Managing Arthritis
Two thirds of Canadians using medical cannabis today do so to ease the pain and discomforts of arthritis.
[ source: Arthritis Society ]
Surveys show 15% of Canadians and over 20% of Americans suffer from some form of arthritis. It’s most common among older adults but also affects young people.
Arthritis is a painful inflammation of the joints that includes up to 200 different but related conditions such as:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus
- Gout
Initial symptoms of arthritis include stiffness, especially in the morning, and pain and swelling around the joints. Later symptoms include tiredness, restless sleep and difficulty moving joints. There is no known cure for arthritis but certain analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do provide symptomatic relief.
Now we can add cannabis to that list. Studies show cannabis is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Arthritis causes inflammation of the joint tissue. Naturally produced THC and CBD (active ingredients in cannabis) relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
In fact studies show CBD helps relieve arthritis related inflammation and pain without any side-effects. Another study found that, used early on, CBD actually helps prevent pain and nerve damage in osteoarthritic joints.
Studies and Information
1. Dalhousie University Halifax
2. GreenCamp.Com
Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in Canada for certain health conditions, including arthritis, since 2001. In fact, over 60% of Canadians already using cannabis for medical reasons do so to ease the pain and discomforts of arthritis.
Medical cannabis refers to any cannabis product intended for health purposes and is controlled by the federal government which regulates the licensed providers who make and distribute cannabis products.
Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society of Canada is a leading advocate for medical cannabis research and the needs of people who use cannabis for medical purposes. For more information, visit the Society’s Medical Cannabis Education Resource centre here.