Can CBD Provide Relief From Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Can CBD Provide Relief From Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

According to the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, the prevalence of osteoarthritis has increased significantly in recent years. This worrying trend may be linked to the past 20 months of intermittent pandemic-related lockdowns, the skyrocketing popularity of delivery-based shopping options (e.g. Amazon, DoorDash) or the simple increase of sedentary lifestyles in American adults in general (i.e. gaming, Patreon content creation). 

Regardless of its cause, osteoarthritis is a serious disease that disproportionately impacts women — and it’s more serious now than ever, with the recent spike in case numbers and growing occurrence rates even in middle-aged adults.

What is osteoarthritis, and what are its symptoms?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can occur as people age, the likelihood of which can be increased by genetic or heritable factors. It can also be encouraged by obesity, repetitive motion, and overuse. Other than pain and stiffness in joints, osteoarthritis may cause difficulties with everyday activities, such as walking up stairs, bending down or even sitting upright.

As the disease progresses, x-ray imaging may show narrowing of joint space in one or more joints. One study found that about 50 percent of people with osteoarthritis have radiographic evidence of spinal involvement because weight bearing joints are more susceptible to osteoarthritis degeneration.

Osteoarthritis is also linked to cardiovascular disease, depression, and impaired quality of life. Some of the most common symptoms that mark the progression of osteoarthritis include, but are not limited to:

• Chronic pain in the spine or neck

• Joint stiffness and inflammation

• Muscle weakness, spasms or pain of the thigh muscles

• Poor balance and slower than normal gait

• Constant urinary urgency or incontinence

In this post, we go over how natural alternatives to synthetic drugs like Acetaminophen or Duloxetine — namely cannabidiol (CBD) — can serve as a safe and viable supplement to conventional medications and therapies for osteoarthritis.

What is CBD & How Can It Help?

Before you try using a CBD freeze roller to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis, it’s worth noting what CBD is and its therapeutic potential against the disease specifically. CBD is one of at least 85 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40 percent of industrially-grown hemp extract.

Cannabinoids like CBD have been studied for their therapeutic potential, derived from their interactions with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD has a binding affinity to both CB1 and CB2 receptors within the ECS, and is currently being studied for its ability to produce analgesic, anti-inflammatory and even anxiolytic effects through this interaction.

How Can CBD Relieve Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

CBD can reduce chronic pain by reducing the brain’s response to prostaglandins, which is the so-called “pain hormone.” It can also help to control inflammation by lowering sensitivity to cytokines within the nervous system and at sites of injury. This beneficial potential against conditions characterized by pain and swelling has turned CBD into a popular mainstay within the sport medicine injury, utilized in everything from recovery balms for sprains and welts to roll-ons for localized relief.

A pharmaceutical form of CBD known as Epidiolex has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of epileptic seizures. This is due to CBD’s spasmolytic properties, which suggest that even artisanal CBD products can benefit muscle spasms and cramping associated with osteoarthritis.

Whether it be pain, inflammation or loss of coordination, the growing body of scientific literature around CBD’s therapeutic potential makes a solid case for its viability as a supplement against some of osteoarthritis’ most debilitating symptoms. As a naturally-sourced compound with no serious side effect profile and impressive versatility, there are plenty of ways CBD can complement conventional osteoarthritis medications and therapies. start shopping