Last year I had the best year for running. At the beginning of 2019 I made new goals and set out with a positive mental attitude. By March, my osteoarthritis had flared up again and gave me a huge knock-back. I tried to battle through the pain but it was almost too much and I was on the verge of taking a recommended three months off all exercise.
Friends rallied round with all sorts of tried and tested remedies which included strapping my knee up with kinesiology tape, taking turmeric, and - the most popular of all - cannabidoil (CBD oil).
I was sceptical about the CBD oil but, after a long chat with my friend, Denise, and hearing a few more recommendations, I did a bit of research. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have deemed CBD oil safe for consumption and it is legal in the UK due to it not containing THC which is the part of the cannabis plant that makes you high. Currently, it is only legal as a food supplement and businesses cannot make any official medicinal claims.
Whilst I was researching, a UK company, Synerva CBD Oils, reached out to me and wanted me to 10% oil. It was fate! So I read up about their company and discovered that founder of the company, Clare Hales, built the business up at her husband's bedside after he broke his back in a horrific cycling accident. They were recommended to try CBD oil and his recovery and prognosis improved beyond expectation. Clare wanted to change the face of the industry and make people realise that she wasn't a 'drug dealer' and their products were safe and of high quality.
For me, the big question was "how does CBD oil work?" so here's the science bit straight from the Synerva website:
This is a VERY simplified explanation! The human nervous system contains a large number of receptors. One of the human receptor systems is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). These receptors are located in the brain and the peripheral nervous system (Spinal cord and nerves). The ECS systems regulates the body’s homeostasis or general state of balance. CBD works by interacting with the ECS system. The ECS receptors are CB1 and CB2. The receptors bind cannabinoid like molecules produced by the nervous system. CBD binds to the same receptors and psychoactive THC but has an opposite effect. If THC gets your nervous system into overdrive CBD makes it slow down.
In for a penny, in for a pound. And I can honestly say that the CBD oil is working! I know I'm using it with other 'pain relief' methods but I've introduced them at different times and they all work in different ways. The KT tape I use supports the knee and aids the movement. The turmeric capsules act as an anti-inflammatory and really have reduced swelling on my knee. The aches and pains I was having constantly really have reduced to almost zero since starting to take the CBD oil.
It's expensive, though. The 10ml of 10% CBD oil I have from Synerva is £49.95. I place 2 drops of the oil under my tongue (it's got an odd taste but you get used to it) and leave them there for around 60 seconds and I do this once a day. The 10ml lasted around five weeks so it works out at around £10 per week for a pain-free life. Could you see this as an investment? I definitely can!
CBD oil isn't only used to ease arthritis though. CDB oil is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness and is only sold as a food supplement but the smallest amount of research shows that it is intended to promote everyday wellbeing. Reports have shown that it can help with anxiety, depression, acne and heart disease and, for those with cancer, it may even provide a natural alternative for pain and symptom relief.
CBD oil isn't only used to ease arthritis though. CDB oil is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness and is only sold as a food supplement but the smallest amount of research shows that it is intended to promote everyday wellbeing. Reports have shown that it can help with anxiety, depression, acne and heart disease and, for those with cancer, it may even provide a natural alternative for pain and symptom relief.