Arthritis is a common issue in most parts of the world. In the United States, almost 23% of youths suffer from arthritis. They face swelling, stiffness, joint pains, and other problems that limit their movement and life. There are some common treatments, such as ice packs, heating pads, and meditation. However, people need an effective one. For them, CBD is a ray of hope.
If you are in the United States, there is a fair chance that you have already tried CBD. In August 2019, the Gallup Poll showed that 14% ( Approx) Americans use CBD products. The pain came out as the most prominent reason to use it. You can easily purchase CBD from online sites like https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-hemp-capsules/. However, before that, you should know about the effects of CBD hemp capsules in arthritis.
What Is The Evidence?
The standard treatments are ineffective on most types of arthritis, and opiates are often comparatively addictive than CBD. But is it? Or it is only a marketing strategy to recommend CBD for almost everything, arthritis, seizures, anxiety, etc. Undoubtedly, the ads are tempting. But before you purchase it online, it is vital to do some research from your side.
People do not believe in a product until there is strong evidence that proves its worth. So, here is a list of studies, research, and polls on the effectiveness of CBD on arthritis.
- One of the earliest studies performed to know the effects of CBD for arthritis goes back to 2006. The Royal National Hospital for Arthritis conducted the study. The assessment concluded that Sativex was effective in reducing pain and other symptoms. It is a licensed medicine in the UK, but you might require a prescription to take it. The medication is a combination of THC and CBD.
- To study the effects of CBD on arthritis, in 2016, researchers tested CBD gel on arthritis-affected rats. The rats were treated with different doses of gel for four consecutive days. The three groups were:
- Group A – Rats with low doses
- Group B – Rats with comparatively higher doses
- Group C – Rats with highest doses
The results were:
- Group A showed no improvement in pain
- Group B showed a significant improvement in symptoms.
- In group C, the results were similar to group B.
A point to note is, there were no severe side effects even in rats with higher doses.
- In 2017, a similar study was performed to see the effect of CBD in rats with osteoporosis. In the study, we found that cannabinoid helps in reducing inflammation and pain. Thus, the study reported that CBD could be an effective therapy for treating osteoarthritic joint neuropathic pain.
- In 2018, researchers fed CBD oil to dogs with arthritis twice a day for four weeks. The study attracted attention because, in most studies, the subject is rats, while here it was dogs. Also, the symptoms in arthritis dogs are comparatively more difficult than in rats. The dogs showed a better activity level, increased comfort, reduced symptoms, and decreased pain. Here also, no side effects were observed.
- A German study was organized in 2019 to understand the effects of cannabinoids on rheumatoid arthritis. The specialty of this study was that it was not focused on only CBD but all cannabinoids.
The study concluded that cannabinoids were effective on inflammation and pain if it hits the correct receptor. If it targets the wrong ones, the results are opposite and lead to pro-inflammatory effects. In the case of CBD, the effects were positive, independent of the receptor.
- The report of polls organized by the Arthritis foundation gave a similar result as of Gallup Poll. According to it, 29% of people were presently using CBD. The poll also concluded that 80% of the people are either consuming it, have finished it in the past, or are considering CBD in the future. The majority of the users reported good sleep, well-being, and other physical functions. While only a few reported improvements in stiffness or pain.
So, these studies are evidence that you might try CBD hemp capsules to treat arthritis inflammation. You can purchase it from online stores. But there are some other things you should know about.
Are there Side Effects?
Like any other medication, CBD also has downsides. Some of the common issues are dry mouth, sleepiness, and lightheadedness. However, the effects are negligible, and CBD is considered comparatively safer than most other medications.
The effects also depend on the potency and purity of CBD. CBD may react with other medications you are following. There are concerns over the use of CBD by pregnant women. Many people think that using cannabis is linked to low baby weight but, there is no evidence that it applies to CBD.
Some specialists believe that CBD might affect the body’s natural pain-relieving system. To understand this clearly, you need to know the working mechanism of CBD capsules for arthritis.
Here it is:
- The human body releases a compound similar to cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system consists of three essential parts: the enzymes, receptors, and endocannabinoids. This system works with other pain-related systems in the body like the inflammatory system and endorphin system.
- This endocannabinoid system is responsible for modulating pain in the body. If it is inactive, you might face abnormal pain as most animals did when researchers inactivated the system to understand its role. When inflammation or injury occurs, your body releases anandamide. This compound reduces the pain. However, it decomposes fast because of the action of fatty acid amide hydrolase. Many researchers claim that CBD decreases the rate of decomposition of anandamide, prolonging its effect.
So, now you know how CBD affects the natural process but, it is still not considered addictive.
Conclusion
Although, there are studies, testimonials galore, anecdotal evidence, and review of people who have consumed CBD in different forms to show the effectiveness of CBD in arthritis. People are waiting for a well-structured study that gives compelling evidence that CBD is effective and safe for arthritis in humans.
