The Fast Facts
- Research suggests CBD may ease inflammation, showing promise as an anti-inflammatory treatment.
- Full-spectrum CBD products may be more effective than other types in treating inflammation and joint pain.
- Our pick of the best CBD gummies for inflammation is CBDfx Mixed Berry CBD Gummies.
Although research on cannabidiol (CBD) is still in its early stages, people are increasingly using it as an alternative treatment for various health conditions, including inflammation.
Read on to learn more about four of the best CBD products for inflammation and our testers’ experiences, and dig into the science behind how CBD may reduce inflammation.
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.
The following table compares the products in this article in terms of form, type, potency, and more.
| Potency per dose | Form | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBDfx | 25, 50, or 100 mg | gummies | $54.99 to $114.99 |
| Lazarus Naturals | 50 mg | oral oil | $39.99 or $119.99 |
| CBDistillery | 30 mg | softgels | $65 |
| Receptra | 800 mg (per jar) | topical cream | $81 |
We selected these CBD products for inflammation based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
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
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
Some research suggests CBD may ease inflammation, and results show that CBD is a promising anti-inflammatory treatment.
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- general pain
- inflammatory conditions
- metabolic disorders
- cardiovascular diseases
It is important to note that most studies have not reviewed the long-term effects of CBD, and researchers need to conduct more studies with human participants. However, experts believe the research results show that CBD may have therapeutic implications related to inflammation.
The federal government is changing how they define “hemp” at the federal level. This change may restrict what CBD products people can access.
The new law puts stricter limits on how much THC can be in a container. With the new legislation on THC and other psychoactive compounds, full- and broad-spectrum products could fail to meet the stricter limits and become illegal on a federal level. CBD isolate products are less likely to be affected, but it is not yet clear to what extent the ban will affect them.
Current evidence does not support CBD as the best anti-inflammatory. Research suggests CBD may help reduce pain for some people, but studies are limited and inconsistent. Also, it has not been shown to work better than established anti-inflammatory treatments.
Healthcare professionals recommend people do not use CBD instead of any anti-inflammatories.
An older research review from 2018 suggests that a full-spectrum CBD product may be more effective than other types in treating inflammation and joint pain.
However, if a person does not want to use a product that contains THC, they may prefer to purchase broad-spectrum or CBD isolate products.
It is important to note that researchers have not yet discovered the optimal dosing or length of time to take CBD to see its anti-inflammatory effects. More research is necessary.
CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and starts working within 45 minutes. Ibuprofen, which has the same effects, starts working within 20 to 30 minutes.
It is important to note that there have been more studies on the effectiveness, short- and long-term side effects, and toxicity of ibuprofen than CBD for inflammation.
Studies have found that CBD may help with inflammation related to joint pain and arthritis.
There is no standard guideline on how much CBD to take for chronic inflammation. People can begin with a lower dose, for example, 10 mg to 15 mg, and gradually increase it to suit their needs.
Researchers have not yet conducted many long-term studies on how CBD affects human inflammation. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the results may be promising. Scientific studies show that CBD may have therapeutic effects on several inflammatory health conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Some of the best CBD products for inflammation include creams for targeted relief and ingestible products for whole-body effects.
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.