When you think of the leading cause of disability around the world, your mind probably jumps to those in wheelchairs, missing limbs, or afflicted with a neurological disease. In reality, the leading cause of disability is back pain. 

The American Chiropractic Association estimates that 80 percent of the population has or will experience back pain during their lives. Spinal pain can also cause other problems including migraines or chronic headaches. It may also cause digestive issues, pain and numbness throughout your body, mental health problems, compromised immune systems, and much more. 

Chiropractic care and other doctor-led therapies can help to treat back pain, but serious spinal injuries or subluxations may not have a cure. What’s left is the management of pain and symptoms from back pain. 

CBD is an up and coming remedy for treating symptoms associated with back pain, especially in the form of tasty CBD gummies. CBD in gummy form is easy to take, tastes good, and can be used when back pain hits unexpectedly. 

Just how does CBD work for treating your back pain? There are many factors that go into it. Let’s take a look at what we know. 

CBD, Your Spine, and Your Endocannabinoid System 

CBD is a compound taken from the hemp plant that has many medicinal properties. It is extracted completely separate from THC, the psychoactive chemical found in hemp that generates that high feeling that marijuana made famous. When sold legally throughout the U.S., CBD can’t contain more than 0.3 percent THC, and most strains don’t contain any THC at all. At any rate, 0.3 percent THC isn’t enough to make even the tiniest person high. 

CBD gummies believed to work within your body by activating a system called the endocannabinoid system. This structure is responsible for regulating many areas of the body, including hormones and immune responses. Your body contains naturally occurring cannabinoids that contribute to this system and others throughout your body, sending and receiving information that has to do with your physiological and cognitive health. 

The spine is the most important structure in your body. It allows the central nervous system to reach every part of your body through the brain at the tip. The endocannabinoid system also uses the spine to transmit messages. The neural pathways run along the vertebrae in the spine, traveling up to the brain where the information is processed, and a response is generated. 

This cause-and-effect relationship explains just how impactful CBD can be throughout the entire body, and the fact that the endocannabinoid system is attached to the spine explains how CBD can help with back pain.

CBD for Pain 

Pain is one of the most commonly felt immune responses, and it’s also the cause of 65 million Americans’ back complaints. Back pain is the leading cause of lost work days, and it’s all thanks to the pain that runs up the vertebrae in your spine and attacks other parts of your body. 

CBD is believed to be very effective at stopping back pain when it activates the endocannabinoid system. It’s believed that the increased number of cannabinoids in the body signals anandamide, a compound in the brain that’s believed to help regulate pain through feelings of happiness and health. 

Back pain is one of the most difficult types of pain to solve because it involves so many neural pathways and nerves. Even prescription-strength painkillers aren’t always totally effective, and many people find relief in the nerve-targeting strength of CBD.  

CBD for Inflammation 

An additional problem with back pain is the inflammation that results. Muscles and tendons swell as vertebrae in the spine are moved out of place. The number one thing that any back doctor or chiropractor will tell you is to ice the areas of your back that hurt to bring down the swelling and offer relief.

Ice is very effective at dropping the swelling, but it’s more effective to target the inflammation from the inside. Inflammation is an immune response triggered by the endocannabinoid system. It sends blood and water to surround the injury site as a protective measure. However, the inflammation causes pain and slows down recovery, so it’s important to bring that inflammation down. 

CBD gummies can inhibit signals related to inflammation, encouraging the body to draw back the fluids surrounding the injury and allow it to heal while reducing the pain. 

CBD for Digestive Health 

Many people don’t realize that their gut is related to their back health. The spine also helps to regulate nerves and signals to the stomach and digestive tract. The gut is often called the “second brain” because it can tell you so much about what’s going on inside your body, and if it’s not healthy, your back health could be a contributing factor. 

CBD has been associated with relief from certain gastrointestinal issues including relieving nausea and vomiting. It’s also associated with reduced inflammation in the digestive tract that could be related to irritable bowel disease or other conditions that could be stemming from back problems. 

CBD for Pain-Related Anxiety 

Many people don’t realize the mental issues that come with chronic pain until they experience. Suddenly, patients find themselves paralyzed by the fear that their back pain will arise when it’s least convenient. They’ll worry it will inhibit their ability to participate in activities, sit for prolonged periods of time, and even live a normal life. The anxiety can become clinical. 

CBD is a well-known treatment for anxiety. The endocannabinoid system is associated with hormone productions that can improve or worsen your anxiety, and with the help of CBD, your body may be able to balance out those hormones and find relief. 

CBD for Sleep 

It’s possible that your back pain is also causing your sleep to suffer. You might struggle to fall asleep or wake up several times throughout the night due to pain. Your sleep will only suffer more if your mattress is not conducive to a healthy spinal position. 

CBD can help by not only muting some of the pain and pain-related anxiety that hinders your sleep but also making you feel drowsy and ready to fall asleep. Unlike sleeping pills, CBD will not make you feel groggy and grumpy the next morning. You’ll wake feeling refreshed and ready for your body to heal further from your back problems.