Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Arthritis

Still, the debate is going around about how medical marijuana affects your body. Researchers are trying to find out how it’s beneficial for arthritis. Without any doubt, it provides relief from long-term pain. The major symptom of arthritis is pain. In this article, we will discuss how medical marijuana affects arthritis and the benefits of medical marijuana for arthritis. According to statistics, 57% of patients with arthritis have tried CBD for medical reasons, and the good news is more than 90% of patients are satisfied with the results. So, let’s examine whether medical marijuana is an effective treatment for arthritis or not.

How Medical Marijuana Is Beneficial for Arthritis?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an oil, and it contains extracts from cannabis plants. People use CBD oil to be relieved the pain associated with arthritis. In the United States, the leading cause of disability is arthritis. Shockingly, it has affected over 50 million Americans. Two major types of arthritis are:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of a person attacks joints and results in inflammation. It has been seen that RA mostly attacks hands and feet and results in stiff, painful, and swollen joints.

• Osteoarthritis (OA)

It is a degenerative disease, and it attacks bones and joint cartilage. It results in stiffness and pain. OA usually attacks the knee, thumb, and hip joints. Some research work was done on animals to see the results of CBD and CBD proved to be the treatment for arthritis, and it provides relief from associated inflammatory pain. A study conducted in 2016, has shown that topical application of CBD can provide relief from arthritis and pain associated with it. Another study conducted in 2017 found that CBD is a safe and effective treatment for joint pain. Still, we lack scientific evidence to prove that CBD is an effective treatment of arthritis for humans. In 2006, a study showed that a mouth spray containing cannabis named Sativex helps relieve arthritis pain. Moreover, research and findings are encouraging so far, but more research is required to confirm that medical marijuana is an effective treatment for arthritis pain.

How to Get the Most Out of Medical Marijuana When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you are thinking of using cannabis for pain relief, you might be wondering how to take medical marijuana. Delivery methods play a crucial role in which one can use cannabis. Delivery methods depend on what is available to you and your needs. One thing should be clear that all the methods don’t work equally. So, let’s look at some most common medicinal forms of medical marijuana and their pros and cons.

• Topical Ointments

Pros

They provide you immediate relief in a targeted area, like low back pain and joint pain for a couple of hours. More importantly, they don’t make you high. The biggest advantage is you don’t have a psychoactive effect. Effects are not long-lasting, but you can apply them again when needed.

Cons

Some people complain about the odor, and according to them, the effects are not long-lasting. People think that the effects can be long-lasting by digesting or inhaling it.

• Capsules and Pills

Pros

You will have to take a consistent dosage. Like topical ointments, it doesn’t require inhaling and provides up to 8 hours of pain relief. It is considered the most consistent delivery system. These are edible, and you know how much you are getting every time. Cannabis is fat-soluble, and it can be quickly absorbed when you take it with fatty food.

Cons

They can be expensive, and sometimes you might have to wait for more than one hour to see results.

• Edibles

Pros

These are odorless and don’t involve vapor or smoke. When used for medicinal purposes, you can enjoy the effects for up to eight hours. It is beneficial for arthritis, and you can use it when the pain is severe and constant. If you have gummy chews, you can find medical marijuana candy.

Cons 

Most patients don’t have a good experience with edibles, and it affects each person differently. Another issue is THC is not evenly distributed throughout the product. More importantly, the dose is inconsistent, and you can’t get the same amount in a row. So, the effects will be different.

• Transdermal Patches

Pros

These are adhesive patches that contain cannabinoids. In this method, medical marijuana is absorbed into the skin and enters the bloodstream, affecting the overall body. It is a good choice for arthritis, and more importantly, the effect lasts for a long time. You don’t have to inhale or ingest this pain-relieving cannabis.

Cons

It is one of the most expensive delivery methods. When the pain is severe, it might not work well.

• Vaping

If you want immediate relief from arthritis pain, try vaping because it is easier on the lungs than smoking.  The temperature for the vaporizer is 375 degrees. It heats the plant and vaporizes it, and you can inhale it just like smoking. But a good thing is it provides relief from arthritis pain in just two to three minutes. It produces little to no chemicals, so it is a good choice for arthritis patients.

Cons

It can be pricey to purchase the best vaporizing machine.

• Smoking

Pros

It is the least expensive method and can be easily accessed. When you inhale cannabis, you can enjoy the immediate pain-relieving effect.

Cons

It irritates the respiratory tract, and it’s an unhealthy method of administration. You might be using it for pain relief and to reduce inflammation, but it can cause more inflammation.

Conclusion

Medical marijuana is slowly but surely making its mark. It is gaining popularity quickly, and research is in progress to see the positive effects of marijuana on arthritis. As it is an effective treatment for other diseases, it also provides immediate pain relief from arthritis. Consult a Florida marijuana doctor before using it. Contact All Natural MD Florida marijuana doctors located in your area for more help. If you want to buy this product, then visit All Natural MD marijuana doctors in Florida. Buy the product and enjoy the splendid benefits but make sure you have your Florida medical marijuana card as that's a requirement to purchase marijuana products in Florida.