Ibuprofen is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is usually prescribed for controlling pain and inflammation associated with a wide array of health conditions. This medication is effective for headaches, fever, pain, rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with menstruation, joint inflammatory diseases, minor musculoskeletal injury, etc.
Ibuprofen can help alleviate different pains and aches in your body. That said, now a natural compound called cannabidiol (CBD) is becoming a popular remedy for pain and inflammation rather than other NSAIDs. This compound can help alleviate a large number of ailments naturally without resulting in intoxicating effects. The ability of CBD to relieve chronic pain is now attaining the attention of people and medical professionals. Hence, we analyze the benefits of ibuprofen and CBD for pain and inflammation through this article for knowing which is the better option.
How Ibuprofen Works?
Ibuprofen is a commonly used drug that is often prescribed by doctors for controlling headaches, fever, pain caused by other health conditions, inflammation, etc.
Ibuprofen can control hormones that can cause pain and swelling. It can inhibit the release of certain chemical compounds called prostaglandins that are responsible for regulating blood flow and inflammation.
This drug specifically targets enzymes like COX-1 and COX-2 by reducing their activity. These two enzymes can trigger fever and inflammation. So by inhibiting their activity, ibuprofen can help to control these ailments.
In addition to pain and inflammation, ibuprofen can help to treat a lot of other health conditions too. It is shown to be effective in controlling rheumatoid arthritis, minor musculoskeletal injuries, etc. It is also beneficial for preventing the formation of blood clots.
Side Effects Of Ibuprofen
Even though ibuprofen can provide a lot of benefits, this drug can also lead to some side effects. Some of them are:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
These side effects are commonly found in people when taking this medication. In addition to these minor side effects, you might also experience some severe health problems like increased blood pressure, decreased kidney function, bleeding in the stomach, stomach ulcers, liver failure, allergic reactions, etc. Although such severe side effects are rare, it is better to ask your doctor before taking this medication to know its risks.
CBD For Pain
The effects created by CBD for controlling pain are entirely different from that of ibuprofen. It targets other systems in the body for relieving pain, inflammation, and other health conditions in comparison with ibuprofen.
One of the important systems targeted by CBD is the endocannabinoid system that has the responsibility to control and regulate a lot of crucial functions in the body including managing pain and inflammation.
CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors which are major components of the endocannabinoid system. This interaction allows CBD to alleviate various ailments like pain, inflammation, certain mental illnesses, etc.
Additionally, CBD is also found to have the ability to maintain high levels of anandamide in your body. Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that can aid with relieving pain. This property of CBD can also be useful for alleviating pain caused by various other health conditions.
Is CBD Better Than Ibuprofen For Pain Relief
The use of CBD for inflammation and pain has increased greatly among people, as this compound is shown to help alleviate such health issues naturally.
A lot of people prefer CBD over ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, as this natural compound is not found to create any severe side effects. Also, the continuous use of ibuprofen can have a lot of negative impacts on your health. Your body can develop resistance to this medication which can persuade you to increase the dosage. Hence, the continuous use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen is not preferred by people.
This is where CBD can be helpful for them. This compound can alleviate various health conditions in your body without leading to serious health issues. Additionally, your body cannot develop resistance to this compound. So you don’t have to worry about increasing the dosage over time.
Other Benefits Of CBD
By using CBD for pain and inflammation, you can derive a plethora of other benefits too. This compound is found to be effective in promoting your mental health by alleviating anxiety and stress. It can promote sleep and control various sleep disorders like insomnia, restless leg syndrome, etc.
One of the important benefits of CBD that is widely acknowledged by the medical field is its efficiency to control some rare forms of seizures associated with epilepsy. A product called Epidiolex derived from this compound is used for treating epileptic seizures that cannot be controlled by other anti-seizure drugs.
CBD also can promote your gut health by alleviating nausea and vomiting. It can control high blood pressure and aid with weight loss. Hence, the use of CBD can offer you a multitude of benefits when compared to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs.