CBD oil has been used to treat arthritis pain, as well as pain from other conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, for years and now it’s being used in the fight against arthritis specifically. So what exactly is CBD oil? How does it work and what conditions can it be used to treat? Here’s everything you need to know about CBD oil & arthritis pain relief. Read on!
How CBD Helps With Arthritis Pain
The best case for using CBD for arthritis pain is in reducing inflammation and managing pain. Studies show that it can help reduce swelling and restore mobility by suppressing a chemical (called COX-2) that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints. By restoring a more normal balance of chemicals to people’s joints, experts say that they can reap many of its other health benefits without experiencing psychoactive effects—they just feel better. And while evidence is still emerging on how effective cannabis is as a treatment for arthritis, early studies have found that both THC and CBD are effective at reducing symptoms in their own way.
What is arthritis
According to rheumatoid arthritis foundation, a non-profit organization that researches and treats inflammatory arthritis, Arthritis is not one disease, but more than 100 different disorders. They all cause pain, swelling and inflammation in some part of your body. It can happen anywhere — in your joints (like your knees), spine or tissues (like your skin). Osteoarthritis is joint pain caused by wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks its own joints. According to The Mayo Clinic, approximately 23.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis; researchers estimate that number will rise as high as 67 million by 2030.
The Causes of Arthritis
Arthritis is a term used for a wide range of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in joints. The most common form of arthritis—osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease—affects people who are middle-aged or older. It’s caused by natural wear and tear on your joints from age, excess weight, genetic factors and overuse. Over time, your cartilage can begin to break down, causing damage to tendons and ligaments that support your joints. This leads to swelling, stiffness and pain in your joints that may limit movement or activity. Although there’s no cure for arthritis, regular exercise (such as walking) can help ease symptoms.
Conclusion
People suffering from arthritis pain often find that over-the-counter pain medications don’t provide them with long-lasting relief. Fortunately, there is a lot of research surrounding cannabidiol for arthritis pain and it has been shown to relieve joint pain in patients and slow down cartilage breakdown. While there have not been conclusive studies done on CBD for arthritis pain, due in part to restrictions by the DEA, experts believe that cannabis can be a safe alternative for those who suffer from debilitating symptoms. As cannabis continues to become decriminalized throughout more states around America, it is likely that researchers will receive more funding so they can truly study how effective cannabis is at treating different types of pain.
