If you have chronic arthritis pain, you may be wondering about Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment. Well, recent research suggests that CBD oil may be helpful for pain relief and other conditions.
It’s worth emphasizing that there are more than 100 types of Arthritis, and while pain is a cardinal feature, these conditions do not all act alike. And what works for one may not work for another. Any form of treatment aims to reduce pain and stiffness and maintain function for all types of Arthritis. But for certain conditions, such as rheumatoid Arthritis, conventional prescription medications are highly recommended because these drugs help prevent permanent joint damage and worsening disability.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in several parts of the world, affecting millions of people. The most precarious and debilitating symptoms suffered by arthritis patients include pain, stiffness, and decreased movement within the joints, all of which can be severe and worsen over time.
The two most common types of Arthritis are:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks their joints, causing inflammation. Rheumatoid Arthritis commonly affects the hands and feet and leads to painful, swollen, and stiff joints. It can also affect your lungs, eyes, skin and other body parts.
- Osteoarthritis (OA): A degenerative disease that affects joint cartilage and bones, causing pain and stiffness. It often affects the hip, knee, and thumb joints.
CBD is a type of cannabinoid, which is a chemical that occurs naturally in cannabis plants. It’s important to note that CBD is not a psychoactive chemical. Cannabinoids can inhibit or excite the release of neurotransmitters [brain chemicals] and modulate the body’s natural inflammatory response. CBD is thought to work on pain in two body parts: the site of soreness (such as your finger joints) and the central nervous system, which sends pain signals to the brain when it detects specific stimulation or damage to nerves and cells.
How does CBD help with Arthritis?
CBD acts via the endocannabinoid system, which is active on receptors found in multiple areas of the brain and at the spinal cord level to stop the transmission of pain signals. It is ten times as active as morphine in its effect on certain types of pain nerve cells and also produces pain relief in response to stress. It produces peripheral pain relief as well by stimulation of CB1 receptors. CBD is chemically very similar to endocannabinoids like anandamide, arachidonoylethanolamine, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol binding to ECS receptors. It increases the levels of anandamide at high doses, producing pain relief.
CBD also has potent antioxidant activity, which is said to exceed that of vitamin C or vitamin E. Thus, it is claimed to be the first endocannabinoid modulator used in patients to relieve pain.
CBD’s role in anti-inflammatory functions:
Cannabinoids, such as CBD, attach to specialized receptors in a person’s brain and immune system. One of these receptors called a CB2 receptor, plays a role in the immune system by managing pain and inflammation. According to researchers, when CBD enters a person’s body, it may attach to CB2 receptors. Alternatively, it may cause the body to produce natural cannabinoids attached to the CB2 receptors. Either way, scientists think CBD affects how these receptors respond to the signals they receive, possibly helping reduce inflammation and pain. Cannabidiol in the oil binds with the receptors in the immune system to help ease the pain and reduce the signs of inflammation.
CBD’s ability to calm that response is one reason the compound might be a viable pain remedy for people with Arthritis. Another is CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation occurs when your body is fighting a perceived infection. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system attacks healthy parts of your body, like your joints.
In addition, individuals experience pain and respond to treatment in different ways. Some medications and treatment programs can potentially help ease these adverse effects, but many people are searching for a more natural pain relief option. This is where CBD oil comes into play.
As a result, it’s doubtful that there is a single CBD-containing product that works for all people with all types of Arthritis. This is why there are different CBD oil products available, and the amount of CBD in them may vary. CBD doesn’t affect your brain in the way THC does, which is why several people prefer to use CBD oils for medical purposes to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Several studies suggest that in people with rheumatic diseases, including RA and osteoarthritis, CBD helps with
- Curbing morning pain (but not the overall level of pain)
- Improving sleep
- Lowers inflammation in joints (but not joint stiffness)
How to Use CBD?
CBD oil may be refined and formulated into various consumable products – edibles, tinctures, gel caps, vape oil cartridges, topicals, beverages, and more. It is available as an oil or powder, which makes it possible to create creams or gels that people can apply to the skin of the areas affected by Arthritis. People can also take CBD in capsule form or as an oral spray. The dosages may vary from person to person regarding the intensity of the pain. It is a good idea to consult a doctor before using CBD oil.
Side Effects:
Small-scale studies have found that people generally tolerate CBD well, but some individuals may experience mild side effects if they take more than the recommended dosage. Some side effects of CBD may include nausea, fatigue, and change in appetite. Consuming CBD must be done with adequate research and doctor’s consultation.
Thus, CBD oil shows promise and is one of the most natural forms of treatment for arthritis pain since it’s used in the most organic form with no preservatives or chemicals. In fact, it affects receptors in the brain and immune system in a way that researchers believe can reduce inflammation and pain for those who experience these symptoms.
Disclaimer: This article is originally published on indiahemporganics
