In the morning, the fingers are stiff and it also hurts in the knees again and again. Osteoarthritis is a protracted and chronic joint disease that is accompanied by pain and inflammation. Many osteoarthritis patients have to take painkillers as part of their daily routine, and the level of suffering is high.
Hope for affected people now comes directly from nature, in the form of CBD! Initial studies give clear indications that CBD could alleviate osteoarthritis and its symptoms. Why this is so and how you can benefit from it, we reveal now!
What is osteoarthritis and how is it treated?
A certain amount of joint wear and tear is completely normal in old age. If it occurs more frequently, medicine refers to it as arthrosis. Osteoarthritis causes the protective cartilage between two joint plates to break down. This leads to permanent inflammation and severe pain. The joint disease cannot be reversed or cured; damaged joints no longer regenerate. In modern osteoarthritis therapy, the goal is thus to slow down the progress and reduce complaints such as joint pain.
The two subtypes of osteoarthritis in check:
Medicine distinguishes between two types of osteoarthritis. The primary variant is more common and occurs mainly in people over the age of 50. It is caused by wear and tear of joint cartilage and is accompanied by slowly increasing symptoms. If, on the other hand, the osteoarthritis was triggered by a single event, it is referred to as secondary joint disease. Possible triggers can be malpositions of the joints or an overburdening lifestyle.
The typical treatment for osteoarthritis
The consequences of joint wear and tear can be halted in many cases by eliminating potential triggers. For example, people who are overweight suffer more from osteoarthritis, and the joint complaints are more pronounced due to the stress. Weight reduction, exercise therapies and, of course, the use of medications are the three basic pillars for osteoarthritis. Primarily, the goal is to regulate osteoarthritis pain and thus maintain the functionality of the body.
In late stages, surgery and joint replacement may be required. The hip is predestined for this in old age, but the number of artificial knee joints is also on the rise.
CBD as a possible therapy option for osteoarthritis: What does science say?
For several years, the effect of CBD has been the focus of science. Due to its individual properties, cannabidiol could be an interesting approach for joint inflammation, as science has also already found out. Cannabidiol has an anti-inflammatory effect on the one hand and can reduce pain on the other. Its effectiveness in osteoarthritis, for example, has already been proven in this study.
A veterinary study dealt with the effect of CBD on rheumatoid arthritis in rats. A transdermal gel was used, which was shown to relieve pain in the affected animals. Joint swelling also reduced.
Why CBD is a consideration for osteoarthritis! A review of the potential health benefits
There are many forms of support that CBD can provide for osteoarthritis. In particular, CBD supplements are known for their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Both are relevant factors of osteoarthritis that various therapies aim to curb. If CBD is now used as an alternative remedy for the painful condition, there is a serious hope for help.
CBD works through the human endocannabinoid system. It interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors and therefore can trigger and benefit various effects in the body. For years, the primary focus of science has been the relief of pain. It has long been proven that classic cannabis is effective for polyarthritis, arthritis, and many other pain conditions.
Unlike CBD, however, cannabis is not legal in Germany and is only available on prescription. That’s why the alternative CBD is so in demand! Cannabidiol also has the hemp plant as its origin and thus at least a similar effect profile as classic cannabis (with THC). In contrast, however, CBD does not make high!
Positive effect on joint pain in osteoarthritis - so CBD could help
One of the biggest advantages of CBD is that the compound could have multidimensional effects. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis – these are all inflammatory conditions associated with joint pain and wear and tear. In the above-mentioned rat model, the effect on joint pain was shown in animals. While we can’t yet say with certainty that cannabidiol has the same effect in humans, the approaches suggest it does.
CBD interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which are responsible for immune regulation and pain sensation, among other things. This is exactly where CBD oil could be effective in osteoarthritis. By influencing the immune system, it could give the body new ways to fight inflammation. On the other hand, it is conceivable that CBD, like an analgesic, could relieve joint pain in psoriatic arthritis, rheumatism, osteoarthritis and many other diseases.
Safety concerns and possible side effects: What should be considered?
To this day, many people assume that cannabis and also related CBD products are primarily consumed as joints. The concerns are explainable at this point, as joints are smoked and this in turn has negative influences on lung health.
Looking at CBD, however, it appears that cannabidiol is primarily used in the form of oils. Depending on the nature of the condition, topical application (on the skin) or other uses are conceivable. Safety concerns regarding CBD only exist if the chosen products do not meet the legal requirements! High-quality CBD products, on the other hand, are produced in organic quality and are harmless to health.
Nevertheless, it must be fairly mentioned that CBD can also have side effects. Special care should be taken when using CBD if other drug therapies are already in use. Interactions can never be completely ruled out, so those affected should consult with their doctor.
With higher dosages at the beginning of the use of CBD, there may also be mild side effects after use. Users report nausea, fatigue and a dry mouth. Often, such side effects are due to the way the drug is taken. In the beginning, it is recommended to use only small amounts of CBD. This way, the body prepares itself optimally for the new substance and the risk of side effects is reduced.
Which is the right CBD for osteoarthritis?
The targeted use of CBD has the best effects when it comes to reducing pain and inflammation. In this regard, most users prefer a daily application.
We need to distinguish between a monopreparation and a full-spectrum CBD oil. The latter may be a better choice for osteoarthritis, as its efficacy is not based solely on cannabidiol. Instead, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, terpenes and other cannabinoids are important factors. The interaction leads to the entourage effect, which in turn can enhance the effect of CBD in osteoarthritis.
There is another variation on how CBD can play out its benefits in osteoarthritis. Often the pain is very centered. One knee is affected or the fingers hurt. Applying CBD cream to the joints is found pleasant by many osteoarthritis patients. The topical effect can provide relief directly at the site of inflammation.
From experience, many patients combine the two products. CBD ointment or gel is used for direct treatment of inflamed joints, while CBD oil supports the body from the inside.
Conclusion: Can CBD be a useful supplement in the treatment of osteoarthritis?
Although there are still no conclusive studies on the effect of CBD in osteoarthritis in humans, it can be a very valuable treatment supplement. The lives of most sufferers are dominated by medications. Undesirable side effects, low efficacy, and repeated medication changes cause dissatisfaction and frustration. Even if CBD is not a miracle cure and consequently the osteoarthritis will not disappear, many sufferers report soothing effects on the joints.
Important questions should always be directed to your doctor before use if you are trying CBD for osteoarthritis for the first time. This is especially true if you are already undergoing therapy and need to take medication. Not only for osteoarthritis, but also for other joint conditions like gout or other rheumatic inflammations, CBD could potentially be a benefit to your health.
Bonus: Tips for taking CBD for osteoarthritis and how to integrate it into everyday life
If you decide to use CBD for osteoarthritis, you can basically distinguish between two types of application. Apply a CBD oil, or directly apply a CBD ointment to the joints. There are other forms of application on the market, such as e-liquids for vaporizers or CBD capsules for easier ingestion.
However, the primary and most popular form of application for osteoarthritis is CBD oil. Here, the extract has been dissolved in a carrier oil and can be used directly. If you are put off by the bitter aroma, you can also mix in the CBD oil. Keep in mind, however, that the effect may be delayed.
Thanks to the practical 10ml vials, you can easily integrate CBD oil into your everyday life. The pipette helps you find the desired dosage and use CBD on the go without any problems. To prevent acute pain during stress, it makes sense to use CBD not only in an emergency, but to integrate it permanently into everyday life. The WHO has declared the active ingredient to be well tolerated and harmless, so there is nothing to be said against the long-term use of CBD oil to reduce your joint pain.
