CBD oil for arthritis pain: Does it work?

cbd oil

Some research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) oil may have a beneficial effect on the relief of arthritic symptoms. Can you tell me more about the advantages of CBD oil, as well as if there are any adverse effects that people should be aware of before consuming it?

CBD oil is made out of extracts from cannabis plants and is used to treat a variety of ailments. Pain related with chronic diseases, such as arthritis, can be relieved by using CBD oil, according to some users.

This post examines the scientific evidence that supports the health advantages, applications, and side effects of CBD oil. It’ll also address whether or not it can be used as a treatment for arthritis and chronic pain.

Is Cannabidiol (CBD) legal? CBD products derived from hemp that contain less than 0.3 percent THC are allowed under federal law, but they are still banned under several state regulations. CBD-derived products manufactured from cannabis, on the other hand, are prohibited under federal law but allowed under some state regulations. When travelling, especially in foreign countries, always sure to check local legislation. It’s also important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be labelled incorrectly.

CBD oil

cbd oil

CBD oil is a type of oil that is derived from the cannabis plant. The cannabinoid CBD, in contrast to other cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not induce a euphoric “high.” This is due to the fact that CBD does not interact with the same receptors as THC.

There are several different CBD oil products on the market, and the amount of CBD in each one varies.

Because so many people use cannabis as a recreational drug, there is considerable debate surrounding the medical usage of products containing components derived from cannabis plants. Cannabis is a plant that has been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years.

Depending on the concentration of THC in the cannabis, it may be referred to as hemp. Under the Farm Bill, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3 percent Trusted Source THC, which is the legal limit set by legislators.

Some people use CBD oil to treat pain and inflammation, and others use it to promote healing. According to some research, CBD oil may be beneficial for the treatment of pain and other diseases.

CBD oil and the relief of arthritic pain

A total of 54.4 million persons are affected by arthritis in the United States, making it the largest cause of disability there.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two of the most prevalent kinds of arthritis to be diagnosed.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which a person’s immune system assaults and inflames their joints, resulting in joint degeneration and pain. It is most typically found in the hands and feet, where it causes painful, swollen, and stiff joints to develop.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that damages the cartilage and bones of the joints, resulting in pain and stiffness in the affected joints. Hip, knee, and thumb joints are the most commonly affected.

Some persons with arthritis who use CBD, according to the Arthritis Foundation, have reported considerable pain alleviation, increased sleep, and reduced anxiety as a result of their use.

Having said that, they also admit that there have been “no thorough clinical investigations” in individuals with arthritis to back up their claims of a beneficial effect. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been encouraged to investigate and regulate CBD products, according to the group.

Some animal studies have suggested that cannabidiol (CBD) may be useful in the treatment of arthritis and the relief of accompanying inflammatory pain. As an illustration:

  • According to the findings of a 2017 study, CBD may be a safe and effective therapy option for joint discomfort associated with osteoarthritis.
  • Following a study conducted in 2016, it was shown that the topical administration of CBD had the ability to alleviate pain and inflammation linked with arthritis.
  • A 2014 evaluation of the existing body of data on animals came to the conclusion that CBD may be a useful treatment for osteoarthritis, according to the authors.
  • CBD was found to be effective in reducing inflammatory pain in rats, according to a 2011 study, by altering the way that pain receptors respond to stimuli.

Although CBD has been shown to be a successful arthritis treatment in animals, there is currently insufficient scientific data to support this claim in humans.

A study conducted in 2006 discovered that a cannabis-based mouth spray known as Sativex was effective in relieving arthritis pain. CBD and THC are present in equal amounts in the cannabis plant extracts that the company utilizes to produce the spray.

Although preliminary findings have been encouraging, additional research is required to show that CBD oil is a safe and effective treatment for the pain associated with arthritis.

Chronic pain & cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabinoids, like as CBD, interact with receptors in the body that are involved in the perception of pain and inflammation. CBD may interfere with the function of particular receptors in the body, preventing the release of anandamide, an endocannabinoid, into the bloodstream.

It is believed by scientists that CBD has an effect on the way that these receptors respond to the signals that they receive, potentially assisting in the reduction of inflammation and pain.

According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health, cannabis or CBD may offer only moderate advantages for people suffering from chronic pain.

A large portion of the study on CBD’s potential to treat chronic pain has focused on neuropathic, or nerve-related, pain. For example, a 2017 review discovered that CBD was effective in the treatment of persistent neuropathic pain in people.

According to a review published in 2020, CBD may offer benefits for treating chronic pain, enhancing sleep, and decreasing inflammation, but that these effects are condition-specific and cannot be generalized.

According to the experts, taking CBD may be associated with hazards such as medicine interactions and the presence of dangerous chemicals in unregulated goods.

Making use of CBD oil

CBD is available as an oil or powder, which may be used to create lotions or gels that can be applied to the skin of the joints that are affected by arthritis. CBD is also available as a capsule that can be taken orally.

Individuals also can take CBD in capsule form or as an oral spray.

It is recommended that you consult with your doctor before using CBD oil. A person should also get familiar with their local legislation regarding CBD oil, as the usage of cannabis-derived products is not permitted in all regions.

Because the FDA does not monitor CBD products in the same manner that they do medicines, firms are sometimes tempted to mislabel or misrepresent their goods on their websites.

Side effects

According to findings from small-scale research, most people tolerate CBD well, although some individuals may experience moderate adverse effects.

These are some examples:

Clinical trials using Epidiolex, which is the brand name of the CBD medicine that the FDA has approved for the treatment of uncommon kinds of epilepsy, found no evidence of physical dependence in the subjects participating in the studies.

There are also concerns that CBD may interfere with the activity of an enzyme known as the cytochrome P450 complex. This enzyme aids in the liver’s ability to break down toxins and cleanse the blood. As a result, CBD may increase the likelihood of an increase in liver damage.

Before consuming CBD, people should consult with their physician. It has the potential to interact with some over-the-counter nutritional supplements, aids, and drugs, including prescription pharmaceuticals.

Taking CBD in conjunction with drugs that contain warnings regarding potential interactions with grapefruit should be taken into account.

Risks and considerations

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Epidiolex, a type of CBD, for the treatment of two uncommon forms of epilepsy as well as seizures caused by a rare disorder known as tuberous sclerosis complex.

In a statement, the Arthritis Foundation expressed concern that CBD could interfere with certain arthritis medications. They advise consulting with a doctor before experimenting with CBD if you are using any of the following medications:

  • corticosteroids, such as prednisone
  • naproxen (Aleve)
  • tofacitinib (Xeljanz)
  • celecoxib (Celebrex)
  • tramadol (Ultram)
  • some antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft)
  • some medications for fibromyalgia, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica)

When using CBD products by mouth in conjunction with high-fat meals, people should exercise extreme caution. High-fat meals have been shown to significantly boost CBD levels in the blood, which may increase the likelihood of negative effects occurring.

Despite the fact that CBD is legal in some places in the United States, it is not in all. Therefore, before purchasing or ingesting CBD oil, consumers should verify their area laws to ensure that they are compliant.

Some individuals may have an allergic response to CBD oil, so it is advisable to start applying the oil to a small area of skin first.

Before using CBD oil, patients should consult with their doctor, as they should with any other medication.

Conclusion

In terms of treating arthritis-related pain, CBD oil appears to be a promising treatment option. When applied to receptors in the brain and immune system, it has the potential to reduce inflammation and pain, according to the researchers’ findings.

In humans, there is limited evidence to support the benefits of CBD oil because the use and research of cannabis are both prohibited in the United States. As cannabis becomes more widely legalized in many jurisdictions, however, scientific investigation is gathering steam and yielding some promising results.

Having said that, further research is required before experts can state with assurance that CBD oil is an effective treatment for arthritis pain.

Sources

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/
  • https://www.arthritis.org/advocate/issue-briefs/cbd-guidance-adults-arthritis
  • https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htm
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16282192
  • https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319796
  • https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  • https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/cbd-for-arthritis-pain
  • https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/210365lbl.pdf
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