Is CBD Oil an Effective Treatment for Arthritis Pain?

It is extremely intimidating to be a patient of anything these days, what with the volume of different pharmaceutical and natural remedies that are marketed towards us every day. This is especially true for those with conditions that according to Western medicine, are basically incurable. Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among these incurable conditions. While CBD oil might not necessarily help to cure a person of arthritis, it can help to mitigate some of the pain involved. It is also much gentler on the body than many pharmaceutical medications.

Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the many inflammatory conditions that plague the modern world. While arthritis is mainly caused by wear and tear of the cartilage between joints, rheumatoid arthritis is generally an autoimmune condition, where chronic inflammation deteriorates joints. In either case, the pain is the same, and CBD oil can provide some much needed, natural relief. You can read on here.

CBD oil is anti-inflammatory

Whenever a certain part of the body is injured, white blood cells come running to the rescue. This is instigated by the immune system and is essentially an immune response. It is a natural and warranted response from the body. However, chronic inflammation can lead to a myriad of diseases such as rheumatism. Plus, that inflammation can cause an unnecessary amount of pain.

One of the ways that CBD oil can help to address arthritis or rheumatism is with its anti-inflammatory qualities. Reducing inflammation can assist in keeping the pain factor under control. This study published in the Pain Journal confirms exactly that, where CBD was used to treat inflammation and neuropathy in arthritic rats.

Reducing the inflammatory response that is characteristic of arthritis also severely reduces the risk of nerve damage. Chronic inflammation over an excessive period of time can lead to nerve damage that once ensued, can never be fixed. This is a huge factor for those who have suffered from arthritis or rheumatism for a long time.

CBD oil is also analgesic

One of the most common medical reasons for a person to use CBD oil or any other cannabis product is in the treatment of chronic pain or arthritic pain. The nitty-gritty of how CBD affects human physiology to bring about this result is still very much a mystery. When we look at other, more common painkillers, their mechanism of action is easier to identify. For example, paracetamol works by neurologically blocking the pain sensation in the brain (the physiology of this is extremely complicated). Ibuprofen, for example, stops the work of an enzyme that creates prostaglandins, which are responsible for pain and fever.

CBD oil, on the other hand, enters the body and communicates with the endocannabinoid system. It does not directly bind to cannabinoid receptor sites. However, it does enable a greater circulation of natural endocannabinoids, such as anandamide. This neurotransmitter is directly linked with pain, memory, learning, motor control and mood. Therefore, with more anandamide moving through the body, pain sensation is directly affected. The result is a decrease in the sensation of noxious stimuli.

Comparisons between CBD oil and pharmaceutical arthritis drugs

Most patients that suffer from arthritis or rheumatism will receive one or more of four kinds of treatment:

• Analgesics: drugs that minimize pain, such as paracetamol

• Corticosteroids: steroidal medications that mimic the effects of the natural hormone, cortisol

• DMARDs: Otherwise known as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs which slow down the inflammation process

• NSAIDS: Otherwise known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which do not contain steroids, but minimize pain and inflammation

• Biologics: The newest form of anti-rheumatism drugs that modifies the biological responses, such as inflammation

Some patients experience extreme success with these drugs, while others are overwhelmed by the side effects. Fundamentally, the long-time use of many of these drugs can result in many health issues, such as liver dysfunction, stomach issues, weight gain, diabetes, and even heart disease.

The main issue with arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis is that it is not curable by any of these drugs. Rather, these drugs are there to manage symptoms. Once cessation of the drug occurs, it’s likely that symptoms will return. That leaves patients in quite a pickle, as most will require medication for life.

Isolated Cannabidiol has no threat of long-term side effects. Some people report stomach disturbance or drowsiness at large doses, at which point the dose can simply be reduced. In other cases, a portion of the dose may be replaced by topical application, such as creams or salves. The rest can be ingested internally.

At the end of the day, each person needs to assess the risks of the treatment that they choose, and every person is entitled to make an informed decision. But for many who suffer from this chronic illness, lifetime treatment is the only option. CBD oil offers a natural alternative to pharmaceutical medication, where there is no threat of damage to other organs. Finally, CBD oil is non-psychoactive, meaning it can be used by anybody, including the elderly.