Arthritis patients reported less pain and reduced medication use with CBD | Research

The takeaway

In a survey of 428 arthritis patients using CBD, 83% reported pain improvements, with a 44% average pain reduction, and over 60% reduced or stopped other medications including opioids.

Arthritis patients, rheumatologists, and anyone interested in CBD for pain management.

44% average pain reduction; 60% reduced or stopped other medications

What the researchers found

CBD use was associated with improvements in pain (83%), physical function (66%), and sleep quality (66%). The overall cohort reported a 44% average pain reduction after CBD use. 60.5% of respondents reduced or stopped other medications, including anti-inflammatories (31.1% reduced, 17.8% stopped), acetaminophen (18.2% reduced, 17.8% stopped), and opioids (8.6% reduced, 18.9% stopped). Osteoarthritis patients showed greater improvements than those with rheumatoid or autoimmune arthritis.

Why it matters

54 million Americans have arthritis and many rely on medications with significant side effects. CBD's potential to reduce medication dependency, especially opioids, warrants further investigation.

The numbers in context

428 respondents. Pain improvement: 83%. Average pain reduction: 44% (p<0.001). Physical function improvement: 66%. Sleep improvement: 66%. Medication reduction/cessation: 60.5%.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional anonymous online survey of 428 self-selected arthritis patients recruited through the Arthritis Foundation, social media, and other channels (May-November 2020). Assessed perceived CBD effects and medication changes.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-selected convenience sample. No control group. Self-reported outcomes subject to recall and placebo bias. No verification of CBD products used or actual medication changes.

How to read the evidence

Self-selected convenience sample with no control group. Useful for hypothesis generation but not for establishing efficacy.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

The opioid reduction finding is notable: 8.6% reduced and 18.9% stopped opioids after CBD use. However, as a self-selected survey, these results likely overestimate CBD's effects.

Questions still open

Would these results hold in a placebo-controlled trial? Which CBD formulations and doses are most effective for different types of arthritis?

Common questions

Did CBD help all types of arthritis equally?

No. Osteoarthritis patients reported greater pain reduction than those with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune arthritis, suggesting CBD may be more effective for degenerative than inflammatory joint conditions.

How reliable are these results?

The survey was self-selected (people who chose to respond), had no control group, and relied on self-reported outcomes. Results likely overestimate CBD's effects and need confirmation from controlled clinical trials.

Read the original research

Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study.

Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 47

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Frane, Nicholas; Stapleton, Erik; Iturriaga, Cesar; Ganz, Maximillian; Rasquinha, Vijay; Duarte, Robert. (2022). Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study.. Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00154-9