both cbd and ibuprofen have a long list of symptoms that they potentially provide relief to. one is all-natural, one is not; one is fda-approved, while the other is not. there has to be more to this, though, right? we’re all about finding natural remedies if they are effective, and cbd is promising for a lot of reasons. it was time to put it to the test: is cbd oil better than ibuprofen?  

while cbd oil and ibuprofen are both effective at treating various ailments, cbd oil may provide a longer-term, safer solution for many issues related to pain and inflammation. even though ibuprofen is fda-approved, it poses side effects, especially with prolonged use that can potentially be fatal.

there’s a lot out there on the health-related side of this topic, so we decided to take some time and compile a few pieces of information that may help make the picture clearer before reaching for either a bottle of advil or of a cbd tincture. we certainly found them helpful, and hope you will too. ☺

is cbd more effective than ibuprofen?

in order to dive into this question further, we need to look into both cbd and ibuprofen a little more as both medications can be effective at treating many of the same symptoms. ibuprofen is the primary ingredient in over-the-counter medications such as advil and motrin. it is a category of drug called an “nsaid,” which stands for non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug. it works on inflammation by blocking the release of cox-2 enzymes, which in turn stops the secretion of a hormone known as prostaglandins.

prostaglandins are secreted naturally as a response when tissue damage or infection occurs inside the body. when this happens, inflammation, pain, and fever are the primary responses. thus, ibuprofen can relieve pain, inflammation, or a fever by effectively cutting off the response that leads to those experienced results of pain or inflammation. in other words, it works by addressing the symptoms of the problem. 

there are also cox-1 and cox-2 enzymes within our bodies, with cox-1 enzymes being involved in homeostasis. ibuprofen is a non-selective cox inhibitor, meaning it can act upon both types of cox- enzymes. as a result, ibuprofen has the ability to be effective on an increased range of pain-related sources. however, cbd is also effective on a wide range of issues. now that we’ve looked at some of the basics on ibuprofen and how it works, it’s time to do the same for cbd.

cbd is the commonly-known term for cannabidiol, which comes from the cannabis plant (C. sativa). cannabis is an incredibly versatile plant that is able to grow in a wide range of both climates and elevations. it has been cultivated and used historically as a source of fiber, food, oil, and medicine, and the plant contains over 500 known compounds. more than 100 of these are cannabinoids (many of which are only produced in trace amounts), with the two primary ones being thc and cbd. 

cbd is not like thc, which is the psychoactive compound that results in users feeling “high.” on the other hand, cbd is known to be non-psychoactive. better yet, it brings with it a fully-loaded slate of potential benefits. while research is still relatively young, cbd has already shown tremendous potential in exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic (pain-reducing) properties. on top of those potential benefits, anecdotal evidence continues to build showing that cbd may help to improve mood for those living with anxiety and depression, and has been proven to act as an anti-convulsant. 

the advantages only continue from there: understanding how cbd works inside the body (and how it differs from ibuprofen) opens the doors to even more ways in which cbd oil is beneficial for the human condition. our bodies (and the bodies of all mammals) have an endocannabinoid system (ecs) that helps regulate internal functions in order to maintain homeostasis. this means that the ecs is interconnected with just about every functioning system in our body.

the ecs has two types of receptors: cb1 and cb2 receptors. cb1 receptors play an overall role in brain- and nervous system functions such as motor function, memory retention, and pain sensation, while cb2 receptors are responsible for immune responses such as fighting inflammation. in the case of inflammation, research has shown that cbd consumption may cause the ecs to reduce the production of cytokines, which are signaling proteins that are synthesized and secreted by immune cells to bring about inflammation. 

this means that instead of cutting off the symptoms resulting from inflammation like ibuprofen, cbd oil can help facilitate the processes inside the body that tell it not to create the symptoms in the first place. it works by addressing the root of the issue, rather than just the symptom.

is cbd oil safer than ibuprofen?

cbd is objectively safer than ibuprofen. it is all-natural, nontoxic, and you cannot overdose on it. users may experience mild side effects, however, the list of potential side effects for ibuprofen is not only much longer than that of cbd, but also has a number of more severe (and potentially fatal) risks associated with it.

the above chart fully displays a list of both products’ side effects: the list for cbd can be counted on one hand, including potential experiences of dry mouth, reduced appetite, fatigue, drowsiness, and diarrhea. a small number of the people who use cbd experience these symptoms, and even among those who do experience them, symptoms will often be mild. 

as for ibuprofen’s less-serious side effects, mild symptoms include stomach pain, heartburn, gas, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. if you remember, ibuprofen acts to inhibit both cox-1 and cox-2 enzymes; cox-1 enzymes are found in the stomach, which is why stomach-related issues appear as a side effect. you may have heard to not take advil on an empty stomach, and this explains why. as such, consuming food before taking ibuprofen can usually prevent such effects from occurring in the first place. 

since we’re on the topic of stomach-related issues and ibuprofen, prolonged use of ibuprofen can also lead to stomach ulcers, intestinal bleeding, decreased kidney function, and liver failure, all of which can be potentially fatal. there is also a small portion of the population that is allergic to ibuprofen, and could suffer severe reactions as a result. last of all, heart attack and stroke also may occur from regular prolonged ibuprofen usage. 

so, what’s the verdict? is cbd better?

we are not medically or legally qualified to make such a grandiose statement like one that cbd oil is better than ibuprofen. but we hope we have helped to provide you with a greater understanding of the entire question so that you can make a better decision for yourself. and if you are looking for more guidance, you can always talk to a qualified medical professional on the matter. 

ibuprofen, and most over-the-counter pain medications have recommendations on their bottles that advise against taking them for more than 10 days, saying to consult with your doctor if you find yourself still in pain. the opposite goes for cbd, where your ecs benefits when it is consistently nourished much the same as our bodies are from food.