Inflammatory Arthritis
In addition to medication, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that can significantly help to improve your life with arthritis. Managing symptoms can be very difficult, especially when you are newly diagnosed. There have been claims around the use of CBD, more specifically CBD oil and its potential benefits for people with chronic pain. This article will answer some of the most common questions on this topic and help provide proper insight into if there is scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness for individuals living with pain caused by arthritis.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as advice. Please contact your doctor before making any changes to your medication, diet, treatment or lifestyle.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a chemical that is found in the cannabis plant, along with THC, a psychoactive substance. CBD is sold in a variety of forms, some including: oil, topical products, pills, liquid for smoking/vaping, edibles, gummies, and more.
Does CBD have any medical benefits?
The cannabis plant has been used for pain relief for centuries, in many traditional medicine practices. However it was only more recently that proper studies have been conducted into how beneficial and effective cannabis, and the chemical CBD really is to treat things like chronic or acute pain. Through these studies, it has been shown that CBD may help to reduce things like chronic pain, which can often be debilitating to people, preventing them from living a full life. Therefore it can be said that CBD can provide medical benefits for some individuals. However, it has not been proven to be particularly beneficial for those with arthritis.
Is CBD legal in the UK?
CBD is legal in the UK, however this only applies to CBD products that meet certain standards and criteria. CBD oil cannot contain any traces of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) otherwise it is considered an illegal substance in the UK. This is due to the effect THC can have on an individual, causing them to experience a ‘high’. It is important to be careful of what CBD products you purchase, as many products that you can buy in stores have not been properly authorised for consumption. The best route to take when considering trying CBD oil is to ask your GP before you do so.
Can CBD Oil Help Reduce Arthritis Symptoms?
Research has suggested that CBD can help treat symptoms like chronic pain, however its benefit for those living with arthritis has not been proven as most studies so far have focused on how it can help with pain from nerve injury. More research is required to definitively say there is a benefit to taking CBD oil for those living with arthritis to help with their pain. Currently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not approved CBD as something that can be used to treat arthritis, nor has it been approved by MHRA.
It is completely possible people with arthritis can benefit from taking CBD, there just isn’t enough research to state this as a fact or for it to be officially stated. If you are thinking about taking CBD to help with your arthritis, please contact your GP prior to doing so to ensure that it is a safe option for you.
Does CBD cause any side effects if used?
Like anything, there are potential side effects with CBD, the main one’s being:
- Diarrhoea
- Low appetite
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
Can I take CBD alongside medication?
CBD interacts with different medications differently. Make sure to check with your doctor before adding or removing anything from your treatment plan to make sure that you stay safe.
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We hope that this article helped explain a bit more about CBD and its place so far in the treatment of arthritis. As mentioned many times in this article but still worth repeating, please speak with your doctor before trying anything new.
Reach out to us at sarah@ampersandhealth.co.uk to share your story of living with arthritis today with the larger community.
