1 in 5 Canadians have arthritis, and countless more suffer from joint pain every single year. While anyone at any age can be affected, senior citizens are more at risk. While taking CBD oil may not be the immediate thought that comes to mind, using CBD oil for arthritis and joint pain may have massive benefits without the drowsiness and other side effects that come with other pain killers.
If you are one of the many people in Canada living with joint pain or arthritis, there is hope for you. Cannabinoids like CBD work through the Endocannabinoid System; they have been shown to potentially help reduce inflammation in both muscle tissue and joints, making it an ideal treatment for many.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How CBD oil works for arthritis
- How to use CBD oil for arthritis and joint pain
- What type of CBD oil is best for arthritis and joint pain
- Why using CBD oil as you age is important for your bones and joints
By the end, you should have a good idea of whether or not using CBD for your joint and arthritis pain will be an option for you. Remember to always speak with your doctor before taking CBD oil; certain medication interactions may be serious.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is the joints’ swelling and inflammation in the body and can cause severe discomfort and pain. It can be localized, such as only affecting the hands, or widespread across the entire body. There are over 100 different types of arthritis currently; they don’t all behave in the same way, but inflammation is seen in all of them.
While you can use CBD oil for many types of arthritis, types such as rheumatoid arthritis generally need prescription medications to keep flares down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that attacks the body’s immune system, which is why it may require alternate treatments.
It isn’t just arthritis that causes joint pain. Many different things can affect your joints over time, including injury, excessive exercise, sports, and repetitive motions. Even just the aging process itself contributes to the loss of bone mass and causes discomfort; over time, these can all lead to serious joint pain.
How CBD oil works for arthritis
The goal of treating arthritis isn’t to eliminate it; rather, it is to bring down the inflammation and swelling associated with it. One of CBD’s biggest potential benefits in this area is its ability to reduce inflammation system-wide.
Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain is a relatively new thing. In the past, the traditional treatment for arthritis typically surrounded opioids, which can dull the senses and make you less alert. This has historically caused several issues for the people taking them; with the opioid crisis in Canada becoming worse every year, many are hesitant to keep taking them.
Because CBD oil comes primarily from the hemp plant, it is very low in THC. CBD will not cause a high or any other psychoactive response. It is legal in Canada and can be purchased in both a licensed dispensary or online without a prescription.
Some studies on the effectiveness of using CBD oil for arthritis include:
This study from 2017 suggests that CBD may be an effective and safe way to treat osteoarthritis and prevent pain and nerve damage in rats.
Another study from 2011 suggested that CBD may help treat inflammatory joint pain in mice.
This study details how the use of topical CBD products may help to reduce topical inflammation and pain in mice.
A 2016 study on the ability of cannabinoids in hard-to-treat chronic pain provides much insight into the anti-inflammatory and pain-killing benefits of not only CBD but also other cannabinoids like THC, CBG, and CBC.
Unfortunately, while these studies show great promise in using CBD oil and other CBD products such as topical CBD for arthritis and joint pain, they are all exclusively on animals, primarily mice.
There are thousands of anecdotal reports from CBD users that claim a vast array of benefits and relief from arthritis pain in Canada, but we need more research. In the future, actual human trials and results from such to provide an accurate representation of CBD’s effectiveness in treating arthritis and joint pain.
How to use CBD oil for arthritis
There are many different CBD products in Canada available online to consider; CBD oils and tinctures, CBD capsules, and CBD topicals. There are also new cannabinoids to consider as well, like CBG or CBN.
Using a sublingual CBD oil or tincture for arthritis pain is one of the best options, simply as the bioavailability rate is higher with this ingestion method. The bioavailability rate is the rate that your body absorbs and uses the CBD that you ingest.
When first starting with treating arthritis pain with CBD oil, it’s best to take a low and slow approach; this allows you to monitor CBD oil’s effect on your joints. As time goes on, you can gradually adjust and increase your dose as needed.
Start by taking 5-10mg of CBD oil twice a day; increase slowly from there after a few days if you aren’t seeing the results you’re looking for. Adding in a CBD topical to help treat the pain externally and internally is a great idea.
Topical CBD products can provide localized pain relief and can be used as needed. Other cannabinoids like CBG can have a big impact and may help reduce inflammation even further.
Best CBD Oils for Inflammation and Joint Pain Relief
There are three main types of CBD that you can use for arthritis and joint pain; Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolate.
Full Spectrum CBD oil in Canada contains all cannabinoids, terpenes, and beneficial matter from the hemp plant, including traces of THC (0.3% or lower). This type of CBD is thought to be more effective than an Isolate product as it increases the Entourage Effect. This is where all parts of the plant work more effectively as a whole rather than as separate parts.
Broad Spectrum CBD oil in Canada contains most of the benefits that Full Spectrum has to offer, but the THC has been removed and is ND (non-detectable) on a drug test.
CBD Isolate in Canada is a 99.9% pure crystalline powder that is only CBD and nothing else. No other cannabinoids, terpenes, or plant matter is present.
When you’re looking to treat things like joint pain and arthritis with CBD, Full Spectrum CBD oil is the way to go. This will potentially give you the maximum benefits possible from the hemp plant. Another thing to consider is adding in other cannabinoids such as CBG. CBG can potentially reduce inflammation, especially when combined with CBD.
The Role of CBD in Bone and Joint Health With Aging
As you get older, your bone mass starts to deteriorate at an alarming rate. What may come as a surprise to many is that after age 30, your bone mass stops growing and starts decreasing. Women who have gone through menopause are also at increased risk. Taking care of your bone health, especially if you are over 30 or a senior, is crucial to maintaining good overall health as you get older.
In studies, CBD shows bone growth, an increase in bone mass, and bone protective properties. It may also help to heal fractures more quickly and make bones stronger; this ultimately leads to fewer chances of breakage in the future.
Prescription or Not: Buying CBD Oil Online in Canada
No, you do not need a prescription to buy CBD oil online in Canada. However, it is recommended to speak with a doctor before starting with any CBD product due to some possible medication interactions.
Top Sources for Arthritis-Friendly CBD Oil in Canada
Regardless of what kind of CBD you need, Mellow has you covered. There are several CBD oils on-site that you can compare and other cannabinoid drops such as CBN and CBG if you are looking to go beyond CBD.
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