Broken Bones & CBD Oil: Reducing Pain & Building Bone Strength

Written by Jason Brett — Edited by Cathy Rozyczko on September 24, 2021 — Reviewed by Ayesha Rashid, PhD

There are few experiences more painful, frustrating, and inconvenient than broken bones. The good news is that using CBD (cannabidiol) oil for a broken bone can be a great way to both achieve pain relief and promote healing.

Broken bones are bad enough but living weeks in a cast can sometimes make things worse. Discomfort, pain, and even depression can set in, making recovery that much more difficult.

Sometimes a cast and prescription pain meds just won’t cut it. In these instances, CBD oil has potential to help you along the healing journey.

Keep in mind, the information presented on this page is intended to serve only as an informational guide—a starting point of reference—and should never be considered medical advice.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Broken Bones

There is a lot of potential for people who want to use CBD oil for broken bones. Although CBD oil alone will not set your bones properly nor heal them completely, it can help you deal with several of the negatives that come with broken bones, such as pain and inflammation, while increasing your body’s ability to heal the fracture.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. This phytocannabinoid impacts the endocannabinoid system in the body, producing a wide range of potential benefits.

While there are hundreds of naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have received the most attention in terms of scientific study.

Both THC and CBD target CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout the brain and central nervous system. THC interacts directly with CB1 and CB2 while CBD does not bind directly to either receptor but acts on them, and other receptors, through indirect means.

Because CBD works in a similar fashion to the endocannabinoids produced by your own body, it offers a more natural and familiar way to treat a variety of ailments. 

If you’re dealing with broken bones, chronic pain is likely at the top of the list of issues you’re facing. Commonly, doctors will prescribe painkillers to treat the pain but these can present negative side effects and have a high risk for addiction.

CBD, on the other hand, presents very few potential side effects and is considered to be non-addictive. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated the following in a recent report on cannabidiol:

“In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential,” and, “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”

Not only does CBD activate inhibitor cells to reduce pain perception, but it also helps to regulate immune responses that control inflammation, and can even elevate mood. Let’s take a closer look at what the science has to say about CBD’s potential therapeutic benefits for people with broken bones.

Effectiveness of CBD Oil for Broken Bones

According to the research so far, CBD oil has many potential uses for individuals with broken bones.

CBD Oil for Bone Fracture Repair

Research has shown CBD oil to aid in bone fracture repair. In a study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research conducted by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, CBD was found to accelerate the healing of bone fractures by stimulating lysyl hydroxylase activity in osteoblasts, which are bone-building cells. Lysyl hydroxylase is an enzyme that activates collagen crosslinking in bone healing.

The study involved 3 different experiments. In the first experiment, rats with fractured femurs were injected with THC or CBD to test their impact on the structural and mechanical properties of fracture healing. In the second experiment, a mixture of equal amounts THC and CBD was tested on a fracture callus or the connecting bridge remnant of a healed fracture. Finally, the last experiment tested the effects of THC and CBD on the expression of lysyl hydroxylase.

Not only was CBD found to increase lysyl hydroxylase activity, but it was also found to significantly enhance the mechanical properties and strength of the bone. In fact, Dr. Yankel Gabet from the Bone Research Laboratory at the Department of Anatomy and Anthropology at TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and one of the lead researchers on the study, said, “After being treated with CBD, the healed bone will be harder to break in the future.”

CBD Oil for Bone Strength

For people who are prone to bone loss, fractures, or conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, CBD oil may help promote better bone health.

As mentioned above, CBD can help facilitate bone growth and repair but it can also prevent bone loss. Fatty acid amides (FAAs) enable bone remodeling and interact with cannabinoid receptors. The enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) breaks down bone by breaking down FAAs. CBD blocks the activity of FAAH, preventing it from destroying the FAAs that remodel bone.

Endocannabinoids are produced in the bone, and while their exact mechanisms remain unclear, it makes sense that similar compounds, like phytocannabinoids, could help enable and promote the body’s natural bone-strengthening processes.

CBD Oil for Pain and Inflammation

CBD oil has great implications for pain relief and reducing inflammation.

Glycine receptors are inhibitory receptors located in the central nervous system. These receptors play a major role in our perception of pain. Studies have found that cannabinoids like CBD greatly potentiate signaling from these receptors, or increase the likelihood of their effects, reducing the sensation of pain.

The CB2 receptors located throughout the body are significant regulators of our immune system. Chronic inflammation is caused by an aggressive immune response that leads the system to attack healthy cells and tissues. Cytokines are small proteins released by immune cells which are involved in the initiation of inflammation. CBD can disrupt the production of some cytokines and thereby prevent inflammation.

CBD can also reduce inflammation by limiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter adenosine. Adenosine is a nucleoside that acts on adenosine receptors including the A2A receptor in particular, which plays a significant role in reducing inflammation throughout the body. CBD can help reduce inflammation by inhibiting a nucleoside transporter called equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1). By slowing its reuptake, adenosine levels in the brain are increased, which can have a positive effect on anti-inflammatory signaling through adenosine receptors.

CBD Oil for Depression and Anxiety

Depending on the severity of a broken bone, depression and anxiety can be major considerations. For people who have experienced a traumatic injury and have to stay in the hospital for a long time, or those who have lost mobility for an extended period of time, fighting depression without the side effects of traditional antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications can be incredibly important.

CBD works similarly to antidepressants and increases the amounts of the neurotransmitters adenosine and anandamide in the brain. CBD limits the reuptake of the mood elevator adenosine, which activates adenosine receptors, increasing the amounts in the brain. Anandamide is known as the “bliss molecule.” CBD acts as an inhibitor of FAAH, an enzyme that breaks down anandamide, increasing the amount available in the body, boosting mood and reducing depression.

How to Take CBD Oil for Broken Bones

Before you begin using CBD oil, talk to your doctor. While CBD is safe for the majority of people, it can interact with some common medications such as antidepressants and antibiotics, so it is best to get input from your physician first.

If you are experiencing pain, depression, or slow healing, CBD oil may be exactly what you need to start feeling better.

The way you choose to take CBD oil for broken bones really depends on you, your needs, and your lifestyle. For some, taking a CBD oil capsule twice a day makes the most sense, while others may choose to vape CBD oil throughout the day.

Consider your specific injury before you make a decision. If you have broken your dominant arm, you may find capsules, edibles, or vapes easier to manage than trying to fiddle with a dropper to get the right dose of oil, for example. There is no sense in making things more difficult for yourself than they need to be. If the pain is widespread, you might consider using a transdermal patch for longer lasting relief.

There are a lot of options on the market to suit every person and every lifestyle. You may find that a combination of CBD products works best. Be open to trying a few different things and listen to your body. It will let you know what is, and is not, working.

For more information regarding delivery methods and which one may be best for you, check out Beginner’s Guide to CBD Oil: How to Take CBD.

CBD Oil Dosage for Broken Bones

Again, before beginning a regimen of CBD oil for broken bones, it is essential that you speak to your physician to determine if this is the best option for you and together, you can work out the best dosage for you.

Finding the dose that works best for your needs may take a little trial and error. Unless directed otherwise by a health care professional, it is best to start with the lowest recommended dose listed on the CBD oil product. From there, you can adjust the dose up or down as needed.

At CBD Oil Review we have analyzed hundreds of products and come up with a standard serving suggestion:

The CBD Oil Review Serving Standard is 25 mg of CBD, taken twice daily

If you are not getting results from this amount, we recommend increasing the serving size by 25 mg every 3 to 4 weeks until you find relief.

For more information about dosage, check out our dosage guide here. You might also want to speak to a naturopathic doctor who can analyze your condition and come up with a dosage and CBD treatment plan that’s right for your individual needs.

The Best CBD Oil for Broken Bones

The best CBD oil for broken bones will be the CBD product that offers you the most relief. While the product type and brand may vary, it is important to always purchase a quality product. Here are some tips for finding the best CBD products on the market:

• Buy organic.  Buy a product that has been sourced from organic hemp. This way you can be sure you will not be ingesting any harmful pesticides or herbicides.
• Read the ingredients.  A quality CBD oil should only contain natural ingredients and be free from any artificial flavors, additives, or preservatives.
• Read the Certificate of Analysis.  Reputable brands will have third-party labs test their CBD extracts to look at potency and purity. The results will be posted by way of a Certificate of Analysis. This report will help you verify the CBD and THC concentrations listed on the label and ensure that there is nothing harmful in your CBD product of choice.
• Know the law.  Before you buy CBD oil, check the cannabis laws in your state to make sure you are legally able to do so. While CBD oil is legal to purchase in most states, some have established tighter restrictions than others. Federal law dictates that CBD oil must have a THC content of 0.3% or less. If you are interested in purchasing a CBD oil with a higher THC content, you will only be allowed to do so in states that have legalized recreational and medicinal cannabis.
• Read product reviews.  Reading customer reviews is a great way to determine if a product is worth your time and money. They can help you quickly learn if the product has been effective for other users, whether or not there were any side effects, and help you determine the product that will be the best fit for your needs.

Using CBD oil on its own will not heal broken bones but it may be able to help you heal faster with less pain and less risk of permanent damage.

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