Leg cramps are a condition when your leg muscles suddenly become tight and painful. It mainly occurs in your calf muscles and sometimes your thighs. It was found that most of the time leg cramps occur at night. Sometimes leg cramps are a symptom of a severe health condition, such as vascular disease, liver disease, alcohol use disorder, type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, etc.
Leg cramps can be very painful and most people use pain-relievers for managing them. However, those medications are ineffective most of the time. That is why many health experts are suggesting CBD, which is proven to be very effective in alleviating different forms of pain that affect your body.
CBD can provide a lot of health benefits and reducing pain is just one of them. Keep on reading to know how CBD can help with leg cramps.
CBD For Leg Cramps
We already know that there is an endocannabinoid system in our body that can create cannabinoids and contain CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. When the cannabinoid interacts with these receptors, it helps in regulating many body functions.
It was found that CBD and THC, the cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant, can mimic the effects of endocannabinoids produced in your body. THC can interact directly with these receptors. On the other hand, CBD modifies the receptors’ ability to bind with the cannabinoids. Therefore, CBD can enhance the capabilities of the endocannabinoid system.
Taking CBD can help in increasing the production of anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule. The body uses this molecule to regulate the pain sensations that usually occur when spasms cause leg cramp pain.
Most of the current studies looked at the effects of CBD in alleviating the symptoms of various health conditions like leg cramps. CBD is very widely used for reducing pain and muscle spasms. According to a study conducted in 2002, cannabinoids like CBD and THC can reduce muscle spasticity and tremors. Many scientists believe that it was due to the activation of both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
A more recent study looked into the effects of Sativex, a pharmaceutical drug that contains CBD and THC in the ratio of 1:1, on people who are suffering from multiple sclerosis. After the study, it was found that the people who received the drug experienced a reduction in the frequency and severity of muscle spasms.
