Can CBD Address Lower Back Pain in Veterans?

There is much discourse surrounding the effects and efficacy of cannabis in terms of medical treatment. For much of history, cannabis has been used in medical care, for the treatment of pain. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a component of the cannabis plant that is used for chronic pain treatment. When extracted, CBD provides health benefits associated with managing and lessening long-term pain.

Lower back pain affects over 80% of Americans at some point in their lives. For veterans, this percentage is raised due to the demanding nature of military service. Added stress can inflame pain, and lead to a chronic condition. When looking for a treatment today, CBD has shown to be effective for limiting lower back pain. Users of CBD have reaped the positive benefits of reducing pain and alleviating stress that comes with a chronic condition.

For those with lower-back pain, this can affect quality of life and ability to execute day-to-day tasks. Chronic pain is not only a physical affliction but also affects how people perceive their ability to cope with normal functions of daily life. Anxiety surrounding chronic pain leads to lack of sleep and restlessness, further serving as a detriment to those experiencing the pain. Lower back pain limits mobility, and thus can ultimately limit the functions of daily life. Lower back pain affects ones’ lifestyle, which is why CBD is so effective in targeting the prolonged negative effects of this form of pain.

How Does it Work?

CBD, or cannabidiol, comes from the cannabis plant. It is one of over 100 compounds in the plant and is associated with calming effects for users. Unlike the compound THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, it is not associated with psychedelic effects.

Our body has an endocannabinoid system, where CBD receptors are located. This is also where the perception of pain is located. The body is naturally attuned to when it is out of balance, so things such as lower back pain sets off a signal that affects the whole of the body. Our body’s own endocannabinoids function when it senses inflammation or pain. In this case, the body will release endocannabinoids that bind to receptors to help the body return to homeostasis, or a state of balance.

CBD itself does not attach to receptors, but rather it works with the endocannabinoid system to help the body manage pain. When CBD enters the body, it allows other parts of the system to function and target the areas that are causing pain. In that way, it acts as a natural agent for your body’s pain perception, and a catalyst for managing long-term back pain.

Positive Effects of CBD in Lower Back Pain Treatment

As with any long-term pain, lower back pain produces a physical and emotional toll as well. Along with the physical effects, persistent pain in the lower back can cause anxiety, sleeplessness, a sense of hopelessness, and doubt that you can perform at your best. 

Sleeplessness is also a side effect of lower back pain, as aches and pains keep sufferers from having a good night's rest. As a calming agent, CBD tackles both physical and mental health issues to allow the body to do what it needs to do in daily life.

1. Reducing Pain Signals: CBD works with the body’s nervous system to increase a neurotransmitter known as adenosine. CBD boosts levels of adenosine, which therefore inhibits the sensation of pain. Along with this, it may block pain signals from processing parts of the brain, reducing the sense of long-term discomfort.
2. Reducing Inflammation: CBD decreases stress and inflammation by acting as an antioxidant within the body. This allows for an immune response that can lower pain in the back.
3. Improving Mood and Sleep: Lower back pain can affect all aspects of life: work, relationships, hobbies, etc. For those with constant pain, this can be a source of anxiety that triggers insomnia in the body. CBD may help users sleep, which can be restorative when dealing with lower back pain and aid in daily life function.

Along with these positive effects, studies have shown that one cannot develop a tolerance for CBD. This means that even after a long-term span of usage, users do not need to increase their dosage of CBD. As a non-addictive medicinal treatment, CBD for lower back pain does not present the risk of addiction found in other treatments.

Other Positive Effects of CBD

Along with targeting pain in the body, CBD can actually enhance a person’s immune system. As it works with our endocannabinoid system, it operates in the capacity of an antioxidant. This bolsters immune health and supports the body’s growing need to return to balance. 

Recent studies have also pointed to CBD as an inhibiting factor for osteoarthritis and can lead to preventing nerve damage. These long-term effects of CBD categorize it as a helping agent for long-term well-being.

When looking for ways to manage lower back pain, CBD is a natural, non-addictive substance that can potentially ward off other health risks as well. Many people have found a positive change in their lifestyle through using CBD to treat lower back pain. 

As veterans continue to need resources to help manage pain incurred by a life of service, VRB Labs provides a natural path to lessening the effects of lower back pain. When looking to bolster both physical and mental health, CBD is an effective agent to a positive health journey.