CBD Oil

CBD oil can be very positive to take if you have arthritis and can really help with the pain. Here are some more details on this supplement and how it can benefit you.

CBD: Definition

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of the active compounds present in the cannabis plant. The CBD compound is however extracted from hemp or cannabis plants through distillation.

Although obtained from the cannabis plant, CBD doesn’t contain any psychoactive or intoxicating properties, hence perfectly safe for all to use.

The product may, however, cause drowsiness for some people. CBD extracted from the hemp may contain traces (0.3%) of THC, though not harmful for most people.

Can CBD Be Used For Arthritis?

According to studies conducted on arthritic animals, broad spectrum CBD shows to have potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that help with the condition.

Although further studies are required on human subjects, most of the people that tried CBD attested to feeling much better with a noticeable improvement in sleep quality, anxiety reduction, and pain relief.

Is CBD Safe?

Although additional research is needed to determine the usefulness of CBD, how it interacts with the body, no significant concerns associated with CBD use have been reported.

Studies also show that CBD interacts well with most of the drugs used for arthritis treatment. You might, however, want to talk to your doctor if thinking of, or looking to try out CBD products.

Be sure to consult your physician if on tofacitinib (Xeljanz), corticosteroids, naproxen, celecoxib, tramadol (Ultram), and antidepressant drugs including Celexa (Citalopram), Elavil (amitriptyline), Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (Paroxetine), Remeron (mirtazapine), and Zoloft (sertraline) among others.

Medications for Fibromyalgia such as Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (Gabapentin) may also not interact well with CBD, another reason you should seek a doctor’s approval/advise before use.

Although most CBD products may not be under the Federal Controlled Substances Act (Schedule 1 drugs), many have remained in the legal gray zone.

Most CBD products are thus safe and legal to use in many states and countries across the globe, with certain changes still required to determine/clarify the legality of other CBD products.

CBD products are thus readily available over-the-counter in most states and online stores.  Check on the legality of these products within your state before making an order for the same.

Should I Try CBD Products?

Doctors and researchers are yet to determine who is better placed to use CBD, the dosage, and who should avoid it altogether.

This doesn’t, however, mean you cannot use CBD for arthritis or wellness. CBD, despite needing more clinical studies, can be used safely without putting the user at risk.

You can thus use CBD products for as long as: CBD isn’t used as a substitute for arthritis prescription drugs. As mentioned earlier, CBD shouldn’t be used as a replacement for other prescription drugs, and particularly arthritis treatment.

You thus need to seek your healthcare provider’s advise/go-ahead before trying these products.  The doctor/physician will try to see if your prescription drugs can interact with CBD or not, then recommend the best way forward

The provider will also look into similar, but past cases, to see what worked and what didn’t before giving you the go-ahead or otherwise. The best quality CBD products can be costly if used in the long run.

You need to be sure the CBD product will help with your condition before making an order. Your doctor is thus better placed to confirm the product’s effectiveness, and whether to use it or not.

This simple step could save you lots of money in the long run.

Which Is The Best CBD Product To Use

CBD products come in several different forms that can be taken orally, vaped, or applied topically. Each type, however, has its advantages and disadvantages.

Here is what you need to know:

1. CBD Orals

These are products that can be taken orally either in liquid form, added to your meals, and as capsules.  Oral CBD can take up to 2 hours before its effects can be felt.

This is due to the slow rate at which the compound is absorbed into the bloodstream. Other factors, such as recent meals, stomach acids, and capsules, may affect its absorption rate.

Capsules are generally safe and more comfortable to take, and for a good reason. They help mask the CBD taste, hence recommended for those that don’t like its taste.

CBD edibles aren’t however recommended for children, and especially if in the form of cookies and gummies. CBD Edibles should be treated just like any other drug, thus be kept out of children’s reach and sight.

CBD oral spray and tinctures provide the best delivery method to the bloodstream.  All that it takes is to spray the liquid directly under the tongue or use a dropper for the same purpose.

Despite its somewhat unpleasant taste, its effects are evident in less than 15 minutes.

2. CBD Topicals

These come in the form of balms and lotions. The application method is quite straight forward as all it takes is to apply the oil on the paining joint.

The best thing with topicals is that they come with several flavors and ingredients, including camphor, capsaicin, and menthol. CBD oil topicals may, however, come with just CBD and its carrier oil for improved efficiency.

3. Inhaled

CBD can be inhaled either from vaping, adding to your bath, or oil diffuser.  Adding a few drops of CBD oil to your diffuser makes it easier to inhale, as well as deliver the compound to the bloodstream.

With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) discouraging inhalation of chemical byproducts, experts today recommend vaping as a preferred method for taking/consuming CBD oil.

One of the reasons for this is because some chemicals may carry unknown risks to persons with inflammatory arthritis among other respiratory conditions.

There are no strict guidelines on the correct dosage for CBD.  Medical experts, however, have outlined several measures to help ensure the user or arthritis patient is safe.

Some of the guidelines for adults include:

  1. Understand CBD oil is a mixture of CBD and carrier oil. Its concentration may thus vary from one product to the other.
  2. Start on a low dosage: This is particularly recommended for those trying CBD for the first time.  You can therefore start with just a few milligrams of CBD, then take on small increments over the days until a sweet spot is attained. 
  3. Talk to your doctor if CBD doesn’t seem to work.  You might also want to try medical marijuana if the condition seems unmanageable or painful.  Medical marijuana contains a trace amount of THC, which might help with the condition but could trigger undesired effects, including motor and balance issues and even dependence.
  4. Quit using CBD if it doesn’t seem to help with the condition, several weeks into using it.  You might also want to stop using CBD after experiencing dangerous side effects and seek a doctor’s attention as soon as possible.