Can CBD relieve arthritis pain?

Recent studies suggest that CBD could play a role in the treatment of arthritis, but let's take a closer look.

If you have chronic arthritis pain, you may have wondered if CBD could help you. CBD is found in the cannabis plant along with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other active ingredients, but unlike THC, CBD is not "psychoactive" - that is, it does not cause intoxication associated with marijuana use.

According to a Gallup poll in August 2019, about 14% of Americans report using CBD products and the main reason is pain. The Arthritis Foundation conducted its own survey and found that 29% reported current use of CBD (mostly in liquid or topical form) and nearly 80% of respondents either used it, had used it in the past, or were considering using it. Of the users, most reported improvements in physical function, sleep, and well-being, but improvements in pain and stiffness were also reported.

Perhaps you too have already thought about testing CBD because after all, there are few treatment options for most types of arthritis and CBD is considered a less addictive option than opiates.

What is the proof that it works? 

And what do experts recommend? Until recently, there has been little research and even less guidance for people (or their doctors) interested in CBD products.

But that has now changed.

What is arthritis pain?

Arthritis is a widespread, sometimes severe, inflammatory joint disease. often, the joint inflammation manifests itself as swollen, painful joints that can sometimes feel overheated. there are more than 100 types of arthritis and although pain is a major feature of all of them, not all of these symptoms present in the same way. in addition, people have different sensations of pain and also respond very individually to treatments. the common goal of any treatment for arthritis is to reduce pain and stiffness and to promote motor functions.

Is CBD effective for chronic arthritis pain?

A 2011 study found that CBD is effective in relieving inflammatory pain in rats by affecting the way pain receptors respond to stimuli, and a 2016 study found that topical application of CBD has the potential to relieve arthritis-related pain and inflammation.

A 2017 study found that CBD could be a safe and beneficial treatment for Easter Arthritis (OA) joint pain.

While some of these laboratory studies suggest that CBD may be a promising approach and also show anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, more studies on CBD in chronic arthritis pain in humans need to be conducted.

In the meantime, however, there are countless testimonies from affected people who report dramatic improvements in pain through CBD.

It seems, as is often the case with natural remedies, that research here has a lot to catch up on what people have already discovered for themselves!

How does CBD work for chronic pain?

Cannabinoids like CBD bind to specific receptors in the brain and the human immune system.

One of these receptors, called CB2 receptor, plays a special role in the immune system by controlling pain and inflammation.

Researchers believe that CBD, when it enters a person's body, can adhere to CB2 receptors, or alternatively it can cause the body to produce natural cannabinoids that bind to CB2 receptors.

In both cases, scientists believe that CBD affects the way these receptors respond to the signals they receive, which may help relieve inflammation and pain.

In summary, CBD is showing great promise in the treatment of arthritis pain, and if it affects receptors in the brain and immune system in the way that researchers believe it does, it may indeed relieve inflammation and pain.