The best weed strains for arthritis aren’t just for older folks. We tend to think of arthritis as a disease that comes with the territory of old age. But the reality is that arthritis affects the young and the old alike. In fact, 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States suffer from one of the 100 different types of arthritis. And all that adds up to make arthritis the leading cause of disability in the country.
Arthritis is also notoriously hard to treat, so patients turn to everything from addictive opioid painkillers to anti-inflammatory drugs. Some even resort to chemotherapy. But research suggests that cannabis can provide effective relief from arthritis and related symptoms, without all the harmful side effects. Here are the best weed strains for arthritis.
Best Weed Strains For Arthritis: An Introduction
It turns out; joints can be good for your joints! And that makes cannabis an excellent treatment for arthritis because the leading cause of the most common form of arthritis is simply joint deterioration. As the body ages, the cartilage and protective tissues in joints wear away. Call it simple wear and tear.
As a result, bones begin to grind against each other, causing pain and stiffness. This is called osteoarthritis, and it only gets worse with time. On top of that, no cure exists for it. However, a 2009 study found that cannabis use among older mice protected them against bone loss or osteoporosis.
Similarly, synthetic cannabinoids can also slow down cartilage destruction, according to this 2016 study. Finally, several studies have looked at how CBD can help speed up the healing process of broken bones. So, as a general rule, the best weed strains for arthritis that help protect joints are those with high CBD content and medium-to-high THC content.
10. Pennywise (Indica)
You might recognize the namesake of this high-CBD indica strain that blends Harlequin and Jack the Ripper. It’s the name Stephen King gives to the terrifying clown in “It.” This strain is packed with therapeutic CBD and an even complement of THC, making it a great strain for your joints.
9. Blue Diesel (Hybrid)
Blending an indica-heavy Blueberry strain with a sativa-focused NYC Diesel, this strain provides a slow-burning, long-lasting buzz. Its effects are incredibly smooth, without noticeable peaking and come-down phases. This makes it a great daytime medicine for soothing joint pain. The rich cannabinoid profile also makes it an effective strain for slowing joint deterioration.
8. Power Plant (Sativa)
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Bred from super-powerful South African sativas, this strain’s high THC content provides a major stimulus to the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Crucially, research has shown that nerve receptors in that system play a major role in keeping joint tissue healthy and supple. Power Plant’s energizing, THC-driven buzz may be a bit intoxicating, but its pain relief and bone-protecting qualities are huge draws for patients with arthritis.
7. Remedy (Indica)
Remedy offers the highest CBD content of any indica out there, all with virtually zero THC-induced psychoactive effects. The CBD: THC ratio can reach up to 15:1.
Remedy excels at treating pain caused by nerve inflammation, as well as easing stress and reducing anxiety. It’s an excellent all-around strain for the many related symptoms of arthritis, while also treating inflammation at the source.
6. Anesthesia (Indica)
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As the name implies, this indica offers arthritis patients an extremely sedative, body-numbing high. As a result, Anesthesia is routinely recommended for pain and inflammation related issues. For older patients who don’t have to worry about being very active, this strain might be too strong for daily use. But for chronic pain sufferers, this strain is a top choice.
5. Black Widow (Hybrid)
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With top marks for pain relief and inflammation reduction, Black Widow is one of the best weed strains for arthritis. In the medical cannabis community, White Widow is a legendary strain. Its high THC content also makes it a favorite among recreational users. Black Widow deserves to be called the true White Widow. The inventor of the strain, Shantibaba, founded his own company around it.
4. The OX (Indica)
The OX is an ideal CBD-heavy strain for medical pain management. First, the CBD profile is thanks to the Bubba Kush genetics at the core of The OX, and it’s a popular strain for indica hybrid growers. Medical patients will enjoy its effective pain and inflammation reduction. With only mild psychoactive effects, it’s a great daytime medicine for treating arthritis symptoms.
3. White Lotus (Hybrid)
White Lotus uses the synergy of its flavorful, aromatic terpenes to overdrive its trichome production. This makes White Lotus a more potent, longer-lasting strain than its parent strains. Part of the arthritis pain issue relates to the stress and tension that comes from reduced motion and activity. White Lotus is great at soothing pain, but it also elevates the mood with a relaxed euphoria.
2. Harmonia (Indica)
Harmonia is an incredible daytime indica that won’t couch-lock users or overwhelm them with a sedative high. For arthritis patients who wish to avoid intense psychoactive effects, Harmonia front-loads CBD behind a slightly decreased THC profile. Functional and clear-headed are not often traits of heavy pain-busting strains.
1. Acapulco Gold (Sativa)
Acapulco Gold is one of the most widely known strains among recreational users looking for an energetic and uplifting high. Thought to be one of the most elite and enjoyable strains ever, Acapulco Gold’s pain managing powers come from its 25 percent THC content.
These traits also make it a fantastic medical strain. Ultimately, Acapulco Gold is simply one of the best weed strains for arthritis because of its strengths as an all-around treatment for the disease and many of its related symptoms.
Final Hit: Best Weed Strains For Arthritis
When selecting the best weed strains for arthritis, it’s all about pinpointing your specific symptoms. Joint pain, inflammation, and chronic pain are among the most common.
For some patients with severe arthritis, living with the disease is all about pain management. Far too often, arthritis patients become dependent on addictive prescription painkillers. Fortunately, there are dozens of strains that excel at minimizing pain, and that offer arthritis patients a much safer form of treatment.
Science shows that balance training has big benefits for people with arthritis and related conditions.
Consider the Evidence:
- Osteoarthritis: In a study published in 2015 in Clinical Rehabilitation, people with osteoarthritis (OA) recovering from knee surgery who did balance training in addition to other physical therapy exercises had better mobility, balance and function than those who didn’t do balance exercises.
- Ankylosing spondylitis: People with ankylosing spondylitis who included balance exercises in their physical therapy for seven months improved their balance and quality of life, according to a study in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
- Fibromyalgia: Balance training improved function and reduced fall risk after six weeks in a study of people with fibromyalgia, published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Women with rheumatoid arthritis or OA in their lower limbs who did balance exercises at home for four months had an improvement in their fall risk and stability. The study was published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Three Key Moves
Try these balance exercises, which were used in the research.
- Single-leg stand: Stand by a counter to catch yourself. Lift one leg off the ground for 10 seconds. Switch sides. Build up to one minute for each leg.
- Tandem stand: Place one foot in front of the other with the toes of the back foot touching the heel of the front foot. Hold for 10 seconds then switch sides. Build up to one minute for each leg.
- Chair stand: Stand up from a chair without using your hands. Work up to 10 reps.
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