Can cannabis help arthritis?

There is potential for cannabis to help the swollen, inflamed, and painful joints in rheumatoid arthritis. Although most specific evidence has focused on animal studies, it is known that in humans, cannabis can help manage chronic pain, a defining feature of rheumatoid arthritis.

Which CBD products are best for rheumatoid arthritis?

Any CBD product can offer anti-inflammatory relief, so it comes down to personal preference. Inhalable products like vaporizers can offer fast relief, but the effects are short-lived. Edibles can offer long-lasting effects, but can take up to 2 hours to work.

Which is better for arthritis, THC or CBD?

Studies show that both THC and CBD might help someone manage arthritis symptoms. While THC is intoxicating, CBD may relieve symptoms without causing a ‘high.’

What are the best strains for rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue of the body, causing the joints to become painful and swollen.

More people are turning to medical cannabis to relieve common RA symptoms. Some strains of cannabis may be particularly helpful due to their anti-inflammatory effects.

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Best strains for rheumatoid arthritis

While traditional treatments like anti-inflammatories can be effective, cannabis might help relieve symptoms like pain and swelling. This is especially true for cannabis strains with high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds like:

Ultimately, what works for one person may not work for you. It’s best to experiment with different strains and ask your doctor for personalized guidance when seeking out the best one for RA symptom relief.

White Widow

White Widow is an indica-dominant hybrid strain with 15% CBD and 15% THC. This strain is commonly recommended for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which may ease stiff and painful joints. Its dominant terpenes include myrcene and pinene.

Berry White

Another indica-dominant strain, Berry White might help lower inflammation while relaxing the body and mind. Those who are kept awake at night due to chronic pain may find this one especially helpful, with myrcene and pinene enhancing its soothing effects. Berry White has about 20% THC.

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel is a fast-acting and powerful strain also known to reduce chronic pain. This sativa-dominant hybrid has a moderately high THC content of around 18% and a lower CBD content of 2%, so it can be quite intoxicating. Its high level of limonene can ease the brain’s response to pain, while it can offer a mood boost that comes in handy during the daytime hours.

Jack Herer

High in terpenes beta-caryophyllene, pinene, and limonene, Jack Herer is another high-strength hybrid strain that yields around 18% to 23% THC. Like Sour Diesel, its pain-relieving properties can be fast-acting and powerful. Despite being more sativa-leaning, many people find that it produces calming effects while alleviating joint pain.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic was specially bred to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It has up to 17% CBD and about 3% THC, so it produces more of a mild buzz than strong intoxication.

Harlequin

Harlequin has about 12% CBD and about 10% THC. Its high concentration of myrcene makes it a great choice for managing inflammation-related chronic pain, while its calming effects may ease stress.

How cannabis could help rheumatoid arthritis

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD activate cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body, belonging to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). These receptors balance bodily processes like inflammation and pain response.

Studies show that THC and CBD have anti-inflammatory effects that may help with RA-related pain and swelling. One study found that THC’s anti-inflammatory effects may be 20 times stronger than aspirin.

Many terpenes in cannabis may also play a role in fighting inflammation. Terpenes affect the smell and flavor of cannabis, and contribute to the plant’s benefits. Each cannabis strain has a unique composition of terpenes, which is why some strains help with certain symptoms more than others.

One study found that people with arthritis prefer indica or hybrid strains, which are usually higher in anti-inflammatory terpenes like myrcene, pinene, and linalool, compared to sativa strains.

Best ways to consume cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis

The most common consumption methods for cannabis include:

Smoking or vaping: Inhalation-based methods can offer rapid relief, with short-lived effects
Tinctures: Tinctures take about 30 minutes to kick in, and last longer than inhalable methods
Edibles or capsules: These ingestible products take up to 2 hours to work, but effects can last for several hours. Effects can also be more potent than other product types.
Topicals: Topicals offer targeted relief to affected joints, with no risk of intoxication.

Choosing a consumption method depends on your cannabis tolerance, preferences, and symptoms. Ask your doctor if they recommend a specific product type based on your health needs.

The bottom line: These cannabis strains may be particularly helpful for your RA symptoms

Managing RA symptoms like chronic pain and joint stiffness can be challenging, even with traditional treatments. However, growing research shows that medical cannabis may offer relief.

If you’re interested in obtaining a medical cannabis card to explore the strains above, Leafwell’s telehealth services can help you get started.

Resources

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7023045
Cannabinoids for treatment of chronic non-cancer pain; a systematic review of randomized trials. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3243008/
Cannabis and cannabinoids in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7000161/
Expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 and its inhibitory effects on synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis. https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article-abstract/53/5/802/1798167
Patterns of medicinal cannabis use, strain analysis, and substitution effect among patients with migraine, headache, arthritis, and chronic pain in a medicinal cannabis cohort. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5968020/
Taming THC: Potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3165946/
Therapeutic applications of terpenes on inflammatory diseases. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8414653/
Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4851925/

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6 best strains for rheumatoid arthritis