Everywhere you look today, CBD is offered as a way to relieve chronic pain, including the pain from arthritis. According to a Gallup poll in 2019, about 14% of Americans report using CBD products, and the number one reason is pain. The Arthritis Foundation also conducted a poll and found that 29% of people reported using CBD. Since becoming legal in 2018, the popularity of CBD for pain relief has grown among adults of all age groups.

Using CBD for Arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic, often debilitating condition. There are over 100 forms of arthritis, with pain being a symptom of all of them. Treatment is aimed at reducing pain and stiffness and maintaining function. But not all types of arthritis are the same. What helps some forms and how people experience pain and respond to treatment can vary widely. However, many people report pain relief from using CBD.

Traditional medications are not always effective in controlling arthritic pain. They can also have dangerous side effects that may create or contribute to other health issues. For these reasons, many people with arthritic pain have turned to non-traditional methods of pain relief like yoga, heat and ice, and diet changes. CBD is fast becoming another form of non-traditional or complementary pain relief.

How CBD Works

Animal studies, human models, and clinical testing show that CBD affects the endocannabinoid system in the brain and body. The endocannabinoid system maintains homeostasis, or balance, of the chemicals that affect many essential functions including pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproduction.

CBD acts on receptors to help balance neurochemicals. CBD mainly affects CB1 receptors in the brain, and CB2 receptors are mostly found in the immune system.

By regulating these receptors, CBD reduces or increases the number of neurochemicals needed for proper physical and mental functioning. CBD also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. As an anti-inflammatory, CBD can help to reduce the swelling and pain from arthritis.

Study Results

Research shows that CBD decreases arthritic pain. Recent studies report:

• A 2011 study found that CBD helped to reduce inflammatory pain in rats by affecting the way that pain receptors respond to stimuli.
• A 2014 review of the existing body of research on animals concluded that CBD might be an effective treatment for arthritis.
• A 2016 study found that the topical application of CBD had the potential to relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
• A 2017 study found that CBD might be a safe and useful treatment for arthritis joint pain.
• A 2008 review of research into CBD and its possible mechanism of action suggested that CBD could play a role in chronic pain management.

Scientists also studied the side effects of CBD use. Compared to many prescription medications, CBD has very few, if any side effects.

Forms of CBD

CBD is available as oil placed under the tongue (sublingual method), capsules, and topical ointments. There is also a vape form of oil that is smoked. CBD edibles are cookies or candies that contain CBD. CBD is sold online and at petrol stations, vape shops, health food stores, and retail CBD stores.

To conclude

For people with arthritis, CBD can be an effective pain relief method. Because it is readily available and has very few side effects, many people use it for pain relief.

We would recommend using a combination of our Ginger Full-Spectrum CBD oil, taken orally, and our Healing Balm used topically