Over 97 Percent Of Arthritis Patients Are Interested In Learning About CBD, Report Says

Countless studies and reports in recent years suggest that cannabidiol can help people suffering from arthritis manage their symptoms of pain and tension. A new report released suggests that while 97 in 100 American arthritis patients are interested in learning about CBD, only 15 percent have actually tried it.

In a survey of nearly 3,000 patients, Colorado-based ArthroCBD — a newly launched subsidiary of Canadian investment firm Heritage Cannabis — found CBD to be the most effective treatment for the chronic inflammatory condition. Respondents said cannabidiol products worked more effectively for them than other over-the-counter products such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, creams and menthol gels. Arthritis patients who use CBD products were also found to be more likely to use them long term than other OTC treatments.

“Cannabidiol exhibits both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties,” said Umar Syed, president of Heritage Cannabis’ medical division. “As a result, many arthritis sufferers are curious to find safe and effective CBD products to fill the gap in management of their disease.”

Patients’ most preferred products for pain were topicals like creams, lotions and gels, followed by transdermal patches, oils, oral capsules and gummies. The company noted that over 100 types of arthritis exist, and while pain is principal feature of each of them, all arthritis conditions are not the same. So there’s no one-size-fits-all CBD product for each arthritis type: a topical or patch might be the best option for pain in only one area or joint, while an oil or tincture could be a better fit for inflammation spread out across the entire body.

ArthroCBD’s findings contrast slightly with numbers detailed in an August 2020 report from the Arthritis Foundation, which found that 29 percent of over 2,600 surveyed patients with the inflammatory condition were using CBD to manage their symptoms. Almost all of those users tried CBD to relieve pain, but many also reported other benefits: 71 percent of users said their sleep improved and two-thirds said the plant helped improve their mood.

Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions in the United States, affecting one in every four American adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s equates to about 55 million men and women.