Psoriatic arthritis affects about 30 percent of people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes cells to build up on the surface of the skin, resulting in thick red patches with silver scaling. Psoriatic arthritis develops when the immune system begins to attack healthy cells and tissue, causing swelling, pain, fatigue, and inflammation in joints. James W. Baumgartner, PhD, head of research and development and a manufacturing partner for the CBD business BIOS Labs, believes that CBD oil and medical marijuana extracts may be new alternative treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. According to Baumgarnter, there is scientific evidence that cannabinoids, which include CBD and other active compounds in the cannabis plant, help regulate the immune system through the body’s endocannabinoid system. Researchers are still trying to understand the underlying mechanisms, he says. A review of the scientific literature on this subject, published in a 2016 issue of the journal Current Clinical Pharmacology, makes the same point. The investigators conclude that there’s reason to believe cannabinoids have the potential to help treat psoriasis. In a small study published in the April 2019 edition of the Italian medical journal La Clinica Terapeutica, researchers concluded that for patients with some skin disorders, especially those related to inflammation, topical CDB is a safe, effective, noninvasive way to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. RELATED: Speaking CBD: A Glossary of Terms Used to Describe Cannabidiol and Cannabis
How Do You Use CBD?
Hervé Damas, MD, founder of the medical marijuana business Grassroots Wellness in Miami, uses an array of CBD products for patients with inflammatory skin disorders. Depending on the severity of the disease, he says, he’ll either use topical CBD or a combination of a cream and systemic treatments (formulations that are absorbed into the bloodstream, such as drops that go under the tongue). “For issues such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema, I’ve found CBD very effective at decreasing flare-ups, irritation, and discomfort in patients,” he says. Aly Cohen, MD, a rheumatologist and integrative medicine practitioner in Monroe Township, New Jersey, and the founder and medical director of the website The Smart Human, says it’s important for patients to take CBD oil under the guidance of a practitioner who has expertise in this area and knows all the benefits and potential risks. “You need to watch for dangerous interactions with antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, anticoagulants, and anti-seizure medications,” she says.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Use?
Dr. Damas finds that dosing with CBD is more art than science at this point. “For patients with inflammatory skin disorders I typically recommend 20 to 30 milligrams for daily maintenance, but this dosage varies based on a person’s body weight, health, and other medications they may be taking,” he says. “Applying topical applications to an affected area two or three times daily usually suffices.” RELATED: 8 Medical Conditions That CBD Can Help Treat
What Kind of CBD Oil Should You Buy?
Damas suggests buying full-spectrum oil (containing all cannabinoids and other compounds naturally occurring in the cannabis plant), as some research has shown this form of CBD to be more effective than isolates (just CBD).
How Do You Know if Your CBD Is Pure?
Shital Mars, CEO of PharmCo RX, an independent pharmacy in Miami, explains that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products (with the exception of a single CBD-based drug, Epidiolex, used to treat two rare forms of epilepsy). “The best way to choose a CBD product is to do your research, work with a licensed physician or trusted pharmacist, and get a verified certificate of third-party analysis from the manufacturer,” says Mars. “That is the only way to know you are getting a quality product.” Mars explains that manufacturers that offer transparency merit the most trust, so ask how much CBD you are actually getting in each dose. Understand that most labels show CBD content by volume, not by dose.
