What exactly is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatism is a collective term for a large number of disorders of joints, muscles and tendons. In the Netherlands, more than 2 million people suffer from rheumatism. The most common forms of rheumatism are inflammatory rheumatism, osteoarthritis and soft tissue rheumatism. These conditions are caused by a dysregulated immune system, causing chronic inflammation. These inflammations lead to a variety of symptoms, the most common of which are pain and stiffness in joints and muscles. This causes annoying limitations, such as being less mobile, in constant pain and becoming tired or lethargic.
Currently, there is no drug to cure rheumatoid arthritis. However, doctors can prescribe medications to relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. In this way, symptoms can be reduced, allowing you, the patient, to better cope with your condition. Unfortunately, not all medications are equally effective in everyone, which is why many people living with rheumatoid arthritis seek alternative and complementary remedies.
How does CBD oil help with rheumatoid arthritis?
A common remedy for rheumatoid arthritis is CBD. It is also an obvious option because CBD is known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it can combat mental symptoms such as stress and fatigue. We are often asked how it is possible that one remedy can help with a wide range of complaints. The answer is actually quite simple: it is thanks to CBD’ s action on the endocannabinoid system. This is a body’s own system that was discovered not long ago and plays a prominent role in numerous body processes, such as the immune system, digestion, memory, mood and pain perception. Exactly how CBD supports this system still needs further research, but anecdotal evidence and our own experiences show that CBD really can work wonders in many cases.
It is important to realize that CBD is not a cure for rheumatism, nor will it lead to spectacular reductions in symptoms for everyone. We do know many stories of rheumatoid arthritis patients who experienced (much) less pain, stiffness and mood problems after they started taking CBD. In this way, CBD makes life with rheumatism a little more bearable in many cases.
How do I use CBD if I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis?
Using CBD to reduce rheumatic symptoms can be done in three ways. You can take CBD oil or another CBD product by mouth, you can use CBD patches, or you can apply CBD as a topical to the painful joints and muscles. Which is best for you?
CBD oil, edibles or capsules
The most common way to use CBD is to take it by mouth. Everyone knows CBD oil, but also consider edibles with CBD or CBD capsules. The advantage of CBD oil is that it is absorbed very quickly, but not everyone is a fan of the taste and some people find dripping a bit inconvenient. In those cases, eating edibles or swallowing a capsule with some water is a simple and pleasant way of ingestion. When taken orally, keep in mind that the CBD works for about five to six hours. So keep three to four intake times a day, depending also on your symptoms.
CBD patches for rheumatism
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis suffer from aches and pains and stiffness throughout the day. This is why it is nice to use a product with rheumatoid arthritis that gradually releases CBD throughout the day, so that you have a constant amount of CBD in your bloodstream. You can do this with CBD patches. You simply stick these – just like a nicotine or morphine patch, for example – onto your skin. Then the patches gradually release their CBD for 24 hours. This way you only need to apply a patch once a day. Another advantage of CBD patches is that they have a high bioavailability: when absorbed through the skin, a larger part of the CBD enters your blood than when taken orally.
Apply CBD to sore joints and muscles
Applying CBD to the skin is also an effective way to relieve pain symptoms, especially when used in combination with patches and/or oral intake of CBD. Popular products for this are CBD paste and massage oil with CBD. Optionally, you can also make your own massage oil using CBD paste. The advantage of this way of using CBD is that you can rub in joints and muscles very specifically. Once applied, the CBD penetrates through the capillaries in the skin to the muscles and joints, providing pleasant relief.
What to look out for when buying CBD for rheumatoid arthritis?
CBD is legal and 100% safe to use in almost all cases, but again, keep in mind that CBD is not a medicine for rheumatoid arthritis and should only be used as an adjunct to medications and supplements prescribed by your treating physician. Are you taking any medications? If in doubt, always ask your doctor or physician if you can use them together with CBD. Then start with a low dose of CBD per day (keep about 20 mg of CBD per day in the beginning) and slowly increase it depending on your symptoms and how your body responds.
Also, when buying CBD for rheumatism, always make sure you choose good quality CBD products from reliable brands like Wedihemp and Dutch Hemp. That way, you can be sure that the CBD you buy contains the right amount of CBD and other cannabinoids (especially not too much THC).
