August 23, 2022 5 min read
Misconceptions regarding the distinction between muscle relaxant medications and painkillers are prevalent in the marketplace. There's also a lot of uncertainty about how CBD oil is an alternative therapy option for both.
Lövheim et al. (2008) noted that analgesics affect the CNS (central nervous system). They "deceive" the mind into believing there is no pain, even though there is. Consider a severe fracture of the bone. A sportsman breaks his bones to pieces and runs to the hospital. When medics inject him with morphine (or any pain reliever), his pain receptors stop working, and he has no idea what's causing the excruciating suffering he's experiencing. He seems to be content with the results.
Muscle relaxers (also known as 'neuromuscular blocking drugs') are used in the clinical realm. Rather than inhibiting pain transmission to the brain at the muscle location, they work to relax muscles and reduce pain. Acute muscular nerve transmission is broken off by this method. Muscle relaxants and painkillers might be seen as two separate entities. As a result, many people are unsure of the precise function cannabis plays in pain treatment. The central nervous system is well-known for its ability to alleviate pain, but could CBD directly affect the musculature?
Alternatively, can CBD Tincture work as a muscle relaxant, or are the phrases "muscle relaxants" and "painkillers" used interchangeably? As it turns out, Sayhan et al. (2017) stated that cannabis is an effective "pain reliever" for the nervous system and an acute neuromuscular blocker. Lessenger & Feinberg (2008) also noted that CBD Tincture are becoming a popular alternative to pharmaceutical tranquilizers for many individuals. This is for various reasons, some of which we'll discuss in further detail below. When it comes to human health, it's important to know what you're dealing with at a cellular level before embarking on any new treatment plan.
To understand how CBD (cannabidiol) oil works as a neuromuscular blocker, there’s a great need for a basic grasp of what muscle relaxants are and what they do in the body. The central nervous system sends a nerve impulse to the muscles that cause them to contract willingly or involuntarily. The spinal cord has long neurons that branch out into the body organs and muscle groups. Cell-to-cell contact occurs, and the muscle fibers contract on neurons reaching the synapse of a certain set of neurons. (That's an unsophisticated way to phrase things, but it will have to serve to avoid talking about sarcomeres, action potentials, and ion differentiation). The presence of cannabinoid receptors at the synapses of muscles is required for CBD to operate as a muscle relaxant. The ECS comes into play here. This network of cannabinoids and cannabis receptors is 100% natural to the human body. No matter how long or seldom someone has used marijuana, they all have the receptors.
It has been discovered that the ECS may be found in almost every human body system. This explains why cannabis has such a broad range of medicinal uses. To NORML (National for the reform of Marijuana Laws), the endocannabinoid system is "...the most significant [physiologic] system involved in the establishment and maintenance of human health." (Emphasis in original.) De Almeida & Devi (2020) argued that Cannabinoids (including CBD) play an important part in the communication between muscles and the neurons that govern them. It's unclear how this works, so don't get too excited. Furthermore, it's not obvious how the ECS works in cell-to-cell communication. Cannabinoids have a role in reducing muscular stiffness; that much is known.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid extracted from the marijuana plant. THC and CBD are the major cannabinoids found in marijuana. Cannabis's psychoactive ingredient, THC, causes humans to feel euphoric. CBD and THC are both inhaled in the same breath while smoking a joint. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBD, is extracted naturally and used to make CBD oil. There is a method to benefit from the therapeutic and medicinal effects of cannabis without becoming high.
It has been said that muscle relaxers reduce the brain's ability to communicate directly with the muscles. Painkillers and relaxants are comparable in this way. The only actual variation is the site of the stoppage of nerve transmissions. Keep in mind that this is only a generalization. A neurologist wants to comment on a dozen or more factors to establish an accurate definition. Multiple muscle relaxants are often recommended to treat localized spasticity, all of which come in various forms. Acute (temporary) therapies are the most common, although one may also use them with opioid medicines to manage persistent pain.
Devinsky et al. (2014) advised that those seeking relief from muscular tension and pain may want to begin with a low dosage of CBD to ensure it is well tolerated. They may gradually increase the amount until they reach a therapeutic level after knowing their system can manage this cannabis without any negative impacts, such as exhaustion or gastrointestinal disorders. Complete spectrum CBD products are best since they include the full range of CBD benefits. There are also additional cannabinoid products from the hemp plant included in this product. "The entourage effect" refers to the synergy that occurs when certain factors operate together. The cumulative effects of these cannabinoids are greater than the sum of their parts. These CBD products mainly fall into oral consumption and transdermal application. It is better to use a transdermal treatment on a painful or strained muscle. Choose an oral CBD solution that enhances bioavailability and absorption if you want to reduce overall muscular tension with CBD. CBD may be used as a muscle relaxant by increasing the quantity of CBD in the body.
CBD oil is very effective as a muscle relaxant. However, each user is cautioned towards overdosing as a result of expecting a quick reaction. This may be harmful. It is better to use a transdermal treatment on a painful or strained muscle.
De Almeida, D. L., & Devi, L. A. (2020). Diversity Of Molecular Targets And Signaling Pathways For CBD. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, 8(6), E00682.
Devinsky, O., Cilio, M. R., Cross, H., Fernandez‐Ruiz, J., French, J., Hill, C., ... & Friedman, D. (2014). Cannabidiol: Pharmacology And Potential Therapeutic Role In Epilepsy And Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Epilepsia, 55(6), 791-802.
Lessenger, J. E., & Feinberg, S. D. (2008). Abuse Of Prescription And Over-The-Counter Medications. The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Medicine, 21(1), 45-54.
Lövheim, H., Karlsson, S., & Gustafson, Y. (2008). The Use Of Central Nervous System Drugs And Analgesics Among Very Old People With And Without Dementia. Pharmacoepidemiology And Drug Safety, 17(9), 912-918.
Sayhan, H., Beyaz, S. G., & Çeliktaş, A. (2017). The Local Anesthetic And Pain Relief Activity Of Alkaloids. Intech Open, 57-84.
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