The Arthritis Foundation says it recently consulted leading arthritis and CBD experts to find out what arthritis sufferers should know about cannabidiol in order to create a guide, which has just been released.

According to the Foundation, more than 50 million Americans have arthritis, so it affects a significant chunk of the USA’s population. Cannabidiol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in animals and therefore may be useful in treating the condition, which comes in various forms. However, there have been no rigorous clinical studies in human arthritis sufferers to confirm this.

So, if a person with arthritis is interested in learning more, where should they start? How much CBD should they take? These questions and more are addressed in the guide. For example:

“Go low and slow. Start with just a few milligrams of CBD in sublingual form twice a day. If relief is inadequate after one week, increase the dose by that same amount,” says the guide.

It of course cautions that arthritis sufferers should consult with their doctor/health care provider first, particularly if the patient is using one or more of a number of medications listed in the guide. It also advises care in selecting products, suggesting products manufactured in the U.S. with components grown domestically.

But USA-made doesn’t necessarily provide an iron-clad guarantee that what’s on the label is what is in the product either.

The guide also notes  CBD should never act as a replacement for disease-modifying drugs that help prevent permanent joint damage in inflammatory forms of arthritis.*

Regarding its position on cannabidiol, the Arthritis Foundation says it welcomes new treatment options as no single drug, supplement or therapy works for all sufferers.

“We are intrigued by the potential of CBD to help people find pain relief and are on record urging the FDA to expedite the study and regulation of these products,” says the Foundation.

The full version of the Arthritis Foundation CBD Guidance for Adults can be downloaded here.