What are CBD pain patches?
CBD patches may be a more appropriate choice for certain ailments such as pain management, although personal preference will play a role in choosing the best way to take CBD.
Continue reading to learn more about CBD patches, including how they work, potential uses, and risks and side effects.
How do CBD patches work?
CBD patches are patches containing CBD and other ingredients that people apply to their skin. They work in a similar way to nicotine patches and deliver CBD directly into the bloodstream.
This transdermal method delivers CBD quickly to the area around the patch. From there, it enters the bloodstream. When people take CBD orally - for example, in the form of oil or gummies - the compound must first pass through the digestive system. The body can then use it, break it down or even simply excrete it as waste. Therefore, much of the orally administered dose of CBD can be lost in the digestive system.
The transdermalpatch applies CBD directly to the skin, which absorbs it and allows it to enter the bloodstream directly. This administration allows the CBD to bypass the digestive system and increases the bioavailability of the product.
CBD patches also provide a more consistent solution than other methods of external administration such as CBD creams and massage oils. Once the skin absorbs the creams, their effect diminishes. People who use creams for relief would therefore need to apply them several times a day.
The patches stay on the skin, delivering CBD for a longer period of time and potentially providing permanent relief from symptoms.
However, transdermal administration is relatively slow and not all CBD will pass through the skin. For this reason, CBD patches usually also contain some form of permeation-enhancing substance that increases the permeability of the skin and allows more CBD to pass through.
CBD patches and pain
Although research into the effects of CBD on pain is in its early stages, with many studies still using animals, early findings suggest that CBD may be an effective means of combating pain in people with a variety of ailments, including arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS).
CBD has a long history of use for pain management, both from patient experience and through traditional healing practices.
Open legislation has allowed much more formal research in recent years. These studies have helped to shed light on the potential of cannabis use for pain relief.
Cannabinoids such as CBD counteract pain in two different ways.
First, they act on the endocannabinoid system in the body to block receptors for various types of pain, even those that are difficult to treat, such as nerve pain. Second, they have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, which can help reduce pain from sources of inflammation. These effects, combined with the transdermal delivery system, can make CBD patches the best forms of fighting inflammation, nerve pain, and localized pain.
Some research in this regard highlights the benefits of patches over other methods, including:
- sustained, long-term delivery of CBD
- minimal adverse effects
- localized anti-inflammatory activity
- localized pain relief
These benefits mean that CBD patches can be effective in situations where a person has localized inflammatory or nerve pain, such as arthritic knee pain, inflammation and nerve pain in the back, or pain caused by skin involvement.
Another study found that locally administered CBD helps control myofascial pain. The study focused specifically on the muscles surrounding the head and jaw in people with temporomandibular disorder (TMP). Researchers concluded that CBD has the potential to treat people with this disorder.
A study in graduate school of medicine examined the effect of CBD on people with chronic pain who were taking opioids to control that pain. Of the 97 participants, 94% reported an improved quality of life when taking a CBD product.
In addition, more than half of the people who added CBD to their treatment regimens reduced or stopped their opioid use after 8 weeks. Larger studies can help explore these results, but suggest that CBD may help reduce some of the risks posed by other pain treatments.
How to use CBD patches
Because of its transdermal application, CBD patches work best when they make direct contact with as much of the skin as possible. To maximize the patch's effectiveness, a person should apply it to the soft area of the skin where it will make the most contact, not to bony or irregular areas of the skin. It must also be as close as possible to the painful area.
Common areas of use for CBD patches include:
- Inner wrist
- back of neck
- lower back
- lower thigh, below the knee
- inner biceps
- shoulder
- inner ankle
Risks and side effects
When choosing a CBD patch, there are several potential risks and side effects to consider, including reactions to both the CBD and the patch itself.
Side effects of CBD
CBD is a natural compound, yet it can cause a number of side effects. Common side effects include:
- drowsiness or fatigue
- too much sleep
- diarrhea
- lethargy
- changes in appetite
- weight loss or weight gain
People sensitive to these effects should not drive or operate machinery while taking CBD.
Interactions
CBD may interact with certain medications. People should therefore discuss their plans with a healthcare professional before taking CBD products to check for potential drug interactions.
Liver damage
Some research suggests that there may be a link between CBD and liver damage, although the doses in the study were significantly higher than the doses people were taking.
People with liver damage or liver failure should talk to their doctor before using CBD products. Transdermal administration of CBD, however, means that the substance is circulated by the liver, so patches may have lower risks than other methods of administration.
Contamination
Although CBD can be useful, potential contaminants in the manufacturing process, including heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals, can pose a risk of reactions to humans.
It is important to have a product from a reputable manufacturer, also look for an independent party's lab test to confirm its purity.
Reactions
Some people may experience a reaction to the patch, which can be caused by trapping sweat under the patch and irritating the skin. In other cases, the skin may react to the adhesive in the patch.
Other ingredients in the transdermal patch may cause similar symptoms. If symptoms occur, a person should stop using the patch and talk to a dermatologist to identify potential allergens.
Summary
For many people, CBD patches provide an alternative way of delivering CBD to the body, allowing for faster and longer-lasting pain relief.
CBD patches may be best for localized pain, such as knee or lower back pain. CBD patches can also work alongside other pain relief methods to help control pain and provide relief.
While using CBD patches for pain can provide relief from symptoms, anyone with chronic pain should work closely with their doctor to help address the underlying cause of the pain.
PHOTO: Shutterstock
"All the information provided here or through this website is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained here in is intended to be a suitable medical diagnosis or construed as medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not promote, condone or advocate licit or illicit drug useor other criminal activities. For more information see our Disclaimer"