cannabinoids contained in hemp oil are CBD, CBG, CBN and trace levels of THC (under .2%).
CBD is just one of many components derived from hemp. True the others appear in lesser quantity than CBD, but they are important in supporting what CBD does in our bodies.
When you apply CBD you also receive a lot of botanical compounds. Each compound comes with its own effect and benefit, which interact with other compounds. So, think of these compounds such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes and other phytochemicals in the hemp plant as a team helping CBD to do its job. Plus, treating symptoms with CBD is effective without causing harmful side effects.
How to find quality CBD topicals
You’ll need to do some research on the various suppliers. Not all CBD products are the same, regardless of claims. The most important consideration should be given to the way the hemp is grown. It should be grown as organically as possible without using harmful herbicides, pesticides or growth enhancers. Second on the list is the manner in which the CBD is extracted. Look for a product derived from CO2 extraction. This is the most expensive extraction method, but by far the safest.
Although CBD may not be a cure for neuropathy, it can be a great aid in relieving the pain and discomfort associated with it. A safer way to manage pain.