CBD vs Ibuprofen for Inflammation: Which is better?

CBD oil and inflammation – does it work? There’s a lot of studies backing up CBD oil and its anti-inflammatory properties. But how do we compare CBD vs Ibuprofen for inflammation to find out which of the two is better for you? Let’s dive a little deeper and compare the two products.

Today, we’ll be going over the key role which CBD can play for those suffering from inflammatory disorders or inflammatory bodily responses.

How does CBD oil compare to Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?

CBD oil is often compared to ibuprofen as a treatment for inflammation and pain. Both have different effects on the body with similar results, so it’s important to understand how they work before deciding which one is right for you.

CBD oil works by activating your endocannabinoid system, which causes your body to release anti-inflammatory molecules called endocannabinoids. These molecules then bind to receptors on nearby cells, causing them to reduce swelling, redness and pain throughout your body — including in your joints.

A study released in August of 2022 was looking into the effects of CBD for patients suffering from arthritis. The results showed that 83% of the test subjects experienced improvements in managing their chronic pain and 63% experienced an overall improvement in their physical body function. These numbers tell us an extremely relevant point that CBD does in fact have great potential for treating arthritis and symptoms alike.

On the other hand, drugs like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Advil, and more, enter the bloodstream and immediately start blocking the pro-inflammatory cells in your body. This produces the same results that CBD can bring.

So, why are people choosing CBD Oil vs Ibuprofen for inflammation?

The following are some of the most common reasons why most CBD users have made their switch away from generic drugs.

Tolerance Issues – Cleveland Clinic has stated that the persistent use of anti-inflammatory drugs may cause the body to build tolerance to the drug. Which means, you’ll need to be taking higher doses to acquire the same results.

Risk of Organ damage – While Anti-inflammatories are generally safe for most people, the side effects of prolonged use can be devastating to some. By blocking out pro-inflammatory cells, too much of this can result in damage to organs that need such cells, like your kidneys and liver. Afterall, your body naturally produces pro-inflammatory cells for a reason.

Negative Side effects – Ironically for some people, these drugs you take to reduce headaches, stomach pain, and other pain could be the culprit. National Health Service UK suggests that the risky side effects for people that are not compatible with generic anti-inflammatory drugs can be:

• Indigestion – including stomach aches, feeling sick and diarrhoea
• Stomach ulcers – these can cause internal bleeding and anaemia; extra medicine to protect your stomach may be prescribed to help reduce this risk
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Allergic reactions
• In rare cases, problems with your liver, kidneys or heart and circulation, such as heart failure, heart attacks and strokes.

If you’re noticing such effects during your use, you should stop using the drugs immediately and consult with your doctor.

Does CBD Help with Inflammation?

With CBD’s ability to naturally stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory cells inside your body, the results that some patients can have are life changing. There are already many patients who suffer from inflammatory disorders that are taking CBD to mitigate the pain and discomfort that comes with the disorder. Not only will it help relieve pain, but CBD also improves sleep which you’ll come to learn has compounding benefits of having a healthy sleep cycle. This is especially true for those whose bodies require better muscle recovery and overall physical health.

Now you’re probably wondering, what is the best way to take CBD for inflammation? We recommend the two best methods are either taking CBD as a tincture or skin cream. If you’re looking to get the most out of the CBD experience, we would side closer towards taking Broad Spectrum CBD which allows users to have more control over their CBD dosage for inflammation. If you’re unsure of how much CBD to start taking, we recommend taking anywhere between 20-40 mg daily and gradually increasing dosage every week unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Following these recommendations should give you the highest chance of safely and successfully reducing the discomfort from joint or tendon inflammation.

What happens when you run out or stop taking CBD for inflammation? Firstly, you should know that CBD can stay in your bloodstream for roughly 4 days after your last dosage and therefore can still experience the benefits of taking CBD within that window of time. Depending on the severity of your inflammatory condition, you can either continue to experience discomfort from inflammation or have a milder effect on your body compared to the inflammation you would be having before starting CBD treatment. It’s also important to know that CBD has no known side effects of any kind. Some users report a harder time getting to sleep, but this has not been proven to be caused directly by CBD.

Accessibility of CBD in Australia vs Generic Drugs

As you’re probably well aware, anti-inflammatory drugs are easily accessible almost anywhere in the world since WHO (World Health Organisation) recognises them as essential drugs. But what about CBD?

In Australia, getting CBD at your local chemist warehouse will require a doctor’s prescription. While getting CBD in other forms like Vapes or Gummies may be a difficult process. And since CBD has only been legal in Australia since 2021, the logistics of CBD availability is still in its early stages. However, we’ve found the next best solution for those looking to get their hands on CBD Oil, which is to buy CBD Oil Online. To learn more about the legality of CBD in Australia, you may refer to our other blog: Is CBD Oil Legal in Australia 2022?

In Australia, is CBD more affordable than Ibuprofen?

No, currently CBD is not as affordable as Anti-inflammatories. This is due to the fact that CBD in Australia is not as commonly supplied as Ibuprofen for example. However, depending a person’s symptoms, it might be more affordable to take CBD rather than Anti-Inflammatories.

Imagine, if you were to treat your joint pain with Anti-inflammatories, you’ll probably be taking them for the rest of your life until it resolves on its own. This is because the generic Anti-Inflammatories serve as a temporary fixture. On the other hand, since CBD works directly with your body’s cannabinoid system, the CBD will stimulate your body to naturally resolve the pain over a shorter period of time, with lasting results.

CBD vs Ibuprofen for Inflammation – Conclusion

As you’ve come to learn, CBD has tremendous benefits proven by studies for treating minor and major ailments that would otherwise be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Although it’s not cheaper to take CBD, the value you’re getting out of it seems to be a priceless tradeoff if you’re weighing out the pros and cons. If you’re interested, we recommend starting with a small dose of 99% Pure CBD Isolate taken once a day until you’re able to decide if CBD is right for you.