The popularity of CBD as a treatment for people with pain-related issues has grown tremendously in the United States within the last few years. People that have never tried CBD before are finding that it has extraordinary benefits, particularly with issues such as arthritis and chronic pain. Users feel that CBD makes for a great medicine because it is completely natural, can be consumed in a variety of different ways, and works quickly in most cases. CBD’s popularity has risen so much, in fact, that the Arthritis Foundation has recently released a detailed guide for the responsible use of CBD in adults. The comprehensive guide goes over everything from what CBD is to whom it may be a good treatment for and best shopping practices for finding a product that will work best for the individual. Arthritis affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States alone, so it was definitely high time for a guide of reference for the community to be released.
Finding The Guide
The Arthritis Foundation’s website can be found at arthritis.org and after a little bit of navigation through to the Chronic Pain guide, the CBD Guide will be listed alongside it. The Arthritis Foundation takes a rather conservative approach to the guide, always explaining the benefits that people have seen through the use of CBD, but also always being clear that no significant studies have been performed to scientifically prove the therapeutic effects. Which is good, because it keeps factual information in the forefront.
The Arthritis Foundation’s Stance
It is made very clear at the beginning of the guide that the Arthritis Foundation is aware of how many people living with arthritis have thought about using, or already have used, CBD to treat their pain. They believe that patients have the right to seek out whatever manageable treatment source they can find that works for them. The Arthritis Foundation also calls out the FDA, asking them to expedite the study of cannabis and CBD as treatment for certain health-related issues so that safe treatment and regulation can be put in place.
Overall, the Guide takes a very safe approach to dosing and choosing the appropriate method of consumption. It urges patients to go ‘low and slow’ in the beginning and to always consult their health care professional before trying anything to weigh the risks and discuss how effective CBD may be for the patient. They even go so far as to discuss purity and cleanliness and the importance of purchasing from a reputable company which regularly tests its products.
Side Effects
The CBD Guidance begins with a section discussing frequently asked questions surrounding CBD. The Arthritis Foundation has found that it has proven to be safe to consume in moderate doses, with no serious side effects shown.
Legality
They also discuss the legality of CBD. While CBD is technically legal under the Controlled Substances Act, many states have not made it legal. So, many places operate in a grey zone. The Guide also urges readers to look into their state’s local laws regarding CBD, but reminds us that CBD can be purchased online now as well from anywhere in the country.
Taking the First Steps
The Guide poses questions which you may ask yourself if considering CBD as pain treatment. The guide makes a strong point of ensuring you discuss use of CBD with your doctor and notes that over time CBD products can be rather expensive. So, before throwing money down the drain on something that won’t work for you, it’s best to try it in a small dose to be sure it will have a positive effect on your pain.
Methods of Consumption
The Arthritis Foundation’s CBD Guide also discusses the three main methods of consuming CBD; orally, topically, or inhalation. It is interesting to note that the Arthritis Foundation explicitly states that vaping is not recommended.
Shopping Smart
Lastly, the Guidance discusses best practices when shaping for a CBD product to aid in pain treatment. The Guide makes several smart points, including looking for products that are manufactured solely in the US, looking for testing information printed on every product, and avoiding companies that claim to offer serious health benefits from the product.
One of the most important points is the very last one made in the Guide. The Arthritis Foundation reminds you that salespeople at these retail locations are just that, salespeople. They are not medical professionals of any kind, so what they tell you needs to be taken with a grain of salt. No CBD salesperson should ever promise that a certain product will absolutely work or will be the right one for you.
CBD as a Legitimate Option
The Arthritis Foundation’s CBD Guidance for Adults lends a lot of credence, as well as measured caution, to the use of CBD for arthritis. The serious attitude with which they approach it allows reasonable shoppers to consider CBD as a viable option. Guides like this are necessary in maintaining healthy attitudes towards new or ‘alternative’ care and do play an important role in helping people find a form of treatment that will actually work for them.
The Guide was certainly not put together quickly or haphazardly, it was written with guidance and review by three experienced doctors that specialize in arthritis and pain management. The Guide doesn’t outright tell the reader to go and try CBD, and it shouldn’t! For anyone thinking of trying CBD to help manage pain, it is a decision that should come with its fair share of thought. While CBD is showing quite a bit of promise in many different ways, it still isn’t something that’s for everyone. Just as the guide points out, it is supremely important to discuss it with your doctor and see if it may help you. There are also several prescription drugs that have been found to react adversely with the use of CBD, and your doctor will be able to determine if that would impact you.
The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to CBD is a great piece for anyone who lives with arthritis pain and has thought of finding help in CBD. It will certainly teach anyone something about CBD and help a newcomer make an educated decision surrounding the use of CBD as a treatment for chronic pain.