Around 350 millions people in the world suffer from arthritis. This is quite shocking considering that these statistics do not include those who have not been diagnosed.
What can cannabis for arthritis do to treat a condition that most people use pain relievers for? There are many benefits to cannabis for arthritis. First, let’s learn more about arthritis and its implications for people who have it.
What is Arthritis?
Contrary to popular belief arthritis is not one disease. It can be used to refer to joint disease, chronic inflammation, and joint pain. There are more than 100 types of arthritis that anyone can experience, regardless of age, race, or gender.
Back pain is one example of a type of arthritis.
– Bursitis
– Carpal tunnel syndrome
– Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
– Fibromyalgia
Gout
– Inflammatory bowel Disease
– Lupus
Lyme’s disease
– Pages
– Scleroderma
– Spinal stenosis
Although arthritis is very common, it’s still an extremely misunderstood condition. Its definition literally means “inflammation one or more joints”. I could easily put it on any other disease.
Arthritis symptoms may fluctuate and be either mild, moderate or severe. They may remain the same for years but can progress over time and become more severe. If left untreated, arthritis can lead to irreversible damage and permanent disability.
Arthritis prefers to settle in the weight-bearing joint like the hips and knees, as well as the spine. However, it can also affect other non-weight bearing joints such the fingers.
Cannabis for arthritis
It is no surprise that arthritis is an inflammatory condition, and cannabis can relieve inflammation.
The endocannabinoid (ECS) system is found within each of us. CB1 and CB2 are the main receptors in this system. CB1 receptors can be found in the nervous system, connective tissue, glands, organs, and gonads. CB2 receptors are the dominant ones in our bodies and can be found mainly in the immune system. They are also found in the liver, kidneys and heart.
The body naturally produces endocannabinoids which stimulate and modulate these receptors. Similar to endocannabinoids, cannabis also contains phytocannabinoids such as THC or CBD. These are molecularly and closely related to endocannabinoids. These phytocannabinoids can also interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors and produce a variety of physiological effects.
In a study published in the Rheumatology by Dr. ShengMing Dai from the Second China Military Medical University, CB2 receptors were found in unusually high amounts in arthritis patients’ joint tissues ( 2 ). Researchers concluded that cannabis was key in activating these receptors and thereby decreasing inflammation and pain.
A 2008 review found that CBD could reduce pain in rheumatoidarthritis ( 3) and improve sleep quality without side effects. A 2017 study concluded that CBD may be safe and effective in treating osteoarthritis joint pain ( 4).
Clinical studies on humans have been lacking because cannabis is still illegal in many parts of the United States. This is slowly changing though, as countries like Canada have legalized the medicinal cannabis. More studies are being conducted. We will have to wait or trust our bodies’ reactions when we use cannabis for medical purposes.
Repair damage caused by arthritis in joints using cannabis
Canadian researcher Jason McDougall is a professor of pharmacology at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He conducted a new study to determine if medical cannabis can be used to treat arthritic joint pain and alleviate it. The Arthritis Society of Canada awarded a grant to fund a three-year study that will examine whether cannabis can heal joints by reducing inflammation or simply lowering the pain response in brain.
Janice Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society stated that ( 5):
People suffering from arthritis seek out alternatives to improve their quality life. Research is needed to answer many questions regarding medical cannabis and its use. Our goal is for Canadians to be able to make informed decisions regarding their treatment options. We also want to provide evidence-based guidelines to physicians for making treatment recommendations for patients. This project is an important step in achieving these goals.
mcdougall He told CBC Radio’s Information Morning that he had the following to say when he was asked about the nerves of someone with arthritis:
Nerves look like wires that have had the sheathing removed. They are completely naked and unprotected. We believe that by delivering cannabis-like molecules locally to these nerves, we can actually repair them and reduce the pain associated with arthritis.
McDougall’s research has shown that cannabis molecules can bind nerve receptors to control pain signals in the joint.
A second study, published in the journal Philosophical Transactions and the Royal Society B, found that the body’s Endocannabinoid System releases antioxidants that aid in repair of damaged cells when activated externally by cannabinoids ( 6).
There is enough evidence to believe that cannabis can help arthritis sufferers. Some have even made raw cannabis juice to relieve their arthritis. These are the results. It is inspiring to say the very least.
Making raw cannabis oil for arthritis
McDougall’s initial findings were actually tested under some anecdotal conditions. Wear Katie Marshh, a patient with rheumatoidarthritis who was on prednisone for many years and took antibiotics before she discovered cannabis. Although her doctors advised her to try disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, the side effects were so severe that she decided to consult a specialist in diet cannabis.
Marsh started making raw cannabis juice, and then he talked to the doctor about how to make smoothies from it. Marsh also ate the entire plant raw. He saw immediate results. Within A matter of days, Marsh had stopped using prednisone or pain relievers. Marsh was able to stop taking prednisone and pain relievers after just 11 months of drinking cannabis juice.
CBD or THC?
THC and CBD are both found in cannabis. However, they differ in that THC can get you “high”, while CBD is not psychoactive and does not get you “high”.
Both CBD and THC have their benefits, but which one is better for arthritis? THC and CBD are both effective in relieving inflammation, but CBD may be preferred by some because it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects.
CBD is especially beneficial for people with autoimmune conditions. It works to improve and enhance the immune system.
CBD is more effective at binding to CB2 receptors. This makes it easier to reduce inflammation in the joints. THC, on the other hand, binds better to CB1 receptors to ease chronic pain. It is also beneficial for anxiety and depression. Indica is a better choice than sativa when you want to calm and relax your body.
