Ibuprofen & CBD. How are they similar and how they are different

We all have aches and pains that happen throughout our lives that can be anything from a mild inconvenience to chronic pains. With this, we want to know what the best solution is to these pains. In this article, we will talk about the well-known Ibuprofen and CBD. We will be seeing the benefits of each one, and how they can help with inflammation and pain.

What is Ibuprofen:   

Ibuprofen is a common, over the counter medication that is used to treat pain and inflammation. It is a nonsteroidal inflammatory medication. Ibuprofen works by blocking prostaglandin, a specific type of hormone. Unlike other hormones, prostaglandins form through a chemical reaction at the point they’re required. Most specifically, they form in a site with an infection or tissue damage, leading to inflammation, pain, or even fever. Ibuprofen restricts the production of enzymes by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), resulting in decreased prostaglandin production when you’re injured. This will help lower inflammation and pain. But it’s recommended not to take more than the recommended dose. This is because it can cause serious side effects when taken in excess. Including heartburn, high blood pressure, dizziness, stomach bleeding, heart attack, stroke, etc

What is CBD?   

CBD comes from the cannabis or hemp plant; this plant being most commonly known for producing THC. The difference is that with how CBD is extracted from the plant, with that it doesn’t have the part of the plant that can cause a psychoactive effect like THC. CBD as a compound is used for medicinal purposes, generally used for insomnia, pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, stress, etc. It is legal in most states in the USA (most states require it to be used medicinally), which helps make sure it’s accessible to most people. The most common types of products that CBD is used in are gummies, creams/lotions, capsules, and tinctures (gummies being the most popular). CBD has been used to manage and reduce pain for centuries. CBD binds CB1 and CB2 neuropeptides and thus helps manage and relieve pain and inflammation.

While generally considered safe, CBD may cause drowsiness, faintness, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, and, in very rare instances, damage to the liver. While these side effects are possible, they are not usually common in most people. Though it’s recommended to be careful using CBD oil specifically with other medications. This is normally only an issue while taking a tincture due to that going through your blood stream instead of through the stomach or skin. This is because the CBD can up the dose of the medication, which can be dangerous for heart medication or blood pressure medications. This can be avoided by taking your pharmaceuticals and CBD two hours apart from each other, so they do not interact.

Can they be used together?   

As you can see, both ibuprofen and CBD can help combat pain and inflammation. However, unlike CBD, which can be taken daily as part of your daily supplements, ibuprofen should not exceed ten days or as advised by the doctor. Using both at the same time can help you with your symptoms, it’s recommended that if you take both, take them in smaller doses so they work together well. Both CBD and ibuprofen are anti-inflammatory compounds and pain relievers. Although there have been no reported interactions between ibuprofen and CBD, CBD may affect the efficacy of the latter when taken at the same time, especially in large doses.

We always recommend speaking with your doctor or a specialist if you ever have any concerns on CBD or other medications.