When we talk about living with chronic pain, we usually focus on how it affects the body. But, chronic pain can influence our emotions – and be affected by our emotions as well.

Pain is an unpleasant sensation that is usually associated with tissue damage or injury. Pain can be acute, which means it is short-term and usually lasts three to six months, whereas chronic pain can last longer than three to six months.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than the normal healing time for an injury or illness. Unlike acute pain, which serves a protective function, chronic pain can be a persistent, ongoing, and debilitating condition that can have a significant impact on an individual's physical and social well-being.

In addition to causing physical discomfort, chronic pain can affect our emotions as well. In fact, studies have shown that chronic pain is closely linked to our emotions, and can be influenced by factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression. People who suffer from chronic pain are three times more likely to develop depression.

Continue reading to learn more about how chronic pain affects your emotions and how CBD can help with chronic pain.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal sensation that alerts us to possible injury or harm, chronic pain persists even after the initial injury or illness has healed.

Chronic pain can be caused by various factors, including injury, illness, or damage to the nervous system. It can affect any part of the body and can vary in severity, intensity, and duration. Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, affecting their physical and emotional well-being.

Some common examples of chronic pain conditions include back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.

The Psychological Effects of Pain on the Brain

Here are some of the effects of chronic pain on the brain:

Changes in brain structure: Chronic pain can cause changes in the structure and function of the brain, particularly in areas involved in pain signal processing. This can lead to increased pain sensitivity, decreased pain tolerance, and changes in how the brain reacts to pain.

Emotional distress: Chronic pain can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and frustration. This can worsen pain symptoms and make it difficult to manage the condition.

Impaired cognitive function: Chronic pain can impair cognitive function, such as memory, attention, and concentration. This can make tasks more difficult to complete and have an impact on a person's ability to function in daily life.

Social isolation: Chronic pain can lead to social isolation and decreased participation in previously enjoyed activities. This can further contribute to emotional distress and a sense of isolation from others.

Sleep disturbances: Chronic pain can disrupt sleep, causing fatigue and exacerbating pain symptoms.

Anxiety: Chronic pain can lead to anxiety due to the severity of the pain which can worsen pain symptoms.

Depression: Chronic pain can also lead to depression due to the impact on quality of life, social isolation, and decreased participation in activities.

Irritability: Persistent pain can make a person more irritable and quick-tempered.

Suicidal thoughts: Chronic pain can cause feelings of hopelessness and despair, leading to thoughts of suicide.

Overall, chronic pain can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Emotional and Physical Pain Connection

The relationship between emotional and physical pain is complex, and people often experience both types of pain at the same time. Here are some examples of how emotional and physical pain can be linked:

Pain amplification: Emotional pain can amplify physical pain, making it more intense and difficult to manage. For example, anxiety or depression can lead to increased sensitivity to pain, making it more difficult to manage chronic pain conditions.

Shared neural pathways: The brain uses shared neural pathways to process both emotional and physical pain, which means that emotional pain can activate the same areas of the brain as physical pain.

Stress response: Emotional pain can trigger the body's stress response, resulting in increased muscle tension, inflammation, and other physical symptoms that can contribute to chronic pain.

Trauma: Trauma or a traumatic event can cause both emotional and physical pain. Trauma can cause physical pain due to injuries, but it can also cause emotional pain in the sense of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Chronic pain: Chronic pain conditions can cause emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression, which can increase pain symptoms. This can lead to a vicious cycle of emotional and physical pain.

Overall, emotional and physical pain are interconnected, and treating both conditions simultaneously is important for chronic pain management.

Chronic Pain Conditions That Affect Mental Health

Chronic pain can negatively impact mental health by increasing stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. The following are some chronic pain conditions that can have an impact on mental health:

Back Pain: Chronic back pain is a common condition caused by a variety of factors such as injury, poor posture, and aging. Chronic back pain can be extremely uncomfortable and limit mobility, leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness.

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and many fibromyalgia patients suffer from depression and anxiety as a result.

Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It can cause chronic pain and limit mobility, leading to feelings of frustration and depression.

Migraines: Migraines are a type of headache that can be extremely unpleasant and painful. They can cause nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound, as well as anxiety and depression.

Chronic pelvic pain: This is a condition that causes persistent pain in the pelvis, which can be caused by a variety of factors. It is difficult to diagnose and treat, and many people who suffer from chronic pelvic pain also suffer from depression and anxiety as a result.

CBD and Chronic Pain

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant that has been shown to have potential benefits in the treatment of chronic pain. Here are some ways CBD may help with chronic pain:

Anti-inflammatory properties: CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for chronic pain conditions that involve inflammation, such as arthritis.

Pain relief: CBD may also relieve pain by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in pain perception. CBD has been shown in some studies to help reduce chronic pain and improve the quality of life in people suffering from conditions such as neuropathic pain and multiple sclerosis.

Anxiety and depression relief: Chronic pain can have a negative impact on mental health, and many people who suffer from it experience anxiety and depression. CBD has been shown to have anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties, which may be beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain.

Sleep improvement: Chronic pain causes sleep disruptions, which can exacerbate pain and other symptoms. CBD may improve sleep quality and duration, which may be beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain.

Keep in mind that CBD is not a cure for chronic pain, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks.

CBD Salves for Chronic Pain

CBD salves, also known as topicals, are CBD-infused products that are applied directly to the skin. Because they provide targeted relief to specific areas of the body, these salves may be a viable option for managing chronic pain.

Localized pain relief: CBD salves can be applied directly to the specific area of pain, providing targeted relief.

Relaxation and muscle relaxation: CBD salves may have a calming effect on the body, helping to relieve tension and promote muscle relaxation.

Moisturizing and nourishing: Many CBD salves contain natural ingredients that help to moisturize and nourish the skin, which can be beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain conditions that cause dry and irritated skin.

How to Take CBD for Chronic Pain?

There are several ways to take CBD for chronic pain, and the best method will depend on personal preferences. Here are some common ways to take CBD for chronic pain:

CBD oil/tinctures: This is one of the most popular methods of consuming CBD. CBD oil is administered sublingually, which means it is placed under the tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. CBD oil's effects are typically felt within 20-30 minutes and can last for several hours.

CBD capsules: CBD capsules are a convenient and easy way to take CBD. You can take CBD capsules like any other pill, these capsules take longer to work than CBD oil, but their effects can last for several hours.

CBD edibles: CBD can be infused into a variety of edibles, including gummies and chocolates. Edibles take longer than CBD oil or capsules to take effect, but their effects can last for several hours.

CBD topicals, such as creams, balms, and salves, can be applied directly to the skin and can be helpful for localized pain relief.

Best CBD Salve for Chronic Pain

Carmen's CBD Topical Salve is formulated for maximum efficacy with a light lavender scent. Nourishing functional ingredients such as organic coconut oil and beeswax, combined with our high-potency organic CBD oil can provide long-term relief from muscle pain and inflammation.

Whether you're an athlete dealing with sore muscles and joints or someone looking for natural relief from chronic pain, Carmen’s CBD salve is a perfect option.

Try it out today and see how it can help you with your daily routine.

Summary

In conclusion, chronic pain can be a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While many treatment options are available, many people have turned to CBD as a natural alternative to traditional medications.

Although research is ongoing there is evidence to suggest that CBD may have therapeutic potential in the management of chronic pain by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system.

CBD can manage chronic pain conditions (such as chronic back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain) by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system. However, it's important to note that CBD is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and its effects may vary.