Disease of the nervous system, neuropathy affects 2-8% of the population, usually people over 65 and often also with diabetes. Although it is sometimes possible to treat them, neuropathies cause pain, uncontrolled movements and sometimes even local paralysis. A number of researches with encouraging results have already proven that CBD is a strong candidate for the alleviation of the pains and the anxiety which they cause. A significant advantage, cannabidiol is not accompanied by noticeable side effects, unlike most current conventional treatments. Back to what we know about the use of CBD for neuropathy.
What is Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a general term encompassing all conditions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This is the part of the nervous system made up of the ganglia as well as the nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord. Neuropathy therefore brings together under the same name different neurological diseases, including mononeuritis, polyneuritis or even Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseases.
D’various origins (diabetes, renal failure, chronic alcoholism, genetic predispositions, etc.), neuropathies manifest themselves through sensory dysfunctions and / or loss of autonomy : cramps, spasms, burning sensation, tingling, muscular twitches of varying intensity. Sometimes, only one nerve is affected (sciatica for example): this is called mononeuritis. In more advanced forms, however, the entire peripheral nervous system is affected. Symptoms include pain, decreased reflexes and go to progressive paralysis of one or more muscles.
Currently, treatments for neuropathy rely on two main levers:
- Treat the cause: regulate the sugar level in the case of diabetic neuropathy for example.
- Relieve pain: we then speak of symptomatic treatments. They intervene as a complement aimed at treating the origin of the disease, or as a substitute when no solution is found to cure the disease.
The ideal therefore is always to identify the cause and fix the problem permanently. However, this is not always possible or fast enough to avoid taking painkillers, which sometimes have quite serious side effects (weight gain, change in mood, stomach problems, etc.).
With no major side effects, CBD is also and especially known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. If it does not seem to be able to cure neuropathy, it nevertheless represents a real opportunity toimprove the daily life of some patients by reducing their pain and thus allowing them to find a certain comfort of life. For once, there is already several research studies focusing on the hopes that it seems realistic to place on the use of cannabis in the treatment of neuropathies.
A little more advanced research than usual
When we look closely at CBD and other cannabinoids as treatment options for certain conditions, we read and reread the same sentence over and over again: “More research is still needed to draw definitive conclusions.” Don’t make us say what we haven’t said, more research is also welcome regarding CBD and neuropathy. However, we advance a little less in the dark than for most other subjects. If therapeutic cannabis is still not authorized in France or in many other European countries, it is indeed already in the United States and Canada, two countries at the forefront of research.
So even the most skeptical scientists agree that cannabis is a real opportunity for the treatment of neuropathy. More precisely, four health problems in particular are unanimous:
- The neuropathic pain,
- The palliative care,
- The nausea and vomiting caused by heavy treatments such as chemotherapy,
- The spasticity (involuntary muscle spasms and contractions) caused by multiple sclerosis or certain connections in the spinal cord.
CBD influences the transmission of neurotransmitters
Also thanks to Canadian researchers, it has been proven that CBD is able to regulate the transmission of a particular neurotransmitter: serotonin. Specifically, CBD has the ability to activate anxiety-related receptors (5-HT1A) and pain-related receptors (TRPV1). This phenomenon only explained at the end of the 2010s rationally explains how CBD manages to soothe our body and mind, and in doing so justifies the painkiller, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties that are attributed to it. It is also for this same reason that he is able tosoothe neurological pain, and therefore those related to neuropathy.
CBD products suitable for neuropathy
In theory, all types of CBD products may be suitable for relieving pain associated with neuropathy. CBD oils seem more suitable, however, since they are particularly easy to use, simple to dose and extremely versatile. You can thus indifferently place them under your tongue for a faster assimilation by the body, pour them on a sugar to mask the taste and even use them as a relaxing massage for local application to painful areas.
Another particularly gentle way to relax with legal cannabis is hemp tea. The CBD is then a little slower to act (it must be digested first) and presents more diffuse effects, but also in the longer term.
Considering the consumption of CBD for neuropathy? We would like to remind you that CBD is in no way recognized as a drug in France, as in many other countries. While it does not cause side effects, it can nevertheless cause Drugs interactions with your usual treatment. Weedy strongly recommends that you consult your doctor before taking CBD with any medication. He will be able to advise you on the merits of taking it as well as on the appropriate dosage.
