Cannabidiol (CBD) is an exciting innovation in the field of pain management. While there is no cure for arthritis, early studies suggest that CBD may be able to help reduce some of the discomfort, anxiety, and inflammation associated with the condition. CBD oil has been shown to have potential as a treatment for arthritis-related pain. If it interacts with brain and immune system receptors as researchers believe, it could reduce inflammation and pain. Hemp contains a very small amount of THC (less than 0.3%), while marijuana can contain between 5% and 35%.
A study that looked at subgroups based on type of diagnosis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune arthritis) found improvements in physical function between groups (P=0.01), with the osteoarthritis group showing the most improvement. CBD may interact with some medications commonly taken by people with arthritis, so it is important to talk to your doctor before trying it. The study also found associations between the use of CBD and improvements in patients' arthritis symptoms, as well as a reduction in other medications. While the results so far have been promising, more research is needed to confirm that CBD oil is an effective treatment for arthritis pain. If you decide to try topical CBD cream for arthritis, it is important to test it on a small area of skin first, as it can occasionally cause an allergic reaction. As Medical News Today reports, “there is a lack of scientific evidence to conclusively demonstrate that CBD is an effective treatment for arthritis in humans.” More research will be needed, especially on larger groups of human participants, to better understand how CBD oil affects arthritis symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and fatigue.
That said, more studies are needed before researchers can say with certainty that CBD oil is an effective treatment for arthritis pain. The National Juvenile Arthritis Conference is a great place for families to connect, share experiences, and learn more about the condition.
