Arthritis is the most prevalent type of disability in the United States. Medical marijuana is gradually gaining acceptance as a viable medical therapy, although it remains relatively unknown. But first, let’s learn what we mean by “aromatherapy.”
Arthritis affects 350 million people across the world and around 40 million individuals in the United States.
Arthritis affects 350 million people worldwide and around 40 million people in the United States, making it one of the most common diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of RA that affects 2.1 million Americans, according to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The majority of individuals believe that arthritis simply refers to the pains and aches that come with old age. That is far from the reality, however. Approximately two-thirds of those who suffer have been under the age of 65. Additionally, hundreds if not thousands of toddlers around the world are afflicted by some sort of arthritis.
Arthritis: What Is This Medical Condition?
Arthritis is a phrase that refers to a set of diseases that target the joints in our bodies. Some types of arthritis can even affect your connective tissues and organs, as well as your skin.
Those that have arthritis will often experience:
- Swollen or stiff joints
- Reddish joints that are tender and warm
- Mobility problems
- Finding it hard to do everyday tasks
Arthritis can be classified into a variety of categories. The most frequent kinds are osteoarthritis, which is a form of degenerative arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, which falls under the category of inflammatory arthritis.
Degenerative Arthritis
This is the end result of age-related changes in your spine. As time goes on, the cushioning surface on the bones’ ends wears away, causing discomfort, edema, and stiffness. These aches might become chronic as time passes. Degenerative arthritis can be caused by aging or obesity. Chronic pain can develop in severe cases of degenerative arthritis, limiting mobility and impacting one’s quality of life. By remaining active and eating a balanced diet, you may prevent degenerative arthritis.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are two forms of inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis develops when the body’s immune system is unable to fight infections and illnesses by producing controlled inflammation. Instead, the body goes into overdrive with uncontrolled inflammation. Joint erosion and injury to internal organs are common symptoms of any type of inflammatory arthritis. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are critical for any form of inflammatory arthritis.
Infectious Arthritis
Infectious arthritis occurs when a virus or fungus invades the body and sets off inflammation, causing illness. Salmonella, Shigella, chlamydia, and hepatitis C are just a few of the illnesses that can cause arthritis.
Metabolic Arthritis
Human uric acid levels are too high, causing metabolic arthritis. Purines are a chemical found in many foods and human cells that is broken down by the body. When the body creates excessive amounts of Uric acid, it forms crystals in the joints. Joint discomfort is the consequence.
What Are the Main Causes of Arthritis?
The causes of most types of arthritis remain a mystery to the vast majority of doctors. However, investigations have found that the following factors can raise your chances of developing it:
Genes
It’s been established that particular sorts of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are connected to specific genes.
Gender
According to recent statistics, most types of arthritis are more prevalent in women. Women make up 60% of persons with arthritis. In males, gout is more common.
Age
As you grow older, your joints begin to deteriorate by default. It is critical to exercise on a regular basis to avoid this.
Excess weight
Excess weight puts extra souche on joints and tissues, which forces them to work harder than usual. The extra pounds are frequently linked to arthritis of the knees.
Injuries
Injuries are not always within our control, but they can contribute to joint damage that leads to a specific type of arthritis.
Arthritis Treatment Methods
There are several types of arthritis treatments available today, including cannabis. Although most will not completely cure the disease, they will provide pain relief to some extent. Tylenol, Percocet, and Vicodin are examples of analgesics. To reduce pain and inflammation, you can use over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Motrin, or Aleve.
Inflammatory arthritis is treated with anti-inflammatory medications (DMARDs) that modify the course of disease. To reduce inflammation, doctors frequently prescribe corticosteroids such as cortisone.
Reducing the risks of developing arthritis by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is possible. Dietitians frequently advise people to eat less sugar, which only exacerbates inflammation.
Arthritis Affects Even the Famous
According to a recent Telegraph report, Oxford University is preparing to launch a £10 million research project on the potential health benefits of medical marijuana.
The initiative will be supported by Kingsley Capital Partners. The company is expected to collaborate with the University of Mississippi Medical Center to conduct additional cannabis cannabinoid research in particular medical issues like pain, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
We’re all familiar with Professor X, the head of Kingsley Capital Partners, as Professor Xavier. Stewart has suffered from ortho-arthritis for years and doesn’t possess any extra abilities like his fictitious counterpart. He takes medical marijuana to alleviate his symptoms.
Stewart says cannabis has helped him in a variety of ways, including allowing him to form fists and sleep at night.
Marijuana Treatment for Arthritis
Marijuana has experienced a surge in popularity as a therapeutic option for arthritis sufferers over the last few years. It’s particularly beneficial if you don’t want to suffer from the unpleasant side effects of prescription pain pills, such as opioids and over-the-counter NSAIDs.
Cannabis has long been used in parts of Asia to relieve arthritis pain. It is well known in eastern nations that cannabis may help with arthritis discomfort. However, it is only recently that scientific research on the cannabis plant have confirmed those beliefs.
Cannabis has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in people with the most frequent types of arthritis in several studies. Patients stated that cannabis relieved their pain after they used it, owing to the two main cannabinoids, THC and CBD.
Researchers from the University of South Carolina discovered a few years ago that THC can modify important epigenetic markers. Inflammation is decreased as a consequence.
There was also a study published in Rheumatology by Dr. Sheng-Ming Dai of China’s Second Military Medical University, which emphasized the importance of CB2 receptors. Researchers discovered that arthritis patients had significantly higher CB2 receptors than normal in their joint tissues. This led them to believe that cannabis use had an anti-inflammatory effect by activating CB2 pathways via endocannabinoid activation.
Cannabis Cannabinoids: THC vs CBD
There are hundreds of different cannabinoids. The most well-known are Delta-9 THC, commonly known as THC, and cannabidiol, often known as CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive component in cannabis, which gives users a sensation called the “high.”
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating component of cannabis that works as a counteract component to THC.
CBD, which is found in trace amounts in both THC and cannabis, has anti-inflammatory properties that help to combat pain. It aids in the reduction of the high. Many individuals are unaware that cannabinoids have therapeutic advantages as well.
THC is a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain medication, which might help people with arthritis. THC is also an antispasmodic, bronchodilator, muscle relaxant, and a strong neuroprotectant and antioxidant. It has twice the anti-inflammatory effect of hydrocortisone and 20 times the analgesic power of aspirin.
CBD is derived from the same plant material as THC, and it is present in cannabis at comparable levels. CBD is rarely more than 12% of the cannabis plant’s cannabinoid content. CBD has a higher ratio of cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol (CBD:THC) than does THC.
Cannabinoids and Delta-8-THC have a synergistic effect, suggesting that when they are both present in a marijuana strain at therapeutic levels, they are more potent than when used alone.
CBD has been hiding in the background and giving THC all of the attention since way back. CBD’s healing abilities are now slowly drawing it into the light. It, too, has numerous advantages and helps patients dealing with a range of ailments. These are some of them:
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Alcoholism
- Epilepsy
- Antibiotic-resistant infections
- PTSD
- Neurological disorders
CBD’s dual potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective qualities are one of the most fascinating aspects about it. This implies it has the potential to be used to treat Alzheimer’s and arthritis. Cannabis now has the ability to be one of the most efficient treatments for these issues.
Without further ado, here is our list of top marijuana strains that assist people all over the world deal with Arthritis.
5 Best Marijuana Strains for Arthritis
The Girl Scout Cookies Cannabis Strain
GSC, a.k.a. Girl Scout Cookies, is one of the best pain-relieving cannabis strains on the market. This excellent crossbreed strain is recognized for its high THC concentration and ability to alleviate strong, full-body pain.
The Cannatonic Cannabis Strain
You may find this strain in any dispensary and receive an immediate response: “This cannabis strain is fantastic for relieving pain and inflammation.” Cannatonic has a low THC content but a high CBD percentage, resulting in a mild cerebral high that usually only lasts a short time. It’s the ideal marijuana strain for reducing pain without making you sleepy.
The Famous ACDC Cannabis Strain
This is the T.N.T. of all strains, as defined by the rock band AC/DC. It’s the strongest strain around, thanks to its high THC and low CBD content. It comes from Cannatonic, a sativa-dominant strain that stands out for its low THC and high CBD ratio, providing fast pain relief without the euphoric effect.
The Harlequin Marijuana Strain
Those who need to work during the day and want to avoid a euphoric high should try Harlequin. This Harlequin sativa dominant cannabis strain has a 5:2 CBD: THC ratio on average. This makes it an excellent strain for treating diseases like arthritis discomfort.
The Canna Tsu Cannabis Strain
This strain’s pain-relieving abilities are due to its magical CBD properties, which have made it a popular arthritis treatment. This strain is rich in CBD but low in THC, allowing you to remain focused on other concerns while suffering from arthritis.
Bonus Tip
We’ve received a lot of emails lately about the advantages of juicing raw marijuana. Raw cannabis juicers extract antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components from the plant. You may also get benefits from cannabinoid acids and larger doses of essential minerals by juicing cannabis.
Final Thoughts About Cannabis as a Treatment for Arthritis
Marijuana has only recently been exposed in terms of its therapeutic capabilities. We’ve heard a lot about how it may help people with their various problems. Arthritis is one of the problems that it helps. Tell us about your experience by leaving a comment below or telling your story on our Facebook page.