Does CBD (cannabidiol) relieve osteoarthritis pain?

Does CBD really work for my pain?

Using CBD or cannabidiol is an effective form of pain mitigation for chronic and acute pain according to a 2008 review on “management of difficult to treat pain”.

CBD interacts with receptors in your brain and immune system. Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells that receive chemical signals from different stimuli and help your cells respond. This creates anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects that help with pain management. This means that CBD oil may benefit people with chronic pain, such as chronic neck pain. Researchers also concluded CBD was effective in overall pain management without adverse side effects.

In a 2016 study, researchers found that topical CBD oils and creams applied to arthritic joints decreased inflammation and decreased pain. There will be many more studies coming forward on the effects and benefits of CBD on pain management.

Common Myths about CBD:

CBD makes you high : MYTH

CBD is an entirely different compound from THC, and its effects are very complex. It is not psychoactive, meaning it does not produce a "high" or change a person's state of mind.

CBD is a sedative: MYTH

“That’s actually not true.” Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and medical scientist explained in a pharmacological study in 2011. Low doses of CBD can actually be alerting to the system, counteracting the sedative effects of other medications.

Using topical CBD lotion/oils will test positive on drug testing: MYTH

From a study in 2017 in the forensic science journal, they confirmed that topicals containing THC did not cause a positive test in both blood and urine. Also, topicals containing only CBD and have no THC, will not test positive on drug testing.