How Effective is CBD for Arthritis Pain?

What You’ll Discover

• CBD is thought to potentially influence the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which researchers are studying for its potential impact on managing arthritis pain and inflammation.
• Various CBD products are used to support arthritis symptoms, with topical products (like creams, lotions, and salves) offering localized relief and orally consumed products (like tinctures, capsules, and inhalables) offering internal effects.
• While several experts support the use of CBD for arthritis (including the Arthritis Foundation), more research is needed to ensure its efficacy, safety, and side effects.

Most Frequently Asked Question: How effective is CBD for arthritis pain?

CBD shows promise for managing arthritis pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, potentially reducing inflammation and pain. However, more research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

CBD is currently under study for its potential in managing arthritis pain. Ongoing research is necessary to fully understand its efficacy.

Some individuals with arthritis are interested in CBD as a potential option for symptom management, particularly for pain relief, based on anecdotal reports.

If you’re curious about using CBD to relieve arthritis pain, understanding how CBD products impact arthritis pain is important. Keep reading to explore how CBD may work to support arthritis and what the science has to say.

How CBD Works for Potential Arthritis Pain

The potential of CBD for arthritis pain relief is all due to the way the cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The primary role of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis (balance) of several functions in the body. It’s also known to be one of the main systems responsible for pain perception. (1)

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Arthritis Pain

It’s CBD’s influence on the ECS that may support arthritis pain and inflammation. CBD has an indirect influence on CB1 and CB2 receptors and also affects various TRP channels, both of which are associated with its potential anti-inflammatory effects. (2)

To understand CBD’s potential to relieve arthritis pain, it’s important to understand the role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in arthritis. Among several other things, the ECS regulates the body’s pain response.

At the most basic level, the ECS consists of three primary components: two endocannabinoids, two cannabinoid receptors, and two enzymes. CB1 and CB2 receptors are both key players that affect inflammation and the immune response. Endocannabinoids bind to these receptors and help manage pain and inflammation.

CBD’s potential to enhance endocannabinoid signaling is suggested to play a large role in reducing inflammation and relieving pain, ultimately offering promise to support arthritis symptoms. A recent review even suggests CBD might slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. (3)

The Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects of CBD

Considering inflammation is one of the main aspects of arthritis, CBD’s potential anti-inflammatory effects could offer arthritis sufferers some relief.

While more research is needed, preclinical studies suggest that CBD may have potential in supporting arthritis-related pain and inflammation. CBD’s potential anti-inflammatory properties may have implications for slowing down or stopping the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. (4)

The Pain-Relieving Potential of CBD

One of the biggest reasons people use CBD is for pain management. Considering pain is one of the primary arthritis symptoms, it’s no wonder more people with arthritis have started using CBD. Preliminary research, including some patient surveys, suggests a portion of individuals with arthritis reported feeling improvement in pain after using CBD, highlighting the need for further scientific validation. (5)

It’s the way CBD influences CB2 receptors in the ECS that are primarily responsible for its pain-relieving potential. Experts believe it’s the way CBD affects the way these receptors respond to the pain signals they receive.

More research is needed to support CBD’s analgesic potential. However, it continues to rise as a promising (albeit unproven) alternative treatment option for managing arthritis pain. (3)

The Best CBD Products for Arthritis Support

Several CBD products are commonly used to support arthritis symptoms. Remember, everyone’s different when it comes to CBD. This means the best product for you might be different than what your best friend uses. It’s all a matter of personal preference and the results you want to achieve.

Common CBD products used to support arthritis symptoms include:

• Topicals like salves, creams, and lotions that are applied directly to the skin
• CBD capsules or pills that are taken like a regular supplement
• Tinctures designed to be taken sublingually
• CBD edibles like gummies or infused chocolate
• CBD vape pens and other inhalable products

Each product offers its own potential benefits. Topical CBD products are used for localized support, while capsules, tinctures, edibles, and inhalables offer potential systemic support. (6)

CBD Topicals

CBD topicals like lotions, creams, and salves are applied directly to the skin. Because they offer targeted support, CBD topicals are one of the most popular product choices for many people with arthritis.

Topical CBD might also be beneficial in reducing inflammation, itching, and swelling. Ultimately, this may improve physical function aside from potential support for pain. (7)

CBD Oil Tinctures, Capsules, and Edibles

CBD products that are taken orally, such as capsules, edibles, and tinctures, may provide systemic support for arthritis sufferers.

Inhalable CBD products, like vapes and other smokeables, offer almost immediate support, but the effects don’t last as long as other oral consumption options. (8)

CBD tinctures typically work in about 30 minutes, with effects that may last longer than inhalable products.

CBD edibles, on the other hand, take the longest to kick in (1-2 hours). But the effects last longer than other consumption methods, offering potential support for up to several hours. Edibles like CBD gummies are discreet and easy to use, making them popular with most CBD consumers.

CBD Vapes and Other Inhalables

If you’re interested in immediate relief, CBD vapes, and other inhalable products offer the most rapid effects. This is because CBD is absorbed by the bloodstream immediately after reaching the lungs.

To avoid any potential risks with adulterated CBD vapes, always insist on high-quality, third-party, lab-tested CBD products. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before considering CBD as a potential treatment for arthritis-related symptoms. (10)

The Arthritis Foundation and CBD Use

The interest in CBD for arthritis management has led the Arthritis Foundation to acknowledge its potential, encouraging more research to fully understand its benefits and risks.

Keep in mind, though, that while CBD might offer support for some people with arthritis, it shouldn’t be considered a “cure.” CBD works differently for everyone, and its effectiveness for managing arthritis symptoms can vary.

While more research is needed, an Arthritis Foundation survey discovered that several people who suffer from arthritis use CBD to support their symptoms. Those who do say pain is their primary reason for using CBD. (11)

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the majority of people who have used CBD for arthritis say it’s beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation (12). The Arthritis Foundation recognizes that CBD products are popular among people with arthritis. And they’ve discovered pain is the main reason people with arthritis use it. (13)

As much as it supports using CBD for arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation does advise against using CBD as a replacement for any prescription medication you might be taking known to prevent permanent joint damage in inflammatory arthritis. (7)

It also emphasizes the importance of talking to a healthcare provider before using CBD. No one knows arthritis better than the Arthritis Foundation. Following their suggestion, start low and go slow when dosing. Only purchasing products from reputable brands that provide third-party product testing may lead to better outcomes when using CBD to support different types of arthritis.

Despite CBD’s potential to support arthritis pain, the Arthritis Foundation does acknowledge the limited scientific evidence on its efficacy for arthritis. It also notes the lack of quality standards for CBD products and has urged the FDA to expedite the study and regulation of CBD. (11)

What Do Doctors Say About CBD for Arthritis?

While there is some medical interest in CBD’s potential for arthritis, the consensus among healthcare professionals is that additional research is essential to establish its safety and effectiveness. (13) Yes, initial studies do suggest CBD is promising as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment, but there’s just not enough evidence to say for sure. (14)

Many healthcare professionals suggest considering a low starting dose of CBD, gradually adjusting based on individual response and under medical guidance. Some even recommend high-CBD, low-THC products where medical cannabis is legal.

Consulting With Your Doctor Before Using CBD

Before using CBD for arthritis, you should talk to a healthcare provider first. It’s the best persona you can speak to for personalized medical advice. Talking to your doctor beforehand also ensures you’re suitable for CBD treatment.

If you take other medications, your doctor can also gauge how CBD interacts with these drugs. They can then monitor you for any potential drug interactions and possible side effects.

Integrating CBD with conventional arthritis treatment medicine with your healthcare provider ensures you follow the best treatment plan that prioritizes your overall health and well-being.

Regular consultations with your doctor when using CBD for arthritis allow for continued monitoring of how you respond to CBD. Ultimately, it’s the best way to make any necessary adjustments that optimize your experience and minimize side effects.

Managing Risks: Side Effects and Drug Interactions

While CBD may offer potential benefits for arthritis sufferers, it’s important to remember that it can interact with other medications and is associated with some side effects. (14)

Some of the most common side effects of CBD include:

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Dry eyes

CBD can also interact with several medications. Not only can taking CBD with some meds affect their concentration in the body. It may also reduce the efficacy of certain medications and increase the risk of side effects.

Older adults, people taking multiple medications, and individuals with compromised immunity should be especially careful using CBD because of their increased risk of experiencing drug interactions.

Summary

Countless people with arthritis have discovered taking CBD contains some real promise. It’s CBD’s potential properties that make it one of the most popular alternative treatments for arthritis support. (6, 15)

While the potential of CBD for arthritis management is promising, more research is needed to determine if CBD reduces inflammation and provides pain-relieving effects. It’s also important to keep in mind that CBD shouldn’t replace traditional treatments without the advice of a medical professional.

At the end of the day, For some individuals with arthritis, CBD presents a potential avenue for managing pain and potentially alleviating inflammation.

References

1. Woodhams, S. G., Sagar, D. R., Burston, J. J., & Chapman, V. (2015). The role of the endocannabinoid system in pain. In Handbook of experimental pharmacology (pp. 119–143). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46450-2_7

2. Tham, M., Yilmaz, O., Alaverdashvili, M., Kelly, M. E., Denovan‐Wright, E. M., & Laprairie, R. B. (2019). Allosteric and orthosteric pharmacology of cannabidiol and cannabidiol‐dimethylheptyl at the type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors. British journal of pharmacology, 176(10), 1455-1469. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14440

3. Paland, N., Hamza, H., Pechkovsky, A., Aswad, M., Shagidov, D., & Louria-Hayon, I. (2023). Cannabis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A scoping review evaluating the benefits, risks, and future research directions. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 14(4), e0022. https://doi.org/10.5041/rmmj.10509

4. Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019b). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021

5. Frane, N., Stapleton, E., Iturriaga, C., Ganz, M., Rasquinha, V. J., & Duarte, R. (2022). Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study. Journal of Cannabis Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00154-9

6. Bhamra, S. K., Desai, A., Imani‐Berendjestanki, P., & Horgan, M. (2021). The emerging role of cannabidiol (CBD) products; a survey exploring the public’s use and perceptions of CBD. Phytotherapy Research, 35(10), 5734-5740. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7232

7. Heineman, J. T., Forster, G. L., Stephens, K. L., Cottler, P. S., Timko, M. P., & DeGeorge Jr, B. R. (2022). A randomized controlled trial of topical cannabidiol for the treatment of thumb basal joint arthritis. The Journal of hand surgery, 47(7), 611-620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.03.002

8. Lucas, C. J., Galettis, P., & Schneider, J. (2018). The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 84(11), 2477-2482. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13710

9. Reidel, B., Abdelwahab, S. H., Wrennall, J., Clapp, P. W., Beers, J. L., Jackson, K. D., Tarran, R., & Kesımer, M. (2022). Vaping additives cannabinoid oil and vitamin E acetate adhere to and damage the human airway epithelium. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 43(5), 680–693. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4415

10. Huestis, M. A., Solimini, R., Pichini, S., Pacifici, R., Carlier, J., & Busardò, F. P. (2019). Cannabidiol adverse effects and toxicity. Current Neuropharmacology, 17(10), 974–989. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159×17666190603171901

11. Arthritis Foundation. (2022, September 14). CBD for arthritis pain: What You Should Know. CBD for Arthritis Pain | Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/cbd-for-arthritis-pain

12. Xiong, W., Cui, T., Cheng, K., Yang, F., Chen, S. R., Willenbring, D., … & Zhang, L. (2012). Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. The Journal of experimental medicine, 209(6), 1121. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20120242

13. Pauli, C. S., Conroy, M., Vanden Heuvel, B. D., & Park, S. H. (2020). Cannabidiol drugs clinical trial outcomes and adverse effects. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 63. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00063

14. Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139-154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034

15. Patients tell us about CBD use – news. (n.d.). https://www.arthritis.org/news/patients-tell-us-cbd-use