Using CBD Oil to Reduce Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Benefits, Products, and More

With the number of scientific studies focused on understanding the benefits of CBD products increasing, there is a growing body of evidence to support the belief that it can reduce symptoms of various ailments.

This article looks specifically at the effectiveness of using CBD oil to relieve symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), how CBD can benefit RA, and the best ways to go about doing this.

Symptoms and Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints. Healthy immune systems can differentiate between the body's own cells and dangerous foreign bodies. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system cannot distinguish between the two and attacks the body's cells as if they were hazardous pathogens.

Symptoms of RA include:

• Pain and stiffness in the joints, especially the hands
• Burning or tingling sensations in the joints
• Swelling and tenderness
• Fatigue
• Physical deformities (in progressive stages)

Benefits of CBD Oil for Rheumatoid Arthritis

CBD oil has various physical and mental benefits that can help ease symptoms of RA, and there are supporting studies to prove so.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

One of the most detrimental effects of RA is the chronic build-up of inflammation in the joints, leading to pain and other conditions.

Studies show that CBD exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in individuals suffering from these conditions. A general decrease in inflammation throughout the body can bring much-needed relief for many symptoms of RA, making CBD oil an effective treatment.

2. Pain-Relieving Properties

Chronic pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of RA, leading to a complete decrease in the quality of life of many patients. Aside from the anti-inflammatory properties, additional studies have shown that CBD can be an effective analgesic (pain-reliever), particularly in conditions that don't respond particularly well to conventional pain medications. Many of the patients tested noted reductions in chronic pain and improved quality of life.

3. Reducing Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia

One of the side effects of RA that isn't discussed as often is the increase of mood-related problems like anxiety and depression, and difficulty in maintaining healthy sleep habits. Research has found CBD to be effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, while further research has also found it to improve the quality of sleep.

For more info, read:

• CBD and Functional Mushrooms for Sleep: Benefits, Side Effects, Usage, and More
• CBD Oil and Functional Mushrooms for Anxiety and Stress Relief

Side Effects of CBD for Rheumatoid Arthritis

CBD exhibits relatively low risk of side effects compared to many pharmaceutical drugs, though these don't change much for the condition you intend to treat and tend to disappear once you stop treatment. Side effects to watch out for include:

• Dry mouth
• Reduced appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Somnolence (drowsiness, sleepiness, or fatigue)

How to Use CBD for Rheumatoid Arthritis

When deciding to use CBD to treat symptoms of any disorder, you must first understand the different types of products available to you and how to apply them.

Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or Isolate CBD

Isolates are the purest form of CBD and are created by chemically removing all other cannabinoids from the substance. Although you might still experience the positive benefits of CBD, isolates are somewhat limited in their effectiveness. They are better used by those sensitive to other cannabinoids.

Full-spectrum products are the most natural as they contain many other cannabinoids, including THC. Although the amount of THC must still be less than 0.2% (by most laws), it can still be enough to cause failed drug tests that are looking for THC.

The benefit of full-spectrum products is that the other present cannabinoids can actually heighten the beneficial properties of CBD in something called the "entourage effect."

Broad-spectrum products are a "best of both worlds" scenario and are the most popular. They contain other cannabinoids besides CBD that will contribute to the entourage effect but little to no THC that could cause adverse reactions.

Method of Application

Aside from the type of CBD, you'll also have to consider the method that you choose to apply it. Since CBD seems to exhibit anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties generally, the method you choose shouldn't have drastically different results. However, the most effective and easiest way of using CBD oil for RA is to consume it sublingually. This gives an excellent balance of ease-of-use, bioavailability, and time to feel the effects.

Additionally, you can also use topical CBD products in the form of creams or lotions applied directly to the most-affected areas. Although this method has a much lower bioavailability, it might bring some relief when used in tandem with sublingual.

For more info on this topic, read Is It Recommended to Use CBD Oil, Cream, Or Salve for Arthritis?

How Long Does CBD Take to Work?

Several factors can influence the time it takes for CBD to relieve joint pain, such as personal physiological factors (age, weight, fitness, etc.) as well as the type of CBD product and dosage you are taking. Generally speaking, sublingual CBD oils should bring you some relief within 30 minutes, but these benefits tend to accumulate over days, weeks, and months.

CBD and Functional Mushrooms: Best Products for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Combining CBD oil with the curative powers of functional mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Cordyceps militaris can be more beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis than CBD on its own. Two of the major benefits of functional mushrooms are their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which can work hand-in-hand to relieve symptoms of RA. This is the basis of our M2CBD formula that took over 10 years of research and development by a specialised team of doctors and professors.

For specific natural pain relief CBD oil and functional mushroom products for rheumatoid arthritis, visit our store or pick from any of the following:

• Immunity Drops with added zinc or Immunity Support capsules for an improved immune system
• Unwind Drops with magnesium to relieve pain and inflammation
• Bliss Oil for a topical product to target joints

How to Choose the Right CBD Product for Your RA

Unfortunately, there is no strict set of guidelines that dictate how you should use CBD to fight specific symptoms. Everyone is different, and will thus have a different set of dosages and methods that will benefit them the most. The only golden rule of using CBD-infused products is to start small and work your way up.

Beyond that, you can speak to your doctor about what they recommend and then follow a process of trial and error (using the information provided here) to find out what works for you.