CBD Is A Safer Option Than Ibuprofen For Pain And Inflammation Relief

When it comes to pain and inflammation, most people rely on over-the-counter medicines like Advil and Motrin. But should they? Despite the public perception that these drugs are safe, many individuals experience complications or adverse effects that can lead to hospitalisation, or even death. As such, using naturally-derived alternatives is advised whenever possible.

One promising alternative is CBD, a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. CBD has been clinically proven to reduce pain and eliminate inflammation, with minimal side effects. Moreover, CBD provides numerous other benefits that can improve your mental and physical health. Not only is it safer, it’s a more convenient alternative to over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen.

WHAT IS IBUPROFEN?

Ibuprofen is a synthetic compound that is widely used in anti-inflammatory and pain-killing drugs. It is the main ingredient in many over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like Advil and Motrin. Ibuprofen-based NSAIDs are some of the most accessible and commonly consumed drugs on the planet. This is largely because of NSAIDs’ wide range of uses. They are commonly used to treat pain, reduce inflammation and fever, eliminate headaches, and prevent blood clots, among other uses.

HOW DOES IBUPROFEN WORK?

When the human body suffers from trauma or physical injury, compounds called prostanoids are produced by cyclooxygenase enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. Prostanoids generated by COX-2 enzymes are responsible for regulating pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen works to constrain and inhibit these enzymes and the prostanoids that they produce. As a result, pain and inflammation are significantly reduced or eliminated altogether.

Ibuprofen is a non-selective COX inhibitor, meaning that it blocks both the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. This makes it suitable for a wider range of uses. However, it also results in more side effects when compared to selective COX inhibitors that only block one or the other.

WHAT IS CBD?

Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that does not have mind-altering effects. It does, however, have plenty of medicinal value. Preclinical and clinical research have shown CBD to be effective in the treatment of a vast range of medical conditions, including inflammation and inflammation-related pain. CBD is very well-tolerated, even at high doses, and poses no risk of overdose. Cannabidiol can conveniently be consumed in a number of forms such as capsules, tinctures, e-liquids, or edibles.

CBD is commonly used to treat a variety of ailments including anxiety, depression, substance withdrawal, inflammation, arthritis, certain forms of epilepsy, skin conditions, physical pain, neurological pain, and cancer-related symptoms, among others.

HOW DOES CBD WORK?

At one point, researchers believed that CBD worked by interacting directly with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body and brain. However, more recent research indicates that this is not true. Instead, CBD works through multiple processes.

CBD has been clinically shown to reduce inflammation by causing immune cells to cease their production of cytokines. Research has also shown that CBD has the ability to influence receptors responsible for pain modulation, thereby reducing pain. It does this by limiting the body’s absorption of anandamide, a compound associated with regulating pain. Through this process, CBD reduces both the amount of pain being felt and the underlying inflammation causing it.

Furthermore, CBD stimulates the body’s endocannabinoid system to help it better maintain the level of endogenous cannabinoids in the body. In turn, the endocannabinoid system is better able to perform its role in the regulation of things like mood, appetite, and sleep.

SHOULD YOU USE IBUPROFEN OR CBD?

Ibuprofen and CBD are both suitable options for the treatment of pain and inflammation. However, they differ in certain key aspects that can affect your experience using them, and your overall health.

CBD HAS FEWER SIDE EFFECTS

The most important difference between these two compounds are the side effects they produce. NSAIDs like ibuprofen have a nasty reputation for causing a plethora of adverse and unwanted side effects.

Serious side effects and complications from the use of NSAIDs are common, and can sometimes be severe. The broad spectrum of side effects caused by NSAIDs include ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, tinnitus, headaches, dizziness, liver problems, kidney problems, swelling of the legs, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks, and death. The risk of experiencing side effects from the use of NSAIDs is estimated to be as high as 25%.

By comparison, the risk of experiencing side effects from CBD is much lower. In addition, much larger quantities of CBD can be safely consumed in one day. A 2011 study found that huge daily doses of up to 1,500mg were well-tolerated by the human body. Because it is non-toxic, CBD is also a much safer choice for your kidneys and liver. When it comes to cardiovascular health, research has shown that, unlike ibuprofen, CBD will not affect your blood pressure, heart rate, or body temperature.

When CBD’s side effects are experienced, they are typically very mild. A 2017 study on the safety of CBD use found the most common side effects to be tiredness, diarrhoea, and changes in appetite or weight. All side effects ceased immediately after ingestion of CBD was stopped.

CBD IS BETTER SUITED FOR REGULAR USE

The regular use or overuse of NSAIDs has the potential to lead to hospitalisation or death. Most of ibuprofen’s adverse side effects are typically experienced after prolonged or regular use. As such, those who regularly need to medicate for pain or inflammation would be better off choosing cannabidiol. CBD is both a better short-term and long-term solution than ibuprofen since much more of it can be ingested in one day, and since its long-term side effects are mild in nature.

CBD PROVIDES IMMEDIATE RELIEF

Another advantage of using CBD is how quickly its effects kick in. If taken orally, ibuprofen’s effects can typically be felt within 20 to 30 minutes. For certain types of long-term pain, ibuprofen requires up to 3 weeks of regular use to work properly. By comparison, if vaped, smoked, or consumed sublingually, CBD’s effects can be felt within minutes, if not seconds.

CBD IS AVAILABLE IN MANY CONVENIENT FORMS

CBD provides you with many more flexible dosing options than over-the-counter NSAIDs. CBD can be consumed in the form of capsules, edibles, tinctures, oils, e-liquids, isolate powder, salves, and lotions. High-CBD marijuana strains can also be smoked or vaped to similar effect.

CBD IS A BETTER CHOICE FOR ATHLETES

CBD has been quickly gaining popularity among athletes for its ability to improve both their workouts and their recovery. Because it is non-psychoactive, it can be conveniently used before and after workouts. Moreover, because side effects are so rare, it can be safely taken as part of a stack with other supplements. When taken before a workout, CBD can provide an energy boost and a calm sense of focus. When taken after a workout, CBD will immediately get to work relaxing your muscles and relieving pain, tension, and inflammation.

Many athletes find that when taking CBD, they are able to benefit from multiple effects at once. CBD’s clinically proven anxiolytic properties reduce anxiety, which in turn improves sleep. Furthermore, researchers have speculated that the neuroprotective qualities of CBD may actually help to protect the brain from concussion or other injury.

CBD IS A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT

Research shows that CBD and THC both have antioxidant properties. A 1998 study found that the two cannabinoids were powerful neuroprotective antioxidants. Moreover, the study concluded that CBD may be a potential treatment for oxidative neurological disorders. Next time you use CBD for pain or inflammation, consider the potential improvement on your overall health as an added bonus.