The Power of CBD for Pain and Stress Relief: Insights from Experts and Athletes
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Time to read 7 min
If you’ve ever wondered how CBD for pain and stress relief works—or whether it can truly make a difference in your life—you’re not alone. From professional athletes to caregivers, countless people are turning to CBD for pain and stress relief to improve recovery, reduce anxiety, and regain balance in their bodies and minds.
In this episode of The High Guide podcast, host April Pride speaks with UFC fighter Michelle Waterson and cannabis physician Dr. Jessica Knox about the science and real-life results of using CBD for pain and stress relief. Together, they offer a deeply personal and evidence-based look at why CBD might be the missing puzzle piece in your wellness strategy.
Table of contents
❓FAQs About CBD for Pain and Stress Relief 🔵 Why CBD for Pain and Stress Relief Is Gaining Ground 🔵 What You'll Learn on This Episode 🔵 How to Use CBD for Pain and Stress Relief How Athletes Use CBD for Pain and Stress Relief CBD for Pain and Stress Relief: From the Gym to the Home 🔵 What You'll Learn on This Episode About CBD for Pain 🔵 Final Thoughts: CBD for Pain and Stress Relief Matters
❓FAQs About CBD for Pain and Stress Relief
Q: How does CBD work for pain relief?
CBD interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and modulate pain signals. While THC affects pain perception in the brain, CBD for pain and stress relief works at the source, calming the body’s inflammatory responses.
Q: Can CBD help with stress and anxiety?
Yes! By acting on serotonin receptors and the ECS, CBD for pain and stress relief can reduce cortisol levels, promote emotional balance, and help the body better manage daily stressors. Many people report feeling calmer and more grounded after using CBD.
Q: How do I choose the right CBD product?
Start by identifying your goals. For muscle pain, choose topicals; for emotional stress, try tinctures or capsules. Look for full-spectrum products if you want the benefits of multiple cannabinoids. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re taking other medications alongside CBD for pain and stress relief.
🔵 Why CBD for Pain and Stress Relief Is Gaining Ground
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, it doesn’t get you high. Instead, CBD has emerged as a star ingredient in wellness routines because it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a critical but often overlooked regulator of mood, pain, inflammation, and homeostasis.
According to Dr. Jessica Knox, understanding the ECS is key to understanding why CBD for pain and stress relief can be so effective. “The ECS balances all our major systems, like the neurological, immune, and cardiovascular systems. But poor diet, stress, aging, and environmental toxins can wear it down. That’s where cannabinoids like CBD come in—they help restore that balance.”
For people like Michelle Waterson, a world-class mixed martial artist who trains up to five times a day, CBD for pain and stress relief is essential. “It’s not just about taking away the pain,” she explains. “It’s about reducing inflammation, calming the nerves, and rebalancing the body and mind without addictive side effects.”
🔵 What You'll Learn on This Episode
🔵 What CBD is, how it works in your body, and how it differs from THC
Listeners will learn the foundational science of cannabinoids, including how CBD fights inflammation, promotes relaxation, and supports the body’s endocannabinoid system, while THC targets pain and mood directly through psychoactive effects.
🏋️♀🔵 How top athletes and everyday women are using CBD for recovery and relief
From UFC fighter Michelle Waterson’s training regimen to her caregiving family’s experiences, the episode highlights real-life stories of CBD for pain, inflammation, anxiety, and emotional stress—without addiction or side effects.
🔵 Why understanding the endocannabinoid system is key to effective cannabis use
Dr. Jessica Knox introduces listeners to the ECS, a vital but often overlooked system that keeps the body in balance and explains why CBD for pain can help restore harmony after chronic stress, toxic overload, or trauma.
🔵 How to confidently shop for CBD products and choose the right dose
From dispensary topicals to legal hemp tinctures, Equilibria's educators and LAPCG experts explain how to match CBD ratios to your needs, what to expect from different delivery methods, and why full-spectrum CBD often delivers better results.
🔵 How to Use CBD for Pain and Stress Relief
There are many ways to incorporate CBD for pain and stress relief into your routine, depending on your needs and preferences:
✅ Topicals: Ideal for localized pain, joint discomfort, or muscle tension. Michelle Mendoza from Los Angeles Patients and Caregivers Group (LAPCG) recommends high-CBD balms for chronic inflammation and high-THC topicals for acute pain.
✅ Tinctures and Oils: Fast-acting and versatile, tinctures are excellent for emotional stress or anxiety. You can drop them under your tongue for quick absorption or add them to your drinks.
✅ Edibles and Capsules: Great for longer-lasting relief, especially if you want to manage steady pain or maintain a calmer mood throughout the day.
✅ Inhalation (vaping or smoking): For those who need immediate effects, inhaling CBD for pain delivers fast relief. However, this method isn’t for everyone, so it’s best to explore under guidance.
Importantly, April reminds listeners that dosing matters. “Most over-the-counter products recommend just 10mg, but research and expert advice suggest you may need closer to 200–400mg, depending on your needs. Start low, go slow, and monitor your body’s response.”
🔵 How Athletes Use CBD for Pain and Stress Relief
Michelle Waterson uses CBD for pain and stress relief not only for herself but also for her family. After her father-in-law was paralyzed in a car accident, she applied CBD ointment to his hands, which had curled tightly due to nerve damage. “For the first time in six months, he could fully relax his hand,” Michelle recalls. “That moment made me a believer in CBD for pain and stress relief.”
She also emphasizes that CBD doesn’t create dependency. “It’s like a supplement—like fish oil or vitamin C. You take it when you need it, and it supports what your body already knows how to do. I never feel like I ‘have’ to take it.”
Dr. Knox agrees, explaining that CBD for pain and stress relief can act both acutely and preventively. Whether you’re managing muscle soreness, recovering from injury, or dealing with chronic caregiving stress, CBD helps your ECS maintain harmony—so you can handle life’s demands with less strain.
🔵 CBD for Pain and Stress Relief: From the Gym to the Home
While much attention has focused on how athletes use CBD for pain and stress relief, Michelle Waterson’s story highlights another powerful application: supporting caregivers.
Her mother-in-law, who became the primary caregiver after the accident, found that CBD for pain and stress relief helped her manage anxiety and emotional overwhelm. As April points out, “We often overlook the emotional toll of caregiving. CBD isn’t just about physical pain—it’s about supporting mental health and resilience, too.”
Dr. Knox adds that the ECS plays a direct role in mood regulation. By supporting it, CBD for pain and stress relief offers a gentle, non-intoxicating way to rebalance emotions, reduce irritability, and promote calm.
🔵 What You'll Learn on This Episode About CBD for Pain
🔵 How cannabis can support aging adults with pain, sleep, and medication reduction
Through stories from Dr. Jessica Knox, nurse educator Sandra Guynes, and entrepreneur Rosie Mattio, listeners learn how cannabis—particularly topicals, tinctures, and low-dose THC or CBD products —can replace or reduce prescription medications, improve sleep, and relieve chronic pain in seniors.
🔵 How to have “The Pot Talk” with your parents
Listeners get practical scripts and mindset tips for approaching the subject of cannabis with older loved ones. April and guests suggest keeping it basic, compassionate, and rooted in facts—addressing common questions about legality, getting high, and whether weed is “worth it.”
🔵 Why the endocannabinoid system (ECS) matters more as we age
Dr. Jess explains how the ECS helps regulate balance in the body, and how aging, stress, and medications can weaken it. Cannabis supports ECS function, helping many seniors feel more energetic, social, and emotionally balanced—often described as “side benefits” of cannabis.
🔵 Sleep, lifestyle, and cannabis: Finding the right fit for your parents
From sleep challenges to social isolation, cannabis can meet different needs depending on lifestyle. Whether your parent is active or sedentary, nurse Sandra Guynes recommends experimenting with formats (inhalation vs. tinctures) and tracking how THC and CBD for pain and affect their mood and rest over time.
🔵 Final Thoughts: CBD for Pain and Stress Relief Matters
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world, the need for safe, effective, and natural support systems has never been greater. Whether you’re a professional athlete pushing your body to the limit or a caregiver managing emotional overload, CBD for pain and stress relief offers a compelling alternative to pharmaceuticals.
Michelle Waterson’s story reminds us that wellness is not just about muscle recovery or fighting inflammation. It’s also about finding balance, being present with your family, and managing life’s ups and downs with grace. As Dr. Knox highlights, our bodies are wired to work with cannabinoids—so supporting that system can make a profound difference.
If you’re curious about trying CBD for pain and stress relief, start small, stay informed, and always prioritize quality products. Whether you choose a balm, a tincture, or an edible, remember: it’s not about numbing the pain; it’s about empowering your body and mind to heal and thrive.
April Pride
April Pride is a the founder of SetSet and hosts it's podcast. She is a Seattle-based creative entrepreneur and harm reduction advocate with over two decades of experience building brands at the intersection of lifestyle, cannabis, psychedelics, and women's well-being.
