How to Use Cannabis for Treating Arthritis?

  • Whether you suffer from it yourself or know someone battling this disease, you'll be glad to hear that relief is within reach! Latest studies show that cannabis has the ability to reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, which is fantastic news! In this article, you'll learn more about this new hope.

Science now confirms what some patients have known for years - cannabis can effectively treat arthritis.

Cannabis Reduces Pain Associated with Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common forms of disability in the United States. According to the CDC, this condition affects 350 million people worldwide, including 54 million in the USA. Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, and strong medications prescribed for pain relief often have unpleasant side effects. The great news is that cannabis can suppress pain.

Many testimonials prove this. For some time, people have known that medical cannabis is an effective treatment for pain associated with arthritis. But now, scientific findings are finally emerging. A recent study examining patients with arthritis showed that cannabis reduces pain and inflammation.

THC and CBD Help

When consuming cannabis, both major cannabinoids - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) - help reduce pain. This is because cannabis has the ability to relieve pain and inflammation.

CBD acts on pain and inflammation just as positively as THC, but without intoxicating side effects. Cannabidiol is very effective in treating arthritis symptoms due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

THC also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, which can be explained by its ability to cause apoptosis. This eliminates immune cells that have gone out of control and attack the body. We can say that THC can balance an overactive immune system. CBD works with THC through its anti-proliferative ability, preventing activated immune cells from spreading, thus reducing inflammation.

Both THC and CBD prevent the formation of cytokines, inflammatory signaling proteins that arise from excessive immune cell production in patients with arthritis or other autoimmune diseases.

It is also believed that the antioxidant effects of both cannabinoids mitigate inflammation and pain that can be exacerbated by oxidative stress in the body. Another study on CBD's impact on chronic inflammation and neuropathic pain found that "the connection between reducing increased pain sensitivity and its well-known antioxidant properties cannot be ruled out".

Scientists are also gradually discovering that CBD does not bind to receptors other than those in the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are thought to act against inflammation and pain.

Cannabis Reduces Inflammation Associated with Arthritis

A few years ago, scientists from the University of Southern Carolina discovered that THC can suppress inflammation. Regarding anti-inflammatory effects, it was found that THC is twice as effective as hydrocortisone and twenty times more effective than aspirin.

Another study published in the medical journal Rheumatology by Dr. Sheng-Ming Daiem from the Chinese Second Military Medical University found that joint tissue in patients with arthritis contains a large number of CB2 receptors. This is believed to be an active response of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) attempting to suppress inflammation. This finding led to the conclusion that cannabis can reduce inflammation by activating CB2 receptors.

Another study on patients with arthritis focused on the body's natural endocannabinoids - anandamides and 2-AG compounds. It was found that cannabis medications are very effective in treating inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

A study from Israel showed that an impressive 90% of patients using medical cannabis reported pain reduction and increased functionality. Researchers from the University of Nottingham discovered that identifying cannabinoid receptors and connecting them with cannabis products can significantly help osteoarthritis patients suffering from knee joint pain.

artritid konopí léčba semena marihuany

Large Canadian Study on Cannabis and Arthritis:

At Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, a study called Health Canada Study is in full swing, aiming to determine whether cannabis can help heal joints affected by arthritis and provide pain relief. Leading this comprehensive three-year project is researcher Dr. Jason McDoughall, a professor of pharmacology and anesthesia.

The project was launched in 2015, and the first trial study was named CAPRI (Cannabinoid Profile Investigation of Vaporized Cannabis in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee). This randomized study was conducted by researchers from Halifax and Montreal and can be classified as a double-blind placebo study. Participants were exposed to six different types of cannabis containing varying amounts of THC and CBD through vaporization.

The entire project operates under the auspices of Arthritis Society, a Canadian organization supporting arthritis research.
The main goal is to determine whether cannabis only reduces pain perception in the brain or if it also participates in fighting inflammation and treating the joint itself.

The Arthritis Society was helped in financing this project by two Canadian licensed medical cannabis manufacturers, Aphria Inc and Peace Naturals Project. Each contributed 100,000 dollars.

Source:
Herb. "If You Know Someone With Arthritis, You Should Recommend Them Cannabis." Herb, 20 Jan. 2018, herb.co/marijuana/news/marijuana-and-arthritis.

Author:
Steve Elliot

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