As I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed symptoms of arthritis in my hands.
There are times when my knuckles swell and become extremely stiff and painful.
It can be difficult to perform simple tasks such as combing my hair, tying my shoes or pulling weeds. I’ve already been forced to cut my rings off. Because my job is entirely handled by way of my computer, I need to be able to type for hours at at time. At first, I tried home remedies such as yellow raisins soaked in gin and drinking dark red cherry juice. I had no success with over-the-counter topicals. Although I looked into prescription medications, I was unwilling to to risk the harmful side-effects. My sister suggested I explore the possibility of cannabis. I liked the idea of a plant-sourced remedy. Adult-use cannabis is legal in my state, allowing my to shop at any of the area dispensaries. Before visiting the dispensary, I read up on the potential of cannabis in treating arthritis symptoms. CBD has shown to alleviate pain and inflammation. It is the second-most prevalent cannabinoids and doesn’t cause any psychoactive effects. I also spoke with a budtender at the dispensary. I explained my requirements and asked for recommendations. She suggested a combination of cannabis-infusted topicals and tinctures for a synergistic approach. The CBD and other cannabinoids in the ointment interact with receptors in the skin and help to soothe pain and inflammation. For the tincture, I place a drop or two under my tongue to absorb the cannabinoids into the bloodstream. I choose a tincture with a higher CBD to THC ratio. The effects are realized within minutes and really make a difference.