Cannabis is one of the oldest therapeutic herbs known to humankind. Marijuana extracts have been used for over 2,500 years to relieve various medical conditions. Some of the early medical uses of cannabis include reducing headaches, aiding wound healing, and aphrodisiac. 

Recently, many lab tests and clinical trials have uncovered more potential health benefits of marijuana. For example, extracts from the plant, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), have shown tremendous promise in treating different kinds of pain, anxiety disorders, seizures, sleep disorders, inflammatory conditions, etc. 

Cannabidiol has also been touted as an effective remedy for broken bones. That explains why CBD-infused supplements are prevalent in the sports and fitness industries. 

But can cannabidiol really repair broken bones? Read on to find out.

CBD and the Endocannabinoid System

According to medical marijuana doctors, cannabidiol-based products from established retailers like buy organic cbd vape juice may expedite the bone healing process. But it is essential to understand how CBD works before using the compound for bone healing or in managing any other medical condition. 

Cannabidiol is one of the 100+ pharmacologically effective compounds that occur naturally in cannabis. These compounds are simply known as cannabinoids. 

CBD exerts its therapeutic effects by impacting the cell signaling system in the body known as the endocannabinoid system. 

The endocannabinoid system is majorly responsible for regulating the body’s circadian rhythms and endocrine functions. The system also controls pain management and other crucial physiological processes. It mainly relies on its cannabinoids, known as endogenous cannabinoids or simply endocannabinoids, and a series of receptors called endocannabinoid receptors. 

The endocannabinoid system also contains several hormones and enzymes. These compounds play a role in the reuptake or degradation of its endocannabinoids. 

How CBD Can Impact the Endocannabinoid System for Enhanced Bone Healing

When you consume cannabidiol, the compound enters your endocannabinoid system, where it interacts with several receptors and endocannabinoids in a manner that produces therapeutic benefits. 

For instance, CBD may treat pain by increasing anandamide signaling. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid whose roles in pain mediation are well documented. 

Note that pain is a major side effect of broken bones. So, relieving pain may go a long way in expediting the recovery from bone fractures. 

Besides pain relief, CBD may also alleviate inflammation. This can be particularly helpful for people with chronic joint inflammatory diseases, such as osteoporosis. 

Cannabidiol alleviates bone inflammation in two significant ways. 

First, the compound blocks the body’s inflammatory messenger signals. It may inhibit the activation of inflammatory markers, such as cytokines. 

Another way CBD may ease bone inflammation is by dilating blood vessels. The dilation of arteries and veins increases blood circulation. That ensures more nutrients and oxygenated blood flows to the inflamed bones while getting rid of toxins, a process that is vital in alleviating inflammation. 

Some studies have even shown that cannabidiol might inhibit bone degeneration or stimulate bone regeneration. 

A study appearing in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research explores CBD’s potential for healing broken bones. The study, which was conducted by researchers from Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University, revealed that CBD might help to reduce bone fractures significantly. 

In this experiment, rats with mid-femoral fractures received consistent doses of cannabidiol. Researchers observed a marked reduction in the severity of fractures after only eight weeks. CBD particularly boosted the maturation of the collagenous matrix, thereby enhancing new mineralization of bone tissues. Researchers also noted that CBD made bones stronger than they were before fracturing. 

More Studies on CBD and Bone Healing

An animal study appearing in the February 2009 issue of the International Immunopharmacology magazine examined the effects of cannabidiol in rats with periodontitis. The rats received 5 milligrams of CBD for thirty days. 

In the end, morphometrical analysis of the alveolar bone loss revealed significant reductions in bone wastage. In addition, there was also a marked reduction in neutrophil migration and lower tumor necrosis factor-a production in the gingival tissues. Thus, the researchers finally deduced that CBD could effectively reduce bone degeneration. 

Another 2009 study exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD for bone health also turned up some pretty inspiring findings. In this experiment, researchers observed that endocannabinoids could activate GTPyS binding through the GPR55 receptor. 

The study also concluded that endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 play a role in bone metabolism. Thus, when consumed, CBD may attenuate the stimulation of osteoclast function, a process that can inhibit bone wastage. 

More recent is a study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology in August 2017. This experiment attempted to demonstrate the effects of cannabidiol on sublessional bone loss among rats with spinal cord injury. At the end of the investigation, researchers proved that CBD improved various markers of bone healing. For instance, the compound enhanced bone volume, trabecular number, and trabecular density. It also reduced trabecular separation in proximal tibiae. 

Plus, there was also a remarkable increase in the ultimate bone compressive load, stiffness, and energy to a max force of femoral diaphysis. Ultimately,  this experiment deduced that CBD might reduce the severity of spinal cord injury resulting from sublessional cancellous bone loss.

Wrap Up

There’s no shortage of studies citing cannabidiol for its bone healing abilities. Not only increase bone regeneration. The compound may also prevent bone wastage. Plus, it can help to manage the major side effects of bone fractures, such as pain and inflammation.