If you’re looking for pain relief from your hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), you may have considered cannabidiol — more commonly called CBD. Members of myHSteam have discussed their experiences using CBD. One member asked, “Has anyone ever tried CBD oils or medical marijuana for pain?” Another reported, “CBD and oils are still helping. No discomfort or itching!”

Understanding CBD and its possible benefits and risks can help you decide if it’s something you might want to try for HS-related pain.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a type of cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are substances that come from the Cannabis sativa plant. The two most commonly used types of cannabinoids are CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is responsible for the mind-altering effects of cannabis. However, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning you will not feel “high” if you use it.

There are many types of cannabis products on the market that only contain CBD and not THC. These include:

• Tinctures placed under the tongue
• Oils for smoking or vaping
• Lotions, creams, and ointments
• Edibles, like gummies

Cannabis is not legal at the federal level in the U.S. However, many states have legalized cannabis for recreational and medical use. Medically prescribed cannabis is known as medical marijuana or medical cannabis.

The legality of CBD products also varies by state. In some states, only certain types of CBD are legal or are only legal for people with a medical cannabis license. There is one CBD product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), called Epidiolex. Epidiolex is only approved for epilepsy — or seizure disorder — treatment.

How Does CBD Work?

Your nervous system has a pathway called the endocannabinoid system. This is your body’s internal, natural cannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system plays a complex role in the brain and nervous system. The cells in your brain and nervous system release endocannabinoids that bind to receptors. Receptors are proteins that can control activity in cells. Endocannabinoid receptors can be found throughout the body, including the skin. The endocannabinoid system has an effect on pain pathways.

CBD can work like your body’s natural endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids like CBD and THC can bind to endocannabinoid receptors. They can also affect other receptors involved in inflammation, the immune system, and the itch response.

Can CBD Help Relieve Pain?

Recently, researchers have been trying to figure out if CBD is a good treatment for different types of pain. There are no studies specifically about treating HS pain with CBD products. Joint pain disorders — like arthritis — and the musculoskeletal pain disorder fibromyalgia have received some attention about using CBD for pain relief.

Studies so far have had conflicting results. One clinical trial found that taking CBD orally for 12 weeks did not improve pain for two types of arthritis. Another study found that using a mouth spray containing CBD and THC for five weeks helped with a different type of arthritis. In this study, though, the researchers weren’t sure if the pain relief was from CBD or THC.

The research on fibromyalgia is even less clear. An observational study asked over 2,700 people who had fibromyalgia about their experience with CBD. More than 60 percent of the participants had tried CBD, and over 30 percent reported symptom relief from CBD. However, observational studies like these can be biased by the types of participants who respond and whether they are honest in their responses.

Currently, there isn’t enough research to say that CBD is effective for pain management.

Is CBD a Treatment for HS?

CBD has not been tested as a treatment for HS in general. However, there is some preliminary research showing that CBD may have some benefits for various skin conditions.

Some examples include:

• In an animal study, topical CBD use increased the number of cells in the skin barrier.
• A study in cell culture showed that CBD can make cells produce less oil and more anti-inflammatory agents that could be useful in acne treatment.
• A very small study found that cannabis extract cream helped lower amounts of facial oil, redness, and discoloration on the faces of participants.

Individual Experiences With CBD

While there currently is no specific research on the effect of CBD on HS, some myHSteam members report success using it. One member wrote, “Lately I’ve tried CBD oil to get lesions to close that have been open for a long time. I put a little oil on my fingers and just rub it on. … It closed one lesion, and the other one is better but not fully closed yet.” Another member wrote, “I found a CBD ointment that I think is helping. It’s CBD and turmeric.”

A survey of approximately 300 people with HS found that many people use and like topical CBD. About 10 percent of those surveyed said topical CBD oil was the most helpful alternative treatment for their HS.

What Are the Risks of Using CBD?

CBD is generally very safe to use, especially in products that do not contain THC. Most people have no side effects. Some potential side effects that have been reported include tiredness, mood changes, and diarrhea. These side effects should stop as soon as you stop using CBD. Other possible concerns include liver damage and harmful interactions with other medications you may be taking.

Importantly, because it has not been studied in many contexts, it’s impossible to know everything about CBD. It may have long-term side effects or interact with medications that have not been tested. It could also affect normal development in babies and children. At this point, researchers don’t know all the risks.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re interested in trying CBD for pain or other HS symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand if CBD is an appropriate option, and they can also suggest other pain control measures such as cognitive behavioral therapy or meditation.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa and their loved ones, more than 35,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Are you living with HS? Have you ever used a CBD product? How did it work for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.