Can CBD Oil Relieve Arthritis Pain?

CBD oil has been shown in studies to help people with rheumatoid arthritis. What are the advantages of CBD oil and should consumers be aware of any possible adverse effects before taking it?

CBD oil is a cannabis-derived product. It’s used to treat pain caused by chronic illnesses, such as arthritis.

The pros, purposes, and side effects of CBD oil are all discussed in this post, which examines the scientific evidence behind its advantages, uses, and negative effects. It will also address whether or not it may be a useful treatment for arthritis and chronic pain.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is a liquid form of the cannabis plant’s extract. It does not create the euphoric “high” that people tend to associate with using cannabis, unlike other cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is due to the fact that CBD does not act on the same cells as THC.

There are a lot of CBD oil formulations on the market, and the amount of CBD in each varies.

Many people use cannabis as a recreational drug, and there is some degree of debate regarding the medicinal usage of goods containing cannabis plant components. Many CBD products are also subjected to tight legal testing.

Hemp, for example, is a product derived from the cannabis plant. The substance was legalized under the Farm Bill as long as the finished goods contain no more than 0.3 percent THC.

CBD oil is used by some people to alleviate pain and inflammation. CBD oil appears to be beneficial in the treatment of pain and a variety of other ailments, according to some research.

CBD oil and arthritis pain relief

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, affecting 58.5 million people, according to a trusted source.

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two of the most common forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks their joints, causing inflammation. It mostly affects the hands and feet, causing painful, swollen, and stiff joints.

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage in joints and bones deteriorate, causing discomfort and stiffness. The hip, knee, and thumb are among the most common joints to be affected.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, there is some anecdotal evidence suggesting that people who use CBD report pain alleviation, better sleep, or decreased anxiety.

However, it also cautions that there have been no clinical trials in humans with arthritis to back this up. The group has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate and regulate CBD products as a result of this lack of evidence.

CBD might help cure arthritis and alleviate chronic pain, according to animal studies. For example:

  • CBD may help people with joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, according to a 2017 researchTrusted Source.
  • A 2016 researchTrusted Source discovered that CBD topical application has the potential to alleviate pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.
  • CBD may be a successful therapy for osteoarthritis, according to a 2014 studyTrusted Source took a look at animal trials and discovered that CBD might help with arthritic pain.
  • CBD helped suppress inflammatory pain in rats, according to a 2011 researchTrusted Source. CBD affected how pain receptors responded to stimuli, according to the study.

However, there is no scientific evidence to date that CBD can be used as a treatment for arthritis in people. Sativex, a cannabis-based mouth spray, may help with arthritic discomfort. The company’s cannabis plant extracts

Preliminary research has been encouraging, but more study is necessary to verify that CBD oil is an effective treatment for arthritis discomfort.

CBD oil and chronic pain

Cannabinoids like CBD interact with receptors in the body that influence pain and inflammation. Researchers think CBD modifies how these receptors react to the messages they receive, which might assist with reducing pain and inflammation.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, cannabis or CBD may offer minor relief for chronic pain.

Much of the research on CBD for persistent pain has been focused on neuropathic, or nerve-related, suffering. For example, a 2017 analysis found that CBD helped people with chronic neuropathic pain.

CBD, according to a 2020 review, may help with chronic pain relief, insomnia improvement, and inflammation reduction. However, the study says that these effects are limited to certain diseases.

According to the researchers, CBD has several negative effects, including drug interactions and harmful components in illicit items.

Is CBD oil safe?

More study is still required to examine the safety and potential benefits of CBD and CBD products. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that individuals generally tolerate CBD well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people can handle CBD quite well. Cannabis’ high, which many people connect with, is not caused by CBD. Furthermore, unlike cannabis, this cannabinoid does not have similar risks of misuse.

Additionally, a 2020 systematic reviewTrusted Source concludes that CBD is well tolerated by most people and does not cause any negative effects when taken. However, the research also shows that potency and method of administration can influence safety.

CBD products as we know them today do not have FDA approval. This may imply that it is tough to determine whether a CBD product is safe and effective for everyone to use. If a person is considering using CBD oil, they should first talk with their doctor.

Using CBD oil

Many CBD products are available in a variety of forms. The label and packaging may be used to guide consumers in determining how often, how much, and how to apply the product. Dose varies depending on factors including body weight and potency. Newcomers to CBD should start with the smallest possible dose and gradually increase it if required, according to health experts.

CBD oil can be ingested in a variety of ways. People can place a drop of CBD oil under their tongue or add it to food or drink using a pipette or dropper. Oral formulations such as capsules and sprays are also available. Manufacturers may also incorporate CBD oil into topical treatments, such as creams, gels, and lotions that individuals can apply to arthritis-affected skin.

Because CBD products are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as pharmaceuticals are, it is essential to seek for and utilize high-quality items. Furthermore, before taking CBD oil, individuals should consult with their doctor.

Side effects

CBD has been shown to be well tolerated in small-scale trials. Some people, however, may experience minor symptoms.

These include:

  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • changes in appetite
  • changes in weight

There were no indications of physical dependence in the clinical trials of Epidiolex, a CBD medicine that the FDA has authorized to treat rare types of epilepsy.

However, there are concerns that CBD might clash with an enzyme called cytochrome P450 complex. This enzyme aids the liver in metabolizing poisons. As a result, CBD has the potential to increase end-organ toxicity.

Finally, before taking CBD, patients should consult with their doctor. It might cause issues with a variety of over-the-counter dietary pills, aids, and prescription drugs.

CBD may be taken in combination with grapefruit-related drugs without any issues, but it’s still a good idea to check with your physician. Although CBD has a record of being safe when used together with grapefruit-related prescription medications (Grundy et al., 2010), the FDA and other organizations advise that you avoid combining grapefruit products — including CBD oils!

Risks and considerations

Epidiolex is a CBD-based drug that has been authorized by the FDATrusted Source to treat two rare epileptic conditions and tuberous sclerosis complex seizures.

CBD might interact with several arthritis medications, according to the Arthritis Foundation. As a result, before using CBD while taking any of the following medicines, the organization advises consulting a physician:

  • 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 used in conjunction with high-fat diets, oral CBD supplements should be taken cautiously. High-fat diets can significantly increase blood levels of CBD, which may pose a risk of side effects.

The legality of CBD in the United States is somewhat confusing. While cannabidiol (CBD) is legal in some states, it is not yet lawful throughout the entire country. As a result, consumers should double-check their state’s legislation before purchasing or taking CBD oil.

Some people may also be allergic to CBD oil, so it’s a good idea to test a small area of skin before applying it on the whole body.

Before utilizing CBD oil, it is important to consult with a physician, like as with any other therapy.

Summary

CBD oil has shown promise as a pain reliever for arthritis. If it works the way researchers anticipate, it may reduce inflammation and discomfort by acting on receptors in the brain and immune system.

However, there is little evidence from human studies to back up the advantages of CBD oil since marijuana is still under strict prohibition. As the substance becomes more accessible in various countries, study is increasing and producing fascinating outcomes.

However, before researchers can state for sure that CBD oil is an effective therapy for arthritis pain, more research is required.

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