The immune system attacking healthy tissue in the body results in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful, swollen, and inflamed joints. Traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis include physical therapy, surgery, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and anti-rheumatic medications, according to medical marijuana doctors.
According to recent research, some of the compounds in specific cannabis strains can help control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, such as:
- White Widow
- Sour Diesel
- White Berry
- Cannatonic
- Jack Herer
- Harlequin
How Cannabis May Alleviate Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Anti-inflammatory medications can help control the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis because it is an inflammatory disease.
Cannabis, especially its terpenes and cannabinoids, has analgesic (pain-killing), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities. Together, these offer cannabis the potential to treat a number of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most important cannabinoids found in cannabis. By lowering the synthesis and release of inflammatory molecules and modifying the immune system, CBD demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in a number of studies that employed rodent models. These cannabinoids stimulate the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which are present in rheumatoid arthritis patients’ synovium.
CBD-dominant cannabis strains won’t produce as strong of a “high” as THC-dominant strains because CBD is not intoxicating. THC has two times the anti-inflammatory properties of hydrocortisone and 20 times the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin. However, compared to aspirin, CBD is believed to have hundreds of times more anti-inflammatory properties. People with arthritis prefer indica or hybrid strains, according to a study.
The “entourage effect,” which describes how the compounds in cannabis work together to enhance their overall impact on the body, is created when terpenes—the chemicals in the cannabis plant that give the strain its flavors and aromas—synergize with the cannabinoids. Some terpenes, such as myrcene, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, pinene, and limonene, have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Methods for Consuming Cannabis to Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
For rheumatoid arthritis, medical cannabis administration methods include topical gel application, sublingual ingestion of edibles or tinctures, smoking or vaping, and the use of oromucosal extracts.
You should smoke or vape cannabis to get instant relief from arthritic pain.
Another option is to apply a topical product to your painful and swollen joints. In rat models of arthritis, this was demonstrated to be effective. Applying CBD topically decreased joint edema and immune cell penetration into the surrounding tissue. Another advantage of topical products is that they won’t have the same gastrointestinal side effects as oral medications. However, remember that topical products will not have the same effect as smoking.
If you are not in too much pain, you could eat edibles. Edibles have a slow-acting nature, just like topical products. They may, however, still be effective and have a lasting impact, which may make them more appealing to those with chronic pain (which is often the case with arthritic pain). Many people prefer tinctures to edibles because they have a faster onset time and can have strong effects, though not quite as strong as edibles.
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, oromucosal extracts of a cannabis-based medication (a spray that contains CBD and THC) also markedly reduced disease activity.
Overall, the single best ingestion method is a personal choice and depends on how quickly you need pain relief. Nonetheless, the most popular way for rheumatoid arthritis patients to consume cannabis is still through vaping and smoking, followed by eating edibles or tinctures.
Top Cannabis Strains for Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Anecdotal evidence suggests that certain strains of cannabis may be able to help control RA symptoms.
- White Widow
The well-known indica-dominant hybrid strain White Widow has a balanced ratio of CBD to THC. Because of this, these cannabinoids can work together to create the entourage, which in turn helps people with rheumatoid arthritis manage their chronic pain.
Terpenes, like pinene, are also present, which adds to this effect.
- White Berry
Known to help alleviate chronic pain in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, White Berry is a hybrid indica/sativa strain derived from the White Widow and Blueberry strains.
Similar to White Widow, White Berry is one of the best strains for rheumatoid arthritis because it contains terpenes like myrcene and pinene.
- Sour Diesel
Another fast-acting strain that is well-known for easing chronic pain is Sour Diesel. It’s crucial to remember that this strain contains a high amount of THC (about 18%) and a low amount of CBD (about 2%). This means that using this strain will make you feel “high.”
This strain might not be the best one to start with if you’re new to cannabis because of its potentially potent psychoactive effects.
- Jack Herer
Another cross between the cannabis plants Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica is called Jack Herer. Jack Herer is a good option for rapidly managing your pain because it contains between 18% and 23% THC.
It also contains a number of terpenes, including beta-caryophyllene and myrcene, which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities.
- Cannatonic
One common cannabis strain used for medical purposes is Cannatonic. Any “high” you get should be mild and transient due to its high CBD and low THC content (though you can still feel intoxicated if you use enough).
Cannatonic has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Because of this, it can be used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
- Harlequin
Harlequin is a very well-liked sativa-dominant strain. Because of its 10% THC, 12% CBD, and myrcene terpene content, this cannabis strain is great for treating rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain associated with inflammation.
Because of its THC content, Harlequin is a good cannabis option if you don’t want a potent high. It is still regarded as an effective medical cannabis strain even though it does have some psychoactive effects, which are described as gentle and innocuous.