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Arthritis Foundation Releases First CBD Guidance for Adults With Arthritis

Updated: Jul 11, 2023

CBD for Arthritis Pain: What You Should Know

Learn what the science says about the risks and benefits of CBD use for arthritis and what to shop for.


hands of a mature lady with Arthritis
Arthritis Foundation Releases First CBD Guidance for Adults With Arthritis

Taking the First Step

Should I give CBD a try? Without quality clinical studies on CBD and arthritis, doctors have not been able to say who might benefit from CBD, at what dose, and in which form, who likely won't benefit, and who should avoid it. Still, there is an agreement on several points:


CBD is not a substitute for disease-modifying treatment for inflammatory arthritis. Patients interested in CBD should first talk to the health care provider who treats their arthritis before trying CBD. Together, they can review what has worked or not worked in the past, whether there are other options to try first, how to do a trial run, what to watch for, and when to return for a follow-up visit to evaluate the results. Keep a symptom and dose diary to track effects. Quality CBD products can be expensive, mainly when used for prolonged periods. To avoid wasting money, be sure that the product positively affects symptoms.

What type of product should I consider? CBD-based products can be taken orally, applied to the skin, or inhaled. There are pros and cons to each.

By mouth. #CBD swallowed, whether in capsules, food, or liquid, is absorbed through the digestive tract. Absorption is slow, and dosing is tricky due to the delayed onset of effect (one to two hours), unknown effects of stomach acids, recent meals, and other factors.


Capsules can work for daily use after establishing a safe, effective capsule dose. Experts discourage taking CBD via edibles, like gummies and cookies, because dosing is unreliable, and they are appealing to children but do not come in childproof containers. Like any medicine, edibles should be secured out of sight and reach of children.


CBD can also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream by holding liquid from a spray or tincture (a liquid dosed by a dropper) under the tongue (sublingual) for 60 to 120 seconds. The taste may not be pleasant, and the effects may be felt within 15 to 45 minutes.


On the skin. Topical products, like lotions and balms, are applied to the skin over a painful joint; whether these products deliver CBD below the skin is unknown. Topical products may also include common over-the-counter ingredients such as menthol, capsaicin, or camphor, making it difficult to determine if a positive effect is due to CBD or another element.


Inhaled. CBD can be inhaled via a vaporizing or vape pen. However, inhalation of vapor oils and chemical byproducts carries unknown risks, particularly for people with #inflammatory arthritis. For this reason, vaping is not recommended because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating vaping in association with widespread hospitalizations and deaths from severe pulmonary disease.

How much CBD should I use? While there are no established clinical guidelines, the medical experts consulted by the Arthritis Foundation recommend the following for adults:


When preparing to take a liquid form, be aware that the CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil, so there are two measures to know: the amount of the liquid product to take (the dose) and the amount of CBD in each dose.

The dosage is unique to each individual. It depends on your weight, age, and condition, some people need more, and some need less, but our customers' average dosage is 15 to 60 drops daily! The best practice and the industry standard for dosing are to guide CBD users to start "Low and Go Slow." this means starting with a few drops daily and slowly titrating up as needed by increasing the dose to 5mg (-/+) increments, until you find your sweet spot.


How to take CBD oils?

. Sublingual, but avoid washing it off with water, as water and oil do not mix. It will delay relief effects.

. Smoothies: After blending, add CBD oil and gently stir again!

. Milk: Vegan or cow milk

. Heavy juice with fatty components, like orange, mango, or pear juice.

If you find relief, continue taking that dose twice daily to maintain a stable level of CBD in the blood.


If CBD alone doesn't work and you are in a state where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, talk to your doctor about taking CBD with a very low-dose THC product. Consider THC, even at low levels, may get you high, creating #cognitive, motor, and #balance issues. Try THC-containing products at home or at night first to sleep off any unwanted effects.

If you experience any unwanted side effects when using a CBD product, immediately discontinue and inform your doctor.


What to Look for When Shopping

There is good reason to be a cautious shopper. CBD products are largely unregulated in the U.S. market, and independent testing has shown mislabeling and a lack of #quality control. The most significant issues are the strength of CBD (significantly more or less than the label says), the presence of undeclared THC, and contamination with pesticides, metals, and solvents.


Look for products manufactured in the U.S. with ingredients grown domestically. Choose products made by companies that follow good manufacturing practices established by the FDA for pharmaceuticals or #dietary #supplements (a voluntary quality standard because CBD products are not federally regulated under either category) or required by the state where they are manufactured.

Buy from companies that test each batch and provide a certificate of analysis from an independent lab that uses validated standardized testing methods approved by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), or the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC). Avoid companies that claim their products have disease benefits.

Be aware that marketers and people behind retail counters are not #health professionals but salespeople. That's why your doctor is your best source for guidance and monitoring when using an unregulated #product. Our gratitude to the following experts for their guidance and review:

Kevin Boehnke, Ph.D., a researcher at the Chronic Pain and Fatigue #Research Center at the #University of Michigan, focuses on medical cannabis as an analgesic and opioid substitute in chronic pain.


Daniel Clauw, MD, a professor of #anesthesiology, rheumatology, and #psychiatry at the University of Michigan and director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, leads research on #arthritis pain and #fibromyalgia and the effects of cannabis, particularly CBD, in pain.


Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, MD, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, researches #pain and #rheumatic #diseases. She is the lead author of the 2019 Canadian #Rheumatology Association (CRA) position statement for #medical #cannabis.

*Read the Arthritis Foundation's official position statement on CBD use for adults with arthritis here.




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