Arthritis, a joint inflammation, causes pain, redness, and swelling and limits mobility. It progresses gradually and affects millions of people in the US. While causes vary, treatments focus on pain relief. Common treatments like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help, but they carry many risks, so many people are now considering other choices.
One option that’s getting attention is cannabis products, which you can get from an online dispensary. But does it help? Let’s find the answers as some experts share their insights.
Key Takeaways:
- Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system to lessen pain and inflammation without significant side effects.
- Indica and Indica-dominant strains are recommended for arthritis patients due to their relaxing effects, which help reduce inflammation and pain by activating CB2 receptors.
- Flower strains rich in β-caryophyllene and β-myrcene alongside high levels of THC offer enhanced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis covers many conditions that involve chronic inflammation, joint pain, and joint diseases. Instead of being a single problem, arthritis includes over 100 joint-related disorders. Each type has its characteristics and affects people in unique ways.
The symptoms of arthritis can come and go. They might be mild or very bad. They might stay the same for a long time but worsen over the years. If not treated, arthritis can cause permanent damage.
While there’s NO ABSOLUTE TREATMENT, the aim is to manage pain and inflammation and ensure joint function.
Treatment includes:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
- Heat or cold therapy.
- Joint immobilization using splints or braces.
- Massage and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
- Acupuncture for pain relief.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow down the disease.
- Corticosteroids for inflammation reduction.
- Hyaluronic acid therapy for joint fluid restoration.
- Surgery options like arthroscopy, fusion, or joint replacement for severe cases.
Some treatments may have side effects and not work for everyone. This has led many arthritis patients to seek alternative options – such as cannabis, for relief from arthritis symptoms.
Recent Study on Arthritis and Cannabis Use
The study published in the Journal of Current Opinion in Rheumatology focused on the increasing number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis using cannabis to treat their symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis manifests as joint pain and inflammation.
Researchers discovered that cannabinoids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by activating cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2) to decrease cytokine production and mobilize immune cells. Activation of CB1 receptors on immune cells causes inflammation, while blocking CB1 receptors reduces inflammation by enhancing β2-adrenergic signaling in joints and lymphoid organs.
Cannabis is a plant renowned for its therapeutic compounds, particularly cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These weed cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body.
The ECS consists of receptors known as CB1 and CB2.
- CB1 is mainly in the nervous system, tissues, and organs.
- CB2 receptors are present in the immune system.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated anti-arthritic effects that are independent of cannabinoid receptors. Beyond inflammation control, cannabinoids also reduce pain by activating central and peripheral CB1 receptors, peripheral CB2 receptors, and CBD-sensitive non-cannabinoid receptor targets.
Other Expert Information
Physician’s Advice
A family practice physician in Massachusetts specializing in cannabis-based therapies has helped many seniors manage their arthritis symptoms using cannabis.
The physician emphasizes that cannabis, with its potent anti-inflammatory properties, can be a safe and effective option for managing arthritis. Unlike traditional drugs, which commonly come with significant side effects, cannabis offers a variety of products and methods of consumption.
This flexibility, along with its safety profile, makes cannabis an appealing alternative for patients seeking non-conventional treatments. This expert advocates for a collaborative approach between patients and doctors to personalize treatment plans and maximize the benefits of cannabis therapy.
Surveys
Another study published in May 2019 reported that RA patients described medical cannabis as an alternative therapy alongside prescription medications. Research from the early 2000s showed that CBD had a potent anti-arthritic effect.
CreakyJoints, a Global Healthy Living Foundation branch, is dedicated to supporting the arthritis community. To understand how arthritis patients perceive and use cannabis, researchers surveyed 1,059 participants.
The survey revealed several key insights about its 1,059 participants:
- Nearly half (46%) had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and a majority (77%) reported being in fair or poor health.
- Among those using cannabis for medical purposes, 62% reported using it at least once daily.
- The majority of patients who had ever used medical cannabis or CBD reported symptom improvement, with 97.1% noting improvements from medical cannabis and 93.7% from CBD.
What Should Arthritis Patients Use: THC or CBD?
THC is prevalently known as psychoactive and can produce a “high,” while CBD is non-psychoactive and does not cause intoxication.
Both cannabinoids can help manage arthritis symptoms by reducing inflammation, but many patients prefer CBD to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.
CBD mainly benefits those with autoimmune conditions, as it can enhance immune function and reduce inflammation through CB2 receptor activation. THC primarily interacts with CB1 receptors to provide relief from chronic pain and also helps manage anxiety and depression, which are common among arthritis patients.
People with arthritis prefer Indica or hybrid strains of cannabis. The participants are also particular with the terpene component they choose when buying flower. They use flower with β-caryophyllene and β-myrcene with high THC since it has better anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Weed Selection for Pain and Inflammation Relief
| Flower | THC | Terpene | Effect |
| Gas Tanker | 34% | Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Myrcene | Aroused, Sleepy, Creative |
| Jealousy | 27% | Caryophyllene | Giggly, Talkative, Relaxed |
| Van Helsing | 30% | Caryophyllene | Relaxed, Euphoric |
| Ice Cream Cake | 31% | Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Linalool | Sleepy, Relaxed, Hungry |
| Cement Shoes | 31% | Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Humulene | Aroused, Sleepy, Tingly |
Joint Effort with Cannabis
Arthritis, which includes over 100 joint-related disorders, is characterized by chronic inflammation and pain. Traditional treatments primarily focus on symptom management but can have adverse effects. Recent studies suggest that cannabis may help alleviate arthritis symptoms by activating CB2 receptors. For those suffering from arthritis, various cannabis products are available at GetLoud cannabis dispensary, but smoking cannabis flower provides the quickest relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the recommended dosage of THC for arthritis patients?
Different products contain varying amounts of THC, and the onset of their effects can differ. For instance, edibles may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to take effect, whereas smoking can yield effects within just a few minutes. This difference emphasizes the importance of THC dosage when choosing between smoking a flower or consuming an edible.
Experts recommend starting with high-concentration CBD and gradually adding THC for chronic pain management. They suggest beginning with 2.5 mg of THC edibles and adjusting up to a maximum of 40 mg of THC per day as needed.
Smoking flower depends on the THC level. Inhaling smoke up to ten times a day is considered an adequate dosage and is unlikely to cause harm to the lungs.
Can cannabis reverse the damaged joints in patients with arthritis?
A study from the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Journal revealed that external cannabinoids activate the release of antioxidants that aid in repairing damaged cells.
A Canadian researcher from Dalhousie University is studying how medical marijuana might help arthritis and pain. The research shows that cannabis can attach to nerve receptors in joints, which could ease pain.
What alternative products contain terpenes and cannabinoids for pain management?
If smoking or vaping cannabis isn’t an option for pain management, there are alternative products available, such as edibles, oils, and topicals. When selecting these products, ensure the label indicates they are full-spectrum. A full-spectrum product means it contains cannabinoids and other beneficial components of the cannabis plant.
- Edibles are cannabis-infused foods like gummies, cookies, or brownies.
- You can ingest oils sublingually or add them to food.
- You apply topicals directly to localized areas of pain by massaging them.
