Should You Take CBD After Post-Surgery?
Posted by NECTAR WELLNESS
If you’ve ever had a surgical procedure done, then you know that the actual surgery itself is just the beginning. Following most procedures is a recovery process during which the body needs to rest and heal itself. And, depending on the kind of surgery that you had done, you can experience various symptoms that make it difficult to resume your normal, everyday routines.
Any good doctor will provide some sort of treatment plan for a patient who has just gotten surgery, and this treatment plan will ensure that the body recovers as quickly as possible while keeping pain down to a minimum. Even perhaps, a holistic one, as you’ll soon find out here.
What to Expect After Surgery?
The way in which you feel following surgery largely depends on the type of surgery that you had done. Another factor that determines your recovery process is your body’s innate healing response, as some people naturally recover faster than others. There is evidence that suggests that those who are generally healthier recover more quickly from surgery.
But, generally speaking, post-operative symptoms tend to be just about the same for everyone. Pain is common, as most surgical procedures impact muscular tissue, and sometimes nerves as well. There is almost always some level of inflammation, because the body believes that it has been injured, and so cytokines rush to the area in an effort to heal the area on which the procedure was performed.
And, the body’s healing process requires energy. Therefore, the patient may feel fatigued as much of the body’s resources are going toward recovery. It’s also very common for a person’s mood to be affected by surgery, largely because their routine is temporarily thrown off, and also because pain levels can cause a release of cortisol in the brain.
How Post-Operative Symptoms are Usually Managed
Following a surgical procedure, your doctor will give you post-operative instructions. These instructions are to be followed so that the body can heal properly, as your doctor knows what’s best for you. Your doctor will recommend that you rest as much as possible, and also avoid using the area that has been operated on. They will also likely recommend/prescribe some type of pain medication and may even suggest physical therapy after a certain period of time has elapsed.
Taking CBD Following Surgery: What You Need to Know
Many people who have recently had surgery are reaching for their Nectar Wellness CBD products in hopes of speeding up the recovery process while minimizing symptoms. But, is it safe to do so?
Well, if you’re gonna try to incorporate cannabidiol into your overall recovery plan, then it’s imperative that you speak with your doctor initially. Cannabidiol, and hemp in general, are considered nontoxic to the human body. But, there isn’t enough research out there to show that CBD doesn’t have the potential to mix with certain medications. Therefore, you must listen to what your doctor says, as they’re essentially the expert on the subject.
The Endocannabinoid System and the Recovery Process
So, why choose CBD anyway? Well, cannabidiol is a cannabinoid, of which there are over one hundred found in the hemp plant. Cannabinoids are a very distinctive class of chemical compounds that serve a highly unique function and are utilized by the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system works toward homeostasis through regulating individual bodily processes, ranging from cognitive function to inflammation. The system takes cannabinoids like CBD and sends them to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, with each receptor being assigned a particular bodily process that we rely on for our wellbeing.
Because of this regulatory process, it makes sense that people who have just had a surgical procedure would find it appealing. Various bodily processes are disrupted by surgery, and thus, regulating them in order to make them more efficient could potentially speed up the healing process.
CBD For Pain
We said earlier that the most common post-operative symptom is pain. This is largely due to the inflammatory process that occurs when the body perceives an injury. Managing that pain following surgery can help a person get back to a functional routine. CBD has been studied extensively for its potential pain-relieving properties that come from both its anti-inflammatory and its analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatories reduce inflammation while analgesics disrupt the communication between the nerves and pain receptors in the brain.
CBD For Stress
It’s common to feel stress following surgery due to its disruptive nature. However, stress can actually sabotage the healing process, because the release of cortisol that it causes can increase inflammation throughout the body, interfering with recovery. CBD is widely recognized for its natural blissful properties; its regulatory nature seems to have an effect on cortisol production.
Properly Using Cannabidiol for Post-Surgery
Overall, the recovery process following surgery can be long, painful, and tiring, especially if you’ve had a major operation done. However, once you’ve gotten the greenlight from your doctor, you should ask them if they have a recommendation regarding how to take it, and what type of product to use.
Again, CBD comes in a wide variety of forms, and it can vary a lot in quality. To make sure that you have the quality part covered, look for a brand with a good reputation like Nectar Wellness, and even look for third-party lab reports on their website, which is a method of quality control that’s considered a standard within the industry.
It’s also important to choose a delivery method that meets your needs and preferences. We suggest something that can stay active in the system for a long time, like an edible (Supercharged™ CBD Gummies) or tincture (Supercharged™ CBD Oil - Sublingual). Take a milligram strength that reflects the severity of your symptoms. Plus, make sure to take it daily for the best results.