Can CBD Flowers Help Reduce Pain and Inflammation?

Can CBD Flowers Help Reduce Pain and Inflammation? Every part of the cannabis plant has been a topic of active research for the past few decades. However, though CBD supplements were at their surge a while ago, their popularity has somewhat declined in recent years. This is why research is being conducted on new CBD products, including CBD flowers. Scientists have found that much like CBD supplements such as gummies, oils, and tinctures, CBD flowers also have several beneficial properties.

Consumers even claim that smoking good-quality CBD flowers work better than CBD tinctures and oils for treating various disorders. This article explores the credibility of such claims and discusses whether a CBD flower is beneficial for alleviating pain and inflammation.

What are CBD Flowers?

CBD flowers are the flowers harvested from the Cannabis Sativa plant, and they can be found in a CBD store online that has all types of flowers you can choose. These flowers are used for recreational purposes as well as medicinal uses. CBD flowers do not have psychotropic properties as they contain deficient levels of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). They have no intoxicating properties and are known to have multiple beneficial effects.

CBD flowers can alleviate pain and inflammation.
Smoking CBD flowers can help to ease cardiac discomfort.
CBD flowers can help in managing anxiety and depression.
It can also assist chronic cigarette smokers in quitting smoking.

Impact of CBD Flowers on the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabinoids are not only obtained from plants but are also produced by all mammals. The cannabinoids derived from plants are called phytocannabinoids, whereas the cannabinoids produced by mammals are known as endocannabinoids. These endogenous cannabinoids exist as part of a complex biological system in mammalian bodies known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

The Endocannabinoid system is associated with various bodily functions like the cardiovascular system, digestive system, motor functions, skeletal system, and pain regulation system. The system comprises two primary receptors: CB1 and CB2, which are present throughout our body and helps in maintaining the proper functioning of our body. While the CB1 receptors are generally related to the central and peripheral nervous system, the CB2 receptors are linked to the immune system.

Experts have found that the erratic behavior of the ECS can cause improper functioning of the body resulting in various diseases and disorders. Further investigation also suggested that topical application or consumption of plant-derived CBD supplements can help manipulate the abnormal functioning of the Endocannabinoid system and thus alleviate the ailments.

Studies found that CBD flowers have similar effects on the ECS as do other supplements made from CBD leaves. It interacts with the immune system of our body and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also affects the pain-regulating mechanism and has analgesic or pain-relieving properties. Studies also show that smoking cannabis flowers help in alleviating anxiety and also treat sleeping disorders.

How Do CBD Flowers Help in Relieving Pain and Inflammation?

CBD flowers are usually rolled into “joints” and smoked. It is the fastest way to introduce cannabinoids into the body. While CBD oils and tinctures take up to 45 minutes to produce effects, smoking CBD flowers shows almost instant action.

When CBD enters our body, it binds with the CB1 receptors of the Endocannabinoid system and produces signals directed towards the pain pathway of our body. The signals command the pain pathway to down-regulate the neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain, thereby relieving the discomfort.

Similarly, the phytocannabinoids of the CBD flowers affix themselves to the CB2 receptors of the immune system. It has an antagonistic effect on the inflammatory mechanism. On regular consumption, it reduces the symptoms of inflammatory responses in our body.

The CB2 receptors also accelerate the dopamine generation on binding with phytocannabinoids. The increased dopamine level in the body helps to ease the discomfort associated with pain and inflammation.

Evidence of the Therapeutic Effects of CBD Flowers on Pain & Inflammation

Scientists have been studying the effects of CBD on pain and inflammation for several decades now. Based on the studies conducted over the years, scientists concluded that CBD has therapeutic effects in treating pain and inflammation associated with fibromyalgia, neuropathic disorders, arthritis, and even cancer.

A 2011 study conducted on laboratory rats demonstrated that CBD binds to the pain receptors and manipulates the pain stimuli to reduce inflammation.
Another 2010 study reviewed the efficacy of a spray composed of a combination of THC-CBD extracts. The study concluded that the combination worked better than opioid analgesics.
A 2016 animal study suggested that CBD can efficiently reduce joint inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
A two-phase study was conducted in 2017 to understand the effect of CBD on cluster headaches associated with migraines. Scientists found that CBD can help in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks. What are the Potential Side Effects of Using CBD Flowers?

Though CBD flowers are generally safe to use, some cases of adverse reactions have been reported. The common side effects noticed are:

Increased anxiety
Decrease in appetite
Mood changes
Diarrhea
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Nausea and Vomiting
Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

CBD can pass through the placenta and affect the fetus in the womb. It can also be transferred from mother to child via breast milk. Thus, smoking CBD flowers should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding to prevent potential health risks to the baby.

Though a rare occurrence, CBD can also cause hypersensitive reactions in some individuals. This is common in people who are allergic to certain plants and nuts.

Experts also found that CBD can react adversely with certain drugs. These are a few drugs that can cause undesirable drug-drug interaction with CBD:

Anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine.
Antipsychotic drugs like pimozide.
Sedatives like clonazepam or triazolam.
Antifungal drugs like ketoconazole
Antibiotics like clarithromycin
Opioid Analgesics like fentanyl
Anti-tuberculosis drugs like Rifampin

If you are under medications and use any of these specific drugs, make sure that you consult with your physician before including CBD flowers in your routine to treat chronic pain and inflammation.

Other Health Concerns of Smoking CBD Flowers:

Though you will find multiple companies selling CBD flowers online or offline, none of those products has been approved by any drug regulatory bodies. Lack of quality regulation often results in several low-grade, chemical-contaminated CBD flowers being traded in the market. So, if you want to experience the therapeutic benefits of CBD flowers, make sure you buy them from a registered and reputable brand.

Conclusion

Recent research has found that smoking CBD flowers can effectively treat pain and inflammation related to various diseases. However, most evidence that supports these findings is anecdotal or has been collected from animal studies. We need further investigations to reach a definitive conclusion about the effectiveness of CBD flowers in treating pain and inflammation in humans.