So much has been spoken and written about how CBD can help treat anxiety and depression, but not a lot on how it can ease the symptoms of arthritis, until now.  CBD is the naturally occurring chemical found in hemp plants that does not contain the psychoactive chemical, THC.  Whether used as a topical to locally treat pain (gel, lotion or oil), or internally for overall pain management (oil or edibles), CBD is known to ease the pain and discomfort caused by inflammation, the main cause of arthritis.

Studies & Research on Arthritis Pain & CBD

In this article we recently posted to our blog, we referenced a study released by healthline.com on the effects of CBD for arthritis gathered that CBD was effective for overall pain management and didn’t cause any negative side effects.

In a 2016 study, researchers applied CBD gel to rats in doses of either .6mg, 3.1mg, 6.2mg, or 62.3mg each day for four days in a row. Rats who were given the two lowest doses of CBD did not reduce their pain and swelling, but the 6.2mg dosage was high enough to improve the rats’ pain scores.  The rats who received the highest dose didn’t end up with any less pain than those who received 6.2mg, and so it was deduced that CBD gel could potentially aid humans suffering with arthritis, although there continues to be a lack in testing on humans.  As research on CBD’s effect on humans is ongoing, it is recommended that you consult your physician before starting any CBD care regiment.

The Arthritis Foundation Speaks Out

As the largest organization that acts as the voice for those suffering with arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation is always welcoming ideas for new and inventive treatments.  They are aware of the growing popularity and availability of CBD and are making their voice heard in support of using CBD for arthritis.

In July 2019, The Arthritis Foundation surveyed 2,600 arthritis sufferers and the overwhelming opinion is that those afflicted are loving the results they feel from using CBD.  The Arthritis Foundation’s position is that patients should not be limited to one single drug or treatment and that the more options that are available, the more people will benefit.  They are committed to the cause and are urging the FDA to accelerate research and regulation of CBD products, as there is currently limited scientific evidence and no universal standards for such products.  While they do not condone or advocate replacing “disease-modifying drugs that prevent joint damage in inflammation types of arthritis” with a strictly CBD regiment, they do urge those afflicted with arthritis to speak to their doctor about adding CBD to their current treatment plan.

Be a Smart Shopper

When adding CBD to your arthritis treatment plan, it is of the utmost importance to be a smart shopper.  Because most CBD products are unregulated in the U.S., there is a lack of quality control.  Many products can be mislabeled to falsify the strength and purity of the CBD.  When shopping around, be sure to look for products that are made in the U.S. with ingredients that are made domestically.  You should seek out reputable companies that test in independent laboratories for safety, purity, and potency and can provide a certificate of analysis from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) or the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC).