Using CBD with bulging spinal discs
Bulging discs can be an issue that many people experience, some without even knowing they are dealing with because of its asymptomatic (no symptoms) properties, that can put a massive inconvenience on day to day activity.  Myself included, I very quickly realized that having a bulging disc was putting a huge damper on my daily life and after dealing with it for years (after taking pain meds, chiropractor visits and countless doctor visits) I finally came across CBD and for me I felt a relief which I haven’t felt in years. The condition itself occurs when the soft center (Nucleus Pulposus) of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing (Annulus Fibrosus) (3). Both the Annulus Fibrosus and Nucleus Pulposus are to provide stability to the disc (1). Essentially imagine it like a jelly donut, if that jelly material (Nucleus Pulposus) is leaking out of the dough (Annulus Fibrosus) it will make that section of the spine incomplete and make the whole structure not function properly. When the Nucleus Pulposus is leaking it will cause inflammation and pressure on the nerves within the spinal column which in return will causes a variety of issues the longer this is left unaddressed.
The Importance of the Spine/Disc
Your spine is one of the most important structures inside the human body. The spine not only provides support and gives your body structure and flexibility but it also protects the spinal cord which connects to the brain via nerves. A disc is responsible for retaining water within the matrix resulting in high viscoelasticity (1). Viscoelasticity is defined as a substance that is elastic and viscous but if constant pressure is exerted on it, it can completely reshape that structure with irreversible effects. The spinal cord allows the rest of your body to function properly so if there are any troubles within the area, it can be detrimental to your everyday life and this is a structure within the body that you would want to preserve if you are experiencing issues such as back pains.
What can cause a bulging disc?
A bulging disc can be caused by a number of factors and usually occur from self-inflicted injuries. Instances that can cause bulging discs that are self-inflicted are such acts as working in an occupation that requires lots of lifting, bending, standing or sitting. Having bad techniques when lifting heavy objects (3). Athletes who are part of contact sports like football, soccer, marathon runners, etc. Severe trauma such as a car accident or in my case a snowboarding accident which left me with 2 bulging discs in my lower lumbar region. Family history of the disease may also be a contributing factor for bulging discs (1). Now that we know a little more about the spine, how can CBD potentially help with this specific issue?
 How CBD can potentially help a bulging disc?Â
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychotropic (will not get you high), phytocannabinoid of Cannabis sativa (up to 40% of Cannabis extracts). Contrary to most cannabinoids, CBD does not produce psychotomimetic or cognitive effects (5). The Endocannabinoid system, which was named after the marijuana plant Cannabis sativa and its active ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is unique in that it communicates directly with receptors in the brain and body and can alter the way a person perceives pain. The human body produces natural chemicals called cannabinoids which interact with receptors within the body to regulate body functions (2). Given that we already have cannabinoids in our body and receptors naturally this is potentially why people might have such positive results when using CBD for issues such as bulging discs or back pain. They are finding that these cannabinoids are anti-spastic (prevents spasms), anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective (4). Since issues such as a bulging disc are an inflammation of the Nucleus Pulposus, CBD could prove to be beneficial in reducing the size of the Nucleus Pulposus when inflamed and thus relieving pressure on the nerves within the spinal column.
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CBD Products that could potentially help with a Bulging Disc
The great thing about CBD is that there is plethora of ways which you can get CBD into your body whether it be sublingually (under the tongue), tinctures, ingesting CBD edibles, vaping, applying a CBD patch, the list goes on. People may be confused as to what will be an efficient way to get CBD into the body and at the same time get the most benefits from the specific product. Our 300mg Extra Strength, water soluble tinctures are a great starting point for people who are new to CBD and we typically see adults experiencing beneficial effects with this tincture! It comes in 3 flavors, unflavored, vanilla and cinnamon and can be applied one of two ways. The first way is sublingually which means the oil will be placed under the tongue. When administered under the tongue we see the user letting the oil sit for a minute before swallowing the rest of the content. The effects will take 10-15 minutes to kick in and last around 4-6 hours. The user will use this route if they are looking for a faster acting method of getting CBD within the body. Since this tincture is water soluble, it can also be applied to any beverage of choice and will take around an hour to kick in. The effects of the CBD will last anywhere from 10-12 hours since the digestive track has to take its course and distribute the CBD to the rest of the body when CBD is consumed.
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Thank you for taking the time to read our blog! To get your very own Active CBD products, come into any one of our Discover CBD stores, on the web at discovercbd.com, facebook, or by simply calling us at, 719-358-7553 to place an order!
- 1. Choi, Y. (2009, June 30). Pathophysiology of Degenerative Disc Disease. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852042/
- 2. Discover CBD (Ed.). (2015, August 12). Pain management with cannabidiol or CBD oil. Retrieved from https://discovercbd.com/blogs/cbd-news/63332035-pain-management-with-cannabidiol-or-cbd-oil
- 3. Herniated Disc. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc
- 4. How does the spine work? (2015, December 02). Retrieved October 23, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072652/
- 5. Silveira, J. W., Issy, A. C., Castania, V. A., Salmon, C. E., Nogueira-Barbosa, M. H., Guimarães, F. S., . Bel, E. D. (2014, December 17). Protective Effects of Cannabidiol on Lesion-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0113161#references
