If you suffer from chronic arthritis pain you may be interested in cannabidiol (CBD) as a diagnosis. Marijuana contains CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as other chemical products.
CBD is not “psychoactive” unlike THC. So it does not produce the intoxication or high caused by marijuana usage.
There’s a strong possibility you’ve tried it already. As per a Gallup poll conducted in August of 2019 approximately 14% of Americans use CBD products especially for pain.
The Arthritis Foundation conducted its survey and discovered that 29% of participants were currently utilizing CBD for joint pain (mostly in liquid or topical form). And nearly 80% have either been using it, had used it in the past, or were exploring it.
The majority of those who used it reported improved physical operation, sleep, and well-being; however, a handful mentioned a reduction in pain or soreness.
Maybe you’ve been compelled to give it a shot. As other remedies do not cure many types of arthritis. And CBD for joint pain is regarded as a less addictive alternative to opiates.
Perhaps it’s the branding that promotes CBD products for anything from arthritis to anxiety to epilepsy.
CBD for arthritis
It is important to note that there are over 100 different types of arthritis. While pain is a common feature of all of them these circumstances do not all behave the same way.
What works for one person may not work for just another. All kinds of arthritis are treated to decrease pain and stiffness while maintaining function.
However, for some situations such as rheumatoid arthritis, the conventional prescribed drugs are strongly praised. It is because they help prevent permanent injury and disability worsening.
Different people experience pain and require treatment in different ways. As a result, no single CBD-containing product will work for everyone with every type of arthritis.
Though research lab studies are indicating that CBD may be a useful method and animal studies trying to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, well-designed human studies proving convincing evidence that CBD is safe and reliable for chronic arthritis pain don’t exist.
A randomized trial of topical CBD joint pain and knee osteoarthritis was accepted for publication. But only in abstract form (meaning it’s a preliminary report that summarises the trial and hasn’t been thoroughly vetted yet), the process took only 12 weeks and the outcomes were mixed at best.
One of the largest studies looked at the health benefits of marijuana and CBD and found “strong evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.”
Some Downsides to CBD joint pain
As in any diagnosis, there may be some drawbacks. CBD is generally thought to be safe however it can cause dizziness, sleepiness, sore throat, and in rare cases even liver problems.
Because CBD products are not controlled in the same way as prescription medications there may be some lack of certainty about their potency or pureness.
Concerns have been raised among pregnant women about a possible connection between inhaled cannabis and the lower birth weight of babies. Although it is unclear whether this is due to CBD.
Some pain consultants are concerned that CBD may disrupt the body’s natural pain regulation system leading to tolerance (the need for higher doses to achieve the same effect). Though the risk of addiction is generally regarded as low.
There’s one undeniable disadvantage which is the cost. Prices vary widely but CBD products are not cheap and the expense can be significant.
Do’s and Don’ts considering a CBD product for rheumatism, arthritis or joint problems.
There were few information opportunities for individuals with arthritis who wanted to try CBD diagnosis until recent times.
Patients and their doctors had to decide on their own if CBD was a viable solution in each case based on availability and interest. It’s still true to a large extent but some regulations have been published.
Do’s:
- Choose a CBD joint pain product that has been separately tested for purity, potency and safety. Such as one that has obtained a “Good Manufacturing Practices” (GMP) credential.
- CBD should be used as part of a comprehensive pain treatment strategy that includes non-pharmaceutical options (such as exercise) and mental health support.
- Choose an oral treatment over inhaled products and begin with a small concentration in the late afternoon.
- Create initial treatment goals within a reasonable time frame such as a decrease in knee pain. It enables you to walk from around the block within two weeks of beginning treatment. Later if you enhance then the objectives can be adapted.
- Inform your doctor(s) about your CBD treatment plans and current status. Supervise your pain and adjust medications with your health personnel rather than nonmedical professionals (such as those selling CBD products).
Don’ts:
CBD should not be your first preference for pain relief. Rather it should be considered if other therapies have proven ineffective.
Nonmedical professionals (such as those selling CBD products) should not manage your chronic pain. Back pain should be handled by you and your healthcare team even if CBD is used.
Do not discontinue prescribed medications that may be safeguarding your joints from future damage if you have rheumatoid arthritis or a related condition. Instead, discuss any improvements to your medication regimen with your doctor.
CBD oil for pain
CBD is accessible as an oil or powder that can make serums or gels that people can apply to the body of the areas affected by arthritis.
CBD joint pain can also be taken as a capsule or oral spray.
It is indeed a good idea to consult with a doctor to use CBD oil. Individuals also must try educating themselves on local CBD oil laws but the use of cannabis products is not legitimate everywhere.
Because the FDA does not regulate CBD products in much the same way it does drugs as companies may mislabel or misinterpret their products. This means that doing some study to discover good products is extremely crucial.
How CBD is perfect for joint pain
CBD is a contaminant extracted from hemp. Hemp and marijuana are also both types of cannabis plants but they are not the same.
They contain varying amounts of phytocannabinoids which seem to compound naturally occurring inside the cannabis plant.
- Marijuana is strong in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and has the cannabinoid that causes euphoria.
- THC levels in hemp are less than 0.3%. It includes a cannabinoid that would not produce psychoactive effects as CBD will not get you high. On the other hand CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system. Which would be a group of receptors that are found that are impacted by the large numbers of other recorded cannabinoids.
CBD is intended to function on pain in two areas of the body. Including the spot of discomfort (such as your hands and wrists) and the central nervous system.
CBD assures that reaction is one purpose and the compound may be a viable pain reliever for people who have arthritis.
Another advantage of CBD is its anti-inflammatory characteristics. Inflammation happens when the body defends itself against a perceived infection.
The antibodies attack better and healthier parts of your body, such as your bones in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Pick the right usage of CBD
The jury is still out on how often you must take them when it comes to CBD oil dosages. Begin with a smaller dosage (e.g., 5 to 10 mg) and gradually increase over a few days straight until you realize the effects.
You can take the entire dose at once or spread it out over the day. Try with what makes you happy.
You should start noticing improvements soon after CBD supplementation with more visible effects occurring after two weeks.
Where to find CBD for joint pain
It varies from state to state. In some states, you may be required to purchase medical marijuana and CBD from qualified vendors or specialized dispensaries.
Your general practitioner might have to certify that you should have a medical condition that could take advantage of marijuana.
Marijuana is available in various forms, including pills, packaged meals, teas, nasal sprays, and as a smoke or vape product.
CBD is available in some states at various natural food shops and supermarkets. It can be taken orally as an oil or extract or applied topically.
Bottom Line
CBD may appear an attractive proposition for relieving pain but do your research before jumping on board.
Many people have claimed that CBD can help reduce inflammation in individuals with RA but there isn’t much scientific evidence to back up that claim. However serious side effects are rarely connected with CBD use.
If it is something you’re involved in you can consult with your doctor to see if CBD is something that you can try securely.
Remember that CBD shouldn’t be seen as a first-line treatment for RA pain and that discontinuing disease-modifying RA medications is not recommended.