We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you
buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
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.
CBD will not treat the underlying cause of a person’s pain. However, it may help numb or alleviate pain.
A person should not rely on CBD to treat their pain. They should consider seeing a medical professional who can assess the cause of their joint pain.
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.
Medical News Today chooses CBD products for joint pain that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe, high-quality, clearly labeled ingredients. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
Dosage: MNT chooses products that must clearly state the CBD dosage and THC content.
Serving size: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a dosage and how to take it.
Third-party labs: MNT chooses products that undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results.
People should consider the following factors when shopping for a CBD product:
Form: People should consider what form they want to take CBD in. Some CBD products are available in topical forms for external use, oil to drop under their tongue, or as gummies to eat.
Types: The three types of CBD are isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum. Some people may prefer CBD isolate, as it contains no THC. However, full-spectrum may have more potent effects.
Third-party testing: A person should purchase CBD products from a company that uses third-party testing. The company should also publicly display the COA.
Dosage: Companies should always state the CBD dose within the product. They should also clearly list all other ingredients.
Both oral and topical CBD may be useful for pain management, and the delivery method may come down to personal preference. Topical CBD, such as CBD cream, passes directly into the skin, whereas oral CBD, such as a spray or gummies, mainly passes through the digestive system and into the body.
A person should always follow the usage instructions on the product label, as each product will vary. They should also stop using the product if they experience side effects.
A person should talk with a doctor before using CBD to reduce the risk of possible drug interactions.
Early research supports the idea that CBD may help with joint pain in some cases, such as joint pain due to inflammatory arthritis. However, CBD alone is unlikely to be able to treat a person’s pain in full.
Below, we look at some recent research in detail.
A 2020 study found that CBD has anti-arthritic activity and may help symptoms by targeting the cells that drive inflammation. The authors tested CBD on rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs), a type of cell within certain connective tissue forms such as the synovium. The synovium lines a person’s joints.
They found that RASFs promoted joint inflammation because they release inflammatory proteins. CBD reduced the amount of RASF cells and how much they divided, thereby reducing inflammation. The research also suggests CBD can specifically target RASF cells when inflammation occurs.
A cross-sectional study of self-selected people with arthritis who responded to a questionnaire in 2020 found that 83% reported a decrease in pain, and 66% saw improvement in physical function and better sleep.
People sensitive to CBD or taking a higher dose than necessary may experience more significant side effects.
Some people may also have an allergic reaction to the compound or product. Anyone noticing undesirable effects after taking CBD should stop using it and talk with a doctor.
Additionally, it is possible to test positive for THC after using full- and broad-spectrum CBD. People who regularly take urine or drug tests should opt for CBD without THC.
People should also be aware of potential drug interactions with CBD. A 2019 study notes that CBD may interact with several drugs, including:
Always speak with a doctor before taking CBD to check for any interactions.
The federal government does not regulate natural products such as CBD. This means no standards regarding dosing, label accuracy, or potential contamination exist.
Therefore, people must ensure that their product has undergone third-party lab testing. These lab results will state the amount of CBD in the products and levels of any potential contaminants.
People should also be aware of any potentially misleading information on the labels of CBD products.
The standard approach for treating joint pain involves drug therapy, including opioids and over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) to help reduce inflammation and pain.
Several natural products on the market may help with markers of inflammation and pain in some people, such as:
However, scientific research is limited regarding the benefits of many natural remedies. A person should always speak with a doctor before trying alternative treatments for joint pain.
Yes, CBD can help joints. Some evidence suggests that CBD can work for nerve and joint pain. However, many studies on neuropathy involve animals. Results may not be the same in humans.
CBD has both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which can make CBD products a good option for people with joint pain.
However, it is always a good idea for people to speak with a healthcare professional to make sure CBD is the right approach to address any inflammation or pain.
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication and can help manage pain. Similarly, CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
However, researchers know more about ibuprofen’s safety and effectiveness than CBD, especially for chronic conditions such as joint and arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is also legal in every U.S. state.
People who wish to use CBD instead of ibuprofen should always talk with a qualified healthcare professional to determine which best suits their needs.
The time it takes for CBD to work for joint pain will depend on the form of CBD a person uses.
For example it takes around 2 hours for oral CBD products, such as oils and gummies, to take full effect. This form of CBD may be best for people who want joint pain relief over a longer period.
There are no scientific studies investigating how fast topical CBD works for joint pain. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that people may begin to feel the effects in as little as 20 minutes after applying the product.
The best CBD for joint pain depends on a person’s needs and preferences. Some people may prefer full-spectrum gummies due to the added effects of the entourage effect.
Others may want to avoid THC altogether, and still others might prefer something in between. A product’s other ingredients can also affect a person’s choice.
A person should always speak with a doctor before trying CBD for a health condition.
Some disadvantages of using CBD for pain include the lack of FDA approval for any nonprescription CBD product.
CBD can also interact with other medications people use for managing pain or other conditions. Lastly, CBD can be far costlier than other over-the-counter pain relief methods.
CBD may help with joint pain, but more research is needed to understand its effects and benefits fully. Anecdotal reports suggest that many people use CBD products for joint pain, and some find relief.
It is essential to choose products that have undergone third-party testing, check the labels carefully, and take CBD as the manufacturer directs.
People should always consult a doctor before trying CBD to treat joint pain.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Pellati F, et al. (2018). Cannabis sativa l. and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids: Their chemistry and role against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/1691428/
