Medical Marijuana for Rheumatoid Arthritis

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease where a person’s immune system attacks their healthy cells and tissues, causing joints to become stiff, painful, and tender. Sometimes the skin, lungs, eyes, as well as the heart and blood vessels, can also be affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Does Marijuana Help With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Research shows that patients using medical marijuana for rheumatoid arthritis have been able to reduce the severity of some of their symptoms. Medical marijuana helps patients with RA by decreasing inflammation in joints, improving sleep quality, increasing appetite, and helping to ease the pain caused by this potentially debilitating condition. Medical studies have also found that the extreme pain associated with RA can be managed in patients by using medical marijuana. Some of these drugs prescribed to help alleviate the symptoms of RA can cause side effects such as nausea and lack of appetite, both of which can be helped with medical cannabis consumption.

Best Cannabis Strain for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Certain cannabis strains that are rich in CBD, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits that may help with the joint inflammation and accompanying pain that RA patients consistently experience. Using cannabis oil for rheumatoid arthritis will also have anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit some patients.

Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Consuming medical cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis has shown promise in helping patients with rheumatoid arthritis manage their symptoms. If you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and live in the state of Illinois, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the many qualifying medical conditions that allow you to apply for a medical marijuana card. While there is no known cure for this common inflammatory disorder at this time, those affected may find that medical cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis treatment helps make symptoms of RA more bearable than with other types of prescription drugs.

**Always ask your physician before using medical marijuana for rheumatoid arthritis to treat symptoms. This is not medical advice for patients with RA.