NEW HOPE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CHRONIC PAIN

Relief from CBD is backed by clinical research

Do you or someone you know suffer from chronic pain? You are not alone; it’s more common than you think. As many as 1 of 4 Canadians over age 50 battles chronic pain. It’s a leading cause of disability globally and is linked to reduced quality of life, decreased social connections and lost productivity.

The two largest groups of chronic pain sufferers are those who suffer from pain due to an inflammatory state (e.g. arthritis) or injury to underlying tissue, and those who suffer from neuropathic pain that’s caused by nerve irritation or damage.

Cannabinoids are proven to play a role in relieving inflammatory and neuropathic pain. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are two common cannabinoids found in cannabis that help inhibit the sensation of pain. There’s accumulating evidence to support their use in treating chronic pain. They may be a safe alternative as they do not have the risks and sideeffects associated with opioids. Studies have also shown that when cannabinoids are used with opioids, the combination can result in a dramatic reduction in the dose of opioids needed to relieve pain.

Multiple randomized control trial (RCT) results demonstrate CBD and THC efficacy in spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory pain. THC may play a greater role in treating neuropathic pain, and CBD is effective for reducing inflammation. Most trials showed pain reduction but higher THC doses were limited by THC side-effects (e.g. dysphoria, anxiety). Increasing the CBD dose while limiting oral THC may result in better chronic pain relief with limited psychoactive and motor side-effects.

Backed by scientific research: Cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which

This article is referenced to internal data and/or independent third-party medical literature. References available upon request. is involved in regulating inflammation and pain sensation. The ECS includes CB1 cannabinoid receptors, prevalent in the nervous system, and CB2 receptors, prevalent in the immune system. THC works on CB1 and CB2 receptors, whereas CBD has multiple pathways to decrease inflammation. CBD and THC also work synergistically with betacaryophyllene (BCP), a terpene that binds to CB2 receptors to control inflammation.

Pharmaceutical technology is needed to increase oral CBD and THC absorption and to maximize effect. Oral CBD and THC ingestion results in only 8-12% absorption into the bloodstream. Better absorption increases the efficacy of both ingredients. Opticann uses patented pharmaceutical technology, VESIsorb®, in its CB4 Relief softgels with 25 mg CBD and 13 mg BCP. VESIsorb® is clinically proven to increase absorption by 440% (4.4x) and 3 times faster than conventional CBD capsules. CB4 Relief is a THC-free product best suited for daytime use. CB4 Relief-T softgels also contain low-dose THC (0.75 mg) for added effect and are suitable for nighttime use.

Breakthrough pain can be treated with quick-acting products. Opticann’s CB4 Control strips developed with VersaFilm® enable more rapid absorption from under the tongue (less than 5 minutes) compared to capsules and liquids. Each strip contains 10 mg CBD and less than 0.2 mg THC.

For localized use on the skin, CB4 Relief Deep Rub Topical Gel delivers CBD using technology proven to improve CBD penetration across the skin and into the tissue below for maximum and quick effect.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist and Opticann’s Patient Care Team about Opticann’s products. They can advise you on dosage, drug interactions and precautions. Learn more and register at opticann.ca