Over 54 million Americans are suffering from arthritis. That's 1 in every 5. And when looking at those over age 65, that number jumps to 1 out of every 2. Pain from arthritis can be debilitating, resulting in arthritis-attributable activity limitations for nearly half of those with this condition.
While patients are often prescribed opioids to manage the painful symptoms of conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, scientists from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention note that "better ways to help manage arthritis often exist." Does Full Spectrum Hemp Extract have the potential to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain of arthritis?
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, there is evidence that cannabinoids can reduce the long-term effects of RA. Cannabinoids, such as CBD, attach themselves to specialized receptors in a person's brain and immune system. CB2 receptors play a role in the immune system by managing pain and inflammation.
Researchers believe that when CBD enters a person's body, it may attach to CB2 receptors or, alternatively, may cause the body to produce natural cannabinoids that attach to the CB2 receptors. This activity allows CBD to affect the way that these receptors respond to the signals that they receive, possibly resulting in reduced pain and inflammation. There is also promising pre-clinical evidence of therapeutic value of cannabinoids in the management of osteoarthritis. In a 2017 animal study examining osteoarthritis (OA), funded by a grant from The Arthritis Society, the researchers concluded that,
...[t]his study showed for the first time that local CBD administration inhibited pain and peripheral sensitization in established OA. Topical treatment with CBD reduced leukocyte trafficking and joint hyperemia during the early stages of MIA. By attenuating this initial inflammatory response with CBD, end-stage OA pain and peripheral neuropathy were abrogated. Thus, CBD may be a safe therapeutic to treat OA pain locally as well as block the acute inflammatory flares that drive disease progression and joint neuropathy.
As evidence of CBD's efficacy in treating arthritis and other chronic pain conditions builds, patients are already seeking out market solutions to help manage their symptoms. But over-the-counter products can often contain harmful fillers, or worse, not contain any CBD at all. At Formula30A, we believe it is vital for patients to work together with their medical providers to determine the best course of treatment for arthritis pain. Especially when it comes to CBD products, proper medical supervision can help ensure better outcomes with monitoring, consistent dosing, and the vast wealth of related medical knowledge practitioners have at their disposal.
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