Cannabis is a Key Weapon in Fighting Arthritis Pain and Inflammation

Cannabinoids work on CB2 receptors to reduce pain and inflammation of arthritis.

Recent studies indicate medical cannabis eases the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, are anti-inflammatory agents that reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints of arthritic patients. Additionally, there have been increasing numbers of laboratory studies performed on cells (in vitro) and in animals (in vivo) that suggest cannabinoids may also have a therapeutic benefit for the arthritic inflammation of RA and OA.

RA and OA have common joint destruction and inflammation in the lining of the joint. However, RA involves an autoimmune response that contributes to the worsening of joint destruction.

Increased Cannabinoid Receptors Found in Arthritic Inflammation

In RA, inflammation of the joint tissue causes abnormal growth of cells called Fibroblastlike Synoviocytes (FLSs). These cells produce a large number of pro-inflammatory proteins, or cytokines, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). The cytokines frequently studied in the progression of RA are: interleukins (IL) (like IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α).

The increased numbers of cytokines trigger an autoimmune response. Immune cells, in particular T-cells, then enter into the joint. These immune cells produce even more pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in an increasing of the inflammation. As a result, the joint begins to break down because the immune response increases the formation of osteoclasts. These are special cells that break down and absorb bone.

CB₂ receptors and 2-AG are found in the joint tissues of patients with arthritic inflammation, but not in healthy subjects. The endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, are produced naturally in the body, and so this data suggests that the endocannabinoid system is likely part of an anti-inflammatory feedback loop. In other words, receptors in the endocannabinoid system strengthen anti-inflammatory effects.

CB2 Receptors and the Inflammatory Response

Research indicates CB2 receptor activation triggers an anti-inflammatory response. Synthetic cannabinoids designed specifically to bind to the CB₂ receptor were able to reduce the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and MMPs discussed above. These compounds mute the immune response.

This study, published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (2016), ^[1]Dunn, Sara L, et al. Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage: Implications for Future Therapies.” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Cannabis Cannabinoid Red. 2016; … Continue reading found that cannabinoids could reduce the damage that occurs in the joints from conditions like arthritis. The breakdown of cartilage is one of the ways arthritis causes such long-lasting, chronic pain. Through this study, researchers showed that cannabinoids could reduce this kind of damage and the inflammation associated with it.

They found that by targeting endocannabinoid receptors present in joint cells, cannabinoids like THC and CBD could provide much-needed therapy to arthritis patients. There is still much work to be done to ascertain how and where cannabinoids can do the most good, and how these receptors are supposed to function in normal and healthy cartilage. However, this kind of research is a stepping stone to further discoveries in cannabis-arthritis therapy.

How to Reduce the Response of Immune Cells

CB₂ receptors also play a role in the immune response of RA by influencing T-cells in a variety of ways. For example, cannabinoids binding to the CB₂ receptor on T-cells reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as they were able to do in FLSs. In addition, cannabinoids promoted a healthy balance of the good (regulatory T-cells, which help suppress inflammation) and the bad (T helper cells, which promote inflammation). The CB₂ pathway suppresses stimulation and migration of macrophages, another type of immune cell. These play a destructive role in RA.

Science is finding that CBD may be able to modulate the immune system and keep inflammation at bay. By preventing the immune system from attacking the body, this cannabinoid could potentially help patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. But immune suppression isn’t the only way cannabinoids could help.

Researchers have discovered that CBD could help through its ability to not only suppress cells that are attacking the body, but also its ability to promote cells that regulate the immune system. A study published in the journal PLOS One (2011)^[2]D  De Filippis, G Esposito, C Cirillo, M Cipriano, B De Winter, C Scuderi, G Sarnelli, R Cuomo, L Steardo, J De Man, T Luvone. Cannabidiol Reduces Intestinal Inflammation Through the Control of … Continue readingfound that CBD prevented inflammation by modulating the immune system and restoring homeostasis. In this way, CBD can reduce inflammation and keep the immune system from malfunctioning.

Preventing Nerve Damage in Arthritis Patients

The above study reveals that mice lacking CB₂ receptors had increased osteoclast production. Additionally, activating signalling pathways via the CB₂ receptor also reduced osteoclast formation. This is likely related to the anti-inflammatory effect, because osteoclasts are derived from macrophages, a type of immune cell. The cytokines and other signals produced in the inflammatory response help to turn macrophages into osteoclasts.

Scientists have discovered that CB2 agonists could potentially prevent nerve damage, therefore reducing inflammation and increasing mobility. With its innate ability to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, cannabis could potentially help. In addition, researchers also found that cannabis could exert a neuroprotective effect and even treat nerve pain.

Treatment of arthritis with cannabis could, therefore, help to calm the auto-immune response, reduce the inflammation of the joint, and slow the pace of bone loss and joint destruction in RA and OA. What remains now are human tests, to determine what types of cannabis, and in what concentration, achieve this aim.