No one likes leg cramps. They can come on unexpectedly and are more painful than you’d like. Leg cramps, like other cramps in the body, can be caused by a number of reasons. Knowing the causes behind leg cramps can be helpful to understand them better and be proactive in preventing them or helping ease the pain when one comes on.
How Common Are Leg Cramps?
Research shows that leg cramps are (annoyingly) common. Anyone of any age can get them, but they occur more frequently in individuals over 60. Since there are multiple reasons behind what causes them, they don’t affect just one age group or population of people.
Since we know they’re common; if you get them, you’re not the only one. Here are some reasons why you could be experiencing them and how certain remedies, like CBD, can help ease them or decrease how often they pop up.
Join HATCH as we talk about getting comfy.
What Causes Leg Cramps To Begin With?
There are many different reasons linked to the causes of these random painful spasms. Some reasons behind these cramps could have to do with dehydration, mineral deficiencies, muscle strains during exercising, pregnancy, aging, medications, and more.
Dehydration
Dehydration can cause cramps because our muscles need water to function properly and flush our bodies of toxins. If it doesn’t have enough water to get rid of toxins, they can affect our bodies, including our muscles, causing pain and discomfort. To avoid this, try to drink six to eight glasses each day.
Plus, drinking water is key to keeping your skin hydrated and glowing.
Mineral Deficiency
Minerals are crucial for our bodies to be healthy and thrive. If you have mineral deficiencies, it can affect your body in many ways, muscle pain being a big one.
Making sure you have a healthy, well-balanced diet where you are getting all the minerals you need will help prevent any deficiencies. That being said, make sure to have a high-quality slice of cake too.
Exercise
If you are straining your muscles during exercise, this can also be a factor contributing to leg cramps. Making sure you are not overdoing it while exercising will help prevent these cramps from happening.
Leg cramps can majorly affect your life, even if they don’t cramp your sporty style.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy has many possible symptoms, and leg cramps are one of them. Luckily, there are some at-home ways to manage your leg cramps if you are currently expecting.
Leg pain relief options like the Swell-Relief Duo can be part of your pain management techniques.
Medications
Since medications can also be another cause of leg cramps, talking to your provider about your cramps concerning any medications you are currently taking will help narrow down if they are causing them to begin with. If so, you might want to ask how you can manage them or try other available medications.
Although it may not be easy to pinpoint the exact reason behind you having to endure these involuntary cramps throughout the day or night, there are remedies and steps you can take to ensure some relief. Because let’s be honest, who wants to deal with on and off muscle spasms if they don’t have to.
IS CBD an Effective Treatment?
One option you have for getting a better night’s sleep and relaxing your leg muscles is by taking CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in the Cannabis sativa plant that affects the brain’s neurotransmitters, but differently than THC, which is the chemical that most people associate with marijuana.
CBD is an oil that does not contain the psychoactive ingredient that would make someone high. It can be used for a variety of reasons, including epilepsy, anxiety, soreness, muscle disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, sleep disorders, and more.
What Does CBD Do?
As mentioned above, it is a chemical compound derived from the cannabis sativa plant and can help in a range of situations. This chemical communicates with our endocannabinoid system, which is in charge of many areas of the body, including sleep, appetite, pain sensation, and immune system. It affects the endocannabinoid systems receptors, telling our brain and body to respond differently.
For example, if you are feeling anxious and can’t sleep, CBD can tell your body and brain it doesn’t need to worry, allowing you to relax and fall asleep easier. People who have trouble falling asleep have reported being able to fall asleep faster when taking CBD before bed.
How Can You Take CBD?
There are many different ways you can consume CBD. Most of the time, you can choose how you want to take it by preference or accessibility.
If you enjoy little snacks or candy, there are CBD-filled gummies and treats that vary in strength that you might love. If you’re not into edible treats, there are plenty of other options.
There are also over-the-counter CBD oil tinctures that you can place under your tongue throughout the day or before bedtime for a quick and effective application. If flavors are a sensitivity in your pregnancy, there are pill form capsules available for easy, no-taste doses.
If oral CBD doesn’t strike your fancy, there are topical CBD creams, balms, and lotions available. Consistently applying a CBD cream to the muscles and calves of your legs can be extremely effective and relaxing pain management, especially before bed.
Is CBD Helpful for Leg Cramps?
Since we know that CBD targets our endocannabinoid system and blocks certain receptors to allow the body to respond differently, the same can be said for pain, particularly leg cramps. CBD is able to block those receptors that are responsible for communicating pain and allow your body to relax.
Not to split hairs, but CBD doesn’t really cure leg cramps. It’s more of an option to use to manage the discomfort of leg cramps. If you are experiencing leg cramps, try to reflect on why you may be experiencing them, to begin with.
If you can narrow down what may be behind the root cause, you can eliminate the cramps altogether. So pull out your fav double-breasted jacket and let your inner Sherlock Holmes loose.
Who Can Take CBD?
For those buying CBD, they must be at least 18 or 21 years of age, depending on the state. The only CBD product that children can take is specifically for seizures and must be prescribed by a provider. Other than that, CBD usage is meant for adults.
If you are currently an expecting mama, CBD may not be the best choice for you since the FDA does not recommend usage during pregnancy since there are no long-term studies done to show the effect it could potentially have on mom or baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about what your best options are.
Important Information Before Taking CBD
There are so many amazing benefits to taking CBD. There are, however, some important things to consider before taking CBD.
Current research suggests that CBD might not be best to take with certain medications. Because of this, it is advised that you make sure with your doctor before taking it that it is safe for you if you are on medications.
There are multiple different dosages ranging from 20 to 1,500 mg. Since this is a significant difference in dosage, you may want to chat with your provider to discuss what areas you want CBD to help in and what dosages may be right for you. Starting on a lower dose and slowly increasing to find what works best for you may be their advice on how to begin.
In general, starting a new supplement, medication, or herbal remedy that can affect your body should always be talked about with a provider. If muscle cramps are getting to be uncomfortable and painful for you, talk to your doctor and see how CBD can start helping you.
Say Goodbye to Leg Cramps
Just because you’ve dealt with leg cramps up until this point doesn’t mean you have to deal with them forever. They can be frustrating, unexpected, and painful. No one wants to be interrupted during the day or have trouble relaxing at night because of leg cramps.
Getting down to the root of a chronic issue is always the best course of action. If you can eliminate the cause, that will eliminate the need to manage that pain. If you want to give CBD a try, see for yourself!
Since CBD has been found to help in so many areas, including pain and discomfort, it is definitely worth your time to look into how it can begin to help you and ease the pain that comes with leg cramps.
Sources:
