Does Botanical Extract Oil work for chronic pain management?

The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that receives and translates signals from cannabinoids. It produces some cannabinoids of its own, which are called endocannabinoids. The ECS helps to regulate functions such as sleep, immune-system responses, and pain.

When THC enters the body, it produces a "high" feeling by affecting the brain's endocannabinoid receptors. This activates the brain's reward system, producing pleasure chemicals such as dopamine.

Does Botanical Extract Make you high?

Botanical Extract is an entirely different compound from tetrahydrocannabinol, and its effects are very complex. It is not psychoactive, meaning it does not produce a "high" or change a person's state of mind, but it influences the body to use its own endocannabinoids more effectively.

According to one study posted to Neurotherapeutics, this is because CBD itself does very little to the ECS. Instead, it activates or inhibits other compounds in the endocannabinoid system.

For example, Botanical Extract stops the body from absorbing anandamide, a compound associated with regulating pain. So, increased levels of anandamide in the bloodstream may reduce the amount of pain a person feels.

Cannabidiol may also limit inflammation in the brain and nervous system, which may benefit people experiencing pain, insomnia, and certain immune-system responses.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body through the nerves and brain.

Muscle spasms are one of the most common symptoms of MS. These spasms can be so great they cause constant pain in some people.

One report found that short-term use of Botanical Extract Oil could reduce the levels of spasticity a person feels. The results are modest, but many people reported a reduction in symptoms. More studies on humans are needed to verify these results.

Chronic pain

The same report studied Botanical Extract Oil use for general chronic pain. Researchers compiled the results of multiple systematic reviews covering dozens of trials and studies. Their research concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.

A separate study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine supports these results. This research suggests that using Botanical Extract can reduce pain and inflammation.

The researchers also found that subjects were not likely to build up a tolerance to the effects of Botanical Extract, so they would not need to increase their dose continually.

They noted that cannabinoids, such as Botanical Extract, could offer helpful new treatments for people with chronic pain.

Other uses

In the United States, Botanical Extract Oil has varying legality across different states and at a federal level, yet it currently has a range of applications and promising possibilities.

These include:

• smoking cessation and drug withdrawal
• treating seizures and epilepsy
• anxiety treatment
• reducing some of the effects of Alzheimer's, as shown by initial research
• antipsychotic effects on people with schizophrenia
• future applications in combating acne, type 1 diabetes, and cancer
  
  

Although more research is required to confirm some uses of Botanical Extract Oil, it is shaping up as a potentially promising and versatile treatment.

In June 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved one form of Botanical Extract as a treatment for people with two rare and specific kinds of epilepsy, namely Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome (DS).

The brand name of this drug is Epidiolex.

Dosage

The FDA does not regulate Botanical Extract for most conditions. As a result, dosages are currently open to interpretation, and people should treat them with caution.

Anyone who wishes to use Botanical Extract should first speak to a doctor about whether it is a good idea, and how much to take.

The FDA recently approved a purified form of Botanical Extract for some types of epilepsy, with the brand name Epidiolex. If you are using this medication, be sure to follow the doctor's advice about doses.

Anyone who wishes to use Botanical Extract should first speak to a doctor about whether it is a good idea, and how much to take.

The FDA recently approved a purified form of Botancial Extract for some types of epilepsy, with the brand name Epidiolex. If you are using this medication, be sure to follow the doctor's advice about doses.

Side effects

Possible short-term side effects of using Botanical Extract Oil include fatigue and changes in appetite.

Most people tolerate CBD oil well, but there are some possible side effects.

According to a review in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the most common side effects include:

• tiredness
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• weight gain or weight loss
  
  

In addition, using Botanical Extract Oil with other medications may make those medications more or less effective.

The review also notes that scientists have yet to study some aspects of Botanical Extract, such as its long-term effects on hormones. Further long-term studies will be helpful in determining any side effects Botanical Extract has on the body over time.

People who are considering using Botanical Extract Oil should discuss this with their doctors. Doctors will want to monitor the person for any changes and make adjustments accordingly.

The patient information leaflet for Epidiolex cautions that there is a risk of liver damage, lethargy, and possibly depression and thoughts of suicide, but these are true of other treatments for epilepsy, too.

Botanical Extract and other cannabinoids may also put the user at risk for lung problems.

One study in Frontiers in Pharmacology, suggested cannabinoids' anti-inflammatory effect may reduce inflammation too much.

A large reduction in inflammation could diminish the lungs' defense system, increasing the risk of infection.

Other considerations

Almost all research on Botanical Extract Oil and pain comes from adult trials. Experts do not recommend Botanical Extract Oil for use in children, as there is little research on the effects of Botanical Extract Oil on a child's developing brain.

People should consult a doctor if they think a child needs to use Botanical Extract Oil for seizures.

Botanical Extract Oil is also not recommended during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

Takeaway

While many studies have suggested Botanical Extract Oil is helpful for pain, more research is necessary, especially in long-term studies with human subjects.

However, Botanical Extract Oil does show a lot of potential for pain relief. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can be used to help manage chronic pain in many cases.

Botanical Extract Oil is especially promising due to its lack of intoxicating effects and a possible lower potential for side effects than many other pain medications.

People should discuss Botanical Extract Oil with their doctor if they are considering using it for the first time.

Botanical Extract Oil is available for purchase online.