CBD & Arthritis Pain: What You Need to Know

CBD has been known recently as a wonder drug, especially because of its therapeutic and medicinal advantages. CBD has been known to cure many illnesses, and arthritis is one of them. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. One with arthritis pain can feel like a dull ache or, in some instances, a burning sensation. This is after maybe walking up a flight of stairs or any other rigorous exercise. It is caused by inflammation of the joints. The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. Osteoarthritis usually comes with age or following an injury. Rheumatoid is both an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Autoimmune disease is where the immune system attacks the healthy cells in the body. Rheumatoid affects many joints at once. This article highlights the benefits of CBD for arthritis pain.

Causes and Symptoms of Arthritis

Symptoms of arthritis are morning joint stiffness, swelling, numbness, tingling, chronic fatigue, and fever, among many other signs. The first sign of arthritis is pain which is also called arthralgia. Arthritis is caused by wear and tear of a joint, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and even family history. It can be caused by muscle weakness and injuries too. There is no known treatment for arthritis, and the main goal is to limit the pain and inflammation while one reserves joint function. However, one may try surgery and reduce body weight. However, if there is no change, that is where people turn to CBD to at least get some pain relief. Learn more about cbd for women what are using

CBD for Arthritis

A person must first know how the body works for this effect to occur for us to understand how CBD helps us alleviate pain in the case of arthritis. There are nerves attached to the spinal cord and around the brain. They form the central nervous system (CNS). There are cannabinoid receptors of two types, namely CB1 and CB2. These receptors are responsible for the cognitive and emotional effects of marijuana and pain perception. An et al. (2022) revealed that CB1 receptors inhibit voltage-sensitive calcium channels and activate inwardly rectifying potassium channels. Kazemi et al. (2012) noted that activation of CB1 receptors alleviates pain by inhibiting CSD and its consequent trigeminal neuron activation. CB2 receptors are common in the peripheral nervous system. This means they are the outer nerves beyond the spinal cord and brains. They are mostly in the arms and legs. These form the endocannabinoid system of the body. It is widely distributed in the mammalian tissues and comprises a group of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors.

The natural endocannabinoids function on demand. This means the body senses inflammation or needs to return to a stable balance (homeostasis). The system will release endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoids. Khan et al. (2016) suggested that the endocannabinoid system regulates various cardiovascular, nervous and immune system functions inside the cells receptors. The study above also noted that CBD binds to receptors, thus inducing other components of the cannabinoid system. This occurs because of the bioavailability of CBD. This amount of substance makes it into the bloodstream and takes effect.

CBD is hydrophobic and lipophilic. This means that it can dissolve in fats, which helps it be carried across the blood-brain barrier and affects the central nervous system, positively affecting pain. De Gregorio et al. (2019) proved that CBD modulates pain and its sensation by stimulating the uptake of the neurotransmitter adenosine. When boosting adenosine levels in the brain inhibits pain sensation. CBD can also block pain signals from reaching the brain by binding to TPRV1 receptors. These are the receptors responsible for pain and inflammation. Chronic pain can be disruptive in one's everyday life. They can cause one to have insomnia, fatigue, and depression. CBD can act as an antagonist, block GPR55 receptors, slow osteoarthritis, and facilitate bone reabsorption.

How to Take CBD for Arthritis pain

When using CBD for arthritis, they should know what product to use. This is because it can be taken orally, applied to the skin, or inhaled. CBD is swallowed and absorbed through the digestive tract by mouth. Absorption is slow, and dosing may be tricky because of the delayed onset of effect. Things like stomach acids and recent meals may be other factors. CBD is infused into lotions that have other chemicals. Knowing if the effect is due to CBD or other ingredients is hard. In the case of vapes, chemical byproducts carry unknown risks and may be risky to those with inflammatory arthritis. Vaping is not recommended because of diseases like a pulmonary disease. Other methods of consuming CBD may take 15 to 45 minutes apart from topical use.

How Much CBD Should One Use?

CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil, and one must know the amount of liquid product to take, the dose, and the amount of CBD in each dose. This may help a user watch every step as you use the CBD.

These are not without a downside. Iffland & Grotenhermen (2017) suggested that CBD may cause fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and weight changes too. Natural methods may be highly recommended because they may crop up in treating one illness, such as addiction. Under the guidance of a medical professional, CBD may temporarily relieve inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. It should not be used as a substitute for disease-modifying treatments or lifestyle modifications recommended by a doctor.

Conclusion

One should consult a qualified medical practitioner before turning to CBD as a remedy for arthritis. They may help identify the available options and whether the side effects outweigh the positive ones. You will get knowledgeable advice and won't run the risk of unwanted results or, in other cases, lifelong conditions. It is highly recommended that you should not forsake medications to go for CBD, and if there are other alternatives, one can try them first. Learn more about finding the right cbd for back pain

References

De Gregorio, D., Mclaughlin, R. J., Posa, L., Ochoa-Sanchez, R., Enns, J., Lopez-Canul, M., ... & Gobbi, G. (2019). Cannabidiol Modulates Serotonergic Transmission And Reverses Allodynia And Anxiety-Like Behavior In A Model Of Neuropathic Pain. Pain, 160(1), 136.

Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update On Safety And Side Effects Of Cannabidiol: A Review Of Clinical Data And Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139-154.

Kazemi, H., Rahgozar, M., Speckmann, E. J., & Gorji, A. (2012). Effect Of Cannabinoid Receptor Activation On Spreading Depression. Iranian Journal Of Basic Medical Sciences, 15(4), 926.

I Khan, M., Sobociŧ, A., M Czarnecka, A., Krol, M., Botta, B., & Szczylik, C. (2016). The Therapeutic Aspects Of The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) For Cancer And Their Development: From Nature To Laboratory. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 22(12), 1756-1766.

Van Der Stelt, M., & Di Marzo, V. (2005). Anandamide Is An Intracellular Messenger Regulating Ion Channel Activity. Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators, 77(1-4), 111-122.