Pain management is a critical part of caring for patients who have arthritis and chronic joint pain. According to a survey carried out by the Arthritis Foundation, 29 percent of Americans use CBD for pain in their joints. If you have recently been diagnosed with arthritis, then you may have heard about using CBD oil for arthritis too. The question, however, is how effective is it? In this blog, we will be discussing whether CBD can help reduce arthritic pain.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a compound found in cannabis sativa. It is among the many cannabinoids found in this plant. The compound interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce a variety of positive effects, such as:
- Reducing inflammation
- Regulating moods
- Reducing anxiety levels
- Improving sleep cycle
- Reducing stress
- Improving cognitive abilities
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints. It usually occurs due to the degeneration of bone cartilage present between the joints. This can lead to joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. It also decreases the range of motion in the affected area.
Some risk factors of arthritis include:
- Obesity
- Family history
- Age
- Injuries that cause wear and tear to your joints
Physicians typically recommend one or more of the following treatments for arthritis:
- Regular physical activity and weight loss
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Hot and cold therapies
Depending on the severity of the condition, you may also need joint replacement. This is usually a last resort of sorts and is only recommended in cases where arthritis has significantly limited a patient’s mobility and affected their quality of life.
Should You Consider Using CBD Oil for Arthritis?
CBD or Cannabidiol is gaining increased prominence as an alternative to over-the-counter pain relievers. This cannabinoid can be effective in reducing inflammation and may prove useful in treating arthritic pain.
We reviewed the research available on the efficacy of CBD for pain management and arthritis. Here’s what we found:
- A study examined the effect of CBD in treating murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). It was determined that administering 25 mg of CBD orally every day can have immune-suppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. This can help in managing CIA and reducing arthritic pain.
- A 2015 study evaluated the use of CBD gel or cream in managing arthritic pain. The results suggested that the topical application of CBD can help manage symptoms of arthritis, such as inflammation in joints. CBD can also help manage other arthritis-related symptoms, such as the increase in the thickness of the synovial membrane, which can cause bleeding into the joint.
- Besides pain management, a 2020 study also suggests that CBD can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by increasing intracellular levels of calcium and reduction of cell viability. It also reduces the production of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts.
Using CBD for Pain Management and Arthritis: Dosage, Frequency, and Side-Effects
You can use CBD cream or CBD oil for arthritis. In the case of CBD cream, you can consider topical application over the affected area. CBD oil can be applied topically, or it can be ingested after being mixed in a beverage.
Dosage and Frequency
For now, there is no recommended dosage. You can consult your physician and get further assistance regarding this. Typically, most people using CBD start with a low dosage and build their way up until they get an adequate amount of pain relief. You can increase your dosage by small amounts every week until you figure out the right dosage.
As far frequency is concerned, according to the Arthritis Foundation, 63 percent of patients using CBD for arthritis use it daily, while 26 percent use it multiple times a week. Once again, you can follow your physician’s advice and see what they recommend.
Side-Effects of CBD
Unlike its counterpart THC, CBD is not psychoactive, so you don’t have to worry about getting high after ingesting CBD oil. It is safe to use but may cause the following side-effects in some cases:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Changes in weight and appetite
If you are using other medications, then make sure you consult your doctor about using CBD oil. CBD can interact with certain medicines to produce adverse side-effects.
To use CBD safely, you must also make sure that you buy CBD products that have been produced by U.S. companies and use organically-derived cannabis or hemp.
Wrapping It Up
CBD or cannabidiol can serve as a potential treatment for managing arthritic pain. It can help reduce inflammation, increase intracellular calcium levels, and lower cell viability. Another article to read on how CBD can help with pain can be read here.
To learn more about the use of CBD oil for arthritis, get in touch with a healthcare provider.
