Can CBD Help Varicose Veins?
There is a lot of buzz around CBD today. But can it really reduce the symptoms of varicose veins?
If you have varicose veins, you no doubt search for treatments to ease their discomfort. In your research, you’ve probably read about the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and wondered if this substance can diminish the pain and swelling of varicose veins.
In the few scientific studies that have investigated its medicinal uses, CBD has shown promising results in the reduction of chronic pain. However, research into this topic has just begun, and there are not many, if any, studies on CBD and venous insufficiency as of yet. Before you try CBD in either a lotion or oral drop form to treat your varicose veins, here’s what you need to know.
What is CBD and How it Can (Possibly) Help
CBD is an extract of the hemp plant from which cannabis is made. But unlike the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) component of marijuana, CBD does not produce the “high” associated with cannabis.
That’s because CBD and THC affect different receptors within the endocannabinoid system. This system reacts to cannabinoids produced by our bodies, which, in turn, regulate how we feel and experience pain. Much of the scientific research so far has focused on whether the CBD compounds found in marijuana can intensify the effects of cannabinoids, and, therefore, alleviate chronic pain and inflammation.
To date, studies have indicated medical marijuana does in fact reduce chronic pain in people with painful conditions such as arthritis. Moreover, CBD may help people with restless leg syndrome (RLS), a condition that interrupts sleep with uncontrolled leg movements. RLS is often an accompanying symptom of varicose veins. By boosting the body’s dopamine levels, CBD could give RLS and varicose vein patients the good night’s rest they crave.
Hemp oil in another form has been used by varicose vein patients to reduce the discomfort and appearance of varicose veins. Made from hemp seeds, hemp oil does not contain THC or CBD, but does contain omega-3 fatty acids that thin blood. As blood thins as it runs through the veins, the appearance of varicose veins diminishes.
It’s also been reported that hemp oil can stop the itching that varicose veins sometimes cause, as well as make spider veins less noticeable. Similar to other essential oils and lotions, hemp oil is not a cure for varicose veins. For that, you need treatment from a vein specialist.
If you decide to take a CBD supplement for the pain of varicose veins, check with your doctor to make sure the substance won’t interact negatively with medications you may be prescribed for other conditions.
Treating Your Varicose Veins
CBD may provide temporary relief from the symptoms of varicose veins. But to eliminate varicose veins permanently, a minimally invasive procedure performed by a vein specialist is your best option. Here at the Center for Vein Restoration, we offer several in-office treatments that require little to no anesthesia and a very short recovery period. To learn more about how you can safely treat your varicose veins, contact our office for an appointment.