Arthrosis and arthritis are joint diseases that affect more and more people. They differ in that in osteoarthritis the joints are mechanically worn out due to overloading or misalignment, while in arthritis the joints degenerate due to chronic inflammation. Osteoarthritis often leads to arthritis and both diseases have in common that they are accompanied by severe pain. They usually start with tension at the joint and later turn into chronic pain. The most commonly affected areas are the knees, shoulders, hips, fingers and spine. To date, rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, only the symptoms can be treated and further spread can be prevented.
Conventionally, analgesics (painkillers) and anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment. However, these have considerable side effects, especially when used over a longer period of time. They destroy the kidneys and liver and, in the case of morphines, even cause hallucinations and depression. Some drugs even had to be taken off the market because of their side effects.
Cannabis is a natural and effective alternative to the use of chemicals. It has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. This means it can both relieve pain and fight the inflammation that leads to that pain. And all this without the typical side effects.
As early as 2000, it was shown in animals that cannabidiol stops the progression of arthritis. This was followed in 2005 by studies on humans. These showed that THC and cannabidiol significantly reduced pain, improved patients' sleep and curbed inflammatory processes.
Doctors from the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University in Halifax examined 18 clinical trials involving more than 750 patients between 2003 and 2010. The studies examined the impact of smoked cannabis on pain and inflammation. Fifteen of the 18 studies found that cannabis significantly improved patients' pain. In addition, the majority of the studies found that the side effects, such as dry mouth and concentration problems, were only very mild and did not constitute a reason to stop taking the medication.
In the September 2005 issue of the Journal of Neuroimmulogy, researchers from the Tokyo National Institute for Neurosience published that the use of cannabinoids can provide symptomatic relief from joint pain and swelling and even suppress joint destruction and disease progression.
The use of cannabis as an effective form of treatment has been successfully established in the USA and Israel for some time now, and more and more doctors are recommending it in Europe as well. Every patient has to find out for himself in which form and dosage and slowly approach the dose.
For patients who do not want to or cannot smoke cannabis, vaporising with Vaporizers or Tinctures are a very good form of administration.
The most suitable strains are Indicas and indica-dominant varieties. Very good for arthritis are, for example. Twilight by Dutch Passion, Strawberry Kush by Anesia Seeds or Cheese from Dinfem have been proven.
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