In this post, we will look at some of the studies conducted on the effectiveness of cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as how it works to relieve pain and inflammation. With the prohibition of cannabis coming to an end in Western countries (which deserves its own blog post in the future), studies on cannabis are now well-funded, and our understanding of this wonderful plant is increasing. The studies are broken down by human studies, which give you an idea of people’s experience with cannabis and arthritis, and mice studies, which explain the mechanism of how it works.
It is important to keep in mind that these studies are funded by the cannabis industry, which, well… wants to sell you cannabis! Always test with a low dose and see how your body reacts.
Human Studies
Studies from 2005 and 2018 found that cannabis was effective in reducing pain and improving sleep in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Test subjects with arthritis and chronic pain reported that, on a scale of 1-10, Cannabis reduced pain by an average of 2.7 and improved sleep by an average of 2.5 points. Subjects reported that, on average, there was a 47% reduction in pain intensity and a 51% improvement in quality of life. Again, these studies are funded by the cannabis industry, and “quality of life” is subjective. It is important to test with a low dose for yourself and see how your body reacts.
Another study from 2020 conducted on patients with osteoarthritis found similar results. Cannabis use resulted in a 27% reduction in pain intensity, a 22% improvement in sleep quality, and a 50% improvement in quality of life. And in 2021, another study found that cannabis use was associated with a 50% reduction in pain intensity and a 46% improvement in quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
How It Works
Studies have shown that cannabis can help relieve pain and inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways and promoting immune system balance.
A 2015 study found that CBD was effective in reducing joint inflammation and pain in mice with rheumatoid arthritis. CBD works by inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways. It is important to note that blocking the inflammatory signals only addresses the symptoms and not the root cause. These signals are meant to protect us, and no one can be certain what the long-term effects would be when we block these signals.
Another study from 2018 found that regular cannabis use reduces levels of inflammatory markers in humans. Cannabis works by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system. Basically, it “calms down” the immune system (which is the opposite of Rheumatoid Arthritis, where the immune system “freaks out”). A similar study from 2019 found similar results in reducing inflammation in rats. Similarly, a 2021 human study found that cannabis use was associated with reduced levels of cytokines, which are inflammatory molecules.
Final Thoughts
Speaking from personal experience, I can say that addressing only symptoms and not the root cause of a problem is not a long-term solution. However, in the modern age, our lives are already unnatural. We spend time in front of screens and constantly have to worry about kids’ education and paying off mortgages! It is my personal belief that having a tool like cannabis can help improve your lifestyle, even if it means for the short term. If you are on the fence, I hope you give it a try and find this wonderful plant helpful.
New to Cannabis-based topicals? Try our THC pain relief cream.