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Does CBD Oil Help with Arthritis Pain?

Increasingly, individuals are using CBD oil for arthritis to help manage its challenging symptoms. This extract from hemp has properties that make it ideal for combatting the inflammation, pain and irritation caused by chronic arthritis. Many old-school treatments for arthritis pain have considerable downsides. Some are dangerous if used long-term or have risky side effects. That’s why CBD oil is becoming more popular as a remedy for joint pain. It’s a natural compound in hemp plants with potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects for the joints. CBD oil helps bring back joint mobility by reducing inflammation and managing pain.

It’s giving arthritis patients more hope for rebuilding their daily activity. CBD oil has the potential to be life-changing for many with degenerative arthritis. Let’s explore how CBD oil helps with arthritis pain and how to use it.

How Does CBD Oil Help with Arthritis Pain?

Arthritis causes damage to the joints, which worsens over time. It afflicts the joint cartilage, leading to pain, achiness and irritation. Older people encounter it more commonly. A new compound being used for arthritis and the pain it causes is CBD. Although it comes from cannabis, CBD isn’t psychoactive. It’s different from THC in this regard: benign, much safer, and lower in side effect risks. Instead, it works within the body to eliminate pain. 

CBD does this by activating the body’s natural endocannabinoid system. It can alter pathways regulating pain, controlling inflammation, and signalling immunity.

CBD oil for arthritis pain is the most popular product available for this condition today. However, it can also be used in CBD gummies, vapes, gels, capsules, edibles and more.

Reducing Inflammation

The hallmark of arthritis is inflammation in the joint tissues. Inflammation is caused by the joint cartilage wearing down or becoming damaged. Over time, it results in redness, aches, irritation and constrained ability to move. Because arthritis is degenerative, this inflammation typically worsens over time. It can make it harder and harder to deal with arthritis and maintain quality of life. CBD has powerful abilities to reduce inflammation. It works for arthritis in the joint’s cannabinoid receptors. 

Research indicates that by activating these receptors, CBD alters immune signalling and calms inflammatory symptoms like swelling. In addition, it blocks the effects of pro-inflammatory enzymes and proteins like prostaglandins. This is similar to compounds like NSAIDs, which block COx enzymes to stop inflammation. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory benefits, it works to reduce arthritis pain. It’s an exciting, natural treatment option for degenerative, inflammatory arthritis.

Many studies have proven CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects. They’ve shown it works as an ‘immuno-modulator’ and alters immune regulation to reduce inflammation. This is especially useful in mitigating chronic inflammatory health problems like colitis, psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Sleep

Sleeping when you have arthritis pain can be very hard. Pain at night from the condition often causes insomnia symptoms. Achy, creaky joints at bedtime usually make getting a good night’s rest impossible. This is where CBD oil is beneficial. It limits arthritis pain at night, helping users to get their sleep back on track. Blocking pain on demand is an excellent application of CBD for arthritis. A side benefit is it helps improve sleep quality and length. 

CBD has exceptional sleep-inducing capabilities through its interactions with the endocannabinoid system. Using it improves sleep scores and works to prevent insomnia. Many already take it to get better and deeper rest each night. But it’s precious for those who have insomnia or pain due to its analgesic, calming effects. Incorporating CBD oil a couple of hours before bedtime can be a game changer for sleeping with arthritis pain. It’s worth trying to get a better shut-eye and help reduce joint aches during the night.

Lowering Pain

Possibly, The most significant way that CBD oil helps with arthritis is by stopping the pain it causes. Because arthritis damages the joints over time, it often results in severe pain. People with arthritis can feel their joints become inflamed and irritated and experience radiating pain. Unfortunately, this pain is frequently chronic, too, because of the degenerative nature of arthritis. That’s where CBD oil comes in. CBD has analgesic or pain-reducing properties, making it excellent at dampening chronic pain. 

It helps to block the perception of pain at its source in the nerve cells. This means fewer pain signals reach the brain, and overall symptoms are eased.

Additionally, CBD activates brain pathways that help the brain receive fewer pain signals. Specifically, it changes how the TRPV1 pain receptors receive pain. Altering our pain perception and blocking some of its signals is excellent for limiting joint pain from arthritis. Cannabis extracts have been used for pain for decades. Modern scientific studies are confirming its efficacy for chronic pain alleviation. CBD works best for pain when combined with THC. But using it standalone is also viable. It’s worth trying if you suffer from arthritis pain and need relief.

How Does it Work?

CBD blocks the transmission of pain signals through the endocannabinoid system, which alters how pain signals pass through the nervous system. This is the primary reason why CBD oil is effective for arthritis pain. CBD relieves joint pain by stimulating CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which alters nociceptor signals from pain nerves. In animal studies, topical administration of CBD cream has been shown to lower inflammation and arthritis pain. 

This treatment helped minimise joint swelling and other indications of inflammation. The absorption is directly proportional to the amount applied, potentially lowering the likelihood of systemic symptoms while increasing local CBD levels. But further, CBD works as a protective mechanism in the joints for arthritis. It helps block arthritis from progressing, defending joint cartilage from further degradation over time.

Evidence

Many modern studies have revealed that CBD reduces chronic pain. Chronic pain is a crucial symptom of degenerative arthritis. For instance, a study published in a renowned scientific journal focused on pain research observed that CBD applied to the skin can help lower pain and inflammation associated with arthritis in an animal model. Furthermore, in other research, CBD was found to prevent osteoarthritis pain and joint neuropathy. 

This indicates that it could be a safe and effective way for many to manage arthritis pain. Further studies in the future are expected to back these findings.

How to Use CBD for Arthritis Pain

Using CBD oil for arthritis pain has a few components to consider. CBD oil can be used topically or ingested directly on the joint. Ingesting the oil produces longer-lasting but milder effects. It’s better used for slow-release CBD, which provides more prolonged periods of pain relief from arthritis. 

Use CBD oil sublingually if you need rapid absorption and quick relief. Placing CBD drops under your tongue accelerates their absorption, helping you reduce joint pain fast.

How to Dose

Here’s how to dose CBD oil for arthritis.

  • Orally ingesting CBD oil is best done by dropping it into coffee, foods or sweet drinks. CBD can taste musky, which you may want to conceal with foods. Start with 3-4 drops several times per day. To begin with, this should equate to less than 50mg of CBD per day.
  • Sublingual intake involves placing the oil beneath the tongue using a dropper and holding it for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing. This method allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream via the mouth lining.
  • Topical use of CBD oil provides localised, targeted relief into the joint tissue. You’ll need to rub the oil in to ensure it absorbs. Opting for a CBD cream or lotion could be more effective here. These products contain moisturisers or creams that help with absorption in the skin.

If you use CBD oil to alleviate arthritic pain and inflammation, begin with a low dose of less than 50mg daily. Only increase your dosing once you’ve maintained daily use for several weeks. Keep a journal to record your dosage and any observations or reactions to monitor progress. Scheduling visits with your doctor is also a good idea to obtain medical advice.

Monitoring how your body reacts to CBD oil and noting any changes in arthritis discomfort is crucial. Some people don’t see much benefit from CBD, so keep this in mind. You should also remember that it may take some time to experience the full effects of CBD oil as it accumulates in the body over time. Being consistent and persistent is essential to achieving solid results for arthritis pain.

Side Effects

Although CBD oil is a natural, non-addictive, safe remedy for arthritis pain, it still can have some adverse effects. Side effects are rare and mild, but some experience them. They typically present as drowsiness, gut irritation, changes in appetite, shifts in blood pressure and potentially allergies. If you experience side effects, wait for them to pass. They should disappear in a day or less. 

Persistent side effects could indicate an intolerance or a contaminated product. Try changing products or formulations of CBD. If they continue, speak to your doctor.

It is important to note that CBD can interact with various medications. Therefore, before adding it to your arthritis pain treatment protocol, it is crucial to clear it with your doctor first. Ensure that it is safe to mix with any existing medicines. CBD can alter levels of liver enzymes, making it risky to take with pharmaceutical drugs. Take your time here. Check for risks with a medical professional before trying out CBD oil.

Conclusion

The use of CBD oil for arthritis pain is giving more hope to people suffering from this painful condition. It’s a natural option for lowering pain and alleviating inflammation that works through the body’s endocannabinoid system. CBD has valuable benefits for arthritis. This is due to its potent ability to block joint pain, help calm joint irritation, normalise immune function, and aid sleep. 

It offers multi-targeted effects for several arthritis symptoms. It has a great safety profile, few side effects and excellent tolerability. Studies have already supported many of these effects. The research backs up that CBD is excellent for limiting chronic pain and helping calm excessive inflammation. If you are considering CBD oil for arthritis pain, ensure you buy a quality product from a trusted CBD store. You should also check in with your doctor first to ensure it’s right for you and that you have mitigated usage risks.

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References

  1. Bains, S. and Mukhdomi, T. (2021b). Medicinal Cannabis For Treatment Of Chronic Pain. [online] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574562/
  2. Hammell, D.C., Zhang, L.P., Ma, F., Abshire, S.M., McIlwrath, S.L., Stinchcomb, A.L. and Westlund, K.N. (2015). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), pp.936–948. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
  1. Argueta, D.A., Ventura, C.M., Kiven, S., Sagi, V. and Gupta, K. (2020b). A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology, [online] 11(561). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/
  2. admin (2023). CBD Oil for Arthritis Australia: Benefits & Best Products. [online] Bondi Hemp. Available at: https://bondihempoil.com.au/blog/health-benefits/cbd-for-arthritis/
  3. CreakyJoints. (2019). Using CBD for Arthritis: Tips for How to Get Started. [online] Available at: https://creakyjoints.org/alternative-medicine/how-to-take-cbd-for-arthritis/.
  4. Miller, B. (2022). Using CBD Oil to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. [online] EverydayHealth.com. Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/cbd-oil-help-ra/