According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most common addictive drugs include cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids or “fake weed,” prescription drugs like opioids and stimulants, and over-the-counter drugs, such as cough syrups and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Drug addiction may result from misusing or overdosing on prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
Addictive drugs can cause unpleasant side effects and may even lead to coma or death. That’s why many people are becoming very interested in cannabidiol or CBD as an alternative to addictive pharmaceuticals. Learn how CBD can help by reading the information below.
CBD as an Alternative to Sleeping Pills
In 2010, roughly six to 10 percent of Americans took hypnotic drugs for poor sleep. The US pharmaceutical industry grew significantly by 23 percent between 2006 and 2010, with about $2 billion sales annually. However, hypnotic drugs have unwanted side effects and can be a cause of serious health problems.
While sleeping pills can help people with sleep issues, they may not be 100% safe. For instance, zolpidem may cause dry mouth, stuffy nose, headache, loss of coordination, muscle pain, dizziness, weakness, daytime drowsiness, and light-headedness.
It is reassuring that quality CBD oil is now available as an alternative to sleeping pills. Insomnia can be managed with cannabidiol or CBD. This cannabinoid compound is found in both cannabis and hemp plants. It is carefully extracted and sold online or in brick and mortar pharmaceutical stores.
Here’s how CBD can help improve sleep:
- CBD improves the signs and symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder or RBD, which is a sleep disorder that causes nightmares and acting out when dreaming.
- CBD has the potential to promote wakefulness.
- CBD has an anti-pain or analgesic effect so it help to soothe pain. If you have difficulty sleeping due to pain, CBD can help you get more rest at night.
CBD as Alternative to NSAIDs
As previously mentioned, improper use of over-the-counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also cause addiction. Many people take NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen for body pain, headache, inflammation, or fever. While NSAIDs are effective in providing short-term relief, no one wants to put their long-term health at risk.
NSAIDs are also used in treating arthritis, menstrual cramps, and dental pain. They work by reducing prostaglandin production, which is a naturally occurring chemical that promotes healing. However, NSAIDs may cause headaches, the ringing of ears, heartburn, ulcers, bleeding, increased risk of liver and kidney failure, as well as stroke and heart attack. The good news is that you can avoid all of these negative effects by taking CBD oil.
Here’s how CBD can help:
- CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoids or cannabinoid receptors in the body to help regulate the production of cortisol (a stress hormone) and serotonin (a “feel good” or “happy” hormone) which play an essential role in pain management.
- Take a few drops of CBD tincture under your tongue (follow manufacturer’s recommended dosage) for faster absorption than oral ingestion.
- For immediate pain relief, you can try vaping CBD vape oil. You may experience relief within just a few seconds. Vaping CBD is applicable for those who cannot tolerate oral ingestion or sublingual administration of CBD.
CBD as Alternative to Opioids
For chronic pain, many doctors still prescribe opioids. Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-addictive solution to taking escalating opioid doses for chronic pain.
Here are a few research findings from a trusted source about the role of CBD in pain management:
- CBD inhibits neuropathic (pain from non-painful stimuli or abnormal pain caused by damage in the sensory area of the nervous system) and inflammatory pain, which are the two chronic types of pain that are most difficult to treat.
- CBD oral preparation, Epidiolex, is not just used in treating refractory epilepsy, but also provides chronic pain relief.
- The regulation of CBD is now carefully studied. Low-dose CBD can be used as a nutraceutical (supplement) and higher doses may be able to replace pharmaceutical drugs. This may lessen associated side effects such as irritability, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues.
Conclusion
The US Congress amended the Farm Bill in 2018 to legalize hemp growing and production. This has rapidly increased the production of CBD products, which is good news to many patients and general consumers. More than ever before, CBD is being used as an effective alternative to sleeping pills and pain medications in the treatment of sleep disorders and pain management.
 
