Top CBD Products for Alleviating Pain in 2025
CBD, one of several cannabinoids naturally present in the cannabis plant, has been gaining attention for its potential benefits in pain management. Studies suggest that CBD products, including oils, tinctures, and balms, may help people experiencing physical pain.
Pain Reduction and Quality of Life Improvements
Research indicates that CBD and cannabis products can bring significant improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, mood, sleep quality, and general health in chronic pain patients. However, the degree of pain reduction varies across studies and formulations. For instance, some studies found oral CBD (400mg) reduced pain by about 16.67%, which was close to placebo effects, suggesting limited superiority.
Variability by Cannabinoid Type and Dosage
The effectiveness of cannabinoids varies with the specific compounds and doses used. Products containing THC or mixed formulations often show stronger pain-relief effects than isolated CBD alone. Aerosolized THC doses showed up to ~39% pain reduction, demonstrating dose-dependent effects.
Indirect Benefits
CBD may improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety, which can indirectly enhance pain management outcomes since chronic pain negatively impacts mood and sleep. For example, topical CBD gel improved sleep and reduced migraine-related disability in patients with muscular pain.
Long-term Safety and Potential Risks
While short-term use appears fairly safe, there are concerns about tolerance development, especially with THC-containing products, and possible withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. Data on repeated or long-term use of CBD alone are still limited, with a need for further research to clarify safety, efficacy, and potential drug interactions.
Choosing the Right CBD Product
When buying a CBD product for pain management, consider the strength, THC content, hemp source, form, cost, COA, a reputable supplier, and how to safely use CBD for treating pain. Medial News Today chooses CBD products based on criteria that include the product's composition, ingredients, overall quality, third-party certifications, the company's reputation and business practices, lab test results, and marketing claims.
Key Findings
- CBD may be helpful for pain management, especially as part of a broader cannabinoid treatment, with observed benefits on pain intensity, mood, and sleep in the short to medium term.
- The long-term effects are less well established, with some studies showing limited efficacy over placebo and concerns about tolerance and safety requiring more research.
- Consulting healthcare professionals before long-term use is advisable.
List of Effective CBD Products
- Best for relaxation: Joy Organics Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil, Unflavored
- Best CBD balm for pain: PlusCBD Full Spectrum CBD Balm, Extra Strength Formula
- Best for relieving tension: Cornbread Hemp Distilled CBD Oil
- Best gummy for pain: Medterra Max Relief CBD Gummies
- Best high-strength CBD: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Softgels
It's important to note that while CBD can provide pain relief with less potency compared to opioids, it may have potential interactions with other medications a person may take, such as arthritis medication. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.
[1]: Reference for pain reduction and quality of life improvements [2]: Reference for variability by cannabinoid type and dosage [3]: Reference for indirect benefits [4]: Reference for long-term safety and potential risks [5]: Reference for choosing the right CBD product [6]: Reference for key findings [7]: Reference for list of effective CBD products
- CBD, one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, may offer significant improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, mood, sleep quality, and overall health for chronic pain patients.
- However, the degree of pain reduction varies across studies and formulations, with some showing limited superiority over placebo effects.
- The effectiveness of cannabinoids can be influenced by the specific compounds and doses used, with products containing THC or mixed formulations showing stronger pain-relief effects than isolated CBD.
- Aerosolized THC doses have shown up to ~39% pain reduction, demonstrating dose-dependent effects.
- CBD may indirectly enhance pain management outcomes by improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety, which can be negatively impacted by chronic pain.
- Topical CBD gel has been found to improve sleep and reduce migraine-related disability in patients with muscular pain.
- There are concerns about tolerance development and possible withdrawal symptoms with long-term use, especially with THC-containing products, and the need for further research to clarify safety, efficacy, and potential drug interactions.
- When choosing a CBD product for pain management, consider factors such as strength, THC content, hemp source, form, cost, COA, a reputable supplier, and safe use practices.
- Key findings suggest that CBD may be helpful for pain management, especially as part of a broader cannabinoid treatment, with observed benefits on pain intensity, mood, and sleep in the short to medium term.
- Long-term effects are less well established, with some studies showing limited efficacy over placebo and concerns about tolerance and safety.
- Consulting healthcare professionals before long-term use is advisable.
- Examples of effective CBD products include Joy Organics Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil for relaxation, PlusCBD Full Spectrum CBD Balm for pain relief, and Medterra Max Relief CBD Gummies for pain management.
- It's important to note that CBD can have potential interactions with other medications, such as arthritis medication, and consulting a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment is essential.
- CBD may provide pain relief with less potency compared to opioids, but further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks for various chronic diseases and medical conditions, including diabetes, COPD, depression, cancer, health and wellness, fitness and exercise, Alzheimer's disease, mental health, therapies and treatments, nutrition, aging, multiple sclerosis, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological disorders.
