People are crazy about CBD these days, they are using it for relaxing, relieving their anxiety, improving their sleep, and even dealing with pain and inflammation. Thanks to the 2018 farm bill, CBD is legal in almost all U.S. states.
You can easily grab your favorite CBD gummies from nearby physical stores and many online websites. Studies have shown that it has strong natural anti-inflammatory effects and can numb down pain pathways.
Some experts believe that it can be a great alternative to opioid-based medicines for people suffering from severe pain conditions like arthritis. But it comes in so many potencies, formulations, types, and flavors, so it gets tricky for beginners to figure out how much they should take for arthritis pain. Well, that’s exactly what we will explore in this article.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of more than 110+ compounds found in cannabis sativa plants. These compounds are known as cannabinoids, and each has unique healing and therapeutic properties. CBD is the most studied, and widely used one and is known for its potential to help with anxiety, pain, sleep, appetite, and stress-related issues.
Unlike another major cannabinoid THC, CBD doesn’t produce any high or euphoria. Some CBD products do have trace amounts of THC, but as per laws, it cannot be more than 0.3%. You can also avoid THC completely by option for broad-spectrum CBD products, especially if you have bloodwork coming up.
Is CBD effective for arthritis pain?
Yes, CBD is effective for arthritis pain. More research is required on this, but there’s enough data from initial trials and anecdotal reports to prove that it works. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 53 million Americans suffer from arthritis pain.
Many often end up getting addicted to chemical-ridden pain medications, and CBD offers a much better and cleaner alternative. It’s nonaddictive and doesn’t cause any major side effects even at very high doses.
As per a recent 2022 published study, almost 83% of participants reported a significant reduction in pain, 66% in physical function,n and 66% in sleep quality. People with osteoarthritis reported more relief than those with autoimmune disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.
The sleep point is important because pain makes it very difficult to get adequate rest, and taking CBD numbs it down and allows the body to relax better. Another crucial observation was that many participants completely ditched or reduced the intake of other inflammatories, acetaminophen, and opioid-based painkillers.
How much CBD do I need to take for arthritis pain?
Figuring out the exact CBD dosage can be a bit tricky because all bodies react and adapt to it in different ways. That’s why most experts recommend starting with a low dose of 5 to 10mg CBD per day for arthritis pain. Carefully measure the amount in the measuring tube that comes with the CBD oil bottle, and put the drops under your tongue.
Hold it for 15-20 seconds so that it can get absorbed in your bloodstream. Once in, it will take around 15-20 minutes for you to feel its relaxing effects, and you’ll notice a certain decrease in discomfort caused by arthritis pain. Take note of how it makes you feel, and note down your observations in a journal.
Usually, the body gets used to the compound in a few days, so you may have to slightly up the dosage by 2.5-5mg in subsequent weeks. Do this till you hit your sweet spot.
Just like every other medicine, you’ll need to take CBD continuously for a long time to seek its full benefit. If you don’t like the taste, you can instead add the oil drops to coffee, tea, or any other beverage of your choice.
What’s the best CBD product for Arthritis pain?
See, the main compound and working mechanism are the same in all CBD products. Whether you eat gummies, mix oil in coffee, or rub CBD balm on achy joints, all will help you with arthritis pain. But, how long it will take the product to work will differ a lot. Oils have high bioavailability, they absorb faster and start to work in 15-20 minutes.
So for sudden jolts of pain, you can opt for CBD oil. Some people prefer a more slow release, for them gummies can be a good option. They take around an hour or two before kicking in. So if your pain triggers at night and doesn’t let you sleep, you can gulp a gummy after dinner, and by the time you are in bed, you’ll start feeling relaxed and your pain will dull down.
It will allow you to sleep and recover faster. But what if you want a more localized relief in your wrists and knees? Well, in that case, you can massage them with CBD-rich gels or sprays.
They will reach deep into tissues and bring down inflammation and pain. So yeah, for more full-body pain relief along with better sleep, anxiety, and stress control, go with a combination of gummies and oil. For more localized relief in specific muscles and joints, go with CBD-infused ointments.
The End Note
To sum it up, for arthritis pain, you can take 5-10mg CBD initially and gradually increase it over time. Other than arthritis pain it will also help you with anxiety and stress management.
Just be consistent and make it a regular part of your wellness routine. If you want quick relief, opt for CBD oil and tinctures, and for slow effects, go with CBD gummies, capsules, and softgels.
You may also massage your achy muscles and joints with a high-quality CBD-rich ointment for targeting pain in specific areas. Do note that mislabeling is a common issue in the CBD industry, so always check the lab test report before buying the product.
Try to buy your monthly supplies and save more using subscription options on reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals. You may feel slightly dehydrated initially, so increase your water intake to avoid nausea.
