Summary:

• CBD may help reduce pain by supporting the endocannabinoid system and interacting with receptors involved in inflammation, heat, serotonin, and opioid response.

• Animal studies show strong potential for CBD in treating chronic, inflammatory, and arthritis-related pain. Human studies are limited but show early promise, especially for conditions like fibromyalgia and cancer-related pain.

• Most people tolerate CBD well, with minor side effects like drowsiness or dry mouth. Talk to your doctor before using if you’re on other medications.

• Start with 10–30mg per day and adjust as needed. Utah Cannabis Co. offers gummies, topicals, and vape products to fit different types of pain.

• Full-spectrum CBD products may offer enhanced effects thanks to the entourage effect, where cannabinoids and terpenes work together to amplify results.

Can CBD Help with Pain Relief? Here’s What the Research Really Says

Millions of people live with chronic or recurring pain that disrupts their daily lives. For some, it’s joint stiffness and inflammation. For others, it could be nerve pain or recovery from an injury. In these cases and others, finding relief often means choosing between side effects, prescription dependency, or temporary fixes.

That’s why more and more people are asking: Can CBD help with pain?

We’ve been selling high-quality CBD products with less than 0.3% THC since it first became legal in Utah, and putting them through extensive lab testing to make sure you can count on them. Below, we explain what the latest research says about how CBD works in the body, what types of pain it may help with, and what you should know before trying it for yourself.

What Is CBD?

CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, it won’t get you high—but it does interact with the body in complex ways, particularly when it comes to inflammation and pain response.

Researchers have been studying CBD’s effects for decades, and its potential for pain management has become a major focus in recent years.

How Does CBD Help with Pain?

CBD appears to affect pain through multiple pathways in the body. Here are some of the different systems it may influence:

• Endocannabinoid system (ECS): CBD supports your ECS, which helps regulate pain, inflammation, and mood.

• TRPV1 receptor activation: This receptor is involved in detecting pain and heat—CBD helps modulate its activity.

• Increased anandamide: Often called the “bliss molecule,” this natural neurotransmitter plays a role in pain reduction.

• Other pain pathways: CBD may also interact with serotonin and opioid receptors to influence pain perception.

In other words: CBD may help boost your body’s natural ability to reduce pain and calm inflammation.

What Animal Studies Show

Preclinical research in animals has provided strong evidence that CBD reduces several types of pain.

• One study found that CBD could significantly reduce chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rats.

• Another rodent study points towards the use of CBD for reducing oxidative stress.

• Some research suggests CBD may help reduce pain from arthritis in both animals and humans.

While these results are promising, animal studies don’t always translate to human success. They’re a great starting point—but research is still ongoing to confirm that these findings have relevance to humans.

What Human Studies Show

Human clinical trials for CBD are still limited, but growing. Here are some quick facts:

• A 2018 review found that CBD improved pain and sleep in patients with conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and nerve pain.

• A 2022 study found CBD could help with chronic low back pain and improve quality of life for people with lumbar spinal stenosis.

• Another trial showed a CBD-THC blend worked better than THC alone for cancer-related pain.

• Several of these studies also note improvements in quality of life among participants who used CBD for pain.

Bottom line: early results are positive, but we need larger, better-designed studies to confirm CBD’s effectiveness for specific pain conditions.

Is CBD Safe?

Most people tolerate CBD well. Common side effects are usually mild and may include:

• Drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Upset stomach

Clinically significant drug interactions with CBD are rare, and mostly happen if you take other central nervous system depressants at the same time. Still, it’s a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before starting to take CBD products, especially if you have health concerns or are taking other medications.

What’s the Right Dosage?

There’s currently no official dose for CBD when it comes to pain, and the dosages used to research its effects have varied significantly. That’s why we recommend going slow when you start taking CBD and considering individual factors like:

• Your weight and metabolism

• Type of pain

• Product formulation (e.g., vape, topical, edible)

• Whether it’s full-spectrum or isolate

Many people begin with 10–30mg per day and adjust as needed. That’s why you’ll find similar amounts in each of our CBD gummies, which make it easy to control how much you’re consuming.

What Types of CBD Work Best for Pain?

Different forms of CBD may work better depending on your individual needs. Here’s what we offer at Utah Cannabis Co.

• Vape Pens or Cartridges: A quick and direct way to take CBD when you need it.

• Topicals: Popular for joint or muscle pain (apply directly to the area).

• Gummies or Mints: Ideal for casual use and overall support.

Full-spectrum products may offer enhanced effects thanks to the entourage effect, which happens when CBD works alongside other cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant.

Is CBD Legal for Pain Relief?

In the U.S., CBD products derived from hemp (containing less than 0.3% THC) are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

However, the FDA has only approved one CBD product (Epidiolex)—for certain rare epilepsy conditions. That means CBD has not been officially approved for treating pain, and regulations may vary by state.

So what can you do? Easy: always buy from reputable brands that provide third-party lab results—like Utah Cannabis Co.

Explore Utah Cannabis Co.’s CBD Products for Pain Relief

There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that CBD may be a useful tool for managing pain—especially when traditional options fall short. But it’s not a magic bullet, and it won’t work the same for everyone.

Still, with proper dosing, clean sourcing, and guidance from your healthcare provider, it may offer meaningful relief without the side effects of pharmaceutical painkillers.

Utah Cannabis Co. offers full-spectrum vape cartridges, muscle rubs, gummies, and more—all third-party tested and made right here in Utah. Try them for yourself and find out what CBD can do for you.