CBD & Arthritis

Post Date: 10th November 2020

CBD Fundamentals

The Cannabis family of florae, or Cannabaceae, contains over 100 distinct chemical compounds – known as ‘Cannabinoids’. The two most famous of these are:

Cannabidiol (CBD) & Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

THC is the infamous compound sought after by recreational marijuana users as this is the all-important psychoactive ingredient is common Cannabis.

CBD on the other hand, is not psychoactive and according to a report from the WHO “CBD is safe and well tolerated in humans…and is not associated with any negative public health effects”, which is why, as per UK Government guidelines the CBD oil we supply is derived 100% from the Hemp plant, so contains trace to 0% THC, making it entirely safe and legal for the UK consumer.

CBD & ME: the Relationship between Cannabinoids & the Human Body

To thoroughly understand CBD, we have to explore the wider picture:

The way in which Cannabidiol (CBD) interacts with the human body on a molecular level is deep & fascinating, as well as pivotal in our endeavour to fully understand the scientific basis behind many of it’s beneficial and medicinal effects.

In our bodies, we have a complex and finely-tuned network known as the Endocannabinoid System. ⁽¹⁾

Discovered in 1992 by Dr. Lumir Hanus & Dr. William Devane, the Endocannabinoid System – unlike many of the other systems in the ‘mammalian’ physiology – is not a singular, closed structure, but rather an array of different mechanisms that work together behind the scenes.⁽²⁾

Functioning largely like the caretaker for the whole body, it utilises an array of enzymes, receptors and endocannabinoids to ensure the smooth working order of many of the other primary systems; managing our appetites, sleep patterns, mood and even memory processing.

This process is built into our biology, entirely unrelated to whether an individual engages CBD products or not.

This is – and this cannot be understated – perhaps THE pivotal discovery in the scientific study of Cannabaceae, working to better contextualise human beings’ long-standing, cross-cultural relationship with the plant on a fundamental and biological level.

Compounds produced by Cannabaceae are also produced within the human body itself, suggesting an ancestral, genomic connection to be the reasoning behind why these plants and their compounds affect us in the ways they do.

So what does this all have to do with Arthiritis?

Arthritis is a effectively a collection of over 100 specific and related conditions⁽³⁾, but at the heart of it, Arthritis is most commonly separated into 4 subtypes:

Degenerative, Inflammatory, Infectious & Metabolic. They affect around 10 million patients across the UK to date. The two most common forms of Arthritis are:

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

The primary symptoms of both forms are defined as joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder whereby a person’s own immune system begins to overwork, attacking parts of the body, most noticeably the joints, causing moderate to severe inflammation and subsequent pain.

Osteoarthritis is slightly more straightforward, in that it involves the degeneration of the joint cartilage and wearing of the bones most commonly worked, such as the hips, fingers and knees.

How can CBD help?

In recent years there have been a wealth of new studies on CBD’s effectiveness in combatting and/or counteracting inflammation and it’s associated pain, due largely in part to the easing of legal restrictions relating to the sale, use and study of CBD.

More on the legal aspects and myths surrounding CBD here

For a comprehensive rundown of the most prevalent studies on the relation between CBD and Arthritis, take a look at the following studies:

A 2011 study ⁽⁴⁾ found that CBD helped to reduce inflammatory pain by affecting the way that pain receptors respond to stimuli,

In 2014⁽⁵⁾, a review of the existing body of research on animals concluded that CBD may be an effective treatment for Osteoarthritis,

A 2016 study ⁽⁶⁾found that the application of CBD had the potential to relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis,

Study in 2017 ⁽⁷⁾ found evidence to support that CBD may be a safe and useful treatment for Osteoarthritis and joint pain.

Most recently a study released in September 2020 ⁽⁸⁾, revealed directly observable evidence that “CBD possesses anti-arthritic activity…” “…targeting synovial fibroblasts under inflammatory conditions.” Fibroblasts are a type of cell that the body produces to assist in healing, and are believed to be the cause autoimmune inflammation, which is a big deal for CBD advocates and arthritis sufferers alike.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Numerous studies are still underway today, as more research into the specifics of how CBD can assist with, and aid in the prevention of symptoms and damage caused by arthritic illnesses, further strengthening CBD’s legitimacy as an effective tool in the treatment of Arthritis as a whole.

Platinum CBD

It will come as no surprise that we at Platinum CBD are avid supporters of CBD research, and use this information to help support our longstanding customers as well as hopefully inform and put at ease, potential new customers looking for further information on CBD, a wealth of which you will find all throughout our website.

Ultimately, when choosing any CBD related products, you always want to ensure that you are choosing the highest quality – and that’s exactly what you will find here at Platinum CBD. You can see our lab results by clicking here.

Should you have any questions, or if you would like help choosing the best CBD product, please get in contact by emailing us at enquiries@platinumcbduk.com

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