The Prevalence Of CBD Oil For Arthritis Treatment

CBD and Arthritis

There is a lot to cover, for now, we will focus on the therapeutic effects of CBD oil application for arthritis. Generally, cannabinoids and their receptors are strong potential targets for reducing pain and inflammation ^{3 Clayton N, Marshall FH, Bountra C, O’Shaughnessy CT (2002) CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are implicated in inflammatory pain. Pain 96:253–260.} . Although the research involving CBD as a potential therapeutic for arthritis is in its infancy, cannabis is anything but a new drug. It has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Chinese practice in 2700 BC.

A study conducted in 2016 found that topical application of CBD cream was an effective, side-effect-free treatment for the reduction of inflammation and sensitivity in a mouse model of arthritis ^{5 Hammell DC, Zhang LP, Ma F, Abshire SM, McIlwrath SL, Stinchcomb AL, Westlund KN (2016) Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. Eur J Pain 20:936–948.} .  In another study, researchers discovered that oral doses of CBD suppressed TNF-α, a pro- inflammatory cytokine known to play a role in the mediation of rheumatoid arthritis ^{9 Malfait AM, Gallily R, Sumariwalla PF, Malik AS, Andreakos E, Mechoulam R, Feldmann M (2000) The nonpsychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an oral anti-arthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97:9561–9566.} . Although both of these studies were conducted in animal models of arthritis, results found in these types of studies are the scientific building blocks required to continue the investigation in human subjects.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that occurs as protective cartilage that cushions your bones wears away over time. When treating osteoarthritis pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are most commonly prescribed for patients suffering from mild to moderate pain. However, long-term use of NSAIDs can be problematic, often leading to gastrointestinal and renal side effects, particularly in elderly patients ^{10 Miller RJ, Miller RE (2017) Is cannabis an effective treatment for joint pain? Clin Exp Rheumatol 35:S59–S67.} . Preclinical studies have shown that compounds that activate cannabinoid receptors, or cannabinoid agonists (like CBD oil) are effective in various acute and chronic pain models, including osteoarthritis ^{12 Schuelert N, McDougall JJ (2008) Cannabinoid-mediated antinociception is enhanced in rat osteoarthritic knees. Arthritis Rheum 58:145–153.} .

Is CBD Oil Safe?

Arno Hazekamp sums it up eloquently in his review paper on CBD oil ^{6 Hazekamp A (2018) The Trouble with CBD Oil. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids 1:65–72.} . He states that if CBD oil was used mainly by informed adults and reasonably healthy consumers, the impact of its widespread use would be acceptable and limited. However, CBD oil is actively marketed for use by children (for ADHD and Autism), and patients suffering from complex diseases (Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s). Here, it is important to note that the long-term effects of CBD on children’s brains remain unclear. Its effects on complex neurological conditions are also not well studied. On the other hand, human studies have indicated that CBD is extremely well-tolerated, even up to doses of 1500 mg/day ^{15 Zuardi AW, Morais SL, Guimaraes FS, Mechoulam R (1995) Antipsychotic effect of cannabidiol. J Clin Psychiatry 56:485–486.} .

Furthermore, a recent World Health Organization (WHO) review concluded there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD resulting in any public health sequelae. A crucial point in the use of CBD is the ability to verify the source of the active agent. In Canada, we are fortunate to have a cannabis market heavily regulated by the federal government in which CBD products can be purchased legally and safely without the concern of false-advertising or contamination. However, in countries where the cannabis market still operates in black and grey areas, people seeking CBD oil, or any other CBD product should be cautious about the source of the product. A best practice rule of thumb is to always consult your physician before exploring any therapeutic avenue.