Cannabidiol oil, which is also popularly known as CBD oil has become quite famous these days, as it is found to be effective to provide relief from everything right from pain due to cancer to anxiety or depression.
Plenty of research report also indicates that it can provide relief from pain due to various kinds of arthritis too. CBD oil usually contains extracts from cannabis plants, that is the similar plant family from where marijuana or pot comes from.
However, CBD and pot are not same thing and CBD will not produce any “high” feeling. Only common thing among the two is that both of them are derived from cannabis family members.
Marijuana is also the same plant that also contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is psychoactive substance which can induce a “high” feeling.
While marijuana also contains little amount of CBD, which is grown for the THC content. Hemp plant provides the source of majority of CBD oil products available in the market.
Hemp generally contains very little amount of THC which is less than 0.3% whereas marijuana may contain anywhere between 5 to 35% of THC.
CBD oil for arthritis pain relief
Various mechanisms responsible for various positive health benefits of CBD is not entirely explored.
However, researchers believe that this compound attaches with receptors in our body called cannabinoid receptors, which in turn may cause our body to produce our own natural cannabinoids.
The CBD oil will not affect our brain in the same way as THC will do. THC will interact with various receptors in our brain than it does with CBD.
As per healthcare professionals, CBD oil will interact with two receptors, which are known as CB1 and CB2, that can help in reducing pain and also the inflammation effects.
CBD pain relief is due to involvement of CB2 in our immune system that explains why CBD oil can be helpful to us who are having arthritis of inflammatory autoimmune forms like rheumatoid arthritis.
How to use CBD for treating arthritis pain?
You can get CBD products in various forms like liquid, tincture, capsules, or also can be applied topically. If you like you may take capsules orally or add liquid in your foods, drinks or even apply creams in the affected joints.
There may be mild side effects due to using CBD, like nausea or sleep problems. Few topical CBD cream for arthritis may occasionally cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, you must test it by applying on certain small areas of your skin first.
Most of the studies done on CBD is on arthritis in rodents, which also includes the report about relief from pain due to osteoarthritis.
Another study done in 2016 where it was found that the use of CBD oil can improve our pain relief or sleep and also quality of life for those who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis condition.
However as per the Medical News Today there is no enough scientific evidence available to prove conclusively about the beneficial effects of CBD for effective arthritis treatment.