CBD for Arthritis: Everything You Need to Know

A recent survey has found that 57% of arthritis patients have tried cannabis, and about 90% found that it helped. Learn more about CBD for arthritis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about 54 million adults in the US receive a diagnosis of arthritis each year. This means over 22% of Americans have a form of arthritis, which includes gout, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or lupus.

More and more arthritis patients are finding relief from CBD oil. While many use CBD oil for pain, it has particular benefits for arthritis due to its inflammatory properties. Here’s more about how and why CBD for arthritis works.

What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is extracted from cannabis, either hemp or marijuana. Both types of cannabis create chemical compounds, which are called cannabinoids.

CBD is one of those cannabinoids, but it doesn’t have the psychoactive effects for which marijuana is known. Another cannabinoid called THC is what produces the high.

Most CBD products that you can buy come from the hemp plant, which naturally contains less than 0.3 THC. As Cibdol points out, it also contains other cannabinoids like CBG and CBDA – but there’s no major difference between CBD and CDA, fo example,Your body actually makes its own cannabinoids, which are called endocannabinoids.

Your body also has its own cannabinoid receptors. Some of those receptors relate to pain and inflammation. Researchers used to think that plant-based CBD attached to these receptors.

Now, they believe CBD helps your body better use its own endocannabinoids.

CBD for Arthritis

Studies have shown that CBD oil can aid in relieving the pain associated with chronic conditions like arthritis. If you’re looking for a more natural way to augment your doctor’s treatment for arthritis, CBD oil can help.

It works by reducing inflammation in the body, including the inflamed joints affected by arthritis.

Using CBD oil may be able to provide positive effects and relief from different types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA).

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the autoimmune system. It caused one’s own system to attack the joints, in particular, the feet and hands. The resulting inflammation leaves the patient with stiff and swollen joints.

All of these conditions, as you can imagine, lead to chronic pain.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a different type of arthritis altogether. It’s a degenerative disease, which affects the patient’s bones and joint cartilage. It typically affects the knee, hip, and thumb joints.

Like Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis also causes joints to become painfully inflamed and stiff. CBD oil can help.

CBD Oil for Joint Pain

Researchers have found that CBD oil can impact the body’s immune system and the brain’s receptors so as to reduce pain and the inflammation that causes it. CBD oil benefits those with arthritis by serving as an aid in managing chronic pain.

It works to influence the brain’s responses to pain. More simply, it helps block the brain’s response to pain. That also helps to reduce inflammation helping the body produce more natural cannabinoids.

This gives the body more time to heal, thus reducing inflammation. Next is a little more information about the research we mentioned.

The Research Behind CBD Oil for Arthritis

CreakyJoints is an arthritis support community. It is part of a nonprofit group called Global Healthy Living Foundation.

In a recent survey, CreakyJoints asked over 1,000 arthritis patients if they tried cannabis. Of those, 57% said yes, and Over 90% of those respondents reported that it eased their pain.

Another study conducted in 2019 involved rheumatoid arthritis patients in particular. Patients in this study reported that they used cannabis effectively to augment their prescription medications.

Their goal was to wean themselves from those medications.

Is CBD Oil Legal in the US?

While insurance doesn’t yet cover cannabis as a medication, it’s not illegal. Though, there are state laws that regulate the selling, production, and possession of CBD oil.

Those regulations vary state by state. The good news is, most states do allow CBD in some form.

In 2018, the US passed the Farm Bill, which lifted the federal ban on producing hemp (and subsequently CBD oil). It no longer lists either as a controlled substance.

However, it gave the states the ability to create and follow their own laws. Thus, many states still hold that CBD is illegal. If you’re interested in using CBD for arthritis, check with your state government to see what the legal status is.

Administering CBD Oil for Arthritis

You can apply CBD oil-based creams and gels directly to the affected area. Alternately, you can ingest it in capsule form. Depending on your system and the dose, it could take over thirty minutes to feel any relief.

Researchers are still exploring all the possibilities of CBD oil’s health benefits. Though, as we have discussed, they have found a direct link to easing pain and reducing inflammation.

If you have arthritis, CBD oil may be a powerful aid in reducing your stiff joints and pain.

Choosing Your CBD Product

CBD oils come in several forms. Those include extracts, capsules, and honey-infusions. They also include edibles and topical ointments.

Keep in mind that, because the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD, you should do your homework when choosing a product. For example, the concentration of CBD in products varies across brands.

You could receive 2 mg to 22 mg per dose. On top of that, the dose isn’t always clearly printed on the label.

Your doctor may be able to recommend a manufacturer if she or she is familiar with CBD oil for arthritis. If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, you can consult with someone at a dispensary.

Dispensaries are specifically for those who have medical use for CBD and marijuana, and not for recreational users.

Steps Toward Less Pain from Arthritis

If you have been working with your doctor to treat your arthritis with traditional medicine, absolutely continue to do so. Why not ask about the benefits of CBD for arthritis?

You may be able to join the thousands of patients who find relief from arthritis pain by adding CBD oil to their medication regimen.