Do CBD products alleviate joint pain?
How does CBD work?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis or hemp plants. In order to be classified and sold as CBD oil it must contain less than .3% of THC, the psychoactive drug found in marijuana that is responsible for giving you the “high” or euphoric feeling. CBD has been found to interact with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS has receptors throughout the body which affects our pain levels, memory, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, and many other bodily functions.
At the moment there is only one CBD drug, Epidiolex a treatment for epilepsy, that has been approved by the food and drug administration. There are many non-FDA approved CBD products on the market that can be found anywhere from convenient stores to retail shops. The purity of these items and dosage is not regulated liked other medications, which impacts their purity and functionality.
As with any medication, there are several side effects that can occur while using CBD oil, such as nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can also increase the level of blood thinners such as coumadin in your system, as well as other medications in a similar mechanism as grapefruit juice does.
Very few high-quality human studies have been performed over the use of CBD oil for pain management or other chronic conditions. Due to the limited research, no conclusive decisions can be made on the effectiveness or safety of using these products. The arthritis foundation and several leading experts on the topic from the University of Michigan have drawn several recommendations from the data that is available.
- Don’t smoke or vape CBD oil due to possible lung damage that can occur with inhaling any substance. 1,2
- When purchasing these products, look for items that are manufactured and grown domestically in the United States. Also, look for products that have been tested by an independent 3rd party lab so you can be more certain of the quality and effectiveness of the oil. 1,2
- Start slow and low when initially beginning to use CBD products. Steadily increase your dosage over several weeks until you begin to achieve symptom relief. 1,2
- Talk to your doctor before beginning any regular use of CBD to ensure it will not interact and adversely affect any medications you are currently taking. 1,2
~Dr. Carrie Svitak, DPT
- Foundation, A. (2020). CBD for arthritis pain: What you should know. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/cbd-for-arthritis-pain
- Malcom, K. (2020). Should you take CBD for pain? Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/should-you-take-cbd-for-pain
