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Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has numerous potential benefits. Researchers are increasingly studying its use as a treatment for pain.
- Best gummies: Joy Organics CBD Gummies | Skip to Review
- Best oil: CBDistillery Full-spectrum CBD Oil Tincture | Skip to Review
- Best roll-on: Kanibi CBD Cooling Gel Roll-on | Skip to Review
- Best cooling gel: Charlotte’s Web Hemp-Infused Cooling Gel with CBD | Skip to Review
- Best drops: Absolute Nature CBD Full-Spectrum CBD Hemp Oil Drops | Skip to Review
- Best balm stick: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm | Skip to Review
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% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% 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.
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.
Best gummies: Joy Organics CBD Gummies
- Price: $39.95–49.95
- CBD type: broad-spectrum
- Potency per serving: 10 and 25 milligrams (mg)
These Joy Organics gummies are gluten-free and vegan. They contain broad-spectrum CBD and are free from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Available in green apple and strawberry lemonade flavors. Strawberry lemonade is available in 10 or 25 mg of CBD per serving. Ingredients include organic tapioca syrup, organic sugar, and natural flavors.
Learn about more of the best CBD gummies.
Pros
- gluten-free and vegan
- USDA-certified organic
- broad-spectrum, so the gummies are THC-free
- gummies are easily portable, and it is easier to take the correct dose
Cons
- some flavor varieties are higher in sugar, which may not be suitable for some people
- gummies may help support overall wellness, whereas people with sciatica may prefer more targeted relief
Best tincture: CBDistillery Full-spectrum CBD Oil Tincture
- Price: $70
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency per serving: 33 mg
Each 30 mL bottle of tincture contains 1,000 mg of CBD, with each 1 mL serving providing 33 mg.
This product contains medium-chain triglyceride oil from fractionated coconut oil, making it unsuitable for people with tree nut and coconut allergies.
The company claims that this tincture may help relieve pain and promote relaxation.
Learn about more of the best CBD tinctures.
Pros
- provides a high amount of CBD per serving
- available in different strengths
Cons
- not suitable for people with a tree nut or coconut allergy
- may be too potent for people who are new to using CBD
- not available in any flavors
Best roll-on: Kanibi CBD Cooling Gel Roll-on
- Price: $49
- CBD type: CBD isolate
- Potency per serving: 11 mg
Each 90 mL bottle of this roll-on contains 500 mg of CBD isolate. According to Kanibi, this works out to around 11 mg of CBD per serving.
CBD isolate does not contain any THC, so this product may be a suitable option for people experiencing aches and pains and who do not want to apply this compound to their skin.
Other ingredients include:
- anti-inflammatory botanicals
- menthol
- shea butter
Learn more about CBD for athletes.
Pros
- portable
- easy to apply
- shea butter may help moisturize the skin
Cons
- contains menthol, which may irritate sensitive skin
- a roll-on may only be suitable if a person’s aches and pains are in an easily accessible area
Best cooling gel: Charlotte’s Web Hemp-infused Cooling Gel with CBD
- Price: $39.99
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency per serving: 510 mg per 1.7 oz bottle
The cooling gel comes in a 1.7 ounce (oz) bottle with an easy-to-use pump.
Charlotte’s Web claims that CBD cooling gels can soothe aches and pains, so this product may be suitable for people with sciatica.
Read our review of Charlotte’s Web.
The gel contains arnica and menthol alongside the full-spectrum hemp extract. It is U.S. Hemp Authority-certified.
Pros
- free from eight major allergens
- vegan and cruelty-free
- U.S. Hemp Authority-certified
Cons
- the arnica and menthol may irritate more sensitive skin
Best drops: Absolute Nature CBD Full-Spectrum CBD Hemp Oil Drops
- Price: $59.99
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency per serving: 17 mg
These CBD drops only contain whole-plant, full-spectrum, CBD oil, and MCT oil. Each 1 mL serving contains 17 mg of CBD and approximately 3 mg of other cannabinoids.
The CBD comes from organic and non-GMO hemp in Colorado. Absolute Nature states that it uses CO2 extraction, which it claims leads to minimal processing.
The company recommends this product for people who use CBD regularly at lower doses.
Pros
- USDA-certified organic
- the company claims it is eco-friendly
- vegan, gluten-free, pesticide-free, and non-GMO
Cons
- only available in an unflavored variety
- not suitable for people who are looking for a higher dose of CBD
Best balm: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm
- Price: $12–42
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency per serving: 800 mg per 16 g stick, or 3,600 mg per 72 g stick
This CBD balm is available for $12 for a 16 g stick containing 800 mg of CBD, or $42 for a 72 g stick containing 3,600 mg of CBD.
This CBD balm stick contains full-spectrum hemp extract.
Ingredients include capsaicin and menthol, which may help alleviate pain and inflammation with cooling and warming sensations.
The manufacturers claim this balm may suit athletes, people who travel often, and those looking for easy topical application of CBD.
Pros
- easily portable, as people can put it in their pockets or bags to use out and about
- reportedly easy to apply
- available in two different sizes
Cons
- not suitable for people who need to avoid eating grapefruit, as advised by a healthcare professional
- the menthol may irritate sensitive skin
The following table compares the CBD products in this article on price, form, and more.
| Price | Form | CBD type | Potency per serving | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy Organics | $39.95–49.95 | gummies | broad- spectrum | 10 and 25 mg |
| CBDistillery | $70 | oil tincture | full- spectrum | 33 mg |
| Kanibi CBD | $49 | roll-on | CBD isolate | 11 mg |
| Charlotte’s Web | $39.99 | gel | full- spectrum | 510 mg per 1.7 fl oz bottle |
| Absolute Nature | $59.99 | oil | full- spectrum | 17 mg |
| Lazarus Naturals | $12–42 | balm | full- spectrum | • 800 mg per 16 g stick • 3,600 mg per 72 g stick |
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
- Ingredients: MNT selects 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 and THC content.
- Serving size: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a dosage and how to take it.
- Third-party labs: MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis (COA): MNT selects companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s COA after receiving its third-party lab results.
Shopping for CBD can be confusing as so many products are available, and people may not be familiar with much of the terminology around CBD.
Manufacturers tend to use three main types of CBD in their products. These are:
- Full-spectrum CBD: This contains all cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, including CBD and up to 0.3% THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: This contains a mixture of cannabinoids. It does not usually contain THC but may have trace amounts.
- CBD isolate: This is pure, isolated CBD without other cannabinoids.
Some research indicates that full-spectrum CBD may work best due to its “entourage effect.” This is where the various other cannabinoids and compounds in the cannabis plant work together with CBD to heighten its beneficial effects.
However, this does not mean that full-spectrum CBD is the best option for everyone. Each person needs to find what works best for them and their symptoms.
CBD products are available in many different forms, including:
- gummies
- tinctures
- oils, which a person takes orally
- balms, creams, and massage oils, which a person applies topically
Each type of product has benefits and drawbacks. For example, a person does not have to worry about determining the dosage with gummies, as each will contain a specific amount of CBD.
However, it can be difficult to know exactly how much CBD a person is applying to the body with topical products.
As CBD products are not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it can be difficult to know what a person is getting when purchasing a CBD product. All the products in this article have passed our screening process.
Many studies demonstrate
Using cannabis to treat pain is not a new phenomenon. Many groups have noted their use of cannabis for many ailments, from joint pain and muscle spasms to conditions such as gout and malaria.
However, the scientific proof backing many of these potential benefits remains unclear.
Researchers have suggested that CBD
- pain
- inflammation
- epilepsy
- sleep disorders
- multiple sclerosis
- anorexia
- schizophrenia
- depression and anxiety disorders
Again, more research is necessary before researchers can definitively say that CBD can help relieve pain. However, there is a lot of
For more information and resources on CBD and CBD products, please visit our dedicated hub.
To get the most out of using CBD for sciatica pain, determine the specific goals for its use:
- Easing pain in a sore spot: Individuals experiencing sciatic flare-ups in a specific location may find a topical product best suits their needs, such as a salve containing CBD.
- Providing quick relief: CBD oil or tinctures may work quicker than other CBD products.
- Maintaining a consistent level of CBD: CBD capsules or gummies give people a more accurate idea of how much CBD they are taking and offer a convenient way to manage CBD use.
There is limited scientific evidence to support the use of CBD for sciatica pain in particular. One 2020 study found that treating chronic pain with CBD for 7 days or more was helpful.
However, further research into using CBD for pain is needed, and a person should speak with a doctor before using any CBD products.
As with anything a person ingests, especially for medicinal purposes, CBD can cause side effects.
In studies, the most common side effects associated with CBD products include:
It is also very important for a person to ensure they discuss the use of CBD products with a healthcare professional, as CBD can interact with several different medications.
If a person takes any medications or supplements that warn of interactions with grapefruit, they need to be careful using CBD. This is because they both interfere with drug-metabolizing enzymes known as cytochrome P450 enzymes.
One study in mice suggests that, in large quantities, CBD
Below are some of the most common questions and answers about using CBD for sciatica pain:
Does using CBD for sciatica pain work?
Research is ongoing, as current studies do not provide conclusive evidence that supports the use of CBD to ease sciatica pain.
However, a
Besides using CBD, what self-care practices can people try for sciatica pain?
Ice packs or ice massages may provide some relief in the first week after an injury or development of sciatica. After a week or so, heat can help promote blood flow and relax muscles.
Gentle movement and stretching can also support blood flow, promote healing, and reduce pain.
A person should consult a doctor to determine which treatments may work best.
Does using CBD for sciatica pain make you high?
CBD does not cause people to feel “high.”
THC is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis and may cause a high feeling.
Learn more about the differences between CBD and THC.
Can CBD alleviate nerve pain?
A
Further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of CBD in treating nerve pain.
A person should seek a doctor’s advice before using CBD products.
Research to date, anecdotal claims, and historical evidence suggest that CBD may ease symptoms of a variety of health conditions, including pain.
A variety of oral and topical CBD products are available in numerous strengths. However, anyone wishing to try CBD should speak with a healthcare professional first, as it may interact with certain medications.