Existing research suggests that CBD oil may alleviate arthritis pain due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. In this article, we explain what full spectrum CBD is, how CBD can help relieve chronic pain associated with inflammation, safety concerns, and where to buy quality CBD products.
Below we’ve answered a number of common questions about CBD, how to use CBD, its benefits for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and where you can buy quality full spectrum CBD.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the most abundant compound in hemp plants, and is found primarily in the flower and leaves of the plant. It’s one of more than 100 cannabinoids which can be extracted from the plant, and is used to make a wide variety of products, such as CBD oil, lotions and creams, edibles, and capsules.
CBD has grown in popularity as people are discovering its therapeutic benefits, especially as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Full spectrum CBD oil means the product contains many cannabinoids beyond CBD, such as CBN, CBDV, THCV, CBG, CBC, THCA, CBDA. Full spectrum CBD oil also contains other compounds from the hemp plant, including naturally-occurring terpenes, essential vitamins, fatty acids, protein, and more.
The alternative to full spectrum CBD is CBD isolate. In isolates, the CBD molecule is chemically isolated from all other compounds in the hemp plant, resulting in a powder substance which is then mixed with a carrier.
CBD isolates have no identifiable amount of THC and they’re stripped of the other beneficial and nutritional compounds, such as terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, and protein mentioned above.
Researchers in a 2015 study conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Hadassah School concluded full spectrum CBD extract was more effective at treating inflammation than CBD isolate.
They based this conclusion on the view that other cannabinoids and compounds in the full spectrum hemp extract synergized with CBD to relieve inflammation at a greater amount than CBD isolate. The researchers dubbed this phenomenon “The Entourage Effect.”
We liken CBD isolate to be a bit like selling bread that’s been stripped of much of its nutritional value.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is not a solitary disease or condition, but an informal way of generally referring to the hundred or more types of conditions revolving around joint pain and joint disease.
The most common arthritis symptoms include swelling, chronic pain, stiffness, inflammation in the joints, and decreased movement in the affected joint(s).
Inflammation can be beneficial to us, because it “suffocates” dangerous entities that enter our body and eliminates them. The immune system initiates inflammatory responses to prevent sickness or injury. However, the immune system is not always the best at distinguishing harmful stimuli from harmless ones, and sometimes initiates inflammatory responses when there is no benefit.
Just as inflammation is destructive to foreign substances, it can also be destructive to our vital tissues. Our health often depends on balancing our immune system’s tendency toward inflammation, which makes anti-inflammatory agents beneficial to us.
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network recommends CBD oil as an effective treatment for the pain associated with arthritis, due to its ability to not only decrease joint inflammation, but also act as a protectant to the nerves.
Though the science behind CBD is gaining traction, long term studies on CBD’s anti-inflammatory benefits are to be longed for. The Arthritis Foundation is on record urging the FDA to expedite both the study and regulation of all CBD products.
Presently, research points to two potential mechanisms by which CBD can reduce the sensitivity of pain receptors in the joints.
One way CBD can reduce pain is by preventing or lowering inflammation that may cause pain. By reducing inflammation in joints, CBD may help to protect nerves and thereby limit pain. CBD is known to have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties, including the ability to reduce the production of inflammatory cells of the immune system called cytokines.
CBD is also capable of increasing myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which are cells that help to suppress inflammation. It has recently been observed that CBD inhibits what is known as the adenosine transporter, which promotes the signaling of an anti-inflammatory receptor called the adenosine, or A2A, receptor.
Another way that CBD may help those experiencing pain is by decreasing pain perception when CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors (CB2 receptors).
It seems that CBD is able to reduce pain by influencing the way certain stimuli affect pain receptors, so that people do not perceive pain the way they would without CBD. CB2 receptors have been observed to interact with nearby channels, known as TRPV1 channels, to influence joint pain.
We recommend starting with a full spectrum CBD extract (CBD oil) taken sublingually one to two times per day. Sublingually means placing the oil under your tongue using the dropper and holding it there for 60-90 seconds, or until the oil has been absorbed.
CBD extracts offer full-body relief and tend to have the highest bioavailability among CBD products, meaning they are absorbed into your bloodstream at a higher percentage than CBD foods or beverages.
We often suggest supplementing the extract with a CBD lotion or cream. These CBD products interact with receptors in the area which they’re applied, providing relief from aching joints and muscle soreness.
When surveyed, 89% of our customers who use our CBD lotions and/or creams responded that the CBD lotions and creams are effective.
Moreover, 85% of our customers who use CBD lotions or creams reported they combine it with one of our CBD extract/oil products, primarily for treating aching joints, muscle soreness, and chronic pain. For this reason, we bundled our Extra Strength CBD Extract and 600mg CBD Lotion in our Extra Relief Pack.
As we alluded to above, there are a few ways to take CBD oil. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of each application method, especially regarding CBD bioavailability — the rate at which CBD enters your bloodstream.
1) Sublingual Application. As described, this involves using a dropper to place the oil under your tongue. Sublingual administration of CBD works by exposing the sublingual gland, a vein found under the tongue, to the CBD product. Leave the CBD oil under your tongue for 60-90 seconds until it’s absorbed. This allows CBD to enter the bloodstream more directly than if it were swallowed and subjected to the digestive system.
CBD edibles, like caramels, chocolates, or other candies, also work by way of sublingual application. When the candy is sucked on or allowed to melt in your mouth, CBD makes its way into the bloodstream through the sublingual gland.
2) Topical Application. Full spectrum CBD applied through use of products like CBD lotions and creams is particularly favorable for exercise recovery, athletes, and those managing conditions caused by inflammation, like arthritis. CBD lotions and creams do not enter the bloodstream; instead they interact with receptors in the skin to relieve pain in the area they’re applied.
For this reason, they’re beneficial for those subject to drug testing, because the THC never reaches your bloodstream and therefore won’t flag a drug screening.
3) Oral Application: CBD can be taken orally by way of CBD capsules, much like your standard medication. CBD capsules are a convenient way to monitor dosage and avoid the taste and texture of CBD oils, which some people find unfavorable.
However, like all substances ingested orally, CBD capsules will not take effect immediately, because they have to travel through our digestive systems before entering our blood circulation.
In addition, because capsules are subject to our metabolisms and digestive systems, they will be broken down in a way that lowers their bioavailability.
Research into the bioavailability of CBD suggests that products taken orally are associated with a bioavailability of less than 20%. What this means is, in order to attain the same level of relief, the concentration or dose of CBD products taken orally needs to be higher than what would be required if you took your CBD sublingually, for example.
Regarding the proper dose of CBD, the best practice is to identify the lowest dose necessary to realize your desired benefits.
Starting with 25mg of CBD per day (equivalent to one dropper of our 750mg extract), then gradually increasing or decreasing your dosage until you reach your desired state, is an appropriate approach.
If you have concerns or are taking other medication, we advise that you speak to a physician before adding CBD oil to your healthcare regimen.
While no major health or safety concerns have been associated with the use of CBD oil alone, some drug interactions have been identified, particularly with blood thinners and glaucoma medications.
Other side effects that have been reported are:
The simple answer is yes, buying CBD oil is federally legal and it can be shipped to all 50 states. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of hemp and its extracts, provided the hemp from which the CBD is extracted contains no more than 0.3% THC.
The USDA confirmed in its memo that states cannot interfere with the interstate commerce of hemp or its derivatives.
You can purchase Laura’s Homestead Alternatives Full Spectrum CBD oil, lotions and creams, edibles, and softgel capsules through our online store.
Our CBD is extracted from USDA-certified organic hemp grown at Laura’s Mt. Folly Farm. We source 100% of our hemp from Laura’s farm, work closely with a local extractor to create our full spectrum extract, and partner with third-party labs to ensure our products meet label accuracy.
This guarantees that we maintain full control of the product from field to finished good.
We carry a range of full spectrum CBD products including:
For relief from arthritis pain in particular, we recommend a combination of our Extra Strength CBD Extract and one of our three CBD lotions.
We are committed to education and strive to provide you with the most reliable research and information about CBD’s benefits. We recommend that you read our 5 Key Considerations When Buying CBD Oil article before purchasing CBD and please contact us with any questions.