7 Best CBD Products for Pain Management in 2023

Cannabis is a plant that people have used since at least 4000 B.C . There are a few different kinds of cannabis, including Cannabis sativa.

9 Best CBD Products for Inflammation in 2023: Gummies, Oils, and More

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Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
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Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

Cannabidiol (CBD) may be beneficial in treating pain and inflammation. CBD is a compound from the cannabis plant and comes in both topical and edible forms.

A range of CBD oils, topicals, and gummies that may help inflammation, isolated against a blue background.

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  • Best for a broad-spectrum oil:3Chi Natural CBD Oil | Skip to review

Cannabis is a plant that people have used since at least 4000 B.C . There are a few different kinds of cannabis, including Cannabis sativa.

Although research on CBD is still in its early stages, people are increasingly using CBD as an alternative treatment for a variety of health conditions, including inflammation.

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Cannabis sativa contains more than 400 different chemical compounds. Two of the best known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD.

THC is the cannabinoid that leads to the “high” feeling many people associate with cannabis. CBD does not provide these same effects. Research suggests that CBD can ease inflammation, among other potential benefits.

Research suggests that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, as it affects certain cell viability. It may also have a synergetic effect on rheumatoid arthritis medication.

A 2020 review suggests that CBD’s properties can provide anti-oxidative effects because of CBD’s specific molecular structure. Therefore, it may have anti-inflammatory benefits for conditions that can result from oxidative stress.

Most studies have not reviewed the long-term effects of CBD, and researchers need to conduct more studies with human participants. However, experts believe that the research results so far may have therapeutic implications.

One 2017 review found that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help with the following conditions:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • multiple sclerosis
  • general pain
  • inflammatory conditions
  • inflammatory bowel diseases
  • cardiovascular diseases

CBD comes in many forms. Some people may find that edible CBD products, such as gummies and oral oils, work better for them. Others may find topical CBD, such as creams and massage oils, easier to use.

People can try different forms and concentrations to understand what works best for them.

People may wish to consider the following before purchasing CBD products for inflammation.

Pros

  • Studies show that CBD can ease many inflammation symptoms.
  • CBD products are available in several forms, including topicals and edibles.
  • CBD products are available in a range of potencies that suit beginners and more experienced users.

Cons

  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products.
  • CBD products are not legal in every state.
  • CBD can cause side effects, and researchers are unsure about the severity of long-term side effects.

7 Best CBD Products for Pain Management in 2023

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

How we vet brands and products

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
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Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity as a promising complementary remedy for various health issues, including anxiety, epilepsy, and pain management.

A person using CBD for pain management on their shoulder.

  • Best for muscles and joints:CBDfx CBD Cream For Muscle and Joint | Skip to review
  • Best for minor aches:CBDMEDIC Active Sport CBD Pain Relief Stick | Skip to review
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  • Best for arthritis:CBDMEDIC Arthritis Aches and Pain Relief Ointment | Skip to review
  • Best for cooling effect:Charlotte’s Web Hemp-Infused Cooling Gel with CBD | Skip to review
  • Best balm:PlusCBD CBD Balm | Skip to review
  • Best for patch relief:PureKana CBD Transdermal Patches | Skip to review

CBD is one of several cannabinoids naturally present in the cannabis plant. There is a vast range of CBD products, including oils, tinctures, balms, and candy, all of which may help people experiencing physical pain.

This article discusses how CBD products may help relieve chronic pain. It also provides a list of potentially effective CBD products that have undergone extensive third-party testing for safety.

Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

CBD is one of the many cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. The term cannabinoid refers to substances within the plant, with CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being two notable examples. THC is the compound responsible for the “high” that people may associate with cannabis. CBD is a different cannabinoid that, on its own, will not cause a person to feel high.

The human body contains a complex network of neurotransmitters and cannabinoid receptors known as the endocannabinoid receptor system (ECS) . Research suggests that cannabinoids, such as CBD, and the ECS may play a role in many bodily processes, such as pain regulation.

There are endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids. Endogenous cannabinoids are naturally occurring lipids that the body produces. Two of the most well-known endogenous cannabinoids are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol.

The body does not produce exogenous cannabinoids — these compounds are part of the cannabis plant. Examples of exogenous cannabinoids include:

  • CBD
  • THC
  • cannabichromene (CBC)
  • cannabigerol (CBG)
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Cannabinoids, both endogenous and exogenous, bind to endocannabinoid receptors attached to cells. These include cannabinoid 1 and cannabinoid 2 receptors. This binding action stimulates different cell responses that influence pain signaling pathways.

CBD does not bind very well to endocannabinoid receptors. However, one study on mice found that it may interact with neurological receptors in the spinal cord that suppress chronic inflammatory pain. CBD may also increase levels of AEA, an endogenous cannabinoid that reduces pain.

According to a small 2018 study, researchers evaluated CBD’s pain-relieving effects in seven people who experienced chronic pain after having kidney transplants. Six of the seven participants reported improvements in pain. One of the participants experienced more pain at higher CBD doses but achieved the best pain control at lower CBD doses.

While more research, such as large-scale, high quality clinical trials, is still necessary, these preliminary studies suggest CBD may help manage pain. A 2021 study also notes that participants in the research have positive attitudes toward CBD treatment options and report positive outcomes when using the substance for pain-related conditions.

CBD comes in several different forms, including:

  • oils and tinctures
  • gummies
  • oral capsules or pills
  • creams, balms, and salves
  • topical patches

CBD gummies and capsules are for oral ingestion. On the other hand, topical CBD products are for external use only. People can apply these products to specific areas of the body, such as sore muscles or aching joints.

CBD oils and tinctures are more versatile than other forms and usually come in tinted glass bottles with a dropper. People can either add a few drops of CBD oil to food or beverages or place a few drops under their tongue, where they can hold the oil for up to 1 minute before swallowing. However, people may not feel the effects of CBD oil for one or more hours after using it.

Individuals should follow the directions and dosage information on the CBD product label.

Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:

  • Ingredients: Products contain safe and high quality ingredients, and their labels state all ingredients clearly. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
  • Dosage: Products contain or recommend a serving size of a safe CBD dosage. The label also clearly states the dosage.
  • Third-party labs: Products undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
  • Available certificate of analysis: The company demonstrates transparency and shares a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) following lab results.