Replace Your Opioids with CBD

The addiction to opioids and their abuse has become an epidemic in the U.S., affecting about 2 million Americans. 

Prescription pain relievers, illegal and highly addictive opioids like heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl pose a serious addiction risk and affect public health. On the other hand, CBD –  a natural hemp-derived ingredient, has gained a great deal of attention in the last several years. Millions of Americans take CBD daily, and some claim it is beneficial for relieving pain.  

Unsurprisingly, you might wonder if CBD supplements can replace opioids and if there’re any risks involved in the long-term use of CBD. Here’s everything you need to know about replacing opioids with CBD.

What’s the Problem with Opioids?

In the late 20th century, many healthcare providers began to prescribe opioids at higher rates to relieve moderate to severe pain. Pharmaceutical companies claimed that these wouldn’t cause addiction, but the last three decades have proven them wrong. 

The increased prescription of opioids led to widespread abuse of prescription and illegal opioids. The opioid epidemic has already taken the lives of nearly 500,000 Americans, and now it’s evident that opioids are indeed highly addictive. 

• In 2017 United States Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. 

Many patients now reject taking prescription opioids (for good reasons), and some states already allow them to note in their medical files that they don’t want doctors to prescribe opioids to them. 

Unsurprisingly, doctors, scientists, and patients are now searching for alternatives to fight pain. One ingredient that is now a point of interest for many researchers, scientists, and Americans is CBD. 

If you have been prescribed opioids or have been using them to treat chronic pain, you might also wonder if CBD is an alternative to opioids. 

Can CBD Replace Opioids?

Whether or not CBD can replace opioids is yet uncertain. There’s more research needed to confirm CBD’s pain-relieving properties and prove it’s a viable alternative. 

Still, many people are already turning to CBD to treat chronic pain, stop opioid use, or use it in combination with opioids. 

According to the CBD Insider 2019 U.S. Consumer Report,   12.3% of military and veteran CBD consumers and 7% of non-military consumers in 2019 stated they replaced a prescription opiate with CBD. Similarly,16.9% of disabled consumers compared to 5.3% of non-disabled consumers said they replaced opioids with CBD. 

Per the same report, 42,5% of potential CBD consumers want to use CBD to fight pain. The most common reason CBD consumers use CBD is to relieve aches and discomfort. 67,4% of these consumers report CBD to be effective for that purpose. 

Is CBD Effective for Chronic Pain? 

Although some consumers might claim it to be, CBD is not cure-for-all and whether it will help with chronic pain depends on numerous factors. These include:

• Your body chemistry
• Intensity of Pain
• Product Type
• Product Quality
• Other ingredients
• Dosage
• Health Conditions

CBD drives different results across consumers, but it works by interacting with the cannabinoid system we all have in common – Endocannabinoid System (ECS). 

Scientists discovered ECS in the late 20th century, so they are still studying its role in overall health and how plant-based cannabinoids like CBD can affect different bodily processes. Still, they have already discovered that ECS plays a tremendous role in keeping our bodies balanced by releasing endocannabinoids – cannabinoids produced by our bodies. ECS releases endocannabinoids when something goes wrong, like when we experience pain. They bind to ECS receptors throughout the body to help restore balance. Because CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoids are structurally similar to endocannabinoids, they also interact with ECS receptors and might play a role in body processes like pain.

CBD vs. Opioids

Unlike opioids, CBD is not addictive and doesn’t pose public health problems. (The World Health Organization Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report)

About 21-29% of patients who take prescription opioids for chronic pain later abuse them. That’s about 1 in 4 patients.

Although it’s a matter of many factors whether CBD can help treat pain, its non-addictive properties eliminate the risk of abusing CBD or getting hooked on it which is the case with opioids. 

Is CBD Legal?

Yes, CBD is federally legal, according to the 2018 Farm Bill, with no more than .3% THC content. 

Is CBD Safe for Treating Chronic Pain?

CBD is a non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive, natural ingredient you can safely use as a supplement and take it daily. CBD itself isn’t a problem; however, the quality of CBD is.

Due to the increased demand for CBD, new CBD brands appear daily. Some cut corners in the production and make false claims about the quality of their CBD. These products may not contain the indicated CBD amount or feature unwanted ingredients like heavy metals, pesticides, or residual solvents. 

The best way to use CBD for chronic pain without putting your health at risk is to shop from reliable CBD products that make third-party lab test results available on their website. These tests can determine whether a CBD product you are about to take for pain is pure, potent, and safe to consume. 

Are You Searching for a Reliable Product to Try?

At His Grace Organics, all CBD products we offer combine safe and high-quality ingredients like CBD from U.S. grown hemp. Our products are manufactured in GMP Certified and FDA-registered facilities. They are third-party lab tested to ensure each product delivers the expected results and is safe to consume. 

Here you can choose from Topical products like Intense Relief Rub with Emu oil or CBD ingestible products like tinctures, softgels, or gummies.

Get started today, shop for our products, and look better and feel better with the premium CBD products!