CBD and Arthritis: What you Need to Know

CBD has taken the internet by storm in the last few years. As a result, it’s almost impossible to research alternative treatments for painful conditions without running into blog and forum posts singing praises for CBD as an alternative treatment. But does CBD really work as an arthritis treatment?

The current reality

The vast majority of CBD health claims have either little or no scientific evidence behind them. But don’t be discouraged just yet. Remember, running proper scientific studies takes time, and the CBD market is still in its infancy. The uncertain legal status of CBD around the world also makes it hard for proper research to be conducted.

When it comes to treating arthritis, CBD has shown some impressive lab results… in rats. There have been very few studies looking into the effects of CBD on arthritis, and those had few participants and showed mixed results.

The complexity of the disease complicates matters further. There are actually over a hundred types of arthritis, with variations in symptoms and causes between the types. As a result, different types of arthritis react to different medications, and two patients with the exact same type of arthritis may still react differently to the same type of medication.

This means that expecting a definitive answer on the effects of CBD in treating arthritis is unrealistic. Studies may identify trends and — more importantly — potential adverse effects, but when it comes to figuring out if CBD will make your joints better, the only way to find out is to try.

What CBD can potentially do

There are two widely recognized benefits of CBD use, and they can both benefit people suffering from arthritis.

The first benefit is pain relief. CBD is a natural analgesic, whether it be ingested or applied directly on the skin. It affects your nervous system, reducing the intensity of the pain signals, which can boost patient comfort.

The second benefit is combating inflammation. CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that was shown effective in treating all sorts of inflammatory conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome to acne and redskin. Since one of the main symptoms of arthritis is inflammation of the joints, CBD can help alleviate the symptoms and restore mobility to the affected area.

All of this is achieved using a natural, healthy substance that carries no risk of addiction or chemical dependence. Meaning that while CBD can’t replace arthritis medication, it could help you be less reliant on painkillers.

How to get the most out of CBD

First and foremost, you should let your medical team know you are trying CBD. The substance does interact with other medications, as this Cibdol guide makes clear, so being transparent about it can help preserve your health. CBD cannot replace medication that is tailored specifically to treat your type of arthritis.

Beyond being transparent, you can also ensure the effectiveness of your CBD treatment by buying from reputable sellers. Look for manufactures that make their production methods public and offer lab results proving the authenticity of their products. Otherwise, you run the risk of using a product with the wrong concentration of CBD, or no CBD at all.

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