The best cannabidiol (CBD) for joint pain relief should be easy to dose, use, and apply. We explore the best CBD creams, tinctures, and oils for pain, including our testers’ hands-on experiences.
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.
| CBD strength | Form | Price per mg | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CBDistillery | 17 mg per serving | tincture | $0.07 | $70 |
Soul Cream | 1,500 mg per bottle | cream | $0.05 | $75 |
NuLeaf Naturals | 30 mg per serving | oil | $0.02 to $0.04 | $49 |
PlusCBD | 2,000 mg per bottle | roll-on | $0.03 | $59.99 |
Joy Organics | 2,000 mg per bottle | cream | $0.05 | $49.95 |
Extract Labs | 2,000 mg per tin | cream | $0.04 | $89.99 |
We selected these CBD products for joint pain based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. We took our testers’ experiences into consideration, along with online reviews and the claims brands make about how well their products work for pain.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
Read more about how we vet products and brands.
People need to consider the following factors when shopping for a CBD product:
- CBD form: Some CBD products are available in topical forms for external use, CBD oils to drop under the tongue, or as gummies to eat. However, for joint pain, topical CBD products may be best as they can provide targeted relief. If a person has widespread joint pain, an oil or gummy may be suitable as they can offer full-body effects.
- CBD types: There are three types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Some people may prefer CBD isolate, as it contains no THC. However, full-spectrum may have more potent effects. People need to consider how strong they want the effects of CBD to be and whether they need to avoid THC.
- Dosage: Companies should always state the CBD dose within the product, along with listing every other ingredient. There is little research into the best CBD dosage for joint pain, so people need to start with the lowest dose possible and work up to get their desired effect, being careful not to exceed the recommended dosage.
The federal government does not regulate natural products such as CBD. This means no standards regarding dosing, label accuracy, or potential contamination exist.
Therefore, people must ensure that their product has undergone third-party lab testing. These lab results will state the amount of CBD in the products and levels of any potential contaminants.
Learn more about how to shop for CBD.
Both oral and topical CBD may be useful for pain management, and the delivery method may come down to personal preference. Topical CBD, such as CBD cream, passes directly into the skin, whereas oral CBD, such as a spray or gummies, mainly passes through the digestive system and into the body.
A person should not rely on CBD to treat their pain. They need to consider consulting a medical professional who can assess the cause of their joint pain.
Early research supports the idea that CBD may help with joint pain in some cases. However, CBD alone is unlikely to be able to treat a person’s pain in full.
A
They found that RASFs promoted joint inflammation because they release inflammatory proteins. CBD reduced the amount of RASF cells and how much they divided, thereby reducing inflammation. The research also suggests CBD can specifically target RASF cells when inflammation occurs.
More recently, a
Additionally, a cross-sectional study of self-selected people with arthritis who responded to a questionnaire in 2020 found that 83% reported a decrease in pain, and 66% saw improvement in physical function and better sleep.
Pros
- Most people tolerate CBD well with few side effects.
- CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help reduce joint and arthritis pain.
- Topical CBD may be more suitable for targeted pain relief for joint and arthritis pain.
- Oral CBD may be more suitable for general wellness or nonspecific pain areas.
- Many topical CBD options have a cooling or warming effect, which can help soothe sore or achy joints.
Cons
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved one CBD product, Epidiolex, to treat seizures caused by certain conditions.
- While most people can tolerate CBD well, they may still experience
side effectsTrusted Source . - CBD may interact with other medications, leading to unintentional and potentially dangerous side effects.
- Some people may not like the taste of CBD, limiting the products they can buy.
- CBD products tend to be more expensive than cooling or warming creams for joint pain.
- Researchers are still investigating the safety and effectiveness of CBD for many conditions, including joint pain.
It is important to emphasize that CBD cannot treat the underlying cause of a person’s joint pain, and it cannot prevent, cure, or stop the progression of arthritis. If a person is on prescription medication or has a medical condition, they should speak with a doctor before trying CBD products.
A person’s location within the United States may also determine whether they can use CBD products. Some states have restrictions on CBD products.
Additionally, a person should speak with a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- joint stiffness
- joint swelling
- joint pain or tenderness
- warmth, redness, or other discoloration of the skin surrounding the joint
Yes, CBD can help joints. Some evidence suggests that CBD can work for nerve and joint pain. However, many studies on neuropathy involve animals. Results may not be the same in humans.
Some small studies have found that CBD can reduce arthritis-related joint pain.
CBD has both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which can make CBD products a suitable option for people with joint pain.
However, it is always a good idea for people to speak with a healthcare professional to make sure CBD is the right approach to address any inflammation or pain.
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication and can help manage pain. Similarly, CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
However, researchers know more about ibuprofen’s safety and effectiveness than CBD, especially for chronic conditions such as joint and arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is also legal in every U.S. state.
People who wish to use CBD instead of ibuprofen should always talk with a qualified healthcare professional to determine which best suits their needs.
The time it takes for CBD to work for joint pain will depend on the form of CBD a person uses.
For example, it takes around 2 hours for oral CBD products, such as oils and gummies, to take full effect. This form of CBD may be best for people who want joint pain relief over a longer period.
There are no scientific studies investigating how fast topical CBD works for joint pain. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that people may begin to feel the effects in as little as 20 minutes after applying the product.
The best CBD for joint pain depends on a person’s needs and preferences. Some people may prefer full-spectrum gummies due to the added effects of the entourage effect.
Others may want to avoid THC altogether, and still others might prefer something in between. A product’s other ingredients can also affect someone’s choice.
A person always needs to speak with a doctor before trying CBD for a health condition.
Some disadvantages of using CBD for pain include the lack of FDA approval for any nonprescription CBD product.
CBD can also interact with other medications people use for managing pain or other conditions. Lastly, CBD can be far costlier than other over-the-counter pain relief methods.
Some medications can interact with CBD. A 2019 review of studies notes that CBD may interact with several drugs, including immunosuppressants, antidepressants, opioids, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, statins, and more.
People need to speak with a doctor before trying CBD if they take any medication.
Cannabidiol (CBD) may help with joint pain, but more research is necessary to understand its effects and benefits fully. Anecdotal reports suggest that many people use CBD products for joint pain, and some find relief.
It is essential to choose products that have undergone third-party testing, check the labels carefully, and take CBD as the manufacturer directs.
People always need to consult a doctor before trying CBD to treat joint pain.
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.
