CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is an ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medications. It’s also available as an oil for those who want to add it to foods or drinks. In addition to treating pain, cbd oils may relieve anxiety and help you sleep better. It may even reduce your cravings for alcohol, opioids, and stimulants. It’s also used to treat a muscle disorder called dystonia and to ease the symptoms of Parkinson disease. Preclinical studies suggest that CBD may be effective for treating other conditions, including a neuroprotective effect against some forms of dementia and an antidepressant effect (Cooper et al. 2017).

Demystifying CBD Oils: What You Need to Know About This Natural Wellness Elixir

Several studies have linked CBD to improvements in the quality of life for people with arthritis. CBD appears to reduce joint stiffness and pain, and it may also improve motion and balance. However, it’s important to talk to your health care provider before you try CBD oil for arthritis. They can review your condition and what other treatments you have tried, discuss how to start a CBD treatment, and talk with you about keeping a symptom and dose diary.

RCTs on CBD-based products are limited in design, population sample, and duration of observation, making it difficult to generalize results (Good et al. 2019; Pawasarat et al. 2020). Real-world evidence (RWE) offers valuable insights and supplemental information, but requires further validation in clinical settings. In addition, RWE from a cannabis product’s first few years of availability can be challenging to interpret because the product is not standardized and the underlying plant material varies by grower (Chesney et al. 2018).