Today we talk about how Cannabidiol, better known as CBD.
First, we must define what osteoarthritis is, what its symptoms are and why we can find an ally in
cannabis oil for joint pain and osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a rheumatic disease that affects the bones, joints and ligaments. It is known as a type of arthritis and is also known as osteoarthritis, OA (osteo = bones). It is one of the most common diseases worldwide and there is still no cure. About
242 million people worldwide suffer from OA, with a wide range of symptoms. According to the NIAMS (
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ) it is the most common type of arthritis in people over 50 years of age.
It is characterized by a
deterioration of cartilage and joints, a process that worsens as the sufferer ages. The most typical affected areas are
the joints of the hands, neck, knees and hips . It can cause inflammation in the joints, bone deformities and a reduction in mobility.
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are
pain and inflammation in the joint area. Cannabis offers an
anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect , present in the two most studied cannabinoids today: THC and CBD. Today we will talk about CBD.
According to the CANNA Foundation :
Application: Topical use
Enough to cover the area. Repeat 2-3 times a day. More frequent or excessive use of topical ointments may cause irritation in the area or other adverse effects depending on the ingredients of the product.
It is very important to understand that precise and exact doses have not yet been found. We are talking about a natural compound that acts on each organism differently. According to specialists, the most advisable thing is to treat each case individually and to do a trial and error exercise
until finding an adequate dose.
It is always best to start with a small dose and work your way up . You can start with about 3 mg, 3 times a day (it is important to divide the dose and make it regular, CBD works best when taken daily). We would monitor the results and if this dose did not produce the necessary effects (it does not calm the pain, does not reduce inflammation, etc…), we would increase the dose another 3 mg until we find our minimum effective dose.
In any case,
you should always consult a specialist to learn about the regularization of the CBD legal framework in the country where you reside, in addition to obtaining personalized treatment and adequate follow-up.
What are the side effects of CBD?
Adverse effects are usually of moderate to mild intensity and include: fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness and decreased appetite.
Precautions
We should always be careful if we are already taking medication. CBD, when ingested, can cause adverse effects in combination with other
medications .
When should you not use CBD for osteoarthritis?
If you use CBD ingestibly (not regulated in Spain), you should always speak to a doctor, especially if you are taking any medication.
If you want to know more, you can take a look at our article on the
legality of CBD .
Written by
Claudia Nicolás and
Christina Schwertschlag
Reviewed by
Tommaso Bruscolini
Sources: