October is Bone & Joint Health Awareness Month and it is essential that we all take the necessary steps to maintain optimal bone and joint health. CBD supplements may be beneficial in supporting this goal and should be included as part of a healthy lifestyle routine in order to support bone & joint wellness.
Studies suggest that cannabidiol for joints may offer pain relief and improve mobility, though results vary among individuals living with different forms of arthritis.
1. Pain Relief
Pain is one of the hallmark symptoms of arthritis, but CBD can help mitigate it by interacting with CB2 receptors in your body and blocking pain signals from being sent directly to your brain – thus reducing overall levels of discomfort.
CBD may help joint pain by reducing chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is one of the major contributors to arthritis conditions like rheumatoid and osteoarthritis; CBD has been proven to help alleviate its symptoms in those living with these types of arthritis by inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory molecules.
If you’re curious about CBD for joint pain relief, start slowly. Consult your physician before beginning any new supplement; only use quality and purity tested products, and don’t change or stop taking prescription medication without first consulting him/her first; especially if you have heart conditions or take blood thinners.
2. Reduced Inflammation
CBD can be an effective anti-inflammatory treatment option, helping people suffering from arthritis to ease symptoms by targeting specific receptors in the body.
Assists with relieving pain and inflammation caused by overexertion or injury to joints and muscles, and helps reduce arthritis-induced swelling. It may also provide some relief against other forms of joint inflammation caused by arthritis or other conditions affecting them.
Studies have demonstrated that CBD has an immediate and profound effect on the endocannabinoid system of joints and can regulate both proinflammatory cytokines and pain signals in the body.
CBD products have been found to help many who suffer from various types of arthritis and pain. According to one study, respondents who used CBD reported reduced or discontinued usage of other medications, particularly anti-inflammatories and acetaminophen. Although these results have yet to be proven in larger clinical trials, anyone considering adding CBD products as part of their treatment plan should consult a health care professional first for diagnosis and advice before adding anything new like CBD to the mix.
3. Increased Mobility
CBD interacts with CB receptors in the body that regulate pain signals, helping ease symptoms associated with chronic joint conditions like arthritis. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation to provide relief for associated aches and stiffness associated with these conditions.
CBD may improve mobility by soothing muscle tightness and increasing blood flow to an area. Furthermore, CBD helps produce lubricating proteins in joints which allow them to move more freely.
Research has demonstrated that CBD can increase people’s physical activity levels by helping those with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis reduce fatigue, pain, spasticity and sleepiness. Furthermore, CBD may even accelerate recovery time from exercise-induced injuries by decreasing inflammation responses and speeding the repair process.
Make the most out of your CBD supplementation by pairing it with a healthy diet that promotes bone health, an exercise regime featuring stretching and recovery exercises, and restorative sleep which supports muscle recovery by widening blood vessels.
4. Better Sleep
CBD has long been touted for its relaxing effects and ability to aid sleeping patterns, according to published case reports and uncontrolled clinical trials. One such trial found that participants taking CBD experienced superior self-reported sleep than those receiving a placebo treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD’s most celebrated use is in treating seizures in children suffering from Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who don’t respond to traditional antiseizure medications, like Epidiolex containing CBD which was approved by the FDA as a medication to treat these two conditions.
Preclinical studies indicate that CBD could help protect some individuals against osteoporosis by activating cannabinoid receptors and increasing bone density, according to preclinical research. More studies are necessary before creating a clinical formulation of CBD as an osteoporosis treatment option, however. However, CBD should not be seen as a replacement for traditional therapies like lifestyle changes and FDA-approved drugs when it comes to treating this disease.