Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, tenderness, and pain in one or more joints. Arthritis may start in one joint, or specific area of the body, and quickly spread to other joints over a period. Arthritis occurs for many reasons and can happen at any age, though arthritis is more common in older adults.
Certain autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can cause painful arthritic joints early in life. All types of arthritis cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in joints. The treatment for arthritis is to treat the symptoms, manage pain, and figure out the underlying cause so it can be addressed.
One recent emergence in arthritis care is CBD cream, which shows huge potential for pain management and reducing swelling.
Does CBD Cream Help Arthritis?
When it comes to the positive effects of CBD cream use on arthritic joints, research is still developing, but early signs are positive. Part of the reasoning as to why research is still slim is because it wasn’t until 2018 when the Farm Bill was passed, which removed hemp from the federal illegal substances list, making CBD products with under 0.3 percent THC federally legal.
CBD is a compound found in marijuana, but not the kind that produces a high. The high-producing compound in marijuana is THC. CBD produces no psychedelic effects. CBD has shown to be useful in reducing inflammation of the joints, therefore reducing pain.
A study conducted in 2000 found that in mice with arthritis, a CBD supplement reduced symptoms by targeting and stopping inflammatory responses in the body. In 2016, this previous research was supported by a study where rats were slathered with CBD cream for 4 days. Rats who were exposed to CBD cream had lower rates of pain-related behavior and fewer inflammation markers in their blood.
Given the recent federal legalization of CBD products, it’s only a matter of time before more research with human participants will be published.
Using CBD Cream
CBD is a natural component with little to no adverse side effects. In short – trying CBD won’t hurt, it can only possibly help. Given the strong research that correlates CBD use and lower inflammatory markers, it’s an attractive treatment for many arthritis sufferers today.
CBD comes in many forms. For those with arthritis, a cream is attractive because it can be applied directly to the painful area. CBD is absorbed through the layers of skin and down to the blood where it can be carried directly to the joints.
CBD gummies and pills are also available. Eating your CBD has benefits. CBD pills or gummies will be absorbed quickly by the digestive system. You do not have to worry if you rubbed some off or didn’t massage it in enough, unlike a cream.
Conclusion
More research is needed to crown CBD as a premier arthritis treatment, but the research available points to CBD as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. CBD products may be used in combination with other treatments and medications to soothe arthritis pain caused by inflammation.
