CBD and Osteoporosis

Thanks to its interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, CBD is able to combat pain and inflammation, factors that often accompany osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the skeletal system, causing a loss of bone mass, mineral density, and strength. Osteoporosis leads to a gradual but relentless deterioration of the skeleton, resulting in a state of bone fragility that exposes the affected individual to a higher risk of fractures. In recent years, the results of several experiments have highlighted how cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive active ingredient of the cannabis plant, could play a crucial role in the context of therapies adopted to combat osteoporosis.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis refers to the loss of mass and subsequent weakening of bones that make up the human skeleton. The disease is progressive and leads to an increased risk of fracture even from minor traumas, particularly affecting the ankles, wrists, vertebrae, femur, and humerus. The disease generally strikes during old age.

The social cost is enormous, considering the general aging of the population and the fact that for many people, the disease can develop asymptomatically.

Moreover, there's a serious problem in quantifying the number of people affected. Osteoporosis can progress unnoticed until the person suffering from it experiences trauma. The first manifestations, in fact, appear with fractures. Localized and continuous pain is a fairly specific symptom of osteoporosis. The medical interest in CBD is also due to its ability to combat pain and inflammation, events or factors that often accompany osteoporosis.

Scientific research has not stopped; in fact, it has accelerated.

Building on the results summarized in the review by Scottish researchers, subsequent studies have confirmed the potential of CBD in treating osteoporosis.

A study published in 2015 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research by Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University researchers explored this promising new medical application of cannabis.

According to the researchers, administering the most well-known non-psychotropic active compound in cannabis significantly helps heal bone fractures and recover from trauma. The study, conducted on rats with femoral vertebra fractures, showed that CBD notably improved the bone healing process after just eight weeks.

During the experiment, researchers administered CBD alone to one group of rats while giving a combination of CBD and THC to another group. After evaluating the administration of THC and CBD, the researchers concluded that CBD alone was responsible for the effect on bones.

Another review emphasizes that both preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that the effects of cannabis mediated by the endocannabinoid system could prove to be an effective therapeutic option for individuals suffering from osteoporosis.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is also beneficial for the pain or discomfort caused by bone diseases like osteoporosis. Thanks to its action on the endocannabinoid system receptors, CBD can provide relief from chronic pain conditions. To prevent the onset of osteoporosis, it's always advisable to follow a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and generally, foods that provide proper nourishment for our bones.