Can CBD help with everyday ankylosing spondylitis?

Can CBD help support ankylosing spondylitis?

To relieve the pain caused by ankylosing spondylitis, treatments such as physical therapy, exercise, massage or stretching have proven effective. However, for additional relief from pain, some patients turn to medications such as traditional painkillers, corticosteroid injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But the real problem with these products is that they can cause harmful side effects. Because of this, patients are wondering if CBD can help relieve this pain.

Be aware that no exact research has been conducted on CBD to see its effectiveness in relieving ankylosing spondylitis. Nevertheless, there is a study underway to see if CBD is effective on ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. According to the researchers' explanations, the primary function of cannabinoids is to reduce inflammation. They work by interfering with the body's endocannabinoid system. This system allows the regulation of many physiological processes in the body and the inflammatory response is no exception. Inflammation is a process that the immune system uses to respond to injury and infection. And in some critical situations, this inflammation proves to be very beneficial.

But beware, the immune system for no reason can be very active and generate inflammation. This creates a variety of pain including ankylosing spondylitis. And it is at this precise moment that CBD can be of great help. The latter helps to mitigate the functioning of the immune system to reduce pain and inflammation. 

Compared to THC, which connects directly with receptors, CBD enhances the functioning of the body's natural cannabinoid components to bring about recovery without unwanted consequences. CBD also affects receptors in addition to ECS which increases its overall effectiveness.

While CBD does not cure ankylosing spondylitis, it would provide relief from pain.

What does the research on CBD oil say about inflammation and pain?

It is true that CBD does not cure ankylosing spondylitis, but some research has been conducted on the effect of CBD oil on inflammation and pain.

According to a study published by the European Journal of Pain in 2016, researchers studied the effects of CBD on rats affected by arthritis. At the end of this experiment, it was noted that massaging the CBD gel resulted in less swelling and pain in the rats. This same study showed that CBD was able to reduce the functioning of inflammatory chemicals.

Also, another study conducted in 2019 on 97 participants with a painful condition who had been using opioids for several months, responded positively after using CBD oil.53% of participants left or decreased opioid use and 94% saw an improvement in their quality of life and enjoy better sleep.

How to use CBD for ankylosing spondylitis

There are several CBD derivatives and choosing the best one to have a positive effect against ankylosing spondylitis can be complicated. So, the first thing is whether to prioritize oral consumption, use as a topical cream or inhalation. But be aware that each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages.

Oral consumption

CBD derivatives that you can take orally include oils, capsules, and edibles. Oral consumption allows the CBD to transit to the bloodstream through the digestive system. Thus, CBD can affect the entire body which allows for an immediate effect on systematic symptoms. Hence, the main benefit. 

The disadvantage is the digestive system and the liver metabolizes much of the CBD and leaves only a tiny portion. Also, according to a WHO report, the body only uses 6% of CBD taken orally. This is wasteful considering the very high cost of very good quality CBD.

Inhaling CBD

The consumer who inhales CBD has a very high bioavailability content. This is a method that takes into account vaping or smoking CBD flower. It gives an almost immediate result. But the disadvantage of inhalation is that it leads to smoking which affects the lungs. This is why experts advocate vaping since it does not emit combustion.

Topical use

The use of topical creams or balms provides relief to sore areas. CBD is absorbed into the skin which provides immediate relief to inflamed or painful areas. Creams and balms may also contain other anti-inflammatory products to increase the level of relief.

The downside is that topical creams and balms are only effective on certain areas. Therefore, they cannot provide relief for people with ankylosing spondylitis.

Complete spectrum or CBD isolate: which oil to choose?

Between full spectrum or isolate, which one should you use for relief from ankylosing spondylitis? The full spectrum contains cannabinoids and terpenes on the other hand the isolate contains only CBD in its pure state or almost.

According to some experts, full spectrum CBD offers a superior result compared to isolate. Cannabinoids such as CBG and CBC are anti-inflammatory and analgesic which allows consumers to take advantage of the therapeutic properties.

In summary, while there is no concrete research on the effect of CBD on ankylosing spondylitis, there is still evidence that attests to the positive effects of CBD against inflammation and pain. This represents a real natural solution to painkillers. But beware, if it is true that CBD is without side effects or harmful, we recommend that anyone who tries it for the first time to take the advice of a doctor. The latter will ensure that CBD is the right treatment in order to solve their inflammatory problems.