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What is CBD? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is an active compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD will not get you high but may cause some drowsiness for some people. The CBD in most products is extracted from hemp, a type of cannabis. Legally, CBD products may have up to 0.3% THC, the active compound that gets people high. 

Does CBD help with arthritis? Animal studies and some small human studies have suggested that CBD has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, but these effects need to be validated in larger, high-quality studies in humans. Many people with arthritis have tried CBD, but the anecdotal evidence they report is mixed. Some people report noticeable pain relief, sleep improvement and/or anxiety reduction, while others do not. As with any medication for arthritis, some people do not report any symptom improvements when taking CBD.

Is CBD safe to use? At this point very little still is known about CBD use among people with arthritis. So far, no serious safety concerns have been associated with moderate doses, but CBD may cause liver damage or fertility issues. It also has the potential to interact with some drugs commonly taken by people with arthritis. The potential for drug interaction is mostly based on theoretical considerations by understanding how a drug is metabolized in the body or on animal studies. Some drugs that could possibly interact with CBD include over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Talk to your doctor before trying CBD if you take any of the following: corticosteroids (such as prednisone), tofacitinib (Xeljanz), celecoxib (Celebrex), tramadol (Ultram), certain antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and certain medications for fibromyalgia, including gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). CBD also may interact with other medications that people take for other conditions, including the blood thinner warfarin. CBD products can have up to 0.3% of THC by weight — not by dose — so taking too much of a product may still cause THC-type effects. The greatest concern for safety is when a CBD product contains other products that are not identified on the label. 

Are CBD products legal? CBD products made from hemp are no longer considered Schedule I drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act, but they still remain in a legal gray zone. While you can legally purchase CBD products in nearly every state and online, their legal status may ultimately change at the state and federal level depending on how laws and regulations are developed and enforced. For example, people taking a legal CBD product can still have THC in their urine, which could have employment repercussions. People who want to use CBD should check

What Happens to Joints as We Age

As you age, your joints start to deteriorate from repetitive movement. Cartilage — the tissue that lines the joints and allows them to move smoothly — does not regenerate or regrow, so natural wear and tear accumulates over time. Joints don’t move or feel as they should without the smooth cushion of cartilage.

In addition, as you enter your 30s and 40s — and are busy with your career and family — it’s common for physical activity to decrease and weight to increase. The combination puts additional stress on your joints. The first joints to have issues, adds Dr. DeFroda, tend to be in your bottom half. They carry the most weight and endure more repetitive movement than other joints.

“Cartilage can start to fray, become swollen or not stay as smooth as it was when we were children,” Dr. DeFroda says. “The natural aging process and cumulative stress on your joints starts causing pain.” The deterioration can eventually lead to osteoarthritis (OA) — the most common form of arthritis.

Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

OA, also called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis, happens in stages and only affects the joints. But depending on other factors, including your anatomy or prior activity level, you may see the effects of wear and tear at a younger age.

Other things that increase your risk of developing OA sooner than later include:

• Age: The risk increases with every year.
• Being overweight or having obesity: Extra weight stresses joints and cartilage.
• Gender: After age 50, women are more likely to develop OA than men.
• Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions: Inflammation can play a role in developing OA.
• Prior joint injury: Previous joint damage is a leading cause of OA in younger adults.
• Repetitive activities and overuse: Repeated movements accelerate wear and tear.

“If you’re an avid knitter or someone who works with their hands a lot, you can experience arthritis in your hands at a faster rate,” Dr. DeFroda says. “The joints that have been injured or get used the most are the most likely to deteriorate first.”

Most of the risk factors are out of your control. But a few, such as weight and activity, can be altered with lifestyle changes.