Today the world is facing one of the largest and most dangerous epidemics in history, and I’m not talking about COVID-19. I’m talking about the opioid crisis. Unfortunately, people who live with chronic pain often rely on pharmaceutical medications that can easily become habit-forming and in the end prove to be even more destructive for many than the pain they are trying to escape. Often, side effects from these drugs can lead to the need for more medication, and the cycle is perpetuated. It can be frustrating, confusing and very dangerous.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 128 people in the United States alone die from opioid overdose daily, based on data from 2018. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the prescription opioid abuse in the U.S. has created an economic burden of $78.5 billion every year. Here are a few more stats gathered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.
About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
Now for the good news: Research on pain management via CBD has been very promising as an alternative for people suffering from chronic pain. In fact, the FDA has even recently approved the first CBD product for treating epilepsy, paving the way for more research and availability of CBD-based alternative medicine.
So, if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how this CBD stuff works. What scientists have recently discovered is that we all have something known as the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. And when I say new, I mean this system was only identified in the early 1990s! The ECS is a complex network for cell-signaling. In other words, it’s used for communication inside your body. Because it’s so newly identified, experts are still working to fully understand the ECS, but we do know that it exists and is active in your body even if you are not already a cannabis user. We also know that it plays an important role in the regulation of certain functions and processes which include sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction and pain.
Studies have shown that when you use CBD, it interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in your brain. These receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells and are also a core component of the ECS. The receptors do exactly what their name implies- they receive. Remember how I said that the ECS is used for communication inside your body? The receptors receive signals from various stimuli and assist with cellular response. Research indicates that CBD aids the endocannabinoid system in doing it’s job, encouraging pathways to better transmit messages and assisting cells with their regeneration process so that they can better continue repairing affected areas of the body. This produces anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects that can greatly benefit people who suffer from chronic pain, without causing intoxication, psycho-active influence, mental impairment or dependence.
The National Cancer Institute has even identified CBD as a potential option for the reduction of side effects associated with chemotherapy, including pain, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Some researchers report finding evidence that CBD is especially effective at treating neuropathic and chronic pain. However, it has been identified as a candidate for treating a multitude of painful ailments, including but not limited to:
· Muscle spasms
· Migraines
· Skin problems such as burns, rashes, allergies, dry skin, dermatitis, psoriasis, & eczema
· Multiple sclerosis
· Muscle soreness, sprains, & joint injuries
· Headaches
· Nerve pain
· Arthritis
· Fibromyalgia
It is important to remember that so far there aren’t any FDA-approved nonprescription CBD products. This means that the products available to you as a consumer are not regulated for purity and dosage like other medications; and choosing a hemp or CBD product that you feel confident with can be difficult and confusing. We understand, and that’s why all of our products are organically grown and lab certified. You don’t have to wonder what you’re getting when you buy from Cherry Ridge. We guarantee it.