CBD and Uric Acid

Currently, research is still underway to investigate the role of CBD and cannabis in helping manage inflammation. It’s already well known that the endocannabinoid system has a huge role to play in the regulation of inflammation. CBD and other plant cannabinoids may support the reduction of inflammation. Some researchers even suggest that cannabinoids may help with arthritic damage in joints, especially in patients suffering from uric acid deposits, or gout.

Gout is a type of arthritis that results in uric crystals being deposited in joints. It’s a painful condition that usually starts when there’s a significant buildup of uric acid in the body. The accumulation of uric acid is largely caused by overconsumption of rich foods and having a sedentary lifestyle. Some of the most common foods known to increase uric acid in the body include red meat, alcohol, caffeine, and seafood.

Uric acid deposits can make the life of the gout victim miserable, making even the lightest of touches and basic movements debilitating. While there are common over-the-counter medications that can be effective, many people prefer to avoid them because of their adverse side effects. For this reason, many gout victims are left in a predicament – either suffer through the agonizing pains of gout with no medication or risk suffering side effects and contraindications from pain-blocking drugs.

Fortunately, CBD oil holds promise for helping deal with the pain and inflammation often experienced from uric acid deposits. In fact, some studies infer that CBD may effectively help to combat symptoms of painful uric acid deposits and gout through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

In this post, we’ll look at CBD and uric acid with relation to gout, and what possibilities exist in using CBD when you hope to find a natural source of relief.

A Brief Overview of Uric Acid and Gout

Gout is a common form of arthritis known for causing bouts of inflammation, discomfort, and redness in joints, specifically in the foot near the big toe. Gout flare-ups can cause the joints to feel tender, and the feeling is unbearable for many victims.

The main cause of gout is the buildup of uric acid in high amounts in the blood, also known as hyperuricemia. This creates urate crystals that end up settling in the joints. Uric acid is a natural byproduct of the processes in the body that break down substances referred to as purines. Purines can be found in the body and in foods like red meat, alcohol, seafood, and drinks made with fructose. When there’s too much uric acid in the body, the kidneys cannot effectively process it as normal, leading to the formation of urate crystals.

Over time, uric acid can accumulate in the body in different synovial cavities, sometimes even solidifying to form hard crystals similar to kidney stones. Consequently, they can turn into needle-like structures that can be really painful not to mention cause a whole list of other internal cellular damage. 

Without undergoing frequent screenings, it’s hard to predict a flare-up of gout. Many people with arthritis can actually live for many years with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. This is a condition where there’s an abnormally huge amount of uric acid in the body. However, upon the first identification of symptoms, gout typically worsens in the first 24 hours. The symptoms will then subside over the course of the next few days.

What Research Says About the Effect of CBD on Gout

Cannabis has been used by the Chinese and other civilizations as early as the 2900 BCE for pain and inflammation. However, owing to the strict regulations that crippled research into cannabis for many decades, research is still in its infancy regarding the use of CBD oil for many conditions. Nonetheless, there are numerous studies that have demonstrated that CBD may be beneficial for reducing inflammation and joint pain without the undesirable side effects often experienced with over-the-counter medications.

In a 2015 study published in the European Journal of Pain, the effects of transdermal CBD (topical application on the skin) were examined in a rat model of arthritis. The results showed that the topical administration of CBD generated long-lasting therapeutic effects without generating any psychoactive side effects. According to the authors of the study, the use of topical CBD has potential as an effective arthritic symptomatology treatment. While the findings of this study aren’t linked to humans directly, they are still encouraging for patients seeking inflammation and pain management through CBD.

In a literature review published in 2018 in the Current Opinion in Pharmacology, the authors summarize how cannabinoids can potentially manage pain related to osteoarthritis, which is the most prevalent form of arthritis that leads to degeneration of bones and cartilage. The report also noted that the body’s endocannabinoid system plays an important role in alleviating joint pain.

In another study published in 2018 in the Journal of Headache and Pain, researchers reported positive findings from a group of medical cannabis patients. According to the study’s findings, cannabis varieties that are rich in the terpenes of myrcene and caryophyllene were effective in the treatment of migraines, headaches, and other pain disorders like arthritis. 

Such findings are a source of hope for patients looking to relieve pain, however further research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on uric acid and gout.  

How CBD for Uric Acid May Help Provide Symptomatic Relief

So far, there have been no scientific or clinical research trials done to study the effect of CBD oil on uric acid or gout. However, there’s still available research that supports the immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD for people with arthritis.

Just as with other forms of arthritis, gout can be categorized as the result of some deficiencies in the immune system. Certain body tissues are unintentionally attacked, causing the inflammation and intense pain that accompanies the condition.

Furthermore, if the endocannabinoid system isn’t functioning optimally, which tends to happen as we age, the immune system could gradually become hyperactive, which by itself could lead to the onset of certain arthritic symptoms.

Overall, if the uric acid crystals deposit in your joints, you may experience gout. And gout is mainly characterized by two major conditions that CBD may offer management for: inflammation and pain. 

CBD Oil for Uric Acid and Gout-related Pain

When it comes to pain relief, one of the more thorough investigations about CBD’s analgesic properties was conducted through patient surveys from collaborators at Project CBD and Care by Design. The results from the survey showed that CBD seemed very effective as a pain management tool with minimal negative side effects. CBD was also shown to deliver a significant decrease in opiate usage among elderly participants.

Similarly, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are equally well documented. This is relevant to hyperuricemia or gout victims who have to deal with symptoms such as tenderness, swelling, and joint inflammation. Scientific publications and clinical trials in recent years have given weight to what many people have already known for decades – cannabis has the potential to manage localized inflammation.

That said, it’s easy to see how CBD oil for uric acid and gout has the potential to be a highly effective way of managing symptoms, without adverse side effects. 

Keep in mind that many studies have shown that CBD oil tends to be more effective for the same when taken as full-spectrum. This means that instead of CBD acting alone as an isolate, the compound appears to work well in the body more effectively when other natural cannabis compounds like flavonoids and terpenes are present. This doesn’t mean that you have to get a “high” to enjoy the full benefits. Full-spectrum CBD oils are still non-intoxicating as they contain less than 0.3% THC. 

What’s the Right Dosage of CBD for Symptom Relief?

Unfortunately, there’s no conclusive answer to this. Everyone has a different reaction to CBD. Some people may require a lot of the cannabinoids to experience any form of result. Meanwhile, others will only require a little bit. However, before we start talking about how much CBD you need, it’s important to talk about the potential side effects. 

CBD can have some side effects, though they are generally not serious. Plus, they are often associated with taking too much CBD. Some of the side effects include fatigue, nausea, and change in appetite. You can generally avoid them by not taking too much CBD.

Figuring out how much CBD you need can take a while, but the process will be worth it. If you are a new CBD user or are trying out a new product, you should always start with a little amount. Wait for some time and see how it affects you. If you find you’re not experiencing any negative side effects and are still not getting the desired effects, you can gradually increase the dosage until you do. The lowest amount that gives you the desired effects without any negatives is the right amount for you.

As a rule of thumb, avoid mixing CBD with other medications. It’s always best to consult a healthcare practitioner before you begin taking CBD. They will know whether or not CBD will go well with your medications.

Bottom Line

It’s worth reiterating that there are still no known clinical trials that show CBD to be effective in treating uric acid or gout problems. All indications that cannabis might help to ease the symptoms and flare-ups experienced with gout are drawn from the fact that CBD for arthritis is a more researched topic.

Furthermore, the capacity of CBD oil to serve as a potential pain reliever, anti-inflammatory agent, and an immune system enhancer may make it a worthwhile candidate to help people suffering from uric acid and gout-related problems.