CBD oil and other CBD-based products may treat pain and inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Be sure to check your state’s laws for the legality of CBD.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a medicinal product derived from cannabis and hemp. Many of the primary chemicals in cannabis are cannabidiols.
Researchers have started focusing on CBD oil’s effects on conditions that cause pain, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). So far, the results are promising.
A 2022 review of 12 human studies on the use of CBD to treat chronic pain similarly concluded that while CBD may reduce pain for some users, strong enough evidence isn’t yet available.
CBD is a promising chronic pain treatment with milder side effects than other pain medications, but it’s also hard to gauge whether the promising effects were from CBD alone in some studies.
More research to fully understand how CBD oil and other cannabis-based treatments address RA symptoms is needed.
CBD affects brain activity, but not in the same way that THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, does. CBD interacts with two receptors — CB1 and CB2 — to reduce pain and inflammation.
CB2 plays a role in your immune system, and RA involves your immune system attacking the tissue in your joints. This relationship may explain why CBD oil works for RA symptoms.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects may also help slow or stop the progression of RA, which causes permanent damage to your joints over time.
These effects may reduce other inflammation-related RA symptoms, such as fatigue and fever.
CBD is available as:
- liquid
- capsules
- gummies
- topicals
You can take a capsule by mouth or add CBD oil to food or water. You can also mix CBD oil with your favorite lotion and apply it directly to your skin to help with stiff, achy joints.
Some brands also offer CBD-based therapeutic salves, creams, and lotions that you apply directly to your skin.
Work with your healthcare professional to determine the best dosage for you. Concentrations of CBD products can vary widely, so it’s best to start with a very small dose to see how your body reacts. If you don’t notice any side effects, you can try slowly increasing your dosage.
CBD oil doesn’t come with many serious potential side effects. Mild side effects are expected, especially your first time using it.
CBD side effects:
- nausea
- fatigue, drowsiness, or sedation
- diarrhea or other gastrointestinal distress
- appetite changes
- changes in mood (irritability and agitation)
CBD interacts with enzymes important to drug metabolism. Be extra careful if your medications or supplements come with a grapefruit warning, as CBD behaves similarly to grapefruit. Before starting to take a CBD supplement, it’s best to speak with your healthcare professional.
Cannabis and related products, including CBD oil, are legal for medicinal use in
If cannabis is only legal for medicinal use in your state, you’ll need your doctor’s approval before you can purchase CBD oil. If cannabis is also legal for recreational use, you should be able to purchase CBD oil in dispensaries or online.
CBD products may legally contain up to 0.3% THC. Full-spectrum CBD, as well as broad-spectrum CBD, may contain THC. CBD isolate products do not contain any THC.
Check this map to see the laws regarding CBD in your state.
The FDA has also approved only one isolate form of CBD — Epidolex — to treat certain seizures. You must get a prescription for this medication.
So far, studies looking at the benefits of CBD oil for people with RA and other inflammatory conditions are promising. It may have milder side effects than other pain medications and is more accessible in some places.
The FDA, however, doesn’t approve CBD that you can get without a prescription, and it’s only legal for medicinal use in certain areas of the United States.
There’s a need for more human studies to fully understand its effects on RA.