CBD and Arthritis: Here’s all you need to know!
The plant Cannabis Sativa has often held a bad reputation because of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive which simply means that it does not cause the intoxication or high associated with the usage of marijuana.
In fact, time and again, CBD has been proven to help with tons of medical conditions, arthritis being one of them. In this blog, we will uncover the benefits of CBD oil for patients of arthritis and what cautions they should take while opting for CBD as a potential medical treatment.
How does CBD affect our body?
CBD or cannabidiol interacts with the endocannabinoid system — or ECS for short. The ECS is responsible for regulating everything from hormone production and neurological function to pain transmission and sleep. The plant-derived cannabinoids, also known as phyto cannabinoids have been researched as potential therapeutic options in various areas, primarily because of their modulation of the ECS.
CBD for arthritis
Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the UK with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis being the two most common types of arthritis. While rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, causing inflammation in the joints, osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects joint cartilage and bones, causing pain and stiffness. The former affects the hands and feet of a person leading to painful, swollen and stiff joints. On the other hand, the latter effects the hip, knee and thumb joints of a person.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some people with arthritis who use CBD report noticeable pain relief, improved sleep, or reduced anxiety. However, the report also clearly states that there is little confirmation about this since there have been no clinical studies that have been conducted with humans who are fighting arthritis.
Thus, although findings in this area are positive, the research is still in its early stages and more research is necessary to confirm the usage of CBD oil as a full-proof treatment for arthritis.
Precautionary measures to take while choosing CBD oil as a treatment for arthritis
- The Arthritis Foundation has stated that CBD can potentially interact with certain arthritis drugs, therefore consultation with a health professional is incredibly important before starting the treatment.
- Caution should be exercised when taking oral CBD products alongside high fat meals, since these meals can increase the blood concentrations of CBD, resulting in a higher chance of side-effects.
- An allergic reaction to CBD oil is possible, thus, a patch test on a small part of the skin should be done first.
- Choose products made by highly reputable manufacturing companies and always check the source and quality of the CBD product, making sure that THC is less than 0.2%.
- Always remember that marketers and people behind the retail counter are not your best friend. Thus, consultation with a health professional is a must.