Last updated: October 2026
CBD hasn’t been shown to help arthritis in proper trials. Three placebo-controlled trials in knee and hand arthritis, using 20mg to 600mg a day, found CBD worked no better than a dummy treatment. Surveys show many people with arthritis use CBD and feel it helps, but NICE recommends exercise, weight management and medicines with better evidence.
Below: what the trials found, why surveys and trials disagree, oil vs balm, safety with arthritis medicines, and what helps arthritis.
Does CBD help arthritis? The trials
| Trial | Dose | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, Denmark, 2022 (129 people, 12 weeks) | 20 to 30mg a day | No difference from placebo in pain |
| Knee osteoarthritis, Austria, 2023 (86 people, 8 weeks) | 600mg a day, alongside paracetamol | No difference from placebo; more side effects with CBD |
| Knee osteoarthritis, Brazil, 2025 (CBD-rich cannabis oil, 60 days) | 45mg a day | Both groups improved similarly; no difference from placebo |
So far, every placebo-controlled trial of CBD for arthritis pain has been negative. Positive results quoted online usually come from animal studies or from surveys.
Why surveys and trials disagree
In a 2022 US survey of people with arthritis who used CBD, 83% said their pain improved. Surveys like this are worth taking seriously as people’s experience, but they can’t separate CBD from the placebo effect, from people who tried it and stopped not replying, or from other changes made at the same time. In trials, placebo groups often improve a lot too, which is exactly what the 2025 Brazilian trial found.
If you choose to try CBD, keep a pain and sleep diary for four weeks and judge honestly. For the wider picture, see CBD for pain.
Osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis
| Osteoarthritis | Rheumatoid arthritis | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Wear and repair changes in the joint | An autoimmune condition causing joint inflammation |
| CBD trials | Three trials, all negative | No good CBD-only trials |
| Key point | Exercise and strength work are central | Needs specialist treatment early to protect joints; never replace it with CBD |
For all the common causes of aching joints, including menopause, see joint pain.
CBD oil vs balm for joints
Neither has been proven for arthritis. Many people prefer a balm on a sore joint because it’s applied exactly where it’s wanted, very little reaches the bloodstream so there’s less risk of interactions, and the massage, warmth and ingredients like menthol feel soothing. See CBD balm guide and CBD balm vs Tiger Balm.
Safety with arthritis medicines
- Methotrexate and leflunomide can affect the liver, and high-dose CBD can raise liver enzymes. Speak to your rheumatology team before taking CBD by mouth. See CBD and the liver.
- Blood thinners and other medicines: CBD can change how some are processed. See CBD and medication.
- Don’t stop prescribed treatment or painkillers without medical advice.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: we don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
What helps arthritis
For osteoarthritis, NICE recommends:
- Exercise, especially muscle strengthening and general activity, often with a physiotherapist.
- Weight loss if overweight, which reduces load on knees and hips.
- Anti-inflammatory gels for knee osteoarthritis, then other painkillers if needed.
- Support: information, pacing, and walking aids or footwear where helpful.
For rheumatoid arthritis or any hot, swollen joints, see your GP promptly. Magnesium is sometimes suggested for aches, but evidence is limited. See magnesium for muscle pain and CBD vs turmeric.
For help choosing a product, see the best CBD oil for pain in the UK.
FAQs
Does CBD help arthritis?
Not in proper trials. Three placebo-controlled trials in knee and hand arthritis found CBD worked no better than placebo, though many users report feeling better.
Is CBD oil or balm better for arthritis?
Neither is proven. A balm has less risk of interacting with medicines, and many people find applying it soothing.
Can I take CBD with methotrexate?
Speak to your rheumatology team first. Both can affect the liver, and CBD can change how some medicines are processed.
How much CBD should I take for arthritis?
There’s no proven dose. Trials used 20mg to 600mg a day without benefit. If you try it, start low and check your medicines first.
Does the NHS recommend CBD for arthritis?
No. NICE recommends exercise, weight management and medicines such as anti-inflammatory gels for osteoarthritis.
Does CBD reduce inflammation in joints?
It has anti-inflammatory effects in lab and animal studies, but human trials haven’t shown benefits for arthritis.
Sources
- Vela J et al. Cannabidiol treatment in hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: a randomized trial. Pain, 2022.
- Pramhas S et al. Oral cannabidiol as add-on to paracetamol for painful chronic osteoarthritis of the knee. Lancet Reg Health Eur, 2023.
- Mojoli A et al. Effects and safety of a CBD-rich Cannabis sativa oil in knee osteoarthritis (CANOA). Front Pharmacol, 2025.
- Frane N et al. Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study. J Cannabis Res, 2022.
- NICE. Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226).
