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If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled. Applying cannabidiol (CBD) oil to a painful area or taking it orally may help relieve neuropathy pain. However, more research is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of CBD products. Share on PinterestNeuropathy causes chronic pain due to damaged nerves. It can be excruciating, and sometimes, doctor-prescribed medicines fail to provide enough pain relief. Some people may look to alternative remedies, including CBD oil. Quick linksCBDfx Soft Gel CapsulesCBDistillery Full-Spectrum CBD Oil TinctureLord Jones Body Lotion What is CBD oil CBD oil comes from the cannabis plant. CBD products do not usually contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the ingredient that causes the high that people associate with cannabis. When a product does contain THC, the quantities are generally very low. Researchers are studying the effectiveness of CBD oil for many conditions, including chronic pain. Research also continues into how safe CBD products are. Individuals may find it challenging to choose a safe CBD oil product because of the lack of consistent government regulation. Some studies show that certain products are not labeled correctly and could include unexpected ingredients or quantities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the safety, effectiveness, or quality of the over-the-counter CBD products. However, to protect an individual’s health, they can take action against CBD companies that make baseless health claims. Learn more about CBD oil here. About neuropathy Neuropathy is a chronic pain condition. A person who has neuropathy has damaged nerves. Damaged nerves can occur following a physically traumatic incident or in several different conditions, such as:certain nutrient deficiencieschronic alcohol use disorderdiabetesinfectionsinflammatory conditions, such as vasculitislow thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism Sometimes, doctors cannot determine why a person is experiencing neuropathy, but they may suggest various treatment options. If an individual developed neuropathy from treatable conditions, such as diabetes, chronic alcohol use disorder, or nutrient deficiencies, the doctor would aim to control the condition first. People living with chronic neuropathic pain may benefit from consulting a pain specialist if simple pain medications do not work. Doctors may prescribe medicines such as:membrane stabilizers, including gabapentinanti-epileptics, including phenytointricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline Learn more about diabetic neuropathy here. CDB oil and neuropathy Sometimes, treatments in the current guidelines fail to provide enough pain relief, and an individual may prefer to explore CBD oil for neuropathy. In a small 2020 study, researchers randomized 29 people with neuropathy to receive CBD oil or a placebo. Participants in the CBD oil group tolerated the product well and had a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with the placebo group. While these findings seem promising, researchers need to conduct further studies on a larger population to confirm these findings. People with neuropathy claim that several cannabis products, including inhaled herbal cannabis, sprays, and tablets, are effective. However, good evidence that any CBD product works for chronic neuropathic pain is still lacking. Learn more about CBD and managing chronic pain here. Considerations Risks of using CBD oil include the potential for faulty labeling, exposure to higher doses of THC, or other contaminants. The FDA is studying the proposed health claims of CBD products. They suggest that CBD products can potentially harm users, but it is unclear how these products and their differing administration methods can be harmful. Some of the adverse effects reported by the FDA include:liver damageinteractions with other medicationsmale reproductive toxicitychanges in alertnessdigestive issueschanges in mood Learn more about the best CBD products for pain relief here. How to use CBD products A person can apply CBD oil directly on the skin where they feel pain. Some CBD oil products are for oral administration, for example, in the form of pills, tinctures, and gummies. A person should follow the instructions on the label, but it is important to remember that there are no regulated guidelines for CBD oil use for neuropathy. Learn more about CBD dosage and use here. How we chose Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe and high quality clearly labeled ingredients. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.Dosage: MNT chooses products that must clearly state the CBD dosage.Serving size: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a dosage.Third-party labs: MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results. Top CBD products for neuropathy Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here. CBDfx Soft Gel Capsules CBDfx soft gel capsules are full-spectrum and taken orally. They are available in two different strengths, 750 mg and 1500 mg. Each dose contains either 25 mg or 50 mg, respectively. CBDfx advises that a person takes one or two capsules daily. They also recommend always following the instructions on the label. The company also states that its capsules contain almost untraceable amounts of THC within the legally required amount of 0.3%. The 750 mg bottle costs $64.99. The 1000 mg version costs $89.99. Learn more about CBDfx here.SHOP NOW CBDistillery Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture The company suggests that using CBDistillery full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil tincture can show benefits after 7–14 days when taken regularly. Full-spectrum means several cannabinoids that naturally occur in the cannabis plant are present, along with up to 0.3% THC. Individuals can take this product orally — holding it under the tongue for 10–20 seconds before swallowing. The company claims that the product is not addictive and contains less than 0.3% of THC. They also claim that their products are third-party tested. Tinctures are available in the following sizes:500 mg1000 mg2500 mg5000 mg Each dose provides between 17-107 milligrams (mg) of CBD, depending on the product size. Prices range between $45-240. Learn more about CBDistillery here.SHOP NOW Lord Jones Body Lotion This body lotion is available in fragranced and unfragranced versions. According to the company website, this product has cooling and soothing properties. It contains a full-spectrum CBD extracted from hemp. This means that the oil contains many natural cannabinoids from the plant but does not generally include THC. Each bottle is 100 ml and contains 200 mg of CBD. It costs $40. While the product website claims that the body lotion received testing in a lab to ensure purity, it also lists essential warnings. The FDA has not evaluated Lord Jones High CBD Body Lotion for efficacy and safety. Also, the labeling specifies that the product is not certified to be contaminant free. Learn more about CBD topicals here.SHOP NOW Comparison table The table below compares the products in this article on key points:CBDfxCBDistilleryLord JonesCBD typefull-spectrumfull-spectrumfull-spectrumDosage25 mg33 mg100 mlProduct typesoftgeltincturelotionPrice$64.99-89.99$45-240$40 How to choose CBD products Choosing a CBD product can be challenging. Buying from licensed retailers is the safest way to choose a CBD product. These products are more likely to be regulated by the government. Currently, no guidelines exist to help people choose CBD products for neuropathy. When a person looks for CBD products, they should check the ingredients for the amount of THC, which can cause side effects. Before choosing a CBD product, a person should consult their doctor. Doctors can help monitor people for side effects and guide their choice of therapy. Learn more about how to shop for CBD products here. Alternative natural remedies Some doctors recommend transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a noninvasive treatment for relieving neuropathy pain. TENS uses electric currents to activate nerves for pain relief. Some people prefer to use herbal remedies. Some herbal remedies that researchers have studied in both humans and animals for treating neuropathy include:Acorus calamusAlstonia scholarisArtemisia dracunculusButea monospermaCitrullus colocynthisCurcuma longaCrocus sativusElaeagnus angustifoliaGinkgo bilobaMitragyna speciosaMomordica charantiaNigella sativaOcimum sanctumPhyllanthus amarusPterodon pubescens BenthRosmarinus officinalisRubia cordifoliaSalvia officinalis Learn about essential oils for neuropathic pain here. Consulting a doctor Before using CBD oil products, a person should speak with a doctor, as some products can interfere or interact with other medications.Certain CDB products may also be unsafe and cause unwanted side effects. Doctors can help individuals choose safer products but cannot guarantee the efficacy of CBD products for neuropathy. By discussing the use of CBD with a doctor, a person can receive monitoring for any potential adverse side effects. If a person with neuropathy is searching for alternative treatments, a doctor may help them find a more appropriate option. By discussing therapeutic goals and the perceived benefits of using CBD oil, doctors can help establish reasonable pain relief goals and set realistic expectations. Frequently asked questions Below we look at some common questions relating to CBD for neuropathy. Can you use CBD oil on your feet for neuropathic pain CBD oil is generally safe for use on the skin, including on the feet. However, individuals should look at a product’s ingredients list for any irritants or allergens, and avoid using the product if they have uncertainties. How many drops of CBD oil is a proper dosage Correct CBD dosage will typically vary from product to product and a person should always follow manufacturer advice on how much to use. Reputable CBD companies should always provide dosage recommendations, and if a person is in any doubt, they should always discuss CBD dosage with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. Learn more about CBD dosage here. Summary While many people living with neuropathy explore using CBD products, evidence for its efficacy is lacking. Certain CBD products, including CBD oils, are unregulated. Products coming from unlicensed sources may contain contaminants or different amounts of CBD and THC than the labels suggest. Individuals living with neuropathy who do not feel they are experiencing sufficient pain relief from traditional therapies should speak with their doctor. A person must tell their doctor if they are taking CBD products to monitor for potential signs of toxicity, side effects, and efficacy. Last medically reviewed on August 23, 2022Cat 1cbd 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Forouzanfar, F., et al. (2018). Medicinal herbs in the treatment of neuropathic pain: A review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960749/Hammi, C., et al. (2020). Neuropathy.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542220/Kamrul. R., et al. (2019). Navigating cannabinoid choices for chronic neuropathic pain in older adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6853369/pdf/0650807.pdfMücke, M., et al. (2018). Cannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6494210/VanDolah, H. J., et al. (2019). Clinicians' guide to cannabidiol and hemp oils [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31447137/Warning letters. (n.d.)https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/compliance-actions-and-activities/warning-lettersWhat you need to know (and what we're working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD. (n.d.).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabisXu, D. H., et al. (2020). The effectiveness of topical cannabidiol oil in symptomatic relief of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31793418/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC — By Jessica Caporuscio, Pharm.D. — Updated on August 23, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageTop CBD creams for nerve pain and damageMedically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC Some people may experience benefits from CBD products for nerve pain and damage. 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