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Cannabidiol (CBD) has numerous potential benefits, and its use as a treatment for pain is one that researchers are increasingly studying.
Keep reading to learn more about using CBD for easing sciatica pain. This article also provides information about the best types of CBD products for sciatica pain.
A quick look at the 6 best CBD products for sciatica:
- Best gummies: Joy Organics CBD Gummies
- Best oil: CBDistillery Full-spectrum CBD Oil Tincture
- Best roll-on: Kanibi CBD Cooling Gel Roll-on
- Best cooling gel: Charlotte’s Web Hemp-Infused Cooling Gel with CBD
- Best drops: Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Drops
- Best balm stick: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm
CBD is one of
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another well-known and well-researched compound in cannabis plants, CBD does not give the feeling of being “high.”
Rather, many studies have demonstrated
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
- Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe and high quality, clearly labeled ingredients. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
- Dosage: MNT chooses products that must clearly state the CBD dosage and THC content.
- Serving size: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a dosage and how to take it.
- Third-party labs: MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best CBD gummies for sciatica: Joy Organics CBD Gummies
- CBD type: broad-spectrum
- Pros: gluten free, vegan, THC free
- Cons: contains sugar so is not suitable to those on a sugar free diet
- Potency per serving: 10 milligram (mg)
These gummies are available for $39.95 for 30 gummies.
These Joy Organics gummies are gluten-free and vegan. They contain broad-spectrum CBD and are THC-free.
Read our Joy Organics review here.
Available in green apple and strawberry lemonade flavors, ingredients include organic tapioca syrup, organic sugar, and natural flavors.
Learn about more of the best CBD gummies here.
Best CBD tincture for sciatica: CBDistillery Full-spectrum CBD Oil Tincture
- CBD type: full-spectrum
Pros: high potency per serving - Cons: high cost
- Potency per serving: 33 mg
This oil tincture is available for $70 for a 30 ml bottle containing 1000 mg of CBD.
It contains full-spectrum hemp extract. The 30 milliliter (ml) bottle contains 500 mg of CBD.
CBDistillery claims this tincture can relieve pain and promote relaxation.
Read our CBDistillery review here.
The tincture also contains medium-chain triglyceride oil made from fractionated coconut oil.
The company suggests taking one 1 ml serving by dropping the tincture under the tongue and holding it for 15–20 seconds before swallowing.
Learn about more of the best CBD tinctures here.
Best CBD roll-on for sciatica: Kanibi CBD Cooling Gel Roll-on
- CBD type: CBD isolate
- Pros: portable, easy to apply
- Cons: the menthol may irritate sensitive skin types
- Potency per serving: 11 mg
This roll on bottle is available for $49 for 90ml. A 90 ml bottle contains 500 mg of CBD.
This CBD isolate cooling gel may be helpful for athletes experiencing aches and pains.
A roll-on gel is also a useful option for easy and portable application.
The gel offers topical relief for painful areas, so it may also suit those experiencing sciatica pain.
Ingredients include:
- anti-inflammatory botanicals
- menthol
- shea butter
Learn more about CBD for athletes here.
Best CBD cooling gel for sciatica: Charlotte’s Web Hemp-infused Cooling Gel with CBD
- CBD type: full-spectrum
Pros: free of 8 allergens, vegan, cruelty-free, - Cons: the arnica and menthol may irritate sensitive skin types
- Potency per serving: 510 mg per 1.7 oz bottle
The cooling gel is available for $39.99. It comes in a 1.7 ounce (oz) bottle with an easy-to-use pump.
Charlotte’s Web claim that CBD cooling gels can soothe aches and pains, so this product may be suitable for people with sciatica.
Read our review of Charlotte’s Web here.
The gel contains arnica and menthol, alongside the full-spectrum hemp extract. It is US Hemp Authority Certified.
Best CBD drops for sciatica: Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Drops
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Pros: Cruelty-free, fast-acting.
- Cons: May be too potent for some.
- Potency per serving: 30 mg.
These CBD oil drops are available for $34.99 for a 15 ml bottle with 450 mg CBD, or $59.99 for a 30 ml bottle with 900 mg CBD.
Papa & Barkley recommends a serving size of one 1 ml dropper, with each serving providing 30 mg of CBD.
Manufacturers claim that 98% of consumers found the product to be effective and most felt the onset within 15 minutes.
They say it is suitable for relief from every day stress and discomfort and for problems sleeping.
Read our review of Papa & Barkley here.
These CBD drops are available in two flavors, natural or lemongrass ginger.
It does not contain CBD isolates, distillates or chemical solvents.
Best CBD balm for sciatica: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Pros: portable, easy to apply
- Cons: not suitable for those with an allergy to grapefruit, menthol may irritate sensitive skin
- Potency per serving: 800 mg per 16 g stick, or 3,600 mg per 72 g stick.
This CBD balm is available for $12 for a 16 g stick containing 800 mg of CBD, or $42 for a 72 g stick containing 3,600 mg CBD.
This CBD balm stick contains full-spectrum hemp extract.
Ingredients include capsaicin and menthol, which may help alleviate pain and inflammation with cooling and warming sensations.
The manufacturers claims this balm may suit athletes, people who travel often, and those looking for easy topical application of CBD.
The table below compares the CBD products for sciatica in this article on key points:
| Price | Form | CBD type | Potency per serving | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy Organics CBD Gummies | $39.95 | Gummies | Broad- spectrum | 10 mg |
| CBDistillery Full-spectrum CBD Oil Tincture | $70 | Oil tincture | Full- Spectrum | 33 mg |
| Kanibi CBD Cooling Gel Roll-on | $49 | Roll-on | CBD isolate | 11 mg |
| Charlotte’s Web Cooling Gel with CBD | $39.99 | Gel | Full- Spectrum | 510 mg per 1.7 fl oz bottle |
| Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Drops | $34.99-59.99 | Oil | Full- Spectrum | 30 mg |
| Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm | $12-42 | Balm | Full- Spectrum | 800 mg per 16 g stick, 3,600 mg per 72 g stick |
Shopping for CBD can be confusing as so many products are available, and people may not be familiar with a lot of the terminology around CBD.
Manufacturers tend to use three main types of CBD in their products. These are:
- Full-spectrum CBD: This contains all cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, including CBD and up to 0.3% THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: This contains a mixture of cannabinoids. It usually doesn’t contain THC but may have trace amounts.
- CBD isolate: This is pure, isolated CBD without other cannabinoids.
Some research indicates that full-spectrum CBD may work best due to its “entourage effect.” This is where the various other cannabinoids and compounds in the cannabis plant work together with CBD to heighten its beneficial effects.
However, this does not mean that full-spectrum CBD is the best option for everyone. Each person needs to find what works best for them and their symptoms.
CBD products are available in many different forms, including:
- gummies
- tinctures
- oils, which a person takes orally
- balms, creams, and massage oils, which a person applies topically
Each type of product has benefits and drawbacks. For example, a person does not have to worry about determining the dosage with gummies, as each will contain a specific amount of CBD.
On the other hand, it can be difficult to know exactly how much CBD a person is applying to the body with topical products.
As CBD products are not currently FDA-regulated, it can be difficult to know what a person is getting when purchasing a CBD product. All the products in this article have passed our screening process.
Using cannabis to treat pain is not a new phenomenon. Since around
However, the scientific proof backing many of these potential benefits remains unclear.
That said,
Researchers have suggested that CBD
- pain
- inflammation
- epilepsy
- sleep disorders
- multiple sclerosis
- anorexia
- schizophrenia
- depression and anxiety disorders
A rodent
Again, more research is necessary before researchers can definitively say that CBD can help relieve pain. However, there is a lot of
For more information and resources on CBD and CBD products, please visit our dedicated hub.
To get the most out of using CBD for sciatica pain, determine the specific goals for its use:
- Easing pain in a sore spot: Individuals having sciatic flare-ups in a specific location may find a topical product, such as a salve containing CBD, best suits their needs.
- Providing quick relief: CBD oil or tinctures may work quicker than other CBD products.
- Maintaining a consistent level of CBD: CBD capsules or gummies give people a more accurate idea of how much CBD they are taking and offer a convenient way to manage CBD use.
There is limited scientific evidence to support the use of CBD for sciatica pain in particular. One 2020 study found that treating chronic pain with CBD for 7 days or more was helpful.
However, further research into using CBD for pain is needed, and a person should speak with a doctor before using any CBD products.
As with anything a person ingests, especially for medicinal purposes, CBD can cause side effects.
In studies, the most common side effects associated with CBD products include:
It is also very important for a person to ensure they discuss the use of CBD products with a healthcare professional, as CBD can interact with several different medications.
If a person takes any medications or supplements that warn of interactions with grapefruit, they need to be careful using CBD. This is because they both interfere with drug-metabolizing enzymes known as cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Below are some of the most common questions and answers about using CBD for sciatica pain:
Does using CBD for sciatica pain work?
Research is still ongoing, as current studies do not provide conclusive evidence that supports the use of CBD to ease sciatica pain.
However, a
Besides using CBD, what self-care practices can people try for sciatica pain?
Ice packs or ice massages may provide some relief in the first week after an injury or development of sciatica. After a week or so, heat can help promote blood flow and relax muscles.
Gentle movement and stretching can also support blood flow, promote healing, and reduce pain.
A person should consult a doctor to determine which treatments may work best.
Learn more about sciatica here.
Does using CBD for sciatica pain make you high?
No, CBD does not cause people to feel “high.”
THC is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis and may cause a “high” feeling.
Learn more about the differences between CBD and THC here.
Can CBD alleviate nerve pain?
A
Further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of CBD in treating nerve pain.
A person seeks the advice of their doctor before using products with CBD.
Research to date, anecdotal claims, and historical evidence suggest that CBD may ease symptoms of a variety of health conditions, including pain.
A variety of oral and topical CBD products are available in numerous strengths.
Currently, the FDA does not guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of any over-the-counter CBD products, so a person should be careful when selecting CBD products.
It can be helpful to look for products that have undergone third-party testing, meaning that an independent laboratory has verified the product’s purity and potency.
Anyone wishing to try CBD should speak with a healthcare professional first, as it may interact with certain medications.