CBD For Arthritis Pain: Benefits, Risks And More

Arthritis patients live with chronic pain—pain which can become debilitating if it goes unaddressed. One innovation in pain management is the use of cannabidiol, or CBD. While there is no cure for arthritis pain, early studies have shown that CBD can potentially aid in some of the discomfort, anxiety and inflammation associated with the condition.

Read on to learn more about how CBD can be used for arthritis pain, its potential benefits, risks and if it might be an option for you.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the acute or chronic inflammation of joints. Though commonly understood to be a singular condition, arthritis is a term used to reference joint pain and joint disease. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, among others. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints, swelling, decreased range of motion, joint deformities and other related conditions.

Causes for arthritis vary depending on the individual, but can include:

• An autoimmune disease
• A previously injured joint that develops post-traumatic arthritis later in life
• Being overweight

Types of Arthritis

While there are many types of arthritis, two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

“The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which develops over time and can intensify with age,” says Thomas Lazoff, M.D., a double board certified physician at Physical Medicine Consultants in Fort Wayne, Indiana. OA affects more than 32.5 million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

OA affects the entire joint, including the bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat, and the tissues lining the joint, says Dr. Lazoff. Symptoms of OA can include joint stiffness, redness, and decreased motion in the hands, knees, hips, lower back and neck.

“This form of arthritis causes some element of swelling and tenderness of one or more joints,” he adds, noting joint pain can be chronic and flare up at times.

Age, gender, overuse of the same joints, genetics, former injuries and suffering from obesity can all contribute to the onset of OA. The condition is more common in people over 50 years old and tends to occur in women more than men.

“Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which typically attacks the joints of the body,” says Dr. Lazoff. Individuals living with RA often experience stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints. Symptoms of an RA flare can last for extensive periods of time and may include:

• Low grade fever
• Fatigue
• Joint stiffness, tenderness or swelling that lasts for six weeks or more
• Joint stiffness that occurs in the morning and lasts for longer than 30 minutes

Symptoms occurring in multiple joints in the body, or symptoms occurring in the same joints bilaterally may also be an indication of RA.

While the cause of RA is unknown, a genetic component is suspected to play a part in the disease, especially when triggered by lifestyle and environmental factors. Women are more likely to develop RA than men, and women who have never given birth are thought to be at higher risk, according to the CDC.

Why CBD Might Relieve Arthritis Pain

CBD is derived from the cannabis sativa plant, and studies have shown its potential effectiveness in relieving symptoms of arthritis or joint pain. One medical study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that, of the respondents who used CBD to treat medical conditions (including arthritis and/or joint pain), 36% found it to be effective. CBD may also help reduce inflammation and symptoms of anxiety and PTSD, among other conditions.

“I am more apt to recommend CBD prior to anyone being placed on any opioids,” says Dr. Lazoff. “CBD can be recommended to relieve arthritis symptoms when we are treating joint pain. It is typically less problematic, better tolerated and essentially [there is] really no end-organ damage like some of the other traditional medications that have been used.”

How Does CBD Treat Pain?

In the treatment of pain, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) by inhibiting the sensation of pain. The ECS is responsible for how we learn and retain information, how we sleep and eat, pain control and emotional and immune response.

“The thought is it [CBD] prevents endocannabinoids from being broken down without the effects of THC,” says Dr. Lazoff.

Some research suggests that CBD reduces inflammation by affecting activity in the endocannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoids are responsible for regulating the ECS processes. CBD (with regulated levels of THC less than 0.3%) has a similar chemical makeup to the body’s endocannabinoids, and the interaction with the receptors affects the release of neurotransmitters to your brain, relieving certain levels of pain, anxiety and nausea, says Dr. Lazoff.

What Form of CBD Works Best for Arthritis and Joint Pain?

While there are no official recommendations for CBD form in the treatment of arthritis and joint pain, one small study in The Journal of Hand Surgery found that topical CBD application significantly improved pain, range of motion and grip strength in individuals with thumb basal joint arthritis.

Meanwhile, a 2022 study in the Journal of Cannabis Research found that oral administration of CBD improved pain and sleep quality in individuals with arthritic pain.

Additional clinical trials are needed to determine what form and type of CBD may be best for arthritis pain, as well as its mechanism of action.

Potential Risks of Using CBD for Arthritis

While the long-term effects of CBD are still unknown, there are several relatively mild side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, drowsiness and fatigue, according to Dr. Lazoff. He recommends caution if using CBD while on blood thinners, such as Warfarin, as it can heighten the effects of the medication. CBD has been known to act as a mild blood thinner, however more studies are needed to provide clarity on this side effect. Additionally, the FDA recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid using CBD or related products. Tests have shown that high levels of CBD intake can cause developmental issues in a growing fetus and may be transferred to breast milk.

If considering CBD for arthritis pain management, it’s important to examine the quality of the product. Quality CBD products should not include elevated levels of THC—the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. CBD products should contain no more than 0.3% THC and be third-party tested by a laboratory. Obtaining a Certificate of Analysis can also help ensure safety and the absence of heavy metals, pesticides and other harmful products.

Legality

The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill removed hemp and products of cannabis with 0.3% THC or lower from the definition of marijiuana. This bill legalized the production of hemp if grown within the parameters of the law. Access to CBD products, however, depends largely on the state.

Lack of Regulation

The market for CBD remains unregulated, and the FDA has only approved one CBD product, Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures. Currently, the FDA faces challenges in regulating supermarket brand CBD products that present false claims such as preventing, treating or curing serious disease.

Should You Use CBD for Arthritis?

Under the guidance of a medical professional, CBD may be helpful in temporarily relieving inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. CBD should not be used as a substitute for disease-modifying treatments or lifestyle modifications recommended by a doctor. Limited research is available on the long-term effects of CBD use.

Who Should Avoid Using CBD for Arthritis Pain?

CBD may interact with certain prescription and over-the-counter medications. Always consult with your health care provider before adding CBD to your wellness routine. Using CBD with alcohol or medications prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, stress or sleep disorders may cause drowsiness and increase one’s risk for injuries.

Meanwhile, the FDA warns against using CBD while pregnant or breastfeeding due to a lack of research on how CBD affects a developing fetus, pregnant individuals and breastfed babies.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Individuals who are suffering from chronic joint pain should speak with their doctor prior to incorporating any kind of over-the-counter medication in their treatment plan, including CBD. A doctor can provide you with a proper diagnosis and recommendation for which product might be best for your medical needs.

“One would need to seek medical attention if they have had an acute injury regarding a joint,” says Dr. Lazoff. “However, a good rule of thumb for non-injury-related joint pain would be [to seek help for] joint pain, stiffness or swelling that lasts three or more days, or you have frequent flare-ups of joint symptoms.”

Additional types of arthritis treatment may include diet and exercise recommendations, physical therapy, strengthening exercises around joints and joint bracing, says Dr. Lazoff.