Does CBD help with arthritis pain

People are opting to use CBD oil among the many formulations of CBD. This article explains the types of CBD, the use of CBD oil for arthritis and the possible risks of taking CBD oil for arthritis.

People suffering from arthritis experience chronic pains that can make the weak if not addressed. One of the remedies for the pain caused by arthritis is the use of CBD oil. Though there is no cure for arthritis, CBD has shown the ability to deal with discomfort, anxiety and inflammations associated with arthritis. Many people also opt to use CBD oil instead of the prescribed medications for arthritic pain. Even though the effect of CBD in relieving arthritis pain is not yet confirmed, more research is still carried out on this issue. CBD has shown the potential to alleviate arthritis pain.

What Is CBD?

CBD is the short form of the term cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a compound of the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant is mainly referred to as either hemp or marijuana, depending on the THC content. THC is another compound of the cannabis plant that causes psychoactive effects. In the UK, it is legal to use CBD products made of the CBD ingredient. The hemp plant contains 0.2% THC. CBD is not psychoactive. This means that it cannot alter your state of mind when you use it. However, it has shown an ability to make significant changes in the body and is essential in providing medical benefits.

Types of CBD

The different types of CBD are made by extracting CBD or CBD together with other components from the cannabis plant.

Three types of CBD include broad-spectrum, full-spectrum and CBD isolates.

Broad spectrum CBD

This type of CBD contains all hemp components except THC compound.

Full spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD contains components of the cannabis plant, including THC.

CBD Isolate

This type of CBD only contains CBD but not any other compound of the cannabis plant.

The different types of CBD are used to manufacture different CBD products, including CBD oils. CBD oil is usually consumedin two methods: tinctures and vaping. CBD oil tinctures involve taking CBD orally, mostly putting CBD oil drops under the tongue. Vaping CBD oil involves using a vaporizer that tours CBD into a vapour that the user inhales into the body.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis refers to the chronic inflammation of joints. People often use the term arthritis to refer to joint diseases and their associated pains. According to Abhishek & Doherty (2013), the most common symptoms of arthritis includes joint deformations, swellings, joint stiffness and pain and other conditions. Arthritis may occur due to various causes that vary depending on the individual. According to Mobasheri& Batt (2016), the causes include the following:

• Overweight
• Having a joint that was previously injured ends up developing arthritis.
• Autoimmune disease

There are many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most common.

CDB Oil for Arthritis

There is an increased use of CBD oil for arthritis. CBD has the ability to reduce symptoms related to joint pain and arthritis. Some arthritis patients who have tried CBD oil have benefited from pain relief, anxiety reduction, and sleep improvements. CBD seems to offer a remedy for conditions associated with arthritis. However, some patients fail to notice improvements in these conditions after taking CBD oil. According to Gallily (2015), previous animal studies have shown that CBD is effective in relieving pain and having anti-inflammatory properties, even though these effects of CBD have not been confirmed in human studies. More research on the effect of CBD on arthritis is underway.

Safety ofCBD Oil for Arthritis Pain

Presently, no significant side effect is seen when arthritis patients use CBD moderately. However, CBD has shown the possibility of interacting with other medications. CBD oil should not be used as an alternative to medicines prescribed to you by your doctor. It is essential to consult your doctor before taking CBD oil if you are currently taking prescription medicines. Since the CBD market is still unregulated, some brands are making false claims, especially when advertising their products by making false claims about the ability of their products to treat or cure diseases such as arthritis.

Possible Risks of Using CBD Oil for Arthritis

Currently, the long-term side effects of using CBD oil for arthritis are unknown. However, Moltke&Hindocha (2021) stated that mild side effects such as diarrhoea, dry mouth, fatigue and drowsiness have been reported. Taking CBD oil while taking medications with blood thinning properties can heighten the medication's effect. Pregnant mothers should avoid using CBD oils and other CBD products as CBD may affect breast milk or the development of the foetus.

Buying CBD Oil for Arthritis

Kindly check the quality of the CBD oil product before buying. You can know the product's quality by checking the manufacturer's third-party laboratory report. This report shows the ingredients of CBD oil. The product should not contain harmful products and heavy metals. If you want a CBD product containing THC, ensure that the THC levels are not elevated. It should be at most 0.2%. Before buying CBD oil, you should seek doctor's advice. The doctor can help with diagnosis and recommend the right product for your condition. Depending on the joint treatment you need, your doctor may advise you about the best diet and whether you need physical therapy for the joints.

Conclusion

CBD oil may become an effective treatment for arthritis and related pain. CBD is believed to reduce arthritis pains and inflammation. However, more human studies need to be done to confirm the effect of CBD oil on arthritis. Research on CBD is increasing since many nations worldwide are legalizing the use of CBD and CBD-infused products. If you intend to use CBD oil, you should be careful with the amount you take, especially if you are new to the product. Starting with a small dose and then adjusting depending on the effect is highly recommended.

References

Abhishek, A., & Doherty, M. (2013). Diagnosis and clinical presentation of osteoarthritis. Rheumatic Disease Clinics, 39(1), 45-66.

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., &Hanuš, L. O. (2015). Overcoming the bell-shaped dose-response of cannabidiol by using cannabis extract enriched in cannabidiol. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 6(02), 75.

Mobasheri, A., & Batt, M. (2016). An update on the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 59(5-6), 333-339.

Moltke, J., &Hindocha, C. (2021). Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. Journal of cannabis research, 3(1), 1-12.