Does CBD Really Ease Arthritis Pain? (Spoiler: Yes)

For those living with arthritis, a pain-free day is like a dream come true. Unfortunately, it can also be very hard to achieve. While there are several different types of medication that can help you live more comfortably from day to day, you may be wondering if there is anything else out there that you haven’t tried yet.

Some people swear by CBD and claim that it can minimize all types of aches and pains. But are their claims too good to be true? It turns out that in the case of CBD, the rumors might actually hold some weight. Here’s what you should know about CBD and how it combats pain from arthritis.

What Is CBD? 

So, what is CBD, anyway? Some people say it’s the same thing as marijuana while others say CBD extract provides none of the benefits of marijuana because it’s so highly processed. So, what’s true and what isn’t?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound that’s taken from the Cannabis sativa plant (otherwise known as hemp). Hemp is a cousin of the marijuana plant. CBD is extracted from hemp and added to medical marijuana products for maximum benefits.

Can CBD Help Arthritis Pain? 

Arthritis affects an estimated 22.7% of adults throughout the United States. And this is just taking the diagnosed cases into account. There could potentially be millions more adults living with the pain of arthritis without knowing they have it.

There are many different medications out there that can help ease arthritis symptoms. However, some of them come with undesirable or even dangerous side effects. Many people choose to risk the side effects in order to experience relief from their discomfort. But what if there was an alternative option available that could minimize arthritis pain with minimal side effects? CBD may be such an option.  When used as directed, CBD offers a variety of benefits with relatively mild side effects when compared to commonly used medications.

One of its most notable benefits is its ability to fight inflammation in the body. Since arthritis is closely associated with inflammation, it often responds well to CBD treatments. One study conducted in 2016 showed that the topical application of CBD could potentially relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Similar studies conducted in 2017 and more recently reveal that CBD might be a useful and safe treatment for joint pain.

What Are the Side Effects of CBD?

Though its side effects are mild compared to others, CBD use can cause the following:

• Dizziness

• Dry mouth

• Drowsiness

• Anxiety

• Appetite changes

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Changes in mood

• Vomiting

The type and severity of symptoms can vary significantly from one person to the next. Some people don’t experience any adverse symptoms at all when taking CBD for arthritis pain.

Is CBD Addictive?

Research shows that CBD oil is non-addictive. It does not contain notable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the compound within marijuana that is highly addictive and produces mind-altering affects. In fact, CBD oil may help ease withdrawal symptoms associated with the absence of THC. So, it may be useful as an aid to help overcome addictions.

What Are Other Benefits of CBD?

In addition to lowering inflammation and minimizing pain associated with arthritis, CBD also offers the following benefits:

• May reduce depression and anxiety

• May reduce acne

• May help alleviate symptoms related to cancer, including pain, nausea and vomiting

• May benefit heart health

• May protect brain function

More research and studies must be done before the many benefits of CBD oil are clearly confirmed. However, plenty of people with arthritis have found relief through this drug. It may relieve your pain as well.