AUTOMOD The following is a copy of the above post. This comment is a record of the above post as it was originally written, in case the post is deleted or edited. First post: If it is obvious that I am the asshole, or not, my bad. I will start by saying I am a cancer researcher. I don't deal directly with patients, but I keep up with the science on chemotherapy, and let me tell you it's extremely effective for those who have cancer, even if the side effects are terrible. I have a friend who has taken up selling CBD oil and other homeopathic products that are largely considered to be pseudoscience. She responds by calling me a shill, a liar, and any other name in the book.

I have also gotten private messages from folks who both hate me for calling her out, and supporting me because they are sick of their friends giving them advice that does not match what their doctors say. I am sure this will come up. I am specifically talking about CBD treatments curing cancer by killing the tumor cells; which has been shown by multiple studies to be ineffective. I am not talking about CBD oil treating the pain or other symptoms cancer patients have. That has yet to remain seen. It might be worth mentioning, I am aware of the difference of CBD and THC, and have no problem with recreational marijuana use, even though I don't partake myself. I just have the problem with the false scientific claims CBD is a magical cure for everything. So, Am I the Asshole? I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

Regarding the recovery aspect, that's a valid point too. For many of us, relief from pain and inflammation is a routine part of recovery. Helps get us back on the bike, walking or doing whatever exercise helps keep us moving. And pain relief also helps relieve anxiety, tension, stress, all of which contribute to poor dietary habits, especially indulging in comfort foods. I've heard claims that CBD can relieve inflammation. I haven't seen any studies confirming that. Pain relief doesn't necessarily mean it's also reducing inflammation. One of those claiming relief from both pain and inflammation is Floyd Landis (Floyd's of Leadville), who's suffered from hip pain since he was in his 20s from professional cycling and related injuries. That's what finally sold me on suspending my usual skepticism and at least trying CBD.

Knowing what chronic severe pain feels like, I knew it would either work or it wouldn't, but no placebo effect would persuade me my neck and shoulder weren't aching. So while CBD helps my pain, I still take a prescription NSAID for inflammation (diclofenac). If studies show that CBD does relieve inflammation I'll consider discontinuing all NSAIDs. But at least I've cut back on the ibuprofen. For more than a decade after my neck and back were broken in 2001 I took a fistful of ibuprofen every day, usually 800-2400 mg a day. It barely helped with pain. It was a relief to get the diclofenac prescription -- it's just two small enteric coated pills a day. I've been out of it for a week or two and had to return to using ibuprofen.

Since using an effective brand and type of CBD I've cut back to only on 200 mg ibuprofen on rare occasions during bike rides when my neck starts aching -- usually after 30 miles or so. My limit is about 50 miles for now before the pain becomes unbearable. And it usually takes a full day and visit to my PT or chiropractor to loosen up the knotted muscles. There's also some mild anxiety relief, although that may be due in part to the pain relief. Folks with chronic pain often don't realize how tense they are until they get some real pain relief and can relax.

It doesn't have the effect of a prescription tranquilizer, or even melatonin or valerian root. I've used the CBD isolates for my cats and it seems to help. The oldest is 16 now and last year she wasn't eating or moving around much and often seemed to cry out in pain. Since using a tiny amount of CBD isolate in the common drinking water dish, she's put on weight, is more active and even plays a little with the other cats. And all three cats no longer freak out during thunderstorms, yet they aren't doped up. As another BF member pointed out on another discussion about CBD, animals probably don't respond to a placebo effect.

If cbd oil works, it works, but they can't be fooled by placebo. It's also possible that the home life overall is less stressful now, so perhaps it's coincidental. Last year was just plain awful, so perhaps the oldest cat was picking up on that stress level. I would assume that you're taking these one at a time since its not possible to made any determination on its effectiveness if you're taking it in combination with some other medication. I've been on the fence with trying CBD oil (its expensive and may not work at all) for some time now. But since its only defined as a pain reliever without specifics to the types of pain it can reduce. Pain covers a great deal of territory and can be caused by a number of factors, not all of which work well with some types of ailments.

Funny, you should mention diclofenac/Voltaren because I've been using the cream to spot reduce my knee and lower back pain for a while. On my last doctor's visit, she mentioned diclofenac in pill form and I've been using that with great results -- although I try not to take it every day. Problems is, I have more than one type of pain. While it works very well on my neck and lower back (muscle aches), it does nothing for my upper back and shoulder pain. Which I suspect is more nerve induced pain. I would assume that you're taking these one at a time since its not possible to made any determination on its effectiveness if you're taking it in combination with some other medication.

I've been on the fence with trying CBD oil (its expensive and may not work at all) for some time now. Yeah, I was skeptical about CBD, especially after the first couple of brands I tried did nothing. So when I tested each batch I skipped taking any other analgesics, prescription or OTC, to eliminate variables. It can be effective and is expensive. I've found two brands that work and are among the least expensive around. After trying both I stuck with the company that offers an additional discount for veterans, so it's more affordable. 50 a month, which is expensive on my budget.

But the VA covers all my prescription meds and medical expenses, so I have a little more room in the budget than I did this time last year. But since its only defined as a pain reliever without specifics to the types of pain it can reduce. Pain covers a great deal of territory and can be caused by a number of factors, not all of which work well with some types of ailments. Right. Researchers generally define three types of pain. I forget the terms they use, but many folks with chronic pain from a combination of injuries and illness find that OTC or prescription pain meds work on some, but not all, types of pain. This is particularly true with gabapentin, which has only been shown to be effective on some types of neuropathic pain, including from shingles.

Some folks with fibromyalgia say gabapentin works for them. Even the relatively strong opiates like oxycontin did little or nothing for those severe headaches. They did occasionally respond to Imitrex. Imitrex and other meds for migraines did nothing for the other types of pain. Even before the current opiate hysteria, when doctors were free to dispense pain meds as they saw fit, none of the doctors I saw seemed particularly interested in complaints of chronic pain. Eventually I quit mentioning it, then quit going to doctors altogether for almost 20 years. I just swallowed fistsful of ibuprofen, wrapped my head in ice packs, and waited out the worst of it.

Some of those headaches lasted up to 48 hours without a break, the worst pain I've ever experienced. Eventually it was traced to nerve damage from my broken C1 and C2 from the 2001 wreck. Then after the 2018 incident (hit by a car while I was riding my bike), I've had persistent pain between the scapula and spine long after the injury healed. There didn't appear to be any reason for it. But it did respond to CBD, once I found a good brand. And I'm trying Ted's Pain Cream again, a topical analgesic with reserveratrol that supposedly "resets" nerves that are stuck in pain signalling mode after injuries heal. Funny, you should mention diclofenac/Voltaren because I've been using the cream to spot reduce my knee and lower back pain for a while. That was prescribed for me as well, for the shoulder and neck injuries.

Didn't work. That's why I've tried every topical analgesic available, including CBD. While oral CBD has worked for me, the topical doesn't. However I was intrigued by the theory behind Ted's Pain Cream, since it was developed by neuroscientists. The website contains some interesting info. It didn't help last year immediately after the injury. But I'm trying it again now, starting Monday a few days ago. They recommend using it three times a day for at least a week to evaluate results. By now, day 4, I'm noticing a little less pain in a couple of tricky spots between the scapula and spine. Those spots, barely finger-width, were so tender I'd jump during physical therapy or chiropractor sessions when anyone touched those small areas. There are three places, no larger than a dime or penny, that still register pain level 7 or worse, when touched, and after long bike rides.

But today it's just a dull ache, around a 5 or 6. It'll be interesting to see how it feels in another week or so trying the Ted's stuff. On my last doctor's visit, she mentioned diclofenac in pill form and I've been using that with great results -- although I try not to take it every day. Yup, the oral version worked for me for inflammation. Not so much for quick pain relief. I ran out a couple of weeks ago and delayed asking for a refill because I wanted to re-evaluate just the CBD alone and the Ted's Pain Cream. I get most of my meds through the VA and the new batch of diclofenac should arrive today or tomorrow. But I may wait another week or so before resuming it.

Problems is, I have more than one type of pain. While it works very well on my neck and lower back (muscle aches), it does nothing for my upper back and shoulder pain. Which I suspect is more nerve induced pain. Yup, very familiar. Fortunately my VA docs were far more receptive to my descriptions of pain. My primary authorized hydrocodone and cyclobenzaprine, but I haven't asked for a refill since November last year and still have a few left. I save those for worst case scenarios, the kind of pain that would otherwise force me to go to the ER.

Yeah, I was also very skeptical about CBD for pets. But I was worried about the oldest cat. I adopted my mom's cats after she died last year and was worried about the oldest losing weight, being lethargic and in apparent pain, and just generally being unhealthy. The CBD really seems to be helping her appetite and energy level. I mean, she still mostly naps in her window cat tower. But she walks around more, demands to be petted and brushed (she'll keep pestering me until I brush her), and looks much healthier. Maybe it's the CBD. Maybe she's just adapted to me as her person now. Dunno. But the CBD was free (some isolate from a friend), and isn't doing any harm. The cats won't drink their water when I use my own full spectrum CBD, although that might be due to the chocolate mint flavoring.

I got some unflavored oil to try on them after the isolate runs out. Anyway, if you're curious to try CBD, I highly recommend Lazarus Naturals. Lowest prices of any reputable company. And they've recently offered free shipping for most orders and it's quicker now too. Used to take a week or so, but now it's only 2-3 days. Besides discounts for veterans, they also have discounts for folks with documented disabilities and low income. They specify conditions and documents needed. For me, I just scanned my DD-214 discharge paper. Took a week to get approved for something like a 50% or larger discount. The next best company I've found is Sunsoil of Vermont (formerly Green Mountain CBD). It's good, but Lazarus was better and less expensive.

Every other brand I tried was either a complete waste of money or overpriced. The only one I can suggest is PlusCBD, a popular brand sold in many health food stores and online. It works but it's more expensive, less potent and not a great value compared with Lazarus and Sunsoil. Oil gets into the system faster, I think. 1. No, because no one has given me any, and I am not a fool to spend my own money on it. 2. If you want to bring attention to a question you have posed to a forum member you should either use the post quote function or the mention function. Not everyone returns to check every post in every thread he/she has posted in.

Let me know if you'd like me to describe how to use the aforementioned functions. A bigger issue is that, from admittedly what little I've read on the subject, the CBD oils are often contaminated with byproducts and even trace amounts of THC. If you are employed in a profession where drug testing is de rigeur, than you had better understand the legalities of a positive test for a banned drug. Legal in a State is one matter. Permissible in your profession is another entirely. I tried CBD and Hemp products as an absolute skeptic, thinking it was all a bunch of hogwash.

I noticed an immediate reduction in overall tension and soreness. The stuff works. A scientific study to prove that might be nice, but I can see it with my own eyes. Are you sure it wasn't a placebo effect? I for one am a bit skeptical on the benefits of CBD oil, because since it became legal to market it in a lot of places, it's now being touted as a magical cure-all for just about anything. I'm not denying that it may have certain effects, but anyone with a CBD oil company (some products which may not even actually contain CBD) is making all sorts of claims about their magical oil.

It's almost as bad as the women in MLM's selling essential oils. Oil gets into the system faster, I think. Yup, sublingual -- under the tongue -- offers the most rapid absorption. cbd oil can feel the effects within 5-10 minutes, about the same as other sublingual meds like the ondanstetron I took for awhile last year for nausea related to thyroid cancer. It turned out the CBD was more effective for me in reducing nausea and gagging while trying to swallow food or pills. The oil is just a good carrier and part of one of the usual extraction processes. Some makers use CO2, others use alcohols.

Lots of experimenting goes into that. When I first tried Lazarus Naturals CBD oil a year ago it tasted fishy. Since then they've improved the flavor dramatically in response to customer feedback. Now it's among the more pleasant tasting CBDs. It's not just covered up with flavorings (although the chocolate mint is my favorite), but using better quality MCT, improved extraction and controlling the entire process from seed to finished product. Lazarus and Sunsoil gel capsules have a bright, hempy odor (somewhat similar to hops, but the hemp odor and flavor is distinctively unique and familiar to anyone who's smelled marijuna), but with little or no flavor upon swallowing and digesting.

The caps take longer to be effective, up to 2 hours. I'll take one just before a long ride so by the 30 mile mark when my usual neck and shoulder aches kick in the CBD is working. Gets me through 50-60 mile rides in reasonable comfort without side effects. A bigger issue is that, from admittedly what little I've read on the subject, the CBD oils are often contaminated with byproducts and even trace amounts of THC. If you are employed in a profession where drug testing is de rigeur, than you had better understand the legalities of a positive test for a banned drug.

Legal in a State is one matter. Permissible in your profession is another entirely. The most reputable makers publish lab tests that answer most questions about purity and health/safety. Some do their own lab testing, others use one of a handful of independent labs that specialize in testing cannabis products. The better companies in the cannabis industry are very conscientious about this. They're putting on the best possible face to make it acceptable and to distinguish the cannabis industry from the many snake oil and voodoo junk that litters the dietary and health supplement market. Some of my acquaintances have moved to Colorado and elsewhere to get into the industry and they include folks with backgrounds in science, chemistry, computer and IT, former government and mainstream industry marketing and management.