Osteoarthritis is a health issue that affects over 20 million people in the US. It is more common than any other kind of arthritis. OA comes with complications such as joint degeneration, occasional inflammation, and peripheral neuropathy. Pain, stiffness, reduced joint movement, and swelling is among the different symptoms of it.
Cannabidiol is thought of as a potential product to treat OA. It is shown to reduce inflammation and pain, whether these are OA symptoms or standalone issues. So, are you thinking about using CBD oil for pain and other OA symptoms? If yes, go through this guide to make an informed choice regarding this matter.
Can Cannabidiol Aid In Relieving Osteoarthritis Symptoms?
Cannabidiol is a form of phytocannabinoid that affects the human endocannabinoid system, thereby acting as both an antioxidant and analgesic, as well as, reducing inflammation. Traditionally, osteoarthritis may not have been considered an inflammatory condition, but recent studies show how inflammation affects its symptoms and progression. Cannabidiol can minimize inflammation, so it is likely to reduce the speed of osteoarthritis progression. Cannabidiol’s antioxidant effects, along with CBD’s interaction with the immune system, may aid in reducing OA symptoms.
What Does Research Say In This Regard?
Cannabidiol is not habit-forming and it does not have any major negative secondary effect. Further human studies are needed to substantiate how effective it is in treating arthritis symptoms. Anyhow, existing human research demonstrates that it likely has anti-arthritic properties, especially if used as a transdermal or topical product. Here is a list of findings of cannabidiol’s use as a treatment option for arthritis.
- Ingested cannabidiol is shown to bind to certain receptors, thereby keeping the signals of pain from entering the human brain.
- When ingested, it is also shown to mitigate central sensitization and the development of neuropathic pain.
- When used as a topical, cannabidiol is shown to shrink mechanosensitivity of joint nociceptors, thereby minimizing pain sensations.
- When applied on the skin, it is also shown to minimize joint inflammation, infiltration of immune cells, and the act of connective tissue around joints becoming thicker.
- When utilized topically, it has demonstrated the capability of reducing acute changes related to inflammation.
- When ingested, it has shown the ability to lower the creation of inflammation-related cytokines.
- Cannabidiol has also been proven as a product that aids in easing sleep disturbances related to chronic pain issues, as well as, anxiety.
How To Utilize It To Treat Osteoarthritis Pain
You may use cannabidiol as a topical or indigestible product. It is best to use CBD cream for pain when you have the issue as part of osteoarthritis and want instant relief from it. The cannabidiol in the topical-type product will not get into your flowing blood. Rather, it will go to the area around where you feel the OA-related pain, through your skin. That said, you should apply the CBD properly enough for your skin to absorb it. When it reaches the aforementioned area, cannabidiol could just reduce the inflammation and the pain associated with this type of arthritis.
An ingestible form of cannabidiol product will reach your circulating blood and will go past the blood-brain barrier. This way, it will affect the entire body. This kind of CBD item will go through the digestive system to the circulating blood. Therefore, it will require more time for your body and mind to experience the effects. Even so, the therapeutic effects of an ingestible CBD product will last longer than those of the topical item.
The US-based nonprofit named the Arthritis Foundation suggests utilizing CBD as topicals, oral sprays, capsules, or tinctures. Tinctures and oral sprays are consumed sublingually, meaning by placing under the tongue. The sublingual consumption results in the body taking in cannabidiol fast to the circulating blood.
If this is your first time using cannabinoids, then we would recommend starting with a dose of 5 to 10 milligrams. When used in this manner, you are unlikely to experience ingestible CBD’s effects right away.
In any case, it will possibly take some time for your body to respond to the new substance in it. So, be patient if it takes a few hours or even some days for cannabidiol to improve your health condition’s symptoms. In other words, avoid changing the low dosage of it; instead, wait for some days more for it to start affecting you. Remember, you can increase the dosage at any time until finding the dose that suits you.
Should I Use CBD To Treat Osteoarthritis?
In what way people decide to tackle arthritis depends on many lifestyle factors. The aforementioned nonprofit organization finds cannabidiol potentially useful for arthritic people, but it suggests talking to healthcare providers about treatment options. It may ease your chronic pain that is linked to osteoarthritis, without serious side effects. So, you might just find it efficacious in treating your arthritis.
