Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder distinguished by joint inflammation and pain. It affects roughly 1.3 million adults in the US and around 1% of the global population.

Today, many people living with arthritis rely on the use of over-the-counter pain relievers to achieve pain relief and improved mobility. However, there are also natural alternatives like weed available that studies highlight due to their pain-relieving benefits.
In searching for weed products, arthritis sufferers use the “cannabis dispensary near me” searches online.

Key Takeaways:

• Pain and joint inflammation characterize rheumatoid arthritis.
• The autoimmune disease affects roughly 1% of the global population.
• Sufferers resort to pharmaceutical pain relievers and natural alternatives like cannabis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This chronic inflammatory disease can damage multiple body systems, including joints, skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels, leading to painful joint swelling, bone erosion, and deformity.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of this condition include tender, warm, and swollen joints, morning stiffness, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, and initial joint involvement in smaller joints like fingers and toes. Symptoms then progress to larger joints such as wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders, usually symmetrically affecting both sides of the body.

Around 40% of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis experience non-joint-related signs and symptoms affecting various areas of the body.

• Skin
• Eyes
• Lungs
• Heart
• Kidneys
• Salivary Glands
• Nerve Tissue
• Bone Marrow
• Blood Vessels

Causes

This condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, potentially leading to medical issues. Although the exact cause is unknown, genetics may increase susceptibility to environmental triggers like viral and bacterial infections.

Risk Factors

• Gender. Women have an increased likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to men.
• Age. It can develop at any age but commonly starts in middle age.
• Family History. Having a family member with RA increases the odds of developing the disease.
• Smoking. Cigarette smoking, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition, is correlated with a heightened risk and greater disease severity.
• Excess Weight. Being overweight slightly elevates the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis

Cannabis For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cannabis is the subject of extensive research due to its potential therapeutic benefits for arthritis. The various compounds in Cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for individuals with arthritis.

In particular, THC and CBD have garnered significant attention for their potential in managing arthritis symptoms.

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, exhibits potential anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, precisely the immune cell, the CB2 receptors, to modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation.

Additionally, CBD has shown promise in inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules, further contributing to its potential therapeutic effects against rheumatoid arthritis.

THC

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabis’ primary psychoactive compound, may offer potential benefits for rheumatoid arthritis. It interacts with the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, modulating pain perception and reducing pain signals.

THC may have immunosuppressive effects, reducing inflammation and slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Today, a growing body of research findings highlight CBD’s anti-arthritis benefits. These studies support CBD’s potential to alleviate inflammation, reduce pain, and improve the overall symptoms associated with arthritis.

Cannabis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cannabinoids, with their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, show promise as potential treatments for rheumatoid diseases. Preclinical studies have yielded encouraging results, suggesting that these compounds help halt disease progression and relieve pain.

Studies found CBD may reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide and block the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related transcription factors.

• High CBD content extracts have shown the ability to diminish cytokine secretion from human T cells and effectively suppress cytokine storms in mouse models.
• THC has demonstrated the ability to modulate the immune system by suppressing the cell-mediated immune response and enhancing the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
• THC and CBD can inhibit inflammatory signalling pathways, such as NF-κB and JAK/STAT, decreasing pro-inflammatory activation in immune cells.

Benefits

Inflammation

In a systematic review conducted in 2021, researchers found that specific cannabis compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and a combination of CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), consistently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in animal studies.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are molecules that drive the inflammatory process. However, THC alone did not exhibit this anti-inflammatory effect.

Chronic Pain

In a comprehensive review of over 10,700 studies, researchers found that cannabis and its compounds effectively relieve chronic pain, which is a significant symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Depression

Depression and anxiety are common among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with approximately 30% developing depression within five years of diagnosis, as found in a 2017 study.

Another study from the same year reported an even higher rate of depression among those with RA, at 39%, while noting that around 20% of individuals with RA experience anxiety.

Improved Sleep

In a study from Pain Research and Management, the use of medical cannabis helped reduce pain and enhance sleep among rheumatology clinic outpatients.

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Wrapping It Up

The latest reviews on the potential of cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis present promising findings. While further research is needed, these study results suggest that cannabis could be a valuable option for managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

GrassLife offers a range of high-quality cannabis products to provide relief from chronic pain and inflammation among people living with arthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine the correct dosage of cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis?

1. Talk to a Doctor. Always start by consulting with a healthcare professional who knows about using cannabis for medical purposes.
2. Start Small. Begin with a low dose and increase it slowly until you find relief with the least amount needed.
3. Pick the Right Type. Choose cannabis products that are higher in CBD and lower in THC to avoid strong psychoactive effects.
4. Keep a Diary. Write down how much you’re taking, when you’re taking it, and how it’s affecting your symptoms. This will help you determine what works best.
5. Consider How You Take It. The effects can vary depending on whether you eat it, use a tincture, or another method. Some methods work faster but don’t last as long.
6. Adjust as Needed. You might need to change your dose or how you take cannabis over time. Keep checking in with your doctor to stay safe.

Are there any alternative methods of cannabis consumption for individuals who do not want to smoke?

• Edibles. Cannabis-infused foods and beverages offer a smoke-free way to consume cannabis. They come in various forms, such as gummies, chocolates, and teas. Edibles provide a longer-lasting effect but take longer to kick in compared to smoking.
• Vaporizers. Vaporizing heats the cannabis just enough to release the active ingredients without burning the plant material, reducing the inhalation of harmful byproducts.
• Tinctures. Cannabis-infused liquids that are applied under the tongue with a dropper. Tinctures are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.
• Topicals: Cannabis-infused creams, balms, and lotions applied directly to the skin. Topicals are used for localized relief of pain or inflammation without psychoactive effects.
• Capsules and Pills. Cannabis can also be consumed in the form of capsules or pills, providing a discreet and convenient way to dose without smoking.

How do I obtain medical cannabis in Canada?

If you have a medical need for cannabis, you can obtain it through the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) program. You need to get a medical document from a healthcare practitioner, which allows you to register with a licensed producer authorized to distribute medical cannabis.