Content courtesy of CBD Statistics.
Being a nurse is a physical and emotional effort. Many nurses experience aches and pains in their backs, legs and feet from long shifts. Nurses also have to deal with stress, anxiety and even sleep disorders that have become more common since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent years, the use of cannabis products to treat medical or physical ailments has seen increasing acceptance in the scientific and healthcare community. Cannabidiol, or CBD, a type of cannabinoid derived from the oil of hemp plants, was made federally legal in Farm Bill 2018. Since its legalization, the use of CBD has grown in popularity.
To comply with federal law, hemp-derived CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC, the main psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis plants that makes people feel high.
Although human trials have yet to be intensified on the uses and effectiveness of CBD, some research and anecdotal evidence indicate that there are at least three potential benefits for nurses from the use of CBD.
Relieve muscle pain and joint inflammation
Nurses often work long hours and do a lot of work when helping patients or moving equipment during their shifts, often resulting in a variety of aches and pains.
CBD has been shown to be a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce neck, back and muscle pain experienced by nurses, according to Morgan Cox, co-owner of CBD Statisticsa family-owned, LGBTQ company that sells products made with CBD, including oils, topical creams and muscle roll-ons and is co-owned by his spouse Leah Greenwood, RN, and his father William Cox.
Although research on the topic remains somewhat limited, some studies support the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CBD to reduce pain and inflammation.
Morgan Cox, who has a degree in exercise science and has devoted much of her career to athletics, movement, anatomy and nutrition, said cannabidiol may appeal to nurses and others who do not want to rely on prescription drugs or pain relievers for relief. pain
“It’s pretty much a healthier alternative to having to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen every day,” he said. “We are trying to create a more natural option [for pain relief].”
Tina Vinsant, a travel nurse from Tennessee, has been using CBD products for over a year to relieve foot and heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. She learned about the potential benefits of CBD from a nurse podcast she runs and from a friend, who is also a nurse.
“For years I’ve had terrible pain in my feet from standing for long periods of time during my shifts,” she said. “I was incredibly surprised at how effective it is.”
Vinsant said she applies CBD ointment to her feet before bed at night, which helps ease the muscle tension and pain she often experienced. “Relax the fabric so it’s not so tight. I’m glad it works. I really love it.”
Greenwood, who works full-time as a nurse in addition to being part owner of CBD Stat, said using topical CBD has helped her with the aches and pains that come with her nursing career.
“When I’d get home, I’d have horrible shin and arch pain, and I’d have to elevate my leg for an hour,” she said. “Now I massage the topicals into the bottom of my feet at the end of every shift, and I haven’t had to lift my feet since. I no longer have arch pain after a long shift and I’ve noticed a massive reduction in the number of aches and pains I have every day.”
While CBD is used in topical products to relieve neck, back and other common pain, Morgan Cox said many of her customers have also given feedback on how it helps with chronic pain symptoms of conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia and sciatica.
Some research also suggests that CBD can help relieve chronic pain. A new study in the July 16 issue of the journal Cureus involved a systematic review of research on the efficacy and safety of CBD for chronic pain over the past five years.
The authors of the study concluded that “CBD is an excellent alternative to opioids [addressing] chronic pain because CBD is not intoxicating in its pure form. More clinical trials need to be done to demonstrate the clinical and statistical significance of CBD.”
Relieve the effects of stress and anxiety
Anxiety, stress, and burnout are common among nurses, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues.
William Cox, who, in addition to being a co-founder of CBD Stat, is also a chemical engineer and vice president of business development at IMPACT Technology Development, the company that developed the proprietary hemp extraction process for CBD Stat products, said that CBD can stimulate the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a mood to study recognized as a “prominent promoter of emotional homeostasis, which mediates the neurophysiological and behavioral consequences of stress.”
Stimulating the ECS can promote better sleep quality and reduce stress, anxiety and depression, which can be helpful for nurses, he said.
The study acknowledged, however, that more research would be helpful to help understand how genetic variability and psychosocial factors might affect an individual’s response to cannabinoid-based drugs.
Another study suggests that CBD may reduce stress and anxiety among nurses and other healthcare workers.
In 2021, Brazilian researchers conducted a randomized trial to study the effectiveness of CBD in relieving stress among doctors, nurses and therapists treating patients with COVID-19 in a Brazilian hospital over a four-week period. A total of 120 healthcare workers were randomized into two groups, with approximately half receiving a dose of 300 milligrams of CBD twice daily plus standard care and the remainder receiving standard care only.
The study found that daily administration of CBD, combined with standard care, “reduced symptoms and diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion among frontline health care professionals working with patients with COVID- 19”.
“Cannabidiol may act as an effective agent for the reduction of burnout symptoms among a population with significant mental health needs worldwide,” the authors wrote. The study noted, however, that a small number of participants treated with CBD experienced serious side effects and cited the need for further study of the benefits and possible adverse effects.
Improves sleep and relieves insomnia
Another potential benefit of CBD for nurses is improved sleep and reduced insomnia.
Greenwood said she started taking CBD oil before bed after long nursing shifts to help her sleep quality, and it has helped her tremendously.
“I wanted something that would help me fall asleep quickly and not make me feel groggy the next day,” she said. “When I started taking it, I had been working the night shift for years and CBD oil helped me sleep without interruption during the day. My sleep quality has been fantastic since using CBD oil, both whether I am day or night.”
said William Cox research states that CBD can help with a number of sleep disorders, including insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder. “Determining the exact mechanism of how CBD helps with sleep is still being studied,” he said. “Experiences and results are varied and appear to depend on the dose for each individual.”
Other considerations for the use of CBD for nurses
Because CBD is a cannabinoid, some nurses fear it could show up during pre-employment or other drug testing by their employers. But William Cox noted that since CBD oil is now legal for use at the federal level, it shouldn’t be a problem for nurses in most cases.
“Because CBD is not psychoactive, it should not interfere with normal work activity or cognitive abilities, especially with topical transdermal CBD used for inflammation reduction,” he said.
Since most CBD products are not federally regulated, nurses should check the labeling to ensure that the products they use are THC-free, as some products contain small amounts of THC that may appear in drug tests.
“Typically, healthcare workers who get tested prefer the THC-free option,” said Morgan Cox, noting that all CBD Stat products are 100% THC-free.
So far, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved only one CBD product, a prescription product that treats seizures, and is monitoring illegal marketing practices where products containing cannabis or its compounds violate federal law or put consumers at risk.
Although hemp-derived cannabidiol containing no more than 0.3% THC is now federally legal, some states and local municipalities may have their own laws and regulations regarding the use of cannabis products. William Cox encourages nurses to review these regulations and seek prior approval from their employers before using CBD products, if in doubt.
“If they’re concerned, we advise people to go to their supervisor and ask if it’s OK to use the product,” he said. “I think they would appreciate using all natural products that help their employees work better and feel better.”
While CBD is generally safe, William Cox said, it can cause drowsiness in some people and diarrhea when taken in large amounts. She said it’s important for nurses to follow dosage guidelines, know possible side effects and consult with a doctor before using them to avoid negative interactions with other medications.
We understand the aches and pains of a stressful and challenging job. Our goal is to keep you naturally strong with our line of THC-free, extra-strong CBD products formulated for hard-working nurses and healthcare workers. Try us today.
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