CBD For Arthritis | 5 Best Products & Effects

According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), 54 million people in the United States are diagnosed with arthritis—nearly half of whom are limited in their activities because of this condition.

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, resulting in stiffness, pain, swelling, and in severe cases, can reduce one's mobility. 

Despite how common arthritis diagnoses are, there is no cure for the condition. Treatments to manage pain have improved over the years, but most of which involve strong pharmaceuticals that come with a higher risk for addiction and undesirable side effects.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic compound from the cannabis plant that has been extensively studied for its benefits towards supporting a healthy inflammatory response and pain relief while having a very low risk for side effects and addictions.

In this article, we'll look at what current research says about the potential of CBD oil for arthritis and how other people are using CBD at home to manage their symptoms.

TL;DR:

1. Arthritis is a disease described as the inflammation of the joints and it affects roughly 54 million people in the United States
2. There is no cure for arthritis, only methods to ease the comfort of those living with arthritis or therapies that can improve the success rate of remission
3. CBD has gentle and broad-acting benefits such as supporting a normal inflammatory response and increasing comfort that may help improve the quality of life of those living with arthritis
4. CBD is a versatile compound that can be used effectively internally and topically—but there is no CBD product available that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat arthritis or any auto-immune condition
5. Not all CBD products offer the same level of benefits—it's important to shop for quality CBD that has been lab-tested to ensure its safety
6. Don't take CBD without first speaking with your doctor if you have arthritis or are on any form of medication 

Does CBD Oil Help Arthritis?

There is currently no cure for arthritis, but quality nonprescription CBD products may provide gentle and noticeable pain relief to improve the quality of people's lives.

While research on CBD and other cannabis plant compounds on arthritis symptoms is relatively new, there's a lot of evidence (through relevant animal studies) to suggest that CBD reduces inflammation, which can help provide pain relief for people with arthritis with very few mild side effects.

Since pain and swelling, which are mechanisms of the immune system, are involved with inflammation, CBD products applied topically or taken internally may help to reduce discomfort associated with inflammatory pain. Specifically, CBD has been shown to modulate the production of cytokines, which are proteins that play a role in the inflammatory response [1].

Studies have also shown that higher doses of CBD may offer some support for arthritis pain by interacting with the vanilloid pain receptors, specifically the TR1PV receptor [3]. This receptor sends pain signals to the brain when something is hot to touch or in pain.

What Causes Arthritis Pain?

The main symptoms of arthritis are the swelling and pain experienced in one or more joints that typically get worse as you get older. 

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is nicknamed the "wear-and-tear" disease. 

It develops slowly and worsens with age. While it can affect any joint, the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis are the spine, hips, hands, and knees.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the connection between the bones and joints gradually degrade and the bone ends up rubbing on another bone. This disease can also affect the entire joint—the bone, and connective tissue—causing chronic pain, stiffness, and disability.

Factors that increase the risk of osteoarthritis include genetics, old age, women, joint injuries, obesity, poor bone density, and diabetes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified as an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It happens when a dysfunctional immune system attacks healthy cells in the joints causing an inflammatory response that leads to painful swelling around the area. The swelling and pain can be so drastic that it begins to wear away at the joint itself leading to deformity and disability.

RA mainly manifests itself as joint pain. However, as an inflammatory disease, it can cause a lot of damage to other systems as well such as the skin, kidneys, and circulatory system.

While rheumatoid arthritis can affect anyone, it's most prevalent in women between the ages of 30–60 [1]. Family history, smoking, obesity, and age can put you at higher risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and forms into crystals in the joints causing inflammation and intense pain or a "gout attack."

The joints affected are typically the toes, ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, and hands that come on suddenly and can last up to 12 hours of intense pain that may subside into lingering pain for several weeks.

In healthy individuals, the kidneys can eliminate excess uric acid through urination. However, genetics, obesity, certain diets, excessive alcohol use, and injury can make some people more susceptible to gout attacks.

5 Best CBD Products For Arthritis 

1. CBD Freeze Roll On
2. Suns Oil CBD Oil with Cinnamon
3. Blooming Botanicals Turmeric CBD Oil Tincture
4. Lazarus Naturals CBD Balm Stick
5. Buddha Teas CBD Turmeric & Ginger Tea

CBD oil is becoming increasingly popular as a natural remedy for various health conditions, and many people wonder if it can help relieve arthritis pain.

While more solid scientific evidence is needed to support the use of CBD oil for arthritis, many people still turn to CBD, like CBD Gummies for arthritis.

Here we will take a look at six of the best CBD products for arthritis and discuss how they may help provide relief from symptoms.

1. CBD Freeze Roll On

The CBD Freeze Roll-On is one of our best-selling products for fast-acting muscle and joint support. It contains 4000 MG of CBD in a 2-oz container featuring a ball roller applicator that allows you to glide on the formula with a gentle massage, mess-free.

Our customers have dubbed this the best CBD product for arthritis because it delivers the benefit of CBD to the skin almost instantaneously and provides targeted relief to sore joints and muscles with a gentle cooling sensation.

Pros: 

• Potent full spectrum CBD for the entourage effect

• Fast-acting and targetted comfort

• Roll-on applicator makes it easy to massage into the skin, mess-free

• Cooling menthol botanical formula provides additional comfort for pain management

Cons: 

• Some people may be sensitive to the menthol and peppermint essential oils

2. Suns Oil CBD Oil with Cinnamon

Sunsoil's Cinnamon CBD Oil, appreciated by many for its unique cinnamon flavor that masks the earthy hemp taste, has received mixed feedback. While some users love the flavor, others find it overpowering and sensitive to their palate. The oil, infused with cinnamon known for its potential arthritis relief, also boasts positive reviews for improving sleep quality.

Product Type: CBD Oil

Price: $55

Extract Type: Full spectrum CBD

Potency: 1200 MG CBD

Flavor: Cinnamon

Cons: 

• Cinnamon content not disclosed
• Pricey

Recent Reviews: 

• "Helps to relax and get better sleep, relief from aches in joints
• "I was impressed with the quality and transparency of the manufacturing.  The oil does work well, with effects similar to other high quality CBD." products. I am not a fan of the cinnamon flavor.  It is very strong, and starts to burn if left under the tongue."
• "Love this CBD oil.  I use my hands for crafting and my fingers would cramp.  Since taking CBD, no more cramped finger and my knees don't hurt either."

Special Company Feature:

• Sunsoil makes sure their CBD oil is top-notch by carefully drying the hemp in modern places, not old barns. This keeps the hemp clean and in good shape. They have special drying techniques that work well in the Northeast's weather. This helps their CBD oil stay high-quality from the time it's picked to when you get it.

4. Lazarus Naturals CBD Balm Stick

Product Type: Topical CBD Stick

Price: $12 | $41

Extract Type: Full spectrum CBD

Potency: 800mg | 3600mg CBD

Flavor: Menthol

Cons: 

• Low CBD Content
• Not suitable for vegans or those with sensitive skin due to certain ingredients.

Recent Reviews: 

• "It helped a lot with muscle pain, but after 3 days of using daily on my neck and shoulders, it made my skin break out."
• "I’ve been using this product for a couple of years now in tin form and I am so sad that it is no longer available in tins. I tried the stick and it’s just not the same. The moisture level just does not compare with the tin. Please bring back the tin product!! Both options would be great so folks can choose what works best for them. For me, I love this product but I prefer it in the tins. Thank you."
• "Have assorted pain due to deteriorated discs and arthritis in spine and hips. Also knee and should arthritis. Use this as needed when pain gets too much. It sometimes takes a while to work and sometimes works faster - go figure. Anyhow, IT WORKS. Have been using for over a year and will continue. Vets discount sure helps."

Special Company Feature:

• Lazarus Naturals focuses on making good, effective CBD products that are affordable for everyone. They really believe in how CBD can improve life quality and offer big discounts for veterans, people with long-term disabilities, and those with low incomes. The company also helps out in the community, supports social justice, and is working towards not harming the environment by setting a goal of having no carbon footprint by 2030.

5. Buddha Teas CBD Turmeric & Ginger Tea

Buddha Teas' CBD Turmeric & Ginger Tea combines turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities with the soothing warmth of ginger, which may help with arthritis. It includes black pepper to help your body use it more effectively and has water-soluble, pesticide-free CBD. This tea aims to support healthy joints and calm your digestive system

Product Type: CBD Tea

Price: $20

Extract Type: Broad spectrum CBD

Potency: 90MG CBD

Flavor: Turmeric & Ginger

Cons: 

• The tea's flavor might not suit all tastes
• CBD levels per serving could be too low for some
• Outdated Lab Results. The most recent was in 2022

Recent Reviews: 

• "It has helped with Rheumatoid arthritis that I have in my hands."
• "I have fibromyalgia and it is a great addition to my previous regimen. It helps with my symptoms and also calms my stomach."
• "Love that it is thc free and I can share it to my family"
• "Best flavored CBD Tea."

Special Company Feature:

• Buddha Teas is all about keeping their teas pure and high-quality, using only organic or wildcrafted ingredients and putting them in bleach-free bags. They care a lot about the environment too. They have a program called "Tea for Trees" where they work with the National Forest Foundation to plant trees, showing they're dedicated to looking after the planet as well as their customers' health.

How to use CBD For Arthritis

The only prescription CBD product approved by the Food and Drug Administration is Epilodex, and its use as a treatment for epilepsy. More research is needed in the space for CBD for arthritis—but that hasn't stopped people from using CBD products to support their wellness goals.

We'll explore various methods by which experts and experienced CBD users alike have found success in using CBD oil for pain relief, particularly for managing discomfort associated with arthritis However, if you've been diagnosed with an underlying condition or are on any medications, it's advised that you speak with your doctor before experimenting with the potential benefits of CBD on your own.

Shop For High-Quality CBD

There are a lot of snake oil CBD products out there that may do you more harm than good, so it's important to know what to look out for when shopping for CBD oil.

First off, make sure you're shopping for hemp-derived CBD that contains no more than 0.3% THC. Any more than this and you could find yourself in legal hot water—depending on your state. And find yourself feeling the intoxicating effects of THC.

Leverage The Entourage Effect From

The entourage effect is a phenomenon in plant medicine that describes the natural compounds of a botanical working in synergy to produce more potent and well-balanced effects. CBD is one of the hundreds of naturally occurring compounds in hemp. Cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, CBC, and even trace amounts of THC can help to amplify the effects of CBD in the body.

The only extract types that can leverage the entourage effect are full spectrum and broad spectrum extracts. Full spectrum extracts closely resemble the phytochemical makeup of the hemp plant, they may cost more as the extraction process has to be much more careful to preserve heat and light-sensitive terpenes and cannabinoids, but experts consider full spectrum the best extract type for potency and effect profile.

For those looking for a CBD product without any THC, broad spectrum extracts are the next best bet. These undergo another process to isolate and remove all traces of THC, while still maintaining a lot of beneficial plant compounds to produce stronger effects. 

While CBD isolate products are generally cheaper, you may find that you need more of the product to achieve the same levels of effects compared to full spectrum and broad spectrum extracts.

Use Moderate To Higher Doses Of CBD

Everyone's dose requirements for CBD will be different, so you can expect to experiment with your CBD doses until you find the effects you're looking for.

Many individuals suffering from arthritis also contend with back pain, a common issue among aging adults, which can significantly affect their mobility and overall quality of life. Sublingual CBD oils for back pain are used as a valuable addition to their pain management routine, offering significant relief not only to arthritis, but to overall wellness.

Most studies have found that moderate to higher doses of a quality CBD oil to be more effective in supporting inflammation and pain. Our CBD Rub, formulated with a potent 2000mg of CBD up to 16000mg offers an additional avenue for targeted relief. 

If you're new to CBD, it's recommended to start on the lower side of dosing and increase the amounts gradually, to reduce the risk of taking too much and having a negative experience. 

Take CBD Consistently

Most people won't find the effects they're looking for from CBD in the first day or even week of use. This is because CBD has broad-acting effects on the endocannabinoid system, and it may take some time for your body to become accustomed to CBD supplementation.

It's important that you take your CBD oil regularly to give it enough time to start producing the results—for some people, it can take several weeks.  

Rub CBD Topically for Full Body Relief

Many people find that applying topical CBD to targets of arthritis pain alongside internal supplementation of CBD helped to ease their discomfort.

When shopping for a topical CBD product to support arthritis pain and inflammation, make sure it has a high concentration of CBD—and that is backed with lab tests to prove it. A lot of products out there claim to contain CBD to support pain, but in reality, don't have enough CBD to have any effects.

Heating and cooling rubs are best for supporting pain. Just make sure to patch test the topical CBD products on a small area of skin before applying it to a tender area to ensure you don't have any negative reactions to the ingredients.

Use CBD Alongside Joint Supportive Supplements

While research is promising surrounding the potential health benefits of CBD, it's not a cure-all compound.

Most people with arthritis find the most success with CBD when they combine its use alongside other forms of supplementation, regular exercise, and therapies such as massage and acupuncture to improve mobility and manage pain.

Does CBD Work for Arthritis?

The benefits of CBD for arthritis are discussed everywhere these days. And while more clinical data from human trials are needed to confirm these findings, there are plenty of relevant animal studies and anecdotal reports of people using CBD oil to help arthritis with great success.

If you're planning to use CBD products for arthritis, it's essential to do your research. It's important to understand that even the best CBD products aren't meant to substitute for advice from your healthcare professional and other medications.

FAQ

Can CBD Help With Arthritis?

CBD provides gentle and broad-acting advantages, such as promoting a normal inflammatory response and enhancing comfort, which may assist patients suffering from arthritis improve their quality of life. Although CBD is a flexible molecule that may be used both internally and topically, no CBD product has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat arthritis or any other auto-immune condition. 

How To Use CBD For Arthritis?

Shopping for high-quality CBD products, leveraging the entourage effect from CBD products, taking moderate to higher doses of CBD products, using CBD consistently, using topical CBD products and other joint support supplements, and exercising while taking CBD products are some of the ways experts and experienced CBD users alike are finding success in using CBD to support chronic pain as a result of their arthritis condition. However, if you have an underlying ailment or are on any drugs, you should consult your doctor before experimenting with the possible advantages of CBD on your own.

What Are The Potential Side Effects Of CBD?

One reason individuals with arthritis are turning to CBD products is that it's a safe substance with few adverse effects—but that doesn't imply it's completely risk-free. CBD may cause the following negative effects: dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, and weariness.

Is It Safe To Use CBD With Other Pain Killers?

CBD seldom interacts with prescription pharmaceuticals, and it's generally safe to take with over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen, but some drug therapies for arthritis pain are highly strong and are meant to impact immune system function. It's best to consult your doctor before using CBD in conjunction with arthritic medicines.

References:

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2. Nichols, J. M., & Kaplan, B. L. (2020). Immune responses regulated by cannabidiol. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 5(1), 12-31.
3. Russo, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 4(1), 245.
4. Ruhaak, L. R., Felth, J., Karlsson, P. C., Rafter, J. J., Verpoorte, R., & Bohlin, L. (2011). Evaluation of the cyclooxygenase inhibiting effects of six major cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 34(5), 774-778.
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