Supporting Wellness During an Arthritis Attack
Arthritis attacks can be more pronounced and regular during the winter months. Agitated by changes in the weather and elevated activity levels over the festive season, arthritis is often at its worst at this time of year. Prescription medication can help, but many UK patients prefer not to resort to synthetic pharmaceuticals.
Increasingly, research is drawing links between the measured consumption of cannabidiol (CBD) and effective relief from the symptoms of arthritis. What does science tell us about the potential applications and effects of CBD? Could CBD oil really take the place of conventional pharmaceuticals in the treatment of arthritis?
CBD and Arthritis Pain Relief
Alongside THC, CBD is one of the most prolific cannabinoids produced naturally in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, however, CBD has no psychoactive properties and doesn’t get the user ‘high’. Far from recreational, CBD products are designed to be 100% therapeutic in nature.
One of the leading causes of chronic pain and disability in the United Kingdom, millions of men and women suffer from various forms of arthritis. The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis – both of which are degenerative and are more likely to occur during the later life.
The pain and discomfort associated with arthritis is attributed to severe and chronic inflammation. This is where the theorised properties of CBD could prove effective, which in several studies has been linked with an impressive anti-inflammatory effect.
Growing Evidence and Support
For example, one study carried out in 2011 found that CBD has an effect on the brain that influences the way stimuli affect primary pain receptors. Two separate studies in 2014 and 2017 drew direct links between CBD and relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis and joint pain.
It was also suggested in the results of a 2016 study that applying CBD topicals directly to the affected area could help reduce arthritis-related pain and inflammation.
However, it is important to note that the medical community in general is not yet willing to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of CBD as a treatment for arthritis. Anecdotal evidence and support among CBD users is strong, but no formal consensus has yet been reached as to the future of CBD in the fight against arthritis.
Ways to Try CBD for Arthritis
Considered a safe and non-addictive alternative to conventional pharmaceuticals, CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways to suit personal preferences and requirements. From the purest CBD oils to CBD topicals to high-strength CBD concentrates, there’s an extensive market of products now legally available in the UK.
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns regarding a suspected or diagnosed case of arthritis, it is important to consult with your doctor at the earliest possible stage. Particularly if considering CBD as an alternative to traditional arthritis medication, such important decisions should only be made under professional medical advisement.