Although some anecdotal evidence points to CBD as a potential treatment for joint pain, there is not enough evidence to credit CBD oil for treating joint pain. Still, some research suggests that CBD could help reduce pain.
Social media has made people believe that CBD oil potentially treats everything, from pain to depression to anxiety to sleep problems. Meanwhile, many people suffer from joint problems, and it even becomes chronic in some people. The NSAIDs that people use for pain no longer work, and people ate looking for an alternative remedy for their joint pains. Could CBD be the answer? If yes, what are the pros and cons of using CBD for joint pain? Here is all you need to know.
The Basics About CBD Oil
CBD, also called cannabidiol, is an extract from cannabis plants and one of the many active compounds called cannabinoids. It is outstanding for its non-psychoactive nature, and unlike THC, another abundant cannabinoid, it does not make a person high. There are many ways of enjoying CBD oil, including tinctures, edibles, topicals, vapes, and capsules, which take any of the following three CBD formulations;
Full-spectrum CBD
This formulation has the whole gamut of cannabinoids, including CBD and the psychoactive THC, terpenes, and flavonoids, and because of the many active compounds, it is linked to a full entourage effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD has terpenes, flavonoids, and many cannabinoids as full-spectrum CBD but lacks the psychoactive THC. Still, it is linked to a full entourage effect of multiple compounds.
Isolate-based CBD
It has CBD only and does not feature additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids.
Joint Pains and the Conventional Treatment Options- the Challenge
If you have ever suffered joint pains, you know how unbearable it is. You fell, strained some muscles or nerves, overworked yourself, or participated in an exercise that did not favor the joints. The conventional management methods for joint pains include NSAIDS, fighting inflammation to reduce the pain, physiotherapy, and massage. Still, there are pharma-grade painkillers that people take to fight joint pains. However, it turns out that not every person with joint pains finds relief with these methods, so people want alternatives and wonder whether CBD oil could help treat the pain.
Can CBD Help with Joint Pain?
For many, CBD oil is not a recreational product, especially because most CBD users take it for pain, depression, anxiety, stress, or some illnesses, even when there are not enough scientific studies to prove the cannabinoid efficacious for the claims. Several researchers believe that CBD oil can reduce pain, but we still need more studies.
Hammell et al. (2016) established that CBD could fight inflammation in the joints and reduce the pain in these areas. In the study, CBD gel with various potencies, varying from 6.2 mg to 62 mg, was applied to the joints of rats with arthritis. The study recorded considerable pain reduction with CBD application, although there were no significant differences with larger CBD dosages. Lowin et al. (2019) also reported anecdotal reports of CBD treating joint pain, but modern studies do not uphold such reports. As such, CBD oil may reduce joint pains, but we cannot say for sure that it can treat joint pains.
Which Is the best CBD Oil for Joint Pain?
As stated previously, isolated CBD oil has pure CBD without additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, while full- and broad-spectrum CBD have terpenes, flavonoids, and multiple cannabinoids, with the former having THC traces, mostly less than 0.3% per dry weight. There is no recommended CBD formulation for joint pain, although the whole-plant hemp or full-spectrum CBD oil sounds better. It has all the cannabinoids, including THC, which is a plus, especially since THC may have some health-promoting properties that augment CBD’s role. Still, the ultimate decision depends on your taste and preference. For instance, if you want to enjoy the full entourage effect without the psychoactive THC, broad-spectrum CBD might sound better. Contrarily, you might opt for isolate-based CBD oil if all you want is pure CBD without terpenes, flavonoids, or additional cannabinoids.
How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for Joint Pain
Many CBD brands sell CBD oil, meaning you have many options. Besides, the FDA does not monitor CBD oil production, so we cannot say for sure the best CBD brands. However, paying attention to the following factors increases your chances of landing quality CBD products.
Source of CBD
Buy CBD from hemp brands to extract CBD oil. Besides, pay attention to whether the hemp plants are grown to ensure they are free of contaminants.
Extraction Method
There are many extraction methods, with the CO2 technique being the best since it does not attach solvents to the extracts.
3rdParty Tests
These tests focus on reputable brands that conduct 3rd party tests for their CBD products and readily provide CoA.
Certifications
US-certified organic brands in cGMP-compliant labs uphold high standards while manufacturing CBD oil.
Conclusion
Although many people use CBD oil for joint pain, there is not enough scientific evidence to show that CBD oil can treat pain. However, existing studies, especially on animals, show that CBD oil might reduce pain, especially on animals. This article shares tips on helping you increase your chances of landing the best CBD oil for your joint pain.
References
Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., Mcilwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal Cannabidiol Reduces Inflammation And Pain‐Related Behaviours In A Rat Model Of Arthritis. European Journal Of Pain, 20(6), 936-948.
Lowin, T., Schneider, M., & Pongratz, G. (2019). Joints For Joints: Cannabinoids In The Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Current Opinion In Rheumatology, 31(3), 271–278.
