When it comes to using cannabidiol (CBD) or ibuprofen for pain and/or inflammation relief, both are popular choices among consumers, but which is the better choice? If you are comparing CBD vs ibuprofen, it all depends on your needs, budget and what type of relief you’re after. Do you want a natural or synthetic pharmaceutical solution? Are you looking for long-term or short-term care? While ibuprofen and cannabidiol may appear similar, they are very different products.Â
Comparing CBD vs Ibuprofen
CBD is a naturally occurring plant chemical that has been used medicinally for centuries for its’ many forms of health benefits pain and inflammatory relief are simply a couple of the different benefits.
CBD is one of the main active compounds found in the cannabis plant and is effective in treating pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
But how does it compare to ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that targets inflammation, pain and fever in your body. The painkiller ibuprofen is a popular choice for many people. It’s commonly used to treat headaches and muscle pain. However, it can also cause serious side effects like bleeding in the stomach.
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug that works by blocking the production of two chemicals in your body: prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Prostaglandins are responsible for causing pain, swelling and fever, while leukotrienes are involved in regulating inflammation responses. By blocking these chemicals, ibuprofen reduces inflammation and eases pain.
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More on Cannabidiol (CBD)…
CBD is a cannabinoid (plant chemical) that can be extracted from both hemp and marijuana plants. It doesn’t contain any THC (the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana).
Related read: What is CBD?
Still, it does have antioxidant, anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a great alternative to ibuprofen for many people with chronic or acute pain conditions who don’t want to take pharmaceutical drugs such as opioids or NSAIDs.
CBD or Ibuprofen For Inflammation?
Inflammation is a natural part of the healing process. But chronic inflammation can cause pain, swelling and irritation in your body.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation. CBD oil also has anti-inflammatory properties. Both drugs are available over-the-counter and can be taken to reduce inflammation.
CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce inflammation and manage pain in the body without causing any side effects. Your body benefits from CBD in many different ways. The anti-inflammatory effects are simply one of these benefits.
Can CBD Help Inflammation?
Related read: Topical CBD and How It Works
It is a common misconception that all cannabis strains are created equal. As research into the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) has increased, so has our knowledge of how different varieties of cannabis can affect us.
While it is impossible to generalize their effects, we can say that some cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties while others may cause inflammation.
What’s Better for Pain? CBD or Ibuprofen?
CBD is one of more than 100 chemical compounds in cannabis plants. CBD oil, a concentrated form of CBD, is made from the flowers and leaves of hemp plants, which are legal to grow under United States law. CBD oil can be consumed in several ways, including edibles, tinctures and topical creams.
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CBD may help ease chronic pain by inhibiting neurons from releasing the neurotransmitter glutamate at synapses in the brain and spinal cord. Glutamate release is involved in pain perception and transmission to the brain; when you feel pain, your body releases glutamate in response to nociceptors (pain receptors) detecting danger signals such as extreme heat or pressure. When too much glutamate is released, it can cause nerve cell death by excessive stimulation or excitotoxicity.
CBD might also help reduce inflammation that causes chronic back pain (for example) by blocking COX-2 enzymes — enzymes that break down arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and leukotrienes — which are responsible for inflammation and swelling.
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More on CBD and Pain…
CBD is one of the most effective painkillers because it has several analgesic properties that can help manage chronic pain effectively without causing any side effects on your health.
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CBD reduces inflammation in your body by reducing the activity of COX enzymes that produce pro-inflammatory substances in your body. These substances have been linked to many inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, and psoriasis.
How Do CBD Oil and Ibuprofen Work?
CBD oil contains naturally occurring cannabinoids, the chemical compounds in the cannabis plant that interact with receptors in your brain and throughout your body.
Related: How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?
These cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2 receptors in your nervous system. When they bind to these receptors, they cause changes in mood and behavior by influencing how much pain you feel from an injury or illness, as well as other functions like sleep regulation, appetite control, memory and mood regulation.
They also have anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce joint pain caused by arthritis or other inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Related: Taking CBD for Muscle Pain
Cannabidiol works by blocking the enzyme 5-LOX, which is responsible for producing pro-inflammatory compounds in the human body. This enzyme is also responsible for causing stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and arthritis.
Ibuprofen is a class of analgesics called analgesics that relieve pain by blocking prostaglandin synthesis.
Other Benefits of CBD Oil Products
The great thing about CBD products is they offer even more benefits, without some of the harsh side effects of other pharmaceuticals. Here are some more of the benefits you might see from using .
Neuroprotective Agent
CBD is an anti-inflammatory substance that can help reduce pain and inflammation in your body. CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain by inhibiting the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes from producing prostaglandins that lead to pain, swelling and fever.
Modulates the Immune System
CBD modulates the immune system by increasing levels of T-cells and other immune cells that help fight off infections and illnesses. The cannabinoid also inhibits inflammatory cytokines (proteins) from being released into the bloodstream, which helps protect against many diseases such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.
CBD Helps With Anxiety, Stress and Depression
CBD has been shown to help reduce anxiety and depression by balancing out the body’s endocannabinoid system. When this system is off balance, it can cause symptoms like anxiety and depression that result from an imbalance of serotonin levels in the brain.
In addition to reducing inflammation, CBD also works on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
Related: CBD for Depression
Thousands of people report that using CBD oil for anxiety has really helped them get their anxiety under control, allowing them to live their life without struggling with things like a racing mind, panic attacks, or other symptoms of severe anxiety.
The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in our bodies by regulating many bodily processes, including mood, sleep, appetite and more. CBD has been shown to help with all three of these things — especially when used with other therapies like meditation or yoga.
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Summary – Choosing CBD or Ibuprofen
No matter what your particular ailments are, CBD oil is a viable product that you should be considering. Ibuprofen is also a viable alternative; however, it is not as safe and healthy for your body in the long term.
If you have any chronic pain or ailments, then supplementing with either of these products will offer you immediate relief. Always consult with your doctor if you plan to make a permanent change to your diet.
References
Journal of Pain Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Practical Pain Management: https://patient.practicalpainmanagement.com/
