Hemp Cannabidiol for Pain

Because it is still a Schedule 1 controlled substance, there has been limited U.S.-based testing of hemp oil for pain.  However, that has not prevented clinical testing in other countries. And it should come as no surprise that there has been considerable under-the-radar testing and anecdotal evidence of its efficacy in treating pain, among athletes, veterans, cancer patients to name a few.  Hemp oil extract is a natural, non-psychoactive alternative to opiates and has increasingly become a pain remedy of choice because it is effective and non-addictive.  We often tend to think that natural medicine is by default less effective and takes more time to work. But, hemp seems to deliver fast relief, and today many athletes use topical creams that contain hemp oil for the simple reason that it actually helps them manage pain and heal more quickly. Cannabis is not only effective for treating pain and muscle spasticity, it has also been shown to help to heal broken bones.  According to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, bones healed quicker, and were stronger and more resilient against a repeated fracture. 

“We found (hemp) alone to be sufficiently effective in enhancing fracture healing. Other studies have also shown (it) to be a safe agent, that leads us to believe we should continue this line of study in clinical trials to assess its usefulness in improving human fracture healing,” said lead author, Yankel Gabet of Tel Aviv’s Bone Research Laboratory. According to a 2001 Canadian study, hemp doesn't affect internal organs and helps to control chronic pain while helping to regulate the endocrine system.  And while not widely known, the U.S. Government owns a patent on cannabinoids, which include cannabidiol, as neuroprotectants and antioxidants. "Cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults such as stroke or trauma..." - United State Patent - 6630507 Obviously, more clinical research is needed to further determine and bear out the above.