Why people are looking for natural alternatives to medicine

A study by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence found between one-third and one-half of the UK population (just under 28 million adults) are affected by chronic pain. For many patients battling this silent epidemic, it is a hopeless exercise of jumping from one prescription drug to another and at a huge cost. There are now an estimated quarter of a million regular users in the UK, turning to CBD to support general wellness, ease anxiety, sleep problems and chronic pain among other things.

The main reasons for people turning to alternative medicine were for musculoskeletal problems, particularly back pain and other musculoskeletal pain (neck pain, shoulder pain or knee pain). Mental health accounted for alternative medical use, including for depression, anxiety or stress and sleep problems, tiredness or fatigue. People seek out these alternatives because they are dissatisfied in some way with conventional treatment; they see alternative treatments as offering more personal autonomy and control over health care decisions; and the alternatives are seen as more compatible with the person’s values. People tend to prefer the oils as away of consuming the CBD over other products because of it being easy to add to their favourite food without it disturbing the taste buds.

Patient UK online published a recent article highlighting patient’s feedback on prescription medication and why they are looking for natural alternatives. People who suffer with chronic pain turn to alternative medicine because it is natural and they find benefits in this organic approach to looking after their health. Some also feel the prescribed medication hasn’t helped relieve symptoms of the illness. The article concludes, “We have a duty to help our patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. We should provide them with the evidence about complementary and alternative medicine to aid their empowerment and decision-making process”. The full article can be found here

What is CBD?

CBD = Cannabidiol. It is a component of the hemp plant. It helps the endocannabinoid system to function, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. CBD helps to regulate the endocannabinoid system or ECS and bring it to balance. The Endocannabinoid is a network in your body – everyone has one! This ECS regulates anxiety, stress, motivation, mood, pain, inflammation, appetite, energy.

CBD helps to regulate:

• appetite and digestion
• metabolism
• chronic pain
• inflammation and other immune system responses
• mood
• learning and memory
• motor control
• sleep
• cardiovascular system function
• muscle formation
• bone remodeling and growth
• liver function
• reproductive system function
• stress
• skin and nerve function

WHO or World Health Organisation agreed that it has therapeutic effects for conditions such as:

• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory diseases
• Huntington’s disease

How does CBD work with pain?

CBD is often mainly marketed as a pain reliever, and in 2021, another study was conducted on these believed properties, by Martin de Vita, Stephen Maisto, and Dezarie Moskal. Inducing experimental heat pain, the trio administered a mixture of CBD and placebos (including telling some participants they were receiving CBD when they actually were given a placebo, and vice versa), and found that generally a combination of the pharmacological and psychological effects of CBD gave improvements in pain. Curiously, they found that, rather than just reducing pain intensity, CBD helped reduce the way pain felt in participants, meaning they were less bothered by it and could go about their daily lives as they would choose to. The trio used pure CBD isolate oil in their study, not unlike those that we produce and sell here at HempWell – it’s good to know that CBD pain relief is a universal experience!

Everyone has a cell-signaling system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD interacts with a core component of the ECS — endocannabinoid receptors in your brain and immune system. Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells. They receive signals from different stimuli and help your cells respond. This response can create anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that help with pain management. This means that CBD oil and other products may benefit people with chronic pain.

How to safely use CBD for treating pain

CBD comes in several different forms, including:

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

CBD Oil under the tongue is the most popular way to consume CBD in the UK. The compounds are absorbed by the capillaries beneath your tongue and transferred to your bloodstream within 20-40 minutes. This is one of the most quickest and efficient ways of taking CBD.

Gummies give you options to control your intake as much as you like, you can easily reach your 70mg recommended CBD limit throughout a day, all by indulging yourself in a sweet & sugary treat! CBD is also great at encouraging healthy digestion, making gummies great for dessert.

CBD capsules are great for those who don’t want to fuss over their CBD routine. Each gel capsule comes precisely filled with CBD oil, making it easy to plan out your CBD intake throughout the day.

CBD Body and Bath, as you bathe,  premium CBD oil is dispersed throughout the water and surrounding air, leading to heightened bioavailability and leaving your whole body imbued with CBD goodness. This amount is perfect for those unfamiliar with CBD, or for those wanting to add that extra something special to their daily CBD routine.

24mg patch once a day, giving you a subtle boost throughout your day to reduce your stress levels, ease out your muscles and even help you drift off to sleep at night – HempWell patches last for 24 hours, so even while you’re sleeping, CBD will still be entering your system and ensuring you have a high quality night of rest. Alternatively, try out the 50mg patches and feel a stronger continuous effect – we recommend reapplying patches as soon as your last one runs out, so you can live your life constantly with the aid of CBD. You can also start with a lower dose and work your way up for a more subtle and yet equally effective change to your everyday lifestyle.

Does CBD affect you instantly or does it have to build up in the system first?

It depends on the dosage and your method of taking it. If you take a very strong dosage, in the form of an oil, you might feel it quite quickly. However, if you take a small dosage for you, it probably won’t affect you instantly. This is also true when ingesting the CBD in the form of a gummy or capsule, as it has to be metabolised first before an effect is felt.

If you want to keep learning about CBD why not check out Hemp well Knowledge Centre or CBD Pain and Inflammation You can also find out how CBD products can help you through the day with CBD for General Wellbeing.

“Hemp Well products are 100% traceable and lab tested. We follow the highest standards from seed to shelf”. – Lisa McWilliams (CEO of Hemp Well Ltd)