CBD oil has gained popularity in recent years as a natural alternative for treating a variety of health conditions, including arthritis. Arthritis causes many painful symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue.
What is Arthritis
Arthritis is a term used to describe a group of over 100 different conditions that cause inflammation in the joints. While arthritis most commonly affects people over the age of 65, people of all ages can be affected by arthritis. It is also one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
Most Common Forms of Arthritis
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue, leading to joint damage and inflammation. This can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty of movement. Severe rheumatoid arthritis can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear or damage to the tissue in between bones. This breakdown of the cartilage in between bones results in friction as the bones rub against each other. Osteoarthritis can also cause the joint lining to become inflamed. Although any joints in the body can be affected, osteoarthritis most commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
- Joint Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Fatigue
- Limited Range of Motion
Symptoms of Arthritis
Factors that Increase Risk of Arthritis
- Age
- Physical activity
- Obesity Genetics
How Can CBD Help with Arthritis?
While CBD can't make arthritis disappear, it can ease the symptoms that stem from arthritis. CBD can both reduce pain and reduce inflammation to minimize the negative effects arthritis has on the body.
Pain Management
CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, a system that regulates many bodily functions, including pain management. The endocannabinoid system contains receptors which are unlocked by cannabinoids our bodies naturally produce. Yes - our body produces cannabinoids, similar to the cannabinoids found in CBD. The cannabinoids found in CBD can also unlock the CBD receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which initiates a physiological change that can have therapeutic effects and minimize pain.
Reduce Inflammation
CBD can also act as an anti-inflammatory and reduce inflammation in the body. As previously mentioned, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain management. That endocannabinoid system also regulates the immune system - the system which triggers inflammation. CBD can also induce apoptosis, or the death of cells. While this may sound scary, CBD can only target the cells that have receptors for CBD, which happens to overlap with the cells that cause inflammation (1). This means that CBD can reduce inflammation in the body in more ways than one.
Forms of CBD to Treat Arthritis
There are multiple ways to use CBD to treat arthritis pain. CBD can be inhaled, used as a cream, or consumed orally.
Inhalation
Inhaling CBD is the fastest way for it to be absorbed into your bloodstream, but health experts warn against vaping, so it may not be the safest method.
Oral
Taking CBD orally allows you to closely monitor the amount of CBD that you are consuming. CBD to treat arthritis pain can be taken orally in multiple forms including tablets and drops which are placed under the tongue.
Topical
Topic CBD for muscle pain can be applied directly to the area affected. The CBD topical is soaked into the skin and has been proven to alleviate multiple forms of pain (2), including joint and muscle pain.
CBD & Medicinal Mushrooms
For centuries, medicinal mushrooms have been used as a form of traditional medicine in cultures around the world. Preliminary scientific research shows that certain medicinal mushrooms, such as Reishi, Cordyceps and Chaga, contain anti-inflammatory properties. These mushrooms also target the immune system and improve oxygen flow to the muscles. Unwind muscle relief products contain a unique M2CBD formula which combines medicinal mushrooms and CBD to provide maximum healing properties and minimize muscle and joint pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD Good for Arthritis?
Yes. While CBD cannot heal arthritis, it can significantly reduce the side effects and pain that arthritis causes.
Does CBD Help Inflamed Joints?
Yes, consumption of CBD oil or application of CBD based products can help inflamed joints. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, the system that regulates the immune system which is responsible for controlling inflammation in the body. CBD can also target and induce apoptosis in the cells that cause inflammation.
Where Can I Buy CBD Oil
CBD oil based products to treat arthritis pain can be purchased in multiple forms. Shop the various options here.
Sources(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/
(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31793418/
