What makes CBD one of the hot new kids on the #wellness block? Research suggests that it can ease anxiety, kick inflammation to the curb, and even relieve pain.
Convenience is also a factor for this Cannabis sativa compound. There’s a CBD product for pretty much every preference, including pills, creams, and oils. And — this is a biggie — CBD doesn’t make you feel high like its counterpart THC does.
But does CBD have the right kind of potency to deal with something like joint pain?
Can CBD actually help with joint pain?
Short answer: probably.
While researchers are still trying to figure out the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — that’s your body’s cell-signaling system — experts think CBD interacts with the ECS receptors in your bod.
When certain receptors get chemical signals, they communicate with your cells to produce effects, such as decreasing inflammation to help reduce swelling and pain. So, it’s likely that CBD works similarly and can help with chronic pain issues like arthritis.
However, most of the studies on CBD for joint pain have been done on animals. A 2016 study involving rats with arthritis found that a daily application of CBD gel helped reduce joint pain and inflammation.
The dose found to be effective was 6.2 milligrams (mg). Higher doses also helped, but they didn’t produce more pain relief (or any more side effects, for that matter).
A 2020 study found that some people in palliative care get pain relief from using topical CBD.
And, of course, loads of people claim that CBD helps with joint pain. But those anecdotal reports aren’t enough to say for sure that CBD is a legit treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
More human studies will give experts more insight into how CBD actually interacts with the ECS and whether it’s a good option for joint pain relief. But for now, there’s enough evidence to be optimistic.
Taking the time to find a medicinal product that works for you can totally be worth it if it means you spend fewer hours of your life in pain.
To help you in your search, we’ve rounded up some of the best CBD products out there that can be used for joint pain.
Best CBD products for joint pain
- Best overall CBD oil for joint pain: Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil
- Best organic CBD oil for joint pain: Zion Medicinals Spagyric Hemp Oil
- Best CBD massage oil for joint pain: Lazarus Naturals CBD Body + Massage Oil
- Best high potency CBD oil for joint pain: FabCBD CBD Oil
- Best CBD isolate oil for joint pain: Liftmode Hemp Pure CBD Isolate Oil Tincture
- Best unflavored CBD oil for joint pain: Sunsoil Regular Strength CBD Oil
How we chose the best CBD joint pain fighters
Here’s the thing: The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate CBD the same way as other products (such as prescription drugs and OTC medications), which means it can get a little dicey out there.
Lots of companies make wild-AF claims about their products — this isn’t technically allowed, but it’s easy to do in a market that’s full to the brim.
We selected the products on our list based on criteria established by our fab team of medical experts. To make the cut, a product had to:
- come from U.S.-grown hemp (because hemp grown in the U.S. is subject to agricultural regulations)
- be made by a company that tests products in an ISO 17025-compliant lab and provides proof that they do so
- contain less than 0.3 percent THC, which can be verified on the certificate of analysis (COA)
- contain no heavy metals, molds, or pesticides, according to the COA
We also looked at:
- any certifications a company has
- company manufacturing processes
- product potency
- ingredients
- signs that a brand is trustworthy and has a good rep, such as:
- positive customer reviews
- no FDA warning letters in the past
- no wild health claims in sight
FYI: Some topical CBD products also contain beneficial ingredients like menthol and arnica, which have been known to have cooling or warming effects that some people find soothing.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $25
- $$ = $25–$50
- $$$ = over $50
6 best CBD oils for joint pain
Best overall CBD oil for joint pain: Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil
- Price: $$$
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency: 1,800 mg per bottle
- COA: available online
Yes, Charlotte’s Web is a tearjerker of a movie and book. It’s also a legit CBD company that uses U.S. Hemp Authority-certified hemp.
This full-spectrum oil is swimming with goodies like flavonoids, terpenes, and phytocannabinoids. And it’s available in four flavors: olive oil, mint chocolate, lemon twist, and orange blossom. Yum!
Sure, it’s pricey, but the combo of quality ingredients and a high potency formula is a no-brainer, TBH.
Reviewers say the oil has a great taste and is effective for a variety of ailments. And the customer service is A-OK too.
Best organic CBD oil for joint pain: Zion Medicinals Spagyric Hemp Oil
- Price: $$–$$$
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency: available in 250, 500, 750, or 1,500 mg
- COA: available online
This CBD oil is a perfect pick if you’re a stickler for natural ingredients. Zion sources organic hemp from U.S. farms.
The brand also uses ethanol extraction to pull all the beneficial compounds from the plant, including terpenes. They then reuse the plant waste matter in a process called spagyric alchemy, which some cannabis pros claim increases the bioavailability of the resulting oil.
There are only a handful of reviews for this oil, but several customers say it’s highly effective. One reviewer claims it helps them sleep better, while another complains that the oil tastes more chemical than earthy.
Best CBD massage oil for joint pain: Lazarus Naturals CBD Body + Massage Oil
- Price: $–$$$
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency: available in 500, 2,000, or 4,000 mg
- COA: available on product page
While popping a CBD capsule or ingesting CBD oil can provide some great full-body effects, you may prefer to apply it right at the site of your pain.
Topicals like this CBD massage oil from Lazarus Naturals are excellent for targeting specific aches and pains in the joints.
And while potentially soothing your aching joints, this product also nourishes your skin with jojoba and sweet almond oil. A total win-win.
The brand uses U.S.-grown hemp to make their CBD products, massage oil included.
While there are still only a few reviews of this particular Lazarus product, every single one raves about the oil’s effectiveness, consistency, and ease of use. It gets particularly big props for being highly moisturizing and not leaving a sticky residue.
Best high potency CBD oil for joint pain: FAB CBD CBD Oil
- Price: $$–$$$
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency: available in 300, 600, 1,200, or 2,400 mg
- COA: available on the lab reports page
FAB CBD uses Colorado-grown help to make their CBD products. This oil is available in multiple potencies, up to 2,400 mg. Woweee!
The simple ingredient list includes MCT oil and CBD. That’s it. The oil also comes in five flavors: natural, citrus, mint, vanilla, and berry.
What else? The oil has more than 9,000 positive reviews from happy customers. People call it helpful and tasty. Many reviewers also note that the oil is a great value. The negative reviews are mostly from folks who purchased the lower-potency 300-mg bottle and say they probably needed a higher dose.
Best CBD isolate oil for joint pain: Liftmode Hemp Pure CBD Isolate Oil Tincture
- Price: $$
- CBD type: isolate
- Potency: 1,500 mg per bottle
- COA: available on the COA page
If you’re iffy on the idea of ingesting anything with THC, an isolate product like this one from Liftmode Hemp might be a good option.
The mint-flavored oil has a refreshing taste and zero THC. Plus, the brand has a rad reputation and an impressive A+ Better Business Bureau rating. They also use organic hemp sourced from farms near Chicago.
Reviewers like the taste, and a few even say the oil helped reduce inflammation, arthritis pain, and back pain.
Best unflavored CBD oil for joint pain: Sunsoil Regular Strength CBD Oil
- Price: $$$
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- Potency: 1,200 mg per bottle
- COA: available on product page
Like the earthy taste of CBD? Sunsoil’s product contains no additional flavors, so you get the whole aromatic hemp experience each time you take a dropper serving.
The only two ingredients (MCT oil and CBD) are organic. The formula is also gluten-free and vegan. And Sunsoil sources hemp from their own organic farms in Vermont. Plus, they custom-breed their seeds and hand-harvest the hemp.
What do we love most? The company pays seasonal workers $20 an hour to help with the harvest.
People love the clean flavor of this CBD oil and say it produces noticeable results. Many also appreciate the reasonable price point.
Pros and cons of using CBD topicals
Here are some general upsides and downsides to using CBD topicals.
Pros
- They’re easy to apply. Just rub them into the skin where you’re hurting, and voila! You can reapply as needed without waiting too long in between applications.
- They hydrate and nourish your skin. Pain relief and soft, supple skin? That’s what we’re talking about! Most topical CBD products contain plenty of skin-friendly ingredients, so they do double duty.
- They can provide targeted results. While ingested CBD products provide full-body effects, creams, salves, and lotions offer targeted relief, so you can spot-treat your joint pain.
Cons
- Their effects can be limited. Since CBD isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream, it poses a lower risk of side effects and interactions than ingested products. But that also means the CBD doesn’t interact fully with your ECS. Your skin has ECS receptors, but don’t expect full-body effects from topicals.
- They may cause skin reactions. Folks with sensitive skin, beware! Putting stuff on your skin is a bit of a gamble. Check ingredient lists carefully before slathering on CBD topicals. And do a patch test to check for signs of irritation.
How you should be using CBD for joint pain
Most products have clear dosing instructions on the label, but before you go rubbing topicals on your body, make sure to do a patch test. If you break out in hives, notice redness, or feel itchy, put that sh*t away.
Even if a product has dosing info, how much you use is hella personal. You might find relief with a nickel-size dollop. At the same time, someone else might need multiple applications to feel any noticeable effects.
But make sure to wait a while before you reapply — CBD can take some time to work.
The safety and side effects of CBD
It’s time for the obligatory safety talk.
Research makes it pretty clear that CBD is unlikely to cause major (or even minor) side effects.
And, aside from causing the occasional skin reaction, topicals are even less likely to piss off your body. BUT that doesn’t mean adverse reactions are impossible.
Some people may experience the following side effects from using CBD:
- diarrhea 💩
- weight changes
- changes in appetite
- fatigue
Not the end of the world, but def something to keep in mind.
Another thing to stick in your memory bank: CBD can interact with certain medications, including those with a grapefruit warning. So it’s crucial to talk with your doc before trying CBD if you take any prescription meds, OTC meds, or supplements.
What to consider when purchasing your own CBD
We hope we’ve made it pretty clear that shopping for quality CBD can be a headache if you’re not sure what to look out for. Here’s a quick rundown of what to keep at the front of your mind while deciding.
CBD type
Research into the “entourage effect” (no, not the HBO show) suggests that THC and CBD are better together than apart. What a love story!
This means that because full-spectrum products contain all the lovely compounds from the cannabis plant, THC included, they’re more likely to be effective against joint pain.
Don’t worry, though. There’s only a tiny bit of THC in full-spectrum CBD. And it’s not enough to get you 420-style high.
Testing, testing
Is this mic on? Because we want to make it loud and clear that the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products — at least not the way you might think.
They can fire off warning letters to companies that are being #BadToTheBone, but some brands still love to try to skirt the rules and regs of the biz.
That’s why looking for products that are third-party lab tested is KEY.
And don’t just look for a COA. That COA should be up to date and include all the pertinent details you need to make an informed decision before spending that cash.
Peep those ingredients
Look for organically grown U.S. hemp. If a brand doesn’t specifically say where they get their hemp, that’s red flag city, baby!
Checking out the list of ingredients is also mega-important if you’re buying a topical and have allergies of any kind.
And if you’re searching for a topical CBD product for pain relief, you might want to look for ingredients like arnica or menthol, which can provide extra pain-soothing effects — although CBD creams and lotions can still be effective without these.
The bottom line
More research is needed to suss out whether CBD can directly help with joint pain. But what we know so far is encouraging.
Does this mean CBD will totally cure your arthritis? No. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying for pain relief.
Just make sure to be picky-choosy when selecting a CBD product. And run for the hills if you see a company making extravagant promises that they most definitely can’t keep.
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