You’ve probably heard this one before. If you suffer from joint pain of any kind, CBD may help bring you comfort. Well, as it turns out, for many who have tried CBD to treat painful joints, it has helped…somewhat.
Before we proceed with this topic, there is a disclaimer. Results vary from individual to individual, and studies that have been conducted are at best categorized as inconclusive. But, the good news is that using CBD for joint pain may work for you and even if all you experience is a slight improvement, that’s still a positive result. So…let’s dig into this topic.
We do our best to provide up-to-date information but this is not medical advice. Please consult a physician for specific CBD questions/concerns or before trying CBD. Some of the links on this website may be affiliate links which means we may earn commission (at no extra cost to you). This helps keep our website ad free and pay our awesome team to keep researching and creating content for you.
What is Joint Pain?
Usually, the word arthritis is tossed around whenever someone starts talking about joint pain. In it’s simplest form, joint pain (think knuckles, knees, elbows, etc) is swollen. Inflammation in joints is called arthritis. If you have experiences swelling in your joints, you know that it hurts and it can seriously impact mobility within those joints.
What Is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of the several compounds contained in the cannabis plant. CBD will not get you high simply because it is not THC. THC is the abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol and is the compound in the cannabis plant that contains psychoactive properties. In other words, THC makes you high. CBD products can contain up to 0.3% THC, but you still aren’t going to get even a tiny buzz out of that.
What Happens When You Mix Arthritis and CBD?
CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. With arthritis being an inflammatory condition of the joints, it becomes logical to think that something that may reduce swelling should also provide pain relief. That is what brings us to this point in the discussion. Yes, some people experience a reduction in joint pain. Some find that CBD helps them sleep better during an arthritic flare-up. Others say CBD eases their anxiety when dealing with joint pain. Naturally, there are people who report no change at all in symptoms when they use CBD. Doesn’t this mean you shouldn’t use CBD for joint pain? Of course not.
Is it Safe To Use CBD For Joint Pain?
There are not many reported serious safety concerns associated with CBD use (we always recommend that you talk with your Doctor being using CBD). That is provided that you focus on small to moderate doses. Medical professionals tend to point to potential interactions with medications traditionally used to treat arthritis. If your medicine cabinet contains any of the following, consider yourself warned:
- Acetominophen (brand name: Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (brand name: Advil)
- Naproxen (brand name: Aleve)
In fact, it probably would be wise to at least float the idea that you are considering the use of CBD to treat joint pain past your medical professional. That way, if you are on a medication for a pre-existing condition that could interact with CBD, you’ll know in advance.
Keep in mind that CBD is a lot like a decaffeinated THC, so there won’t be a huge punch in a dose, which is why it is recommended to start with small doses and work up from there to treat arthritis.
What Format of CBD Should I Use?
This is a great question because CBD products come in a few different formats. This not only gives you options, but depending on what you are using CBD to treat, one form may be better for you than another. Let’s take a quick look at what is available for you.
Capsules
When you use CBD in capsule form, it is absorbed through your digestive tract. This can take between one and three hours to take effect, as absorption is slow. This also makes dosing a bit of a challenge. However, once you determine the right dosage that works for you, capsules make a safe, reliable method of use.
Edibles
CBD Edibles are available in cookies, flavoured beverages, and gummies. As easy as they may be to consume, dosing is extremely tricky with edibles. Plus, sugars added to many edible formats should be a health concern, making edibles the least likely option for treating joint pain.
Sprays & Tinctures
One of the major benefits of using CBD in a spray format or as a tincture, which is dosed by a dropper, the compound is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. And very quickly. For example, liquid from a spray or a couple of drops placed under the tongue can produce results between 15 and 45 minutes. You can also swallow the spray or tincture, but absorption is much slower.
Topical
Rubbing CBD lotion or balm on the skin where arthritis is causing pain can produce fast results. Again, this varies from one person to another, but some say relief is quick, and in the case of joint pain in the hands, topical solutions are a reliable way to deliver potential results.
Inhaled
The final method of delivery is through vaporization. This can be achieved with a vaporizer or a vape pen. The only issue with feeding CBD into your system this way is a concern surrounding other chemicals that appear in some vaping products. It is not recommended.
Don’t Forget This: Whatever way you choose to apply CBD for joint pain, it is vital that you seek high-quality CBD products from reputable sources to ensure you are using the best CBD available.
A Note About CBD Dosing
Okay, here’s where a little bit of science enters the picture. Dosing for CBD is not a one-size-fits-all take two capsules before bed and check back with us in the morning kind of arrangement. Instead, you have to do some experimentation with dosing. Always start small and move up slowly if you see little or no change. An example is tinctures. Start with one drop under the tongue. Increase to two drops, if needed. Three drops if two isn’t helping, and so on.
Conclusion: CBD For Joint Pain
You can definitely use CBD for joint pain. Whether or not you will find relief depends on several factors. That being said, CBD is available in many different formats, so you should find one that is easier for you to use than others. Dosing will take some time to mail down, but should you find the right amount, you may experience pain relief.
Remember, CBD doesn’t work for everyone. Check with your doctor first to ensure you are not at risk of side effects or interaction with medications you may already be using. If you do not experience any change in condition after using CBD for a length of time, then it clearly isn’t the answer for you. However, if you do find that CBD helps ease your joint pain, awesome! You have found an alternative treatment.
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