Arthritis Pain – How CBD Can Help?
Describe CBD. Cannabidiol, sometimes known as CBD, is an active ingredient in the cannabis plant. While CBD won’t make you high, it could make some people feel sleepy. The majority of goods contain CBD that is produced from hemp, a cannabis variation. It is legal for CBD products to contain up to 0.3% of THC, the psychoactive ingredient.
Does CBD relieve arthritic symptoms? Animal research have suggested that CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving capabilities, however quality human trials have not supported these claims. Anecdotally, some arthritis sufferers who have used CBD report measurable pain alleviation, improved sleep, and/or decreased worry. On the other hand, some patients who take CBD for arthritis do not see any symptom improvements.
Is it okay to use CBD? There is ongoing research to determine the safety of CBD. Currently, very little is known regarding CBD use by arthritis sufferers. Moderate doses have not been linked to any significant safety issues to date. Some medications that patients with arthritis frequently take may interact with CBD, according to some researchers. Talk to your doctor before trying CBD if you take any of the following: corticosteroids (such as prednisone), tofacitinib (Xeljanz), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), tramadol (Ultram), certain antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and certain medications for fibromyalgia, including gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). Additionally, using too much of a product may still produce THC-like effects because CBD products can contain up to.3% of THC by weight rather than by dose.
How legal are CBD products? The federal Controlled Substances Act no longer classifies hemp-derived CBD products as Schedule I narcotics, but they are still illegal. The legality of CBD products may ultimately change at the state and federal levels depending on how rules and regulations are created and implemented, even while you can legally buy them in almost every state and online. For instance, a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that people who used legal CBD products still had detectable levels of THC in their urine, which could have negative effects on employment. Anyone interested in using CBD should research state regulations.
Beginning the Process
Should I attempt CBD? Doctors have not been able to determine who might benefit from THC gummies, at what amount and in what form, who probably won’t benefit, and who should avoid it due to a lack of high-quality clinical investigations on CBD and arthritis. However, there is consensus on a number of issues:
Inflammatory arthritis disease-modifying therapy cannot be replaced with CBD.
Patients who are considering using CBD should first speak with the doctor who manages their arthritic condition. They can discuss what has previously worked or not worked, whether there are any alternate possibilities to try first, how to conduct a trial run, what to look out for, and when to schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the outcomes. To keep track of effects, keep a symptom and dose journal.
When used for extended durations, high-quality CBD products can get pricey. Make absolutely certain that the product is in fact improving symptoms to prevent squandering money.
What kind of products ought I to think about? Products containing CBD can be ingested, administered topically, or breathed. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
via use of the mouth. CBD that is ingested through food, liquid, pills, or other means is absorbed through the digestive system. Due to the delayed start of impact (one to three hours), unknown effects of stomach acids, recent meals, and other factors, absorption is slow and dosing is challenging.
After a safe, effective dosage has been found, capsules can be used on a daily basis. Because dosage is unpredictable, sugar can increase inflammation, and edibles like gummies and cookies are enticing to kids but do not come in childproof packaging, experts advise against consuming CBD in this way. Edibles should be kept out of children’s sight and reach, just like any medication.
By holding a liquid from a spray or tincture (a liquid dosed by a dropper) on the tongue for 60 to 120 seconds, CBD can also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The flavor might not be appealing. Within 15 to 45 minutes, effects could be felt. When consumed, sprays and tinctures typically have effects akin to those of pills or foods.
on the body. Topical products are applied to the skin over an uncomfortable joint, such as lotions and balms. It is unknown if these products distribute CBD below the skin. Additionally, popular over-the-counter chemicals like menthol, capsaicin, or camphor may be included in topical preparations, making it challenging to distinguish whether a beneficial impact is brought on by the CBD or another substance.
Inhaled. By using a vaporizing pen, or vape, CBD can be breathed. However, there are unknown hazards associated with inhaling vaporized oils and chemical byproducts, especially for those who have inflammatory arthritis. Some vaping goods, particularly those bought online as opposed to from state-licensed dispensaries, may also include substances (such vitamin E acetate) that have the potential to seriously exacerbate lung illness. As a result, vaping should be used cautiously and is generally not advised.
What dosage of CBD should I use? Although there are no formal clinical recommendations, the following recommendations for adults were made by the medical professionals contacted by the Arthritis Foundation:
The amount of the liquid product to take (the dose) and the amount of CBD in each dose must both be known when preparing to take a liquid form because the CBD extract is combined with a carrier oil. (For instance, ingesting 0.5 milliliters would be the equivalent of taking 25 milligrams of CBD if your product contains 50 milligrams of CBD per milliliter.)
Take it slow and low. Just a few milligrams of CBD sublingually taken twice daily is a good place to start. Increase the dose by the same amount if, after three or four days, alleviation is still insufficient. If necessary, increase gradually over a period of weeks. If you experience relief, keep taking that dosage twice a day or more to keep your body’s level of CBD steady.
Consult your doctor about taking CBD along with a product that has very little THC if CBD by itself is ineffective and you live in a state where marijuana is permitted for medical or recreational use. Be warned that THC can make you high and cause problems with your motor, balance, and cognitive functions even at modest doses. To help you sleep off any negative effects, try THC-containing drugs first at home or at night.
After a few weeks, if using CBD alone or in combination with very little THC doesn’t provide you with relief, CBD might not be the correct choice for you.
As soon as you notice any unwelcome side effects from a CBD product, stop using it right away and let your doctor know.
How to Shop: What to Look for
There are numerous reasons to purchase carefully. In the U.S. market, CBD products are generally unregulated. Unbiased testing has revealed incorrect labeling and a lack of quality control. The main problems include the potency of CBD (much more or less than what the label claims), the presence of undeclared THC, and contamination with pesticides, metals, and solvents. Observe the following:
- Locate goods made in the United States using domestically sourced ingredients.
- Choose goods produced by businesses that adhere to good manufacturing standards mandated by the state where they are produced or set by the FDA for pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements (a voluntary quality requirement because CBD products are not federally regulated under either category).
Purchase from businesses that test every batch and offer a certificate of analysis from an independent lab that use verified, standardized testing procedures that have been authorized by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), a U.S. organization.
The Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC), or the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
Avoid businesses who tout the health benefits of their products.
Be mindful that salespeople and those working behind retail counters are not medical specialists. Because of this, the best person to turn to for advice and supervision when using an unregulated product is your doctor.
We appreciate the following professionals for their advice and review:
- Kevin Boehnke, PhD, focuses on the use of medical cannabis as an opioid replacement and analgesic in the treatment of chronic pain at the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan.
- The Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center is directed by Daniel Clauw, MD, a professor of anesthesiology, rheumatology, and psychiatry at the University of Michigan. He also oversees research on fibromyalgia and arthritis pain as well as CBD’s effects on pain.
- Research on pain and rheumatic disorders is done by Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, MD, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Her work served as the primary inspiration for the 2019 Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) position paper on medical marijuana.