CBD for Arthritis

CBD has been proved to help various ailments, including arthritis.

The research shows more research is needed to determine whether CBD can fully prevent and treat arthritis.

Arthritis is a common ailment that causes inflammation and joint pain. Symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. Joint discomfort, tenderness, stiffness, excessive inflammation, weakness, and restricted movement are common symptoms (1). Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two frequent kinds of arthritis. While there is no cure for arthritis, many individuals have found improvement with surgery, physiotherapy, and medication.

Arthritis CBD

CBD has already been used to treat insomnia, anxiety, melancholy, nausea, and chronic pain. Arthritis is a persistent pain condition. The early results of investigations are encouraging.

Traditional arthritis medication involves a variety of possibilities:

• Pain relievers
• NSAIDs diminish inflammation.
• Counterirritants to block pain signals.
• Corticosteroids diminish inflammation and immunological suppression.
• Biologic response modifiers target immune response proteins.
• DMARDs prevent the immune system from attacking the joint.
• While these drugs work, their long-term safety is often questioned. These medicines have been demonstrated to harm the heart, liver, stomach, and kidneys of arthritis patients. In some cases, excessive doses or continuous use can cause liver damage.

Patients are becoming more aware of non-pharmacological treatments including lifestyle changes and exercise. Also, natural medicinal alternatives like CBD have gained appeal as a less harmful option.

Cannabinoids can also inhibit the body's inflammatory and pain receptors. CBD can disrupt receptors that allow anandamide, an endocannabinoid, to build up in the body (6). This alters how receptors respond to messages, lowering inflammation and pain.

Arthritis and CBD

The link between CBD and common health issues like chronic pain has long been debated. Researchers are now looking into similar illnesses such as arthritis, particularly rheumatoid. When the immune system attacks healthy cells, it usually attacks one or more joints.

In one of the earliest studies on cannabis-based rheumatoid arthritis treatment, patients received Sativex, a spray containing cannabis extract, for five weeks. The medication helped participants sleep better by lowering inflammation and pain. The patient's quality of life was not harmed by any side effects.

Another rat study looked at topical CBD gels for joint pain and inflammation. The transdermal absorption of CBD was found to be sufficient to diminish joint edoema and pro-inflammatory biomarkers. They concluded that topical CBD treatment has significant therapeutic promise for arthritis and inflammation alleviation with few side effects.

While preliminary research is promising, further long-term and large-scale human studies are required to completely understand CBD's benefits on arthritis symptoms.

CBD as a preventive

Arthritis affects people of different ages and backgrounds. Preventing arthritis has become increasingly important as the illness has spread.

Arthritis is caused by a combination of risk factors. These are:

• Your ancestors' genes This makes you more susceptible to environmental variables, including arthritis if an immediate family member has it.
• Age. Lessening risk factors with age
• Your gender will influence your arthritis type. Women are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis.
• A past joint injury can raise the risk of arthritis.
• Obesity puts pressure on joints, especially knees, hips, and spine.
• Obesity is one of the risk factors that patients can control. Obesity is strongly influenced by lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and even stress (10). This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, being aware, and sleeping properly.

CBD's interaction with the ECS can help lower stress and enhance sleep quality. It works by interacting with cannabinoid and serotonin receptors in the brain and nervous system to boost mood, relax, and reduce anxiety

CBD for arthritis side effects

Arthritis is an autoimmune illness that attacks joints, destroying bone and cartilage, causing loss of joint function and stability. While arthritic symptoms vary based on the person and the disease's development, some side effects are widespread.

Ailment

Chronic pain is defined as high levels of discomfort that last over a few months and persist even after full recovery. While chronic pain might vary in severity, it can significantly impact an arthritis patient's quality of life.

Pain is a common side effect of arthritis, and while painkillers can help control it, their adverse effects can be harmful to the patient's long-term health. As a result, more people are seeking natural, moderate pain management like CBD. Many people continue to use CBD oil due to its effectiveness in lowering chronic pain output.

A 2017 review summarised the important data from numerous trials on CBD use for general chronic pain. After reviewing dozens of studies, experts decided that cannabis is a viable therapy option for chronic pain in adults.

CBD is a popular cannabinoid, although it does not produce the same euphoric “high” and psychotropic effects as THC. A 2015 study found that CBD can alter our body's receptor systems, including the ECS, when combined with other cannabinoids. Anandamide is a molecule that has been linked to reduced pain perception and improved happiness, and CBD can raise anandamide levels in our bodies (15).

Inflammation

Arthritis typically causes joint swelling and extensive inflammation. Arthritis is caused by immune system inflammation. The body produces white blood cells and chemicals to fight infection (16). In inflammatory disorders like arthritis, the immune system damages its own tissues.

Cannabinoids like CBD have been shown to lower inflammation, easing arthritic symptoms. Cannabinoids have powerful characteristics that influence cytokine suppression in inflammatory areas and immune cell death. As a result, experts believe CBD could be a useful preventative treatment for conditions like arthritis. But additional investigation is needed.

Arthritis patients' joint discomfort might aggravate inflammation levels because pain and inflammation are typically linked in many diseases. Chronic or acute inflammation Chronic inflammation in arthritis sufferers causes oxidative stress, harming healthy organs and tissues.

Appetite loss

The excessive pain and stiffness might immediately impair the patient's quality of life, mood, metabolism, and affinity for food or eating. Intentional weight loss can occur when arthritis drugs decrease appetite.

A 2016 study linked the rheumatoid arthritis drug leflunomide to weight loss. Because leflunomide can produce nausea, diarrhoea, and bowel disturbances, affecting weight management (19).

Long-term appetite loss can lead to inadequate nutrient intake and exhaustion owing to significant muscle atrophy. Most studies on CBD and appetite have revealed mixed results, with some showing weight gain and others suggesting weight loss (20). Despite the mixed results, experts conclude CBD has a powerful effect on appetite.

Another study discovered a link between CBD and nausea. According to 2011 research, CBD regulates and reduces vomiting and nausea in both animals and humans via the endocannabinoid system.

As obesity is a significant cause of arthritis, lowering hunger or losing weight might help improve their health and minimise symptoms. Unwanted weight loss and decreased appetite might be hazardous to people who are healthy or already underweight.

The basic lesson is that CBD may help lessen arthritic symptoms by interacting with the ECS to reduce inflammation and pain perception.

As a result, many arthritis patients are using CBD alongside standard therapy. A growing body of research is necessary to expand CBD's global therapeutic application.

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