• Chronic joint inflammation may lead to stiffness, joint pain, and joint damage called inflammatory arthritis(1). 
  • CBD or cannabidiol is known for its purported anti-inflammatory properties(2). Research suggests that topical CBD may relieve pain-related behaviors and reduce inflammation(3).
  • How long CBD takes to help with joint pain depends on several factors like the severity of one’s medical condition, CBD potency, and route of consumption.
  • Vaping CBD oil is the quickest method to benefit from the effects of CBD(4). The effects of CBD can be felt between 2 to 15 minutes, lasting for two to four hours(5). However, vaping can result in lung damage(6).
  • Meanwhile, taking CBD sublingually (under the tongue) ensures prompt delivery of CBD into one’s system. With this method, CBD starts to work within 30 seconds to two minutes(7).

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD or cannabidiol is a principal active element of Cannabis sativa. Although it is a vital component in medical marijuana, CBD comes from the hemp plant, a relative of cannabis (also called marijuana)(8)

CBD does not cause euphoria(9). This non-psychoactive compound may reduce the psychotropic effect of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol(10).  

CBD oil is formed by infusing a carrier oil, usually olive oil, coconut oil, or hempseed oil, with an extracted concentrate derived from cannabis or hemp(11)

CBD oil is sometimes called hemp oil because it is extracted mostly from hemp. Meanwhile, the terms hemp oil and hempseed oil are often used interchangeably, although they are different from each other. 

CBD oil is a type of essential oil that comes from the leaves and flowers of hemp plants. Meanwhile, hempseed oil is made from the pressed seeds of hemp plants. 

Hempseed oil does not contain CBD. Still, hempseed oil is rich in nutrients and fatty acids(12)

CBD oil can be ingested like an edible or capsule. Aside from holding it under the tongue (sublingual method) or swirling it around the mouth, individuals can add CBD oil to their smoothies, coffee with cream, or yogurt(13)

How Long Does CBD for Joint Pain Take to Work in the Body?

Vaping CBD oil is the quickest method to benefit from the effects of CBD(14). However, inhaling the compound using CBD vape pens may cause severe lung damage(15)

Meanwhile, sublingually taking CBD ensures its prompt delivery into one’s system. This method of oral administration usually takes effect within 30 seconds to two minutes and lasts for about six to eight hours(16)

CBD’s bioavailability via smoking or vaping is between 17% to 44%(17). Meanwhile, CBD’s bioavailability using the sublingual route is between 6% to 20%(18)

Bioavailability is when a drug or substance becomes entirely available to one’s system(19)

How Long Does It Take for CBD for Joint Pain to Get Out of One’s System?

A 2018 review from the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology stated that the half-life of CBD could be between 1.4 and 10.9 hours following oromucosal spray, two to five days after persistent oral administration, 24 hours after intravenous therapy, and 31 hours after smoking(20).  

Half-life is the period required for the concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%(21). About 94 to 97% of a substance will have been eliminated after four to five half-lives. 

How CBD Works for Joint Pain: CBD’s Interaction With the Body 

The ECS (endocannabinoid system) is present in most parts of the body(22). It consists of natural components, including cannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 and CB2 receptors(23).

CB1 receptors play a pivotal role in pain sensation, whereas CB2 works by inhibiting inflammatory hypersensitivity(24). 

CBD interacts with the ECS(25). Although cannabidiol has a low binding affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, it may antagonize these cannabinoid receptors in the presence of THC. Furthermore, CBD may modulate pain perception(26)

Cannabidiol may also interact with other receptor proteins not affiliated with the ECS, including serotonin receptor 5-HT1A, which may help reduce stress and anxiety(27)

Potential Benefits of CBD Oil for Joint Pain: Can CBD Oil Treat Joint Pain? 

Chronic pain triggered by arthritis affects millions of individuals in the United States yearly. 

One in four adults with arthritis experience severe joint pain related to arthritis. In addition, nearly half of adults with such a condition have persistent pain(28)

Animal research from the European Journal of Pain suggested that topical CBD application may relieve arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation without adverse side effects(29).  

A 2018 research article published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences mentioned how plant-based cannabinoids like CBD may exert beneficial effects in multiple pathological conditions, including addiction, cancer, epilepsy, and inflammation(30)

CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties(31). A 2020 study published in Cell Death and Disease suggested that CBD may have anti-arthritic activity(32)

Results of the study suggest CBD’s potential to help manage arthritis symptoms by targeting the cells that drive inflammation. 

The researchers hypothesized that CBD may be beneficial as an adjuvant medication in rheumatoid arthritis, potentially supporting the action of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. 

Adjuvants are used in vaccines to create a robust immune response(33)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling, inflammation, and pain around the joints and can affect other body systems(34).  

An animal study from the journal Pain indicated that CBD helped with pain, inflammation, and nerve damage in a murine model of osteoarthritis(35). The results indicated CBD’s potential for use in joint pain

What Joints Do CBD Specifically Help With Pain?

A study indicated that CBD may help with pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis(36)

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that often affects joints in the knees, hands, spine, and hips(37)

CBD Oil Usage

CBD products come in different forms. It is available in CBD edibles like CBD gummies and capsules and CBD topicals like lotions and balms. CBD oil is also available as vapes, tinctures, and oil products.  

The form of CBD to use may depend on personal preference, body weight, metabolism, and medical condition. Other factors include CBD product quality like CBD potency, concentration, and route of consumption.

Using the whole plant or full-spectrum products brings the most effective results(38).  Research from the Frontiers in Plant Science hypothesized that the entourage effect in full-spectrum hemp extracts may produce better health benefits than pure CBD(39)

The entourage effect explains the synergy of pharmacological effects that occur when all the cannabis plant’s compounds integrate(40)

What Type of CBD Oil Will Give the Best Results?

Ingesting CBD via vape pens provides the quickest way to benefit from the compound(41). However, extra caution is necessary as vaping may harm the lungs(42)

How Much CBD Oil Should a Person Take for Joint Pain?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved CBD as a medical treatment. Therefore, there is no standard amount of CBD for joint pain

Meanwhile, a standard CBD dosage between 10mg to 100mg daily may be effective for inflammation and provide pain relief(43).  

Still, CBD dosage depends on various factors, including an individual’s endocannabinoid system and specific medical conditions(44).    

How Often Should a Person Take CBD for Joint Pain?

According to the Arthritis Foundation, individuals who experience arthritis pain may start with a few milligrams of cannabidiol in the sublingual form twice daily(45)

If they still do not feel CBD’s pain-relieving effects after a week, they may increase the dose by that same amount.  

Risks and Considerations of CBD Oil for Joint Pain

CBD use may carry some risks and minor side effects, such as(46)

  • Diarrhea
  • Reduced appetite
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness

Individuals considering trying CBD products as supplements to help with joint pain should only purchase high-quality products from authorized CBD sellers.

Consumers, especially first-time buyers, must look for lab tests and certificates of analysis (CoAs) to determine CBD’s potency and concentration. 

Is It Safe to Take CBD for Joint Pain Every Day?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is well tolerated, with a good safety profile(47).  However, it is best to consult a clinician expert in cannabis use to know possible drug interactions. 

Discussing CBD for Joint Pain With a Doctor

Individuals experiencing joint pain must consult their primary healthcare provider before taking CBD. Medical professionals can advise them about possible drug interactions that can potentially worsen their condition. 

For instance, a study showed that THC and CBD may increase warfarin levels(48). Warfarin is a widely used oral anticoagulant (a medicine that prevents blood clots).   

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does CBD for joint pain work in the body? 

CBD interacts with the ECS or endocannabinoid system in the body(49). The ECS consists of vital components, including cannabinoid receptors that play a vital role in pain sensation and inflammatory response. 

Although CBD has a low binding affinity for these receptors, the compound may antagonize them in the presence of THC and regulate pain perception(50).  

2. Can CBD oil treat joint pain?

A study suggested that CBD may have anti-arthritic activity(51). Thus, CBD may help with joint pain.

3. Should consumable CBD oil be taken on an empty stomach?  

Research from the University of Minnesota suggested that oral CBD’s absorption into the body is better when taking it with food than ingesting it on an empty stomach(52).


  1. Chronic Inflammation and Your Joints
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/chronic-inflammation-and-your-joints
  2. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  3. Transdermal Cannabidiol Reduces Inflammation and Pain-Related Behaviours in a Rat Model of Arthritis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
  4. How to Safely Use CBD: Should You Inhale, Spray, Apply, or Eat It?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
  5. Healing With CBD, page 190.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  6. Is It Safe to Vape CBD?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/is-it-safe-to-vape-cbd/
  7. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, page. 104.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
  8. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  9. Ibid.
  10. Cannabidiol and Other Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids for Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Useful Nutraceuticals?
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7246936/
  11. Healing With CBD, page. 205.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  12. Hemp Seed Oil Properties
    https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/hemp-seed-oil-properties.html
  13. Healing With CBD, page. 205.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  14. How to Safely Use CBD: Should You Inhale, Spray, Apply, or Eat It?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
  15. Is It Safe to Vape CBD?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/is-it-safe-to-vape-cbd/
  16. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, page. 104.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
  17. Healing With CBD, page 190.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  18. Healing With CBD, page 192.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  19. Drug Bioavailability
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557852/
  20. A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6275223/
  21. Half-Life
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554498/
  22. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  23. The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabidiol’s Promise for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390812/
  24. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
  25. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  26. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
  27. The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabidiol’s Promise for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390812/
  28. Joint Pain and Arthritis
    https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/pain/index.htm
  29. Transdermal Cannabidiol Reduces Inflammation and Pain-Related Behaviours in a Rat Model of Arthritis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
  30. Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/
  31. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
  32. Cannabidiol (CBD): A Killer for Inflammatory Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7463000/
  33. Adjuvants and Vaccines
    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/adjuvants.html
  34. Rheumatoid Arthritis
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353648
  35. Attenuation of Early Phase Inflammation by Cannabidiol Prevents Pain and Nerve Damage in Rat Osteoarthritis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5690292/
  36. Attenuation of Early Phase Inflammation by Cannabidiol Prevents Pain and Nerve Damage in Rat Osteoarthritis
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5690292/
  37. Osteoarthritis
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925
  38. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, page 91.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
  39. The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/
  40. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, page 78.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
  41. How to Safely Use CBD: Should You Inhale, Spray, Apply, or Eat It?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/how-to-use-cbd-inhale-spray-apply-eat/
  42. Is It Safe to Vape CBD?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/is-it-safe-to-vape-cbd/
  43. CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, page 129.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MILU_6ZjYkII-XMUPHLFPiPQbrz__5Sh/view
  44. Healing With CBD, page 214.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  45. CBD for Arthritis Pain: What You Should Know
    https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/pain-relief-solutions/cbd-for-arthritis-pain
  46. What Are the Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe to Use?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
  47. Cannabidiol
    https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf
  48. An Interaction Between Warfarin and Cannabidiol, a Case Report
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5789126/
  49. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator
    https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
  50. Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
  51. Cannabidiol (CBD): A Killer for Inflammatory Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7463000/
  52. High-Fat Foods Can Increase Oral Cannabidiol Absorption Into the Body
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190813130426.htm
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