Can CBD Help Relieve the Symptoms of Arthritis?
Millions of people in the world suffer with arthritis. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments that can help relieve some of the pain and inflammation associated with the condition.
CBD is a compound that is derived from the cannabis plant. Research has shown strong evidence for CBD health benefits to those afflicted with conditions and diseases that can affect quality of life. It’s ability to reduce pain and inflammation make it a promising treatment for those living with arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. It can affect one or multiple joints.
Arthritis is commonly associated with age and most people get arthritis in their senior years but it can affect people of all ages, even children. It is more common in women and people that are obese.
There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but the most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It’s a degenerative joint disorder that occurs as cartilage in the joints begins to break down. This causes the bones to rub together leading to pain and inflammation.
RA is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body attacks itself. In the case of RA, the body sees the soft lining around the joint as a threat, similar to a virus or bacteria, and it attacks it.
The attack causes fluid to accumulate within the joint. This results in stiffness, pain and inflammation. People with RA may also experience fatigue, insomnia, fevers, a loss of appetite and may become anemic.
How CBD can Treat Arthritis
CBD is effective at treating arthritis because it reduces the two symptoms commonly associated with the condition, pain and inflammation. Here is a bit about how it works.
When CBD enters your body, it attaches itself to specialized receptors in your brain and immune system. One of these receptors, the CB2 receptor, plays a role in the immune system that is directly connected to pain and inflammation.
When CBD attaches itself to the CB2 receptor it sets off signals in the body which allow it, along with the body’s natural cannabinoids, to reduce pain and inflammation.
This is the reason why CBD is an effective pain relief treatment and it was supported in several studies. A 2008 review looked at studies conducted between the late 1980’s and 2007. The conclusion was that CBD is effective in overall pain management without causing adverse side effects. They also noted that CBD was beneficial in treating insomnia associated with chronic pain.
Similarly, a 2010 review looked at studies that have been conducted regarding CBD’s effects on inflammation. It was found that CBD and other cannabinoids have shown potential to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent specifically targeting CB2 receptors to mediate immunosuppressive results without unwanted side effects.
Therefore, CBD can play a significant role in treating conditions and diseases associated with chronic inflammation.
Studies on CBD and Arthritis
In addition to research that has been conducted to determine how effective CBD can be in treating pain and inflammation, other studies have been made to specifically determine how effective CBD can be in treating arthritis. Here are some examples of what has been found.
A 2011 study studied a rat model in determining how synthetic CBD analog, O-1602 acts with the GPR55 receptor to decrease induced inflammatory joint pain. The study showed that GPR55 receptors were affected in a way that promoted movement making synthetic CBD and natural CBD a promising treatment option.
A 2014 review studied the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in osteoarthritis pain. The conclusion was that there is evidence that cannabinoids may have therapeutic value in osteoarthritis management.
A 2016 study looked at how topical CBD can reduce pain related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis with promising results.
A 2017 study looked at early phase inflammation due to osteoarthritis in a rat model. Results showed that CBD could be effective in preventing pain and nerve damage due to the condition.
CBD and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Both OA and RA cause pain and inflammation, but, because RA also affects the autoimmune system, CBD can work on a deeper level to provide other benefits.
When CBD enters the body, it works closely with the Endocannabinoid System. This is a system that has effects on appetite, metabolic heath, thermoregulation, eye health, mood memory and more.
One therapeutic application of the Endocannabinoid System is its effect on the immune system. This is also known as immune-cannabinoid modulation. Simply stated, it means the Endocannabinoid System can regulate the overall function of the immune system.
When cannabinoids, like CBD, enter the body, their interaction with CB receptors effects the Endocannabinoid System in various ways. Although scientists are still discovering ways CBD and other cannabinoids can benefit the human body, it has been determined that they can suppress the immune system to reduce inflammatory responses in patients with autoimmune diseases like RA.
CBD has also been shown to be effective in suppression of T-cells. T-cells are key components of the immune cell infiltrate detected in the joint cells of RA patients. This is good news for RA sufferers who are looking for an effective pain treatment.
Because RA affects the immune system, it can also cause fatigue and insomnia. CBD can help minimize these symptoms as well.
Although some report fatigue to be a side effect of CBD use, it has been looked at as a treatment for chronic fatigue illnesses. One study determined that CBD could diminish the activity of brain cells called glia that can lead to central sensitization. Central sensitization is the condition that leads to a hypersensitive nervous system that is a major feature of many chronic fatigue illnesses.
Although you might not think fatigue and insomnia go hand in hand, autoimmune diseases often cause an imbalance in the body that make the two an unfortunate combination.
While CBD can be mildly alerting, several patients with sleep issues have reported that when taken a few hours before bedtime, it can have a balancing effect to facilitate a good night’s sleep.
One study conducted in 2006 showed the cannabinoid to be effective in modulating sleep in rats making it a promising treatment that can work to improve sleep patterns in those suffering with insomnia due to RA and other chronic illnesses.
CBD as Healthy Alternative to Other Arthritis Treatments
Of course, CBD is not the only way you can treat arthritis. There are many other treatments that have been proven to be effective in the past. However, many of these treatments lead to unpleasant side effects.
Here are some treatments that are currently used for arthritis as well as some risks you should be aware of.
Acetaminophen: This is a cheap treatment that is easy on the stomach and approved for heart health, but it can be damaging to the liver, especially when combined with alcohol. It also does not relieve inflammation.
Opioids: These are strong pain killers that can make you dizzy, sleepy and constipated, but worst of all, they are highly addictive and responsible for several deaths each year.
NSAIDs: These are effective anti-inflammatories but they can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. They may also lead to stomach bleed.
Corticosteroids: These work like the natural cortisol hormone in your body to give you relief from pain and inflammation, but possible side effects can include glaucoma, cataracts, fluid retention, mood and behavior changes, high fat and sugar levels, increased appetite and thinning bones and skin.
DMARDs: These are disease modifying antirheumatic drugs that suppress your immune system to slow the disease and joint damage. DMARDs can be traditional, biological and targeted and each come with their individual side effects that can range from moderate to severe.
CBD stands out from other treatments in that it rarely causes any side effects. Even in the rare cases of CBD side effects, those tend to be less severe and life threatening when compared to other treatments. However, you should be aware of several CBD side effects that can affect different people in different ways and some common symptoms include:
· Anxiety
· Changes in appetite
· Changes in mood
· Diarrhea
· Dizziness
· Drowsiness
· Dry mouth
· Nausea
· Vomiting
Conclusion
CBD can be taken as a liquid tincture, in capsules or edibles or applied topically to affected areas. All of these can be effective for arthritis pain and it may be a matter of trial and error before you find the method that is best for you. It is recommended that you start in low doses and increase as needed.
Arthritis is a condition that can greatly affect quality of life. It can inhibit movement to the point where it is almost impossible to perform even the most basic functions. While scientists still struggle to find a cure, it’s nice to know that a natural remedy like CBD can work to provide relief from pain and inflammation without any serious side effects.
