Is CBD treatment dangerous against chronic muscle spasms?

Chronic muscle spasms affect between 60 and 117 million American adults every year, a staggering number that surpasses those affected by several other conditions like heart disease, etc. These spasms can be pretty intense, causing constant pain in some people. Let us discuss what chronic muscle spasms are and the effects of cannabidiol in treating chronic muscle spasms.

What are chronic muscle spasms?

Muscle spasms or muscle cramps are painful contractions or tightening of your muscles. They are common and unpredictable. They occur when your muscle forcibly and involuntarily contracts and cannot relax. These can affect any of your muscles. They generally involve part or all of a muscle or several muscles in a group. 

The most common sites where muscle cramps usually occur are the calves, thighs, arms, hands, feet, and abdomen. When muscle spasms occur in the calves, we call such cramps "Charley horses." A cramp in your leg that happens in the night while you are at rest or asleep is called a "nocturnal leg cramp”.

If you have ever stopped in the tracks or awakened in the night by a sudden muscle cramp, you know that muscle spasms can cause severe pain. Though generally harmless, these spasms can make it temporarily impossible for you to use the affected muscle.

Long periods of physical labor or exercise, particularly in the heat, can cause muscle spasms. Some medical conditions and certain medications also can lead to muscle spasms. You usually can treat muscle spasms at home with self-care measures unless it is chronic. 

Dehydration, overuse of a muscle, simply holding a position for a prolonged period, or muscle strain are common causes of muscle spasms. It would be best if you avoided dehydration and regularly stretched your muscles to prevent muscle spasms.

Why is Cannabidiol (CBD) used to treat chronic muscle spasms?

Cannabidiol is a substance derived from the industrial hemp plant. It shows immense promise as an alternative to prescription medicines as an effective muscle relaxant. Cannabidiol is the chemical found in the Cannabis sativa plant, also called cannabis.

A survey of 2,309 Cannabidiol users found that most people use this cannabis extract to treat a medical condition. The conditions these CBD users are often trying to self-treat are arthritis, chronic pain or other joint-related pain, and anxiety. This hemp extract helps with these issues by working as a natural muscle relaxant.

The role of Cannabidiol in treating muscle spasms.

CBD as a Natural Muscle Relaxant

One of the significant ways that CBD contributes as a natural muscle relaxant is through inhibiting the release of secretions or neurotransmitters known to induce muscle spasms and rigidity. Studies suggest that CBD helps the muscles relax on a cellular level. But if the increased muscle tension is a result of being overly stressed, Cannabidiol can potentially help with this too.

CBD for Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness Leading to Chronic Muscle Spasm

Even though exercise is good for you, it can sometimes cause muscle soreness and tension. In cases such as these, research suggests that Cannabidiol can help ease these effects because of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

CBD for General Muscle Tension and Tightness

For general muscle tightness (like tension in the neck from a long day at your desk), high-quality topical CBD may offer much-needed temporary relief.

CBD for Joint Pain

Topical CBD likely would not reach cannabinoid receptors in your joints, no matter how potent. Oral CBD is more likely to help individuals with pain from arthritis and other joint conditions. People with pain from fibromyalgia will also benefit more from ingestible CBD.

Though CBD is often well-tolerated, it may cause side effects like diarrhea, reduced appetite, dry mouth, drowsiness, and fatigue. Cannabidiol can also interact with other drugs you are taking, such as blood thinners.

Impacts of Cannabidiol on the brain

One astounding effect that CBD has on the brain is its ability to reduce cognitive decline and improve memory and cognitive functioning. It can slow the deterioration of certain brain parts that are affected through Alzheimer's and other forms of Dementia.

CBD ceases the brain mechanisms that contribute to seizures by increasing the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. CBD also has antipsychotic effects. CBD increases anandamide in the brain. Increased levels of anandamide in our brain have been associated with decreases in psychotic symptoms.

Neuroimaging studies have shown that acute CBD induces significant alterations in brain activity and connectivity patterns during resting state and performance of cognitive tasks in both healthy volunteers and patients with a psychiatric disorder. This included modulation of functional networks relevant for psychiatric disorders, possibly reflecting CBD's therapeutic effects.

Alternative treatments for chronic muscle spasms

Some of the alternative treatments for chronic muscle spasms include:

Stretching for muscle spasms 

Stretching the area where you have muscle spasms usually helps improve or stop the spasm. Stretching decreases muscle tension and stops muscle spasms.

Massage for muscle spasms 

Massage is an excellent way to relieve physical pain and muscle cramps. Gently rub the muscle where you feel spasm.

Heat or ice for muscle spasms 

Treating pain and spasms with cold or hot therapy can be highly effective. For a persistent muscle spasm, apply an ice pack on the muscle for about 15 to 20 minutes, a few times a day. Ensure to wrap the ice in a thin towel or cloth so that the ice is not directly on your skin. 

A heating pad on the area can also be effective for about 15 to 20 minutes, but follow this with an ice pack on the site. While heat feels relieving for pain, it can worsen inflammation. Ice will calm down the inflammation. Other heat options include a hot shower, warm bath, or a hot tub or spa if you have access to one, which may all help relax your muscles.

Hydration for muscle spasms

When you have a muscle spasm, try drinking some water. To help prevent muscle spasms, ensure that you stay hydrated, especially if you are exercising or if the weather is hot.

Mild exercise for muscle spasms

Some people find that they can ward off leg cramps at night (which may occur in up to 62 percent of adults) by doing a little light exercise before sleeping. Some examples of light exercise include walking up and downstairs, jogging in place, riding a stationary bike for a few minutes, bouncing on a trampoline, using a row machine for a few minutes. 

While light exercise can help, intense or moderate exercise may affect your sleep, so you will want to avoid it right before your bedtime.

Nonprescription remedies for muscle spasms 

There are several things you can take orally that can help with your muscle spasms: Natural muscle relaxers. Natural muscle relaxants include adding capsaicin to foods, drinking chamomile tea, and improving your sleep. 

NSAIDs. Several OTC no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usually bring relief by reducing pain and inflammation. Supplements. Some people use salt tablets, magnesium, and vitamin B-12 supplements to treat and prevent muscle spasms. It is essential to note that limited evidence shows that these are effective.

Topical creams that are pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory

OTC pain-relieving creams can help. These include products that contain camphor, lidocaine, or menthol.

 Prescription medication

If you feel a persistent muscle spasm, especially severe, your doctor may prescribe pain medication or muscle relaxant. Muscle relaxants used for your muscle spasms are centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants (or SMRs) and are usually only prescribed for two to three weeks.