Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. The main symptoms are joint pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness. A decreased range of motion of that joint is common as well.
350 million people around the world suffer from arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis is a chronic condition, and causes the destruction of joints. Many conventional medications are available to help sufferers, but they may not be effective or carry side effects. Increasingly, arthritis patients are turning to medical cannabis for its anti-inflammatory properties, minimal side effects, and pain relief.
CBD is a complicated but valuable supplement with many unknowns. It’s best to keep a close eye on the side effects, especially when taking it in high doses. CBD can cause drowsiness, upset stomach, diarrhea, sedation, and dry mouth. Interactions may also occur with other drugs, so be aware of these possibilities. CBD should generally be well tolerated and few people have significant side effects with it.
If you are new to CBD, start with a low dose to assess if you will have any side effects. Then you can start slowly increasing the dose until you reach pain relief.
CBD is an anti-inflammatory agent that is effective in decreasing inflammation in the body, and as a result, in the affected joint. This has the effect of decreasing pain for people suffering from arthritis.
Other important cannabinoids with anti-inflammatory properties include: THC, Cannabichromene (CBC), Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Cannabigivarin (CBGV), and Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA).
There is an undeniable connection between joint inflammation, arthritis, and pain. Based on this discovery, using CBD for arthritis is often an effective way to reduce arthritic pain and discomfort. Different delivery methods work better for some people than others. The topical method is ideal for smaller areas of the body. Other delivery methods include vaping, tinctures, edibles, and capsules.
What do you think of vaping for pain relief? Some people say that vaping can be a quick way to relieve pain. One problem with vaping is that it’s not 100% safe. Vape companies may look trustworthy on the surface, but we don’t know how vaping will affect our lungs long-term.
CBD and THC may work synergistically for pain relief. The ratios of CBD to THC used most often are from 2:1 (CBD to THC) to 1:2 (CBD:THC). Remember that if you use higher doses of CBD, you may have to adjust the ratio to avoid legal problems in your state because they’re both anti-inflammatory.
If you have tried CBD and didn’t like it, there are other options for you. Some people feel more relief from THC than from CBD. Others simply enjoy the psychoactive effects of THC. You can try a mix of products to find your perfect blend. Start with a low dose of CBD and build up the dose in small increments.
CBD is extracted from hemp, and when it is, an additional class of substances—the terpenes—are extracted as well. Many terpenes have medicinal properties that are beneficial, and these substances can work synergistically with CBD to provide relief. One thing to keep in mind is that the following terpenes work alongside CBD:
Recently, the Arthritis Foundation released a set of guidelines for the use of CBD in arthritis. In the guidelines, they state: “In the future, the Arthritis Foundation anticipates that this class of product will be studied to determine whether it is an option to provide patients with more relief.” The guidelines go on to state that “currently there is limited scientific evidence about CBD’s ability to help ease arthritis symptoms.”
