The endocannabinoid system or ECS is essential to the human body, helping to regulate numerous functions, including sleep, appetite, pain and the immune system response. The body produces endocannabinoids. These neurotransmitters cond to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. Studies indicate that CBD may help lessen chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, decreasing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters. A study performed on rats found that CBD injections lessened pain response to surgical incision. Another rat study discovered that oral CBD treatment greatly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation. In human studies, a combination of CBD and THC has shown effectiveness in treating pain related to multiple sclerosis and arthritis. There is now an oral spray available that combines THC and CBD and is approved by several countries to treat pain associated with multiple sclerosis. A study of 47 people with multiple sclerosis tested the effects of taking the spray for one month. Participants reported improvements in pain, walking, and muscle spasms. The study, however, didn’t include a control group so placebo effects can’t be ruled out. An additional found that this spray significantly lessened pain during movement and improved sleep quality in 58 people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. CBD, especially in partnership with THC, is providing hope for anyone suffering pain resulting from diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Testing is still in the initial stages but the results are promising. This natural remedy eliminates the many harmful and long-term side-effects of more conventional, pharmaceutical drugs. As more states legalize medicinal marijuana, this treatment is becoming more readily available to the population. Hopefully, further funding will help to realize the potential of cannabis.