Joint pain is one of the most common physical complaints, especially among adults over 50. Pain relief can be difficult to manage, and many people are turning to cannabidiol, or CBD, as an alternative. As of April 2025, several studies, trials, and reviews offer data on how CBD may affect joint pain, what mechanisms are involved, and what the limits of the evidence are.
What the Research Shows About CBD for Joint Pain Relief
A 2022 study of 428 arthritis patients reported that 83 percent experienced pain improvement while using CBD. Sixty-six percent of them also reported better physical function and improved sleep quality after starting CBD. Those in the study who had osteoarthritis saw more relief than those with rheumatoid arthritis, with a 44 percent average drop in pain scores.
In a controlled 2022 trial, researchers measured CBD’s impact on thumb joint pain. Participants applied 6.2 mg of topical CBD daily. After several weeks, pain ratings fell by about 60 percent compared to the baseline, with improved grip strength and hand movement also reported. No adverse effects were reported in this group.
In addition to pain relief, 60.5 percent of users said they cut back or stopped medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or even opioids after starting CBD. Some users discontinued more than one of these drugs entirely. This is driving more research into how CBD might help reduce medication use long-term. Still, most human studies are small and short-term.
Preclinical studies help explain how CBD may produce effects. In animal models, CBD binds with CB2 receptors found in joints and immune cells. This interaction may help reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals such as TNF-alpha and IL-6. Another study from Yale in 2025 pointed to a different molecule, CBG, as potentially more effective than CBD in some cases, with strong action on pain pathways in rodent trials.
Product Formats and Their Role in Symptom Relief
People using CBD for joint pain often choose formats based on how fast the relief comes and how long it seems to last. Topicals like creams or salves are applied directly to joints for localized effects, while edibles, tinctures, and CBD vapes offer different absorption rates and durations. For example, users report CBD vapes reducing stiffness within minutes, but effects generally wear off faster than oral or topical forms.Â
This variety makes comparison harder in studies. A 2025 report from PainCare Journal found pain scores lowered fastest among CBD vape users, compared to capsules or balms, but noted the lack of consistency in long-term use. Researchers continue to call for product-specific trials.
Limits of Current Evidence and Ongoing Cautions
While many users report benefits, gaps in the data remain. Human clinical trials are still few. Most studies use small sample sizes, and several involve only short observation periods. Many others are conducted on rodents or in lab settings, which may not represent real-world outcomes.
Additionally, product quality is not consistent. Testing from Consumer Reports and the Arthritis Foundation found that 34 to 78 percent of products had different cannabidiol levels than what was stated on the label. One problem is the lack of federal regulation for CBD used in general wellness. The Food and Drug Administration has only approved CBD for epilepsy, not for pain, so oversight is limited.
Side effects are not common but can occur. In studies, some users have reported dizziness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. Foreign substances in unregulated CBD products have raised concern as well. Older adults using blood thinners or other prescription drugs are advised to speak with a doctor before using CBD to avoid interactions.
New Research Directions in 2025
Researchers are focusing on better trials that isolate CBD’s exact impact on joint function. A 2025 rodent trial by Yale scientists found that cannabigerol, or CBG, reduced pain signals more effectively than CBD in neuropathic pain models. The study showed that CBG reduced nerve firing in sodium channel pathways by 73 percent more than CBD. While these findings are promising, trials on humans have not been completed yet.
Another area of study is topical product design. Some creams now combine CBD with menthol or capsaicin for added effect. For instance, a product reviewed in 2025 contained 3.5 percent CBD plus menthol and reduced pain in basal thumb arthritis by over 50 percent in initial testing. These formulations are being studied for targeted relief, though dose consistency remains a problem.
How CBD Use Compares to Medication Trends
There’s growing interest in reducing reliance on NSAIDs and opioids. Since 2015, U.S. opioid prescriptions have decreased by 40 percent. At the same time, the use of cannabinoids like CBD and CBG has increased, particularly in states permitting non-prescription sales. Surveys show that 79 percent of CBD users are aiming specifically to treat joint pain, and many are pursuing over-the-counter applications instead of prescription painkillers.
Still, many health professionals advise caution. The Arthritis Foundation and AARP point out that product-to-product variability is high, and positive effects don’t apply to everyone. Only about one in five clinical trial participants to date have been over the age of 65, which leaves an information gap for older patients.
What People Are Actually Buying and Using
In practice, users choose a mix of products, such as topicals, edibles, capsules, and inhalables, based on what works for their routine. Topical balms have become one of the most purchased formats for localized joint pain. Products with higher CBD concentrations, such as 1250 mg in a 2-ounce container, are common. Some users report relief within 20 minutes, while others say they feel no difference at all.
Oral tinctures and capsules are preferred by people managing whole-body inflammation or multiple affected joints. Typically, the relief from oral formats takes longer—around one to two hours—compared with inhaled or topical methods, which may act more quickly but wear off faster.
Even with a stronger interest in CBD, price, dosing, and legal questions remain. Many researchers are calling for stricter quality control and longer human trials, particularly for older adults who make up a large part of the arthritis population.
Final Notes
CBD shows clear potential in treating joint pain, especially osteoarthritis, with some data backing reductions in pain and function improvements. However, results vary by person, product, format, and dose. Legal oversight is limited, and studies do not yet confirm long-term safety. The research continues, with newer compounds like CBG drawing closer attention. Anyone interested in using CBD for joint pain should consider talking with a medical provider and seek out third-party tested products. As of April 2025, it remains an option with potential but not a guarantee.
