Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition causing your body’s immune system to attack your tissue and joints, often resulting in painful swelling, bone erosion, and joint deformities over time. Research shows that medical marijuana for rheumatoid arthritis may provide effective pain management. If you struggle with chronic pain from your arthritis, medical cannabis may be the answer you’re looking for.
At LeafMed, a leading medical cannabis dispensary in Mississippi, we help you explore all the health benefits of marijuana. If you’re interested in obtaining a medical card for one of your health conditions, view our guide on the Medical Cannabis Act of Mississippi. Next, discover how medical marijuana can help ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
How Medical Marijuana Interacts With Rheumatoid Arthritis
To learn the health effects of cannabis on rheumatoid arthritis patients, you must understand how the disease affects the body. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about rheumatoid arthritis, how medical marijuana can ease symptoms, and considerations when choosing a cannabis product.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable condition categorized by severe inflammation that damages the joint lining and bones. As your body attacks the joint, your immune system responds with swelling, causing pain and erosion over time. Early rheumatoid arthritis typically affects smaller joints, like the fingers and toes, before progressing into the knees, hips, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and more.
The primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include the following:
· Mild or moderate joint stiffness that worsens with inactivity
· Painful, swollen, and hot joints
· Fatigue
· Loss of appetite
· Fever
Severe rheumatoid arthritis can attack internal organs, causing non-joint-related symptoms affecting the skin, heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, nerve tissues, blood vessels, and more. Healthcare professionals typically recommend physiotherapy and anti-rheumatic drugs to slow disease progression, though many patients still struggle to find effective pain remedies, which is where medical marijuana for rheumatoid arthritis comes in.
The Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to clinical research, cannabis compounds found in medical marijuana can lower the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in your body. Cytokines are in charge of driving the inflammatory response that occurs from rheumatoid arthritis. Medical marijuana can prevent your body from creating inflammation, ultimately easing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
In a research study done on rheumatoid arthritis patients in 2021, participants used medical cannabis to improve sleep and pain levels. The study concluded that medical cannabis offered symptom relief for all 319 participants.
Aside from inflammation, medical cannabis has a proven ability to alleviate chronic pain. In 2018, a survey of 1,483 participants using CBD for medical conditions concluded that approximately one in every three patients enjoyed condition improvements. Many also reported that CBD worked well with their current conventional drugs.
By improving pain, inflammation, and sleep, medical marijuana may reduce anxiety and depression in rheumatoid arthritis patients. On average, 30% of patients develop depression within five years of receiving their rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Considerations When Using Medical Marijuana for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medical cannabis comes in numerous forms, all with varying advantages for rheumatoid arthritis patients. For example, you may take capsules or edibles, which must pass through your digestive system, so the effects will take a while to kick in but last longer. Conversely, many choose vapes, oils, tinctures, and pre-rolls for more immediate, short-lived relief.
A very popular form of medical cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis is topicals, like creams, lotions, and ice rollers. Topicals allow you to apply the cannabis directly to the affected joint for targeted, fast pain relief.
Clinical research shows that starting with small dosages of less than 20 to 30 mg per day can provide effective, safe results. You can start small and work up until you find the right dosage for your needs.
Explore More Medical Cannabis Health Benefits
Now that you know the benefits of medical marijuana for rheumatoid arthritis, continue learning about other conditions, like medical cannabis for multiple sclerosis. Once ready, visit one of our Mississippi LeafMed dispensaries or call us, (228) 382-5323, with any questions.