Arthritis and the Cannabis Effect

WHAT IT IS :  Arthritis is not a single disease but an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages, sexes and races can and do have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. Caused by the inflammation of one or more joints, common arthritis symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion.

THE CANNABIS AFFECT :  Both international and Canadian-led research has shown that medical cannabis can reduce the symptoms of chronic pain when used by itself or in combination with conventional pain medications. Using medicinal cannabis, many patients realize that they can reduce or even eliminate a slew of pharmaceutical drugs — including their negative side effects. Although sativa strains are usually credited for being better pain relievers, some indica strains can also provide relief from arthritis symptoms.   Investigators at the British Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Disease reported successful treatment of arthritis with cannabinoids in the first‐ever controlled trial assessing the efficacy of natural cannabis extracts on rheumatoid arthritis. Many arthritis experts now believe that cannabinoid therapy can provide symptomatic relief of joint pain and swelling as well as the suppression of joint destruction and disease progression.