CBD, a compound derived from hemp, can help soothe joint pain. Here’s how to find a product that works for you. If you have chronic arthritis pain, you may have been tempted to try cannabidiol as a treatment, or you may have tried it already. But is there any evidence that it works? Studies are finally addressing this question, and the results are just starting to come in.
CBD for Arthritis
Arthritis is a family of common chronic conditions where inflammation builds up around joints, causing stiffness and pain. There are several kinds of arthritis with different causes and ways of maneuvering care. Although symptom-relieving medication is available for all types of arthritis, it can have unwanted side effects like nausea and lowered immune support.
Some sufferers have started turning to alternative remedies to get around those side effects. Early studies suggest that CBD may benefit arthritis thanks to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
But not all CBD products are made equal. Many contain less CBD than advertised, lack other beneficial ingredients, or simply cost too much. To make your search easier, we found the best CBD products for arthritis and compared them in this guide so you can determine what might work best for you.
Using CBD for Arthritis: Tips for How to Get Started
Enthusiasts of cannabidiol (better known as CBD) rave about the substance’s health benefits. Some small studies have shown that CBD could be a remedy for anxiety and help children with post-traumatic stress disorder get to sleep. The substance was even FDA-approved last year as a prescription drug to manage rare, severe forms of epilepsy.
So naturally, you might be wondering: Can CBD help people with arthritis and related diseases cope with pain? Anecdotal reports from patients and some preliminary research suggests yes, but the science is still emerging and more research is needed.
Here’s what you need to know right now about how to use CBD to ease arthritis symptoms, how to find a high-quality CBD product, and how to work with your doctor to incorporate CBD into your arthritis treatment plan.
CBD Type
CBD is available in several forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD captures hemp’s complete cannabinoid and terpene profile, using every beneficial part of the plant. It’s generally considered the most effective form of CBD since nothing goes to waste.
Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum CBD but without THC. While all CBD must have a THC content of 0.3% or less, even that tiny amount can make a big difference if you need to pass a drug test or avoid any potential psychoactive effects. Thanks to the entourage effect, full- and broad-spectrum CBD are likely to have the most health benefits.
CBD isolate is a pure form of CBD that contains no other compounds found in cannabis. It’s great if you’re looking for a hefty dose of CBD since it’s very potent, but you won’t get any of those beneficial effects you might find from a full- or broad-spectrum formula.
We recommend using full-spectrum products for arthritis because they may be more effective than isolates. For more info on the different types of CBD, take a look at our CBD guide.
1. Ingredients
Some CBD products contain additional active ingredients that may help with arthritis, such as curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, or ginger. Like the entourage effect, a product containing more ingredients that support joint health and decreased inflammation will further help your body and minimize your symptoms.
2. Potency
Products that contain more milligrams of CBD per dose have greater effects. We prefer high-potency products because they provide more CBD at a lower price, making them more suitable for serious conditions like arthritis.
3. Hemp quality
CBD is derived directly from hemp plants, so unlike other supplements or medications, the plant’s quality matters. That’s why we look for brands with a high-quality organic hemp source. In the best-case scenario, a company would grow its own hemp and hold third-party certifications from the USDA or U.S. Hemp Authority.
4. Brand reputation
Reputable brands provide details about their hemp source, production process, company history, and more. This transparency is key in discovering flaws in their process or vetting that they’re actually as good as they sound. Thousands of positive customer reviews can also key us to a quality brand. If hundreds of people find a product useful, you’re more likely to find yourself among them.
5. Price
CBD isn’t cheap. We compare products by their cost per milligram of CBD and account for free shipping, subscriptions, discount programs, and other deals to help you save.
Is CBD safe?
CBD appears to be a generally safe compound. Decades of research have revealed a few minor side effects, including fatigue, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, lightheadedness, reduced blood pressure, and changes in appetite or weight.
CBD can also inhibit liver enzymes that metabolize drugs, which means it may have some drug interactions. This applies mostly to people who are taking medication that interacts with grapefruit. Still, most of these side effects were reported by studies using large oral doses of purified CBD.
Most people who use smaller doses of CBD go with full-spectrum products or different consumption methods, such as sublingual administration (putting CBD oil under your tongue). As such, the likelihood of side effects is low.
How to Find the Right CBD Product for You
From supermarkets and pharmacies to health food stores and online retailers, CBD can be found just about everywhere. But how do you choose the right CBD product for your health needs?
1. Pick the CBD Formulation You Want to Use
CBD comes in a few different forms. Commonly used ones include:
- Edibles: You eat CBD infused into gummies, chocolates, sodas, baked goods, and other edible items
- Vaporizer: You inhale CBD through a vape pen that heats up the oil
- Sublingual drops: You take a few drops under your tongue of a high-concentrate solution of CBD
- Topicals: You apply creams, lotions, balms and other products with CBD directly to your skin
2. Look for Signs of High-Quality CBD
Don’t just buy the least expensive one on the shelf. There are lots of poor-quality CBD products on the market (some of which don’t contain the amount of CBD they claim, per these FDA warning letters).
Dr. Damas recommends looking for CBD products that are made in the United States, use a carbon dioxide-based extraction method (“It’s the cleanest,” he says), come from organically grown hemp, and don’t contain a lot of extra ingredients. Consumer Reports also has a thorough guide to shopping for CBD that can help you find a high-quality product.
3. Pick the Right Dose
As for dosing of CBD oil, the jury’s still out on just how much you should take. Start with a low dose , and gradually work your way up over a few weeks until you notice the effects.
You can take the full dose at once or break it up throughout the day. Experiment with what makes you feel best. You should start seeing improvements shortly after you start supplementing with CBD, with more noticeable effects kicking in after two weeks.
How to Discuss CBD with Your Doctor
You should talk to the doctor who treats your arthritis before you start taking CBD or any other supplement. They can let you know if CBD might interact with any medications you currently take or potentially worsen a chronic condition.
Keep in mind that your doctor’s knowledge of CBD might be limited. There isn’t a lot of research about the benefits of CBD or about ideal dosages or formulations, so your doctor might not be able to be overly specific in terms of their recommendations. However, they still need to know that you’re taking CBD. Chances are, they’ll be interested in hearing about your experience using CBD products and your self-reports on how CBD may be helping to manage your pain or other symptoms.