Cannabidiol (CBD) is one compound in the cannabis plant. Some research suggests that the compound may have an anti-inflammatory effect, which could make CBD useful for joint pain.
CBD will not treat the underlying cause of a person’s pain. However, it may help numb or alleviate pain. A person should not rely on CBD to treat their pain. They should consider seeing a medical professional who can assess the cause of their joint pain.
How to use CBD for joint pain
Both oral and topical CBD may have their uses for pain management, and the delivery method may come down to personal preference. Topical CBD, such as CBD cream, passes directly into the skin, whereas oral CBD, such as a spray or gummies, mainly passes through the digestive system and into the body.
Early research supports the idea that CBD may help with joint pain in some cases, such as joint pain due to inflammatory arthritis.
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A 2022 study also found that CBD may reduce pain and improve physical function and sleep quality in people with arthritis.
Additionally, a review article in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that cannabinoids such as CBD show promise for chronic pain management and that most people tolerate them well.
While this provides early evidence to support using CBD for joint pain, further high quality evidence in humans can help support the claim.
Anecdotal evidence supports the idea that CBD may help with markers of joint pain. A recent poll from The Arthritis Foundation asked over 2,600 people with arthritis about their experience using CBD.
According to their poll, 94% of those who use CBD say they use it to relieve pain. Additionally, 67% of the participants reported improvements in their overall physical functioning from taking CBD.