CBD for Arthritis Pain. Here’s What You Should Know

Is CBD an active ingredient in cannabis? CBD is not considered intoxicating but can cause drowsiness. CBD in most products comes from hemp, a variety that contains as little as 0.3 percent of THC.Does CBD have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties? However, animal studies suggest CBD’s ability to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. These effects have not been tested in humans. Anecdotally CBD can be used to relieve pain and anxiety.

CBD safety: Is it safe to use? CBD safety research is ongoing. Much is still unknown. Low doses of CBD have so far not raised any safety concerns. CBD is believed to interact with many drugs commonly used to treat arthritis. Talk to your doctor before using CBD if you are currently taking the following medications: Prednisone, tofacitinib Xeljanz (Naprexen), naproxen Xeljanz (Naprexen), celecoxib Xelbrex), tramadol ULTRAM, tramadol (Ultram), certain antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine remeron), fluoxetine (Prozapinetazapinetin (Neurontin), lin (Lyricapentin apentin apentinapentin apentin apentin apregabalin apregabalin a

Is it legal to sell CBD products? CBD products derived primarily from hemp are now not considered Schedule I drugs by the federal Controlled Substances Act. However they remain in the legal gray zone. There are ongoing changes at the state and federal level that will clarify the laws and regulations regarding CBD products and sales. They are readily available in every state as well online. CBD users are advised to review their state’s laws.

Take the First StepShould CBD be tried? Without the benefit of quality clinical trials on CBD and arthritis, doctors cannot say who could benefit, in what dose, and in what form, or who shouldn’t. There is some agreement:

CBD is not meant to replace treatment for inflammatory disease.
Before trying CBD, patients should consult their health care provider. They can also discuss past experiences, determine if there are any other options, review how to start a trial run and what to watch for. Finally, they will decide when to return to see the results. Keep a record of all symptoms and doses to monitor the effects.
CBD products are often expensive, especially when used over a prolonged period. Make sure you are 100% certain that the product is having a positive impact on your symptoms to avoid spending too much.

Which type of CBD product should you consider? CBD can be taken orally. It can also be applied to the skin and inhaled. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

With the mouth. Any CBD that is taken orally, in capsules, food and liquid, is absorbed into the stomach. Dosing is difficult because of slow absorption, delayed onset (one to three hours), unknown effects from stomach acids, recent food and other factors.

After a safe, reliable capsule dose has been established for you, your daily CBD intake can be maintained with the help of capsules. Experts warn against edibles like cookies and chewables containing CBD. The dosing method is unstable and they can be tempting to children. Eating edibles should not be seen or touched by children.

CBD can also be absorbed directly by sublingually holding a spray, tincture, or spray under the tongue (sublingual), for 60 to 90 seconds. The taste of CBD may not be pleasant. You can feel the effects within 15-45 minutes.

Apply to the skin. Use topical products on the skin. It is unclear if these products deliver CBD under the skin. Some topical products might also contain other common ingredients, such as camphor, capsaicin, menthol, and capsaicin. It’s difficult to determine whether CBD is responsible for the positive results.

Inhaled. It is possible to inhale CBD via a vape pen. The risks of inhaling vapor oils and chemical side effects are unknown, especially for those suffering from inflammatory arthritis. It is recommended that you avoid vaping, especially because of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s investigation into vaping and its association with deaths and large-scale hospitalizations due to severe lung disease.

How Much CBD should I Use? While there is no set amount of CBD for adults, the Arthritis Foundation consulted with medical professionals to recommend the following:

Take care when preparing to use a liquid CBD extract. The carrier oil is used to mix the CBD extract with the liquid. This means that you must know two things: the dose (the amount) and the CBD content in each dose.
Take it slow. Start small, taking just a few grams of CBD every other day. If the CBD dose is not effective after a week of use, increase it by the same amount. Keep increasing your dose slowly over several weeks if it is necessary. Continue taking this dose two times daily until you experience relief.
If CBD by itself isn’t working for you, or if you live in a place where marijuana is legal for recreational or medical use, talk with your doctor about CBD and a low-dose THC supplement. THC, even in low doses, can cause you to feel high. This can affect your cognitive, motor and balance abilities. THC-containing items can be used at home or at bedtime to minimize any side effects.
CBD may not be right if CBD does not provide relief for your symptoms after several weeks.
You must immediately stop using CBD products if there are any side effects.

What to Look For When ShoppingYou should be careful when shopping. CBD products in the U.S. are not well-regulated. Independent testing revealed that CBD products are often mislabeled and have not been subject to quality control. The greatest issues are CBD’s strength (significantly greater or less than the label suggests), undeclared THC, contamination with metals, pesticides, and solvents. Here are some things to watch

Find American-made products with domestically grown ingredients.
Make sure you only buy products made by companies who follow the FDA’s good manufacturing standards for pharmaceuticals and supplements. (This voluntary quality standard is used because CBD products don’t fall under the federal regulatory category).
Buy only from companies that test all batches and give a certificate of analysis. This independent lab must use valid standardized testing methods, approved by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia of the U.S. Pharmacopeia of the USP or the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists of the AOAC.
Avoid companies that advertise their products as having disease-benefits.
Don’t forget that retail salespeople and marketers are not health professionals. If you’re using an unregulated product, your doctor can be your best source of advice and monitoring.