CBD Oil For Rheumatoid Arthritis
13 August 2021Rheumatoid arthritis denotes a collection of chronic diseases of the joints and musculoskeletal system that make regular movement a difficult and painful affair. Contrary to popular belief, this condition affects children as well as adults and the elderly. Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation of the joints; rheumatism denotes more than 100 auto-immune diseases in total. Although the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown, it clearly involves disruption of the immune system. Rheumatoid symptoms are usually treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Interestingly, however, CBD Oil also appears to offer perspective for treating rheumatoid arthritis, as this blog explains.
Living With Rheumatism
The painful joints that form the core problem of rheumatoid arthritis are caused by inflammation. These inflammation responses are triggered by the body’s own immune system. Although we still don’t know why, the immune response in rheumatoid arthritis seems to be an excessive reaction. It causes our immune cells to attack other cells in the body, which in turn releases inflammatory proteins. These cause painful inflammations in tendons, muscles, and joints. This problem of attacking our own tissues is why we call rheumatoid arthritis an auto-immune disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis can express itself by various symptoms, the most common of which are:
- Joint inflammation;
- Painful, swollen joints that feel warm and rigid;
- Reduces joint mobility;
- Fatigue;
- Inflammation of tendons and connecting tissue;
- Bursitis;
- Muscular weakness.
Although rheumatism is not congenital, it does occur more often in some families than others. Environmental factors such as smoking and obesity can contribute as well.
Rheumatism Treatment Options
Though science is making steady progress, a definitive cure for rheumatism is not yet in sight. Certain prescription drugs can help relieve some of the symptoms, however. Regular treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory pain medication (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids such as prednisone. Many of these drugs have unwanted side-effects, though. This explains why many patients look elsewhere for alternative options. Research has demonstrated that CBD Oil has many properties that may well help patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
What CBD Oil Can Do Against Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatic symptoms are caused by inflammations and a hyperactive immune system. CBD is a cannabinoid that can work together with our body’s endocannabinoid system. This is a regulatory system that influences a range of different processes, including processing of pain stimuli and the immune system. CBD is capable of relaying messages to the receptors of our cells, which allows it to maintain and restore the body’s internal balance.
Researchers have shown that CBD Oil may offer an alternative to regular pain medication for rheumatoid arthritis patients. In 2016, the European Journal of Pain published a study into the effectiveness of cutaneous administration of CBD against inflammation. The research setup involved rats suffering from arthritis. After receiving a CBD gel on their inflamed joints, it turned out that swelling was reduced, mainly at higher dosages, while fewer inflammation protein markers were found in the spinal tissue of the subjects.
As this study involved only rodent subjects, we need human clinical trials to prove conclusively that CBD Oil and other supplements can help treat people with rheumatoid arthritis. The scientists did conclude, however, that CBD products show promising therapeutic potential without producing unwanted side-effects.
In a recent 2020 study, CBD appeared capable of relieving both pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, by influencing immune cells that attack healthy cells. This study did not involve human subject either. A randomised 12-week study conducted on people affected by knee arthritis in 2016 produced mixed results.
The Potential Of CBD Oil Against Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is obvious that we need more research to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis and the potential of CBD Oil to treat it. Still, it is clear that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties as well as being an effective analgesic. Cannabidiol is a natural compound with very few side-effects. Is rheumatism causing your chronic pain and inflammation? Then feel free to find out whether Full Spectrum CBD Oil can help relieve your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Other options include our CBD Tablets and CBD Gummies. Always consult your doctor before trying CBD supplements, however, since cannabidiol can interfere with the effectiveness of certain prescription medications.
