Some early evidence suggests topical cannabidiol (CBD) cream may help with arthritis, inflammation, and chronic pain. The best CBD creams for arthritis are easy to apply, affordable, and quick to work.
- Best cooling cream: Lazarus Naturals Relief + Recovery Full Spectrum CBD Balm Stick | Skip to review
The Arthritis Foundation states that research on CBD for arthritis is promising but inconclusive. While several animal studies show potential, no well-designed trials prove CBD cream benefits people with this condition.
Recent research into the effects of CBD on arthritis in humans is limited. No research exists on the use of CBD cream specifically.
This article discusses the use of CBD cream to treat arthritis, including its effectiveness, products to consider, and other natural remedies.
The following products may be suitable for people with arthritis. If a person has concerns about using particular CBD products, they can contact a doctor.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
The following table compares the CBD products in this article in terms of price, type, and more.
| Price | CBD type | CBD potency | COA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lazarus Naturals | $12 to $42 | full-spectrum | 800 mg to 3,600 mg | available online |
Joy Organics | $49.95 | broad-spectrum | 250 mg | available online |
Extract Labs | $89.99 | full-spectrum | 2,000 mg | available online |
Soul CBD | $75 | CBD isolate | 1,500 mg | available online |
CBDistillery | $60 | full-spectrum | 500 mg | available online |
CBDfx | $39 to $99.99 | broad-spectrum | 750 mg or 3,000 mg | available online |
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria, where possible:
- Ingredients: Products contain safe, high quality ingredients, and their labels state all ingredients clearly. They also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
- Dosage: Products clearly state the CBD dosage.
- Serving size: Manufacturers need to suggest a safe serving size.
- Third-party laboratories: Products undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis (COA): The company demonstrates transparency and shares a product’s COA following receipt of its third-party laboratory results.
The Arthritis Foundation states that CBD may help reduce symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
One of CBD’s primary benefits is helping
In a
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CBD creams and other products are not a replacement for the medication people with arthritis may need to take for their condition.
At moderate doses, ingestible CBD is safe for most people and should not cause serious side effects. However, like all medications, the substance may interact with other drugs and trigger adverse effects, including some serious ones.
Common side effects
- feeling sleepy or inattentive
- having stomach problems, such as diarrhea or nausea
- experiencing mood changes, such as irritability
CBD may also interact with other sedating substances, such as alcohol and opioids. Experts have not identified all drug interactions, so it is best to consult a healthcare professional before using CBD alongside other medications.
Similar to other drugs, CBD may cause an allergic reaction, particularly in people with tree or nut allergies.
It is also of note that researchers cannot confirm the long-term effects of using CBD.
People can always discuss using CBD products with a healthcare professional to ensure the product will not interact with any existing prescription and nonprescription medication or health conditions.
CBD resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on CBD.
There have not been any studies on the best strength of CBD for arthritis pain. Optimal dosages will vary due to people’s tolerability thresholds.
People can start with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase it to find the strength that best suits their needs.
There is insufficient research to confirm which CBD is best for arthritis pain. Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds in the cannabis plant, so it may have more potent effects. However, people may speak with a doctor if they want to try CBD for arthritis.
Very limited reliable research confirms that topical CBD is effective for arthritis. Most research involves animal studies, which may not produce results applicable to humans.
However, some of these animal studies have found that topical CBD can reduce the inflammation and pain relating to osteoarthritis.
Studies with mice have shown that CBD may help reduce arthritis pain by limiting the inflammatory response. A study on rats with osteoarthritis also came to the same conclusion.
Yes, CBD cream may help with arthritis pain. A 2022 study found that CBD may help reduce pain, although it is more effective against osteoarthritis pain than rheumatoid or other autoimmune arthritis.
No one CBD product is best for arthritis, but a topical product may provide targeted relief to the areas arthritis has affected. Animal studies have shown topical CBD to be effective against arthritis-related joint inflammation.
CBD may help relieve arthritis inflammation, although further research is necessary. CBD cream is a possible option for people who wish to try a natural remedy for joint pain.
However, every case of arthritis is different. What works well for one person might not be effective for others. A person can consult a qualified healthcare professional to find a suitable combination of natural and medical remedies for arthritis relief.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
