Life is hard. It becomes even harder with difficult-to-deal diseases. Arthritis is Canada’s most common chronic disease. It strikes people of all ages. Affecting joints due to their inflammation. Arthritis causes stiffness and difficulty in movement. About 6 million; i.e., 1 in every 5 Canadians suffer from Arthritis. There is no known cure for Arthritis. But hope and help are not far and distant. The increasing acceptance of cannabis, especially in medical science, is music to the ears.
Cannabidiol (CBD) offers an alternative for people who suffer from chronic pain and rely heavily on opioids for relief. Opioids are proving to be a poorer choice. Higher doses of opioids can lower heart rates, leading to death. Long term use may lead to heavy dependence.
On the other hand, CBD products, in particular CBD oil, are being increasingly suggested by many users as an effective remedy to manage the symptoms. It has been found that CBD oil may reduce the pain, inflammation and overall discomfort related to a variety of health conditions. Hence, now many researchers have started studying the pain-relieving benefits of CBD oil and it is looking promising.
About CBD
The cannabis plant contains various cannabinoids including Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD (Cannabidiol), flavonoids, terpenes, etc. These compounds cast their kind of effects. CBD doesn’t cause the “high” feeling often associated with cannabis. That ‘high’ feeling is caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a different type of cannabinoid. CBD is well-known and well-liked for its tolerability and wide range of medicinal effects that can boost our physical and mental health. It is to be noted that CBD is also the most commonly present cannabinoid in the cannabis plant.
Earlier, THC was the most well-known cannabinoid in cannabis. This was due to the psychedelic effect it induces. When cannabis in its various commercial forms is consumed, it is THC that produces a “high.”
CBD, on the other hand, is not intoxicating. It has no impact on an individual’s mental state when consumed. On the contrary, it may produce significant changes in the body. Many of these changes have significant medical benefits. CBD, like all the other cannabinoids, produces effects in the body by interacting with cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS has two types of receptors for cannabinoids:
CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, particularly in the brain. They coordinate body movement, pain, emotion, mood, thinking, appetite, memories, and other functions.
CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain.
It has to be noted that THC interacts with and binds with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
About Arthritis
Arthritis is a common illness. It affects people of all ages and causes inflammation and joint pain. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, you will experience different symptoms. Common symptoms include joint soreness, tenderness, stiffness, increased inflammatory levels, weakness, and restricted movement around the joint. Two of the most common types of arthritis are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. While there is currently no cure for arthritis, treatments including surgery, physiotherapy, and medication can help to slow down the course of the disease.
How is Arthritis diagnosed?
If you’re not sure who to see for an arthritis diagnosis, start with your primary care physician. They’ll do a physical exam to look for fluid around the joints, warm or red joints, and document joint range of motion. If necessary, your doctor can recommend you to a specialist.
If you’re having significant symptoms, you might want to see a rheumatologist first. This could result in a quicker diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor can determine what type of arthritis you have by measuring inflammation levels in your blood and aspirating and analyzing joint fluids, if present.
Antibodies to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are some of the most commonly used diagnostic tests for Arthritis. Imaging scans such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are also widely used by doctors to check the status of your bones and cartilage. This allows them to rule out other possible reasons for your problems, like bone spurs.
How is Arthritis treated?
The main goal of treatment is to lessen the amount of discomfort while also preventing further joint deterioration. In general, arthritis treatment consists of a combination of the following: medications and supplements physical therapy; occupational therapy; nutrient-rich diet; regular exercise; weight loss; mobility assistance devices such as canes or walkers etc. To achieve the best outcomes, your doctor may suggest a combination of therapy options.
Medications
Arthritis is treated with a variety of medications, including:
- Analgesics like hydrocodone (Vicodin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are good for pain relief but not for reducing inflammation. Both Vicodin and Tylenol are opioids.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and salicylates, are used to treat inflammation and pain. Because salicylates can thin the blood, they should not be used with other blood thinners.
- Creams containing menthol or capsaicin. These creams prevent pain signals from being transmitted from your joints.
- Steroids, such as prednisone, can help reduce inflammation, but they should only be used for short periods of time.
- Immunosuppressants and biologics are two types of immunosuppressants. For moderate to severe inflammatory arthritis, such as RA, immunosuppressants and biologics are administered.
Please do not self-medicate. Do not take any of the above drugs without consulting your doctor.
CBD and Arthritis
Several researches have already looked into the efficacy of CBD for pain and inflammation.
In 2016, researchers using CBD gel to treat arthritis-affected rats reported pain relief and no negative side effects.
CBD injections reduced pain and inflammatory symptoms in rats with osteoarthritis, according to a 2017 study. CBD may prove to be a beneficial medication for treating osteoarthritic joint neuropathic pain, according to the findings.
In 2018, arthritic dogs administered with CBD oil reported a considerable reduction in pain symptoms, as well as greater comfort, and activity levels. There were no negative side effects reported.
In 2019, a German study on the efficacy of cannabinoids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis found that CBD isolates produced positive effects even without targeting independent cannabinoid receptors. On the other hand, administration of cannabinoids in general required targeting of specific receptors for positive results. Otherwise, detrimental effects were observed. Thus, with CBD isolates you can address pain and discomfort without any ill effects.
An assessment by the Royal National Hospital for Arthritis in 2006 was one of the noteworthy research studies conducted on the usefulness of cannabis on arthritis. The study focused on Sativex, a cannabis-based drug that was recently approved in the United Kingdom. Following prescription, Sativex was shown to have decreased disease activity since it contains both CBD and THC. Another side effect of the drug was pain alleviation.
The investigations and studies mentioned above were conducted on animals. Before doctors can start prescribing CBD to arthritis patients, intensive research into its effects on humans is needed. We hope help from the legislature will come to our aid, sooner.
CBD mechanism on Arthritis
The human body also releases endocannabinoids, compounds which are very similar to the cannabinoids produced by cannabis. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is like other pain systems such as the endorphin and inflammatory system whose receptors are in the brain and spinal cord. Additionally, CBD has been shown to bring a significant drop-off in the degradation of anandamide – which aids in prolonging the pain relief process. Anandamide is a compound our body releases to reduce the intensity of pain.
Numerous studies confirm that when the endocannabinoid system gets inactivated, the animals experience an extreme level of pain sensitivity. Thereby, leading to the conclusion that the endocannabinoid system undoubtedly has its use in managing and controlling pain.
Conclusively, ECS can also be stimulated to manage pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. An individual suffering from rheumatoid arthritis has increased sensitivity to pain or hyperalgesia. This is mainly due to the detection of heat by the vanilloid receptor in the body. CBD has demonstrably been successful in bringing down hyperalgesia. CBD can also moderate the perception of pain through activating serotonin receptors. Serotonin receptors are known to play a key role in pain management.
Conclusions
Though arthritis is a disease with no cure, its many symptoms still can be managed with CBD. So far, even with little knowledge of CBD, we have managed to address the challenges of arthritis with it. Imagine if we had more clinical evidence through proper research. Knowing CBD holds great potential in treating not only arthritis but many other debilitating diseases. We need help and support from our policy makers and legislature to bring about a change in cannabis-legislation. A green signal from the government on unrestricted research into cannabis and CBD may help usher in a new dawn of CBD-led medications, treatments and therapies for arthritis and other diseases. We also need efforts from everyone in washing off the negative image of cannabis in it being accepted as a mainstream product with health benefits. Recognition for cannabis and CBD is long due.