Don't Get High….. Get Well

Over 31 million Americans suffer from arthritis. There are two common types, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both affect the joints causing stiffness, pain and swelling.

The use of cannabis for musclo-skeletal pain in western medicine dates to the 1700s. Recent research suggests that cannabis-based therapies are effective in the treatment of arthritis and other hip, joint and connective tissue disorders.

The well-documented analgesic properties of cannabis make it useful in treating the pain associated with arthritis, on its own or in conjunction with other medications. Cannabis has demonstrated an ability to improve mobility and reduce morning stiffness and inflammation.

Human studies have shown cannabis to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Research has also shown that patients are able to reduce their usage of potentially harmful Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when using cannabis as an adjunct therapy.

Cannabis has been shown to have powerful immune-modulation and anti-inflammatory properties. It could, in turn, play a role in actually treating arthritis and not just in symptom management. One of the earliest records of medical use of cannabis, a Chinese text from around 2000 BC, notes that cannabis “undoes rheumatism,” suggesting these effects were known even then.

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