Cannabidiol (CBD) has the ability to activate the cannabinoid receptors found within our bodies. Thanks to this, it produces a cascade of multiple effects that can help with the management of chronic pain and inflammation. For this reason, CBD cream has emerged as a potential ally for people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Spain
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease, predominantly affecting the joints of the hands and feet, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain. This disease affects about 200,000 people in Spain (0.5% prevalence) and has a female: male ratio of 3:1, although symptoms commonly occur around 50 years of age, it is not exclusive to this period.
Correct early diagnosis (prior to any medication) is a crucial step in increasing the chances of structural preservation in affected joints and preserving normal physical function as time progresses.
To this end, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has recommended a set of factors to be taken into account for this diagnosis:
- Genetic risk factors
- Environmental risk factors
Cigarette smoke is considered a very strongly established risk factor:
- Systemic autoimmunity
- Symptoms present in the absence of arthritis
- Unclassified arthritis
It is important to note, that not all patients may be affected by all of these factors, or even in the same way.
CBD and its Action on Arthritis
Pain, stiffness, and inflammation are intrinsic parts of rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for this disease to date, so conventional drugs and medicines focus on ameliorating the adverse effects, symptoms, and discomfort. It is often reported that only 10-25% of individuals with RA show a decrease in pain after using anti-inflammatory drugs or injections.
It is for this reason that studies such as those of Guindon and Hohmann, summarize that:
Cannabinoids suppress the behavioral response to noxious stimuli and nociceptive signals through the activation of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
Our Endocannabinoid System is responsible for modulating a large number of functions, among these, we have the attenuation of inflammation. These findings are even more encouraging when working together with the use of in vivo and in vitro techniques in animal models, where it is found that the action of CBD can ameliorate the effects produced by Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNF, inflammation-promoting molecule), that is, CBD has the ability to activate a defense mechanism against tumors produced by diseases such as cancer, on the other hand, alleviate to some degree the symptoms of inflammation in conditions such as RA. As a consequence of this, patients could experience a decrease in joint pain, less aggressiveness of the disease, and as a consequence an improvement in the quality of daily sleep.
Interestingly, in certain models, it has been found that the action of cannabinoids had a dose-dependent relationship with respect to joint protection in histological studies.
All these studies are fascinating, and that is why we find statistics such as those present in Canada, where 36% of CBD use is intended for patients with some form of arthritis, however, it is necessary to witness the action of such a promising molecule as CBD in everyday life, especially in people desperate for a solution and who have already exhausted any other conventional alternative.
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