Osteoarthritis is wear-related joint damage, most often in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Inflammation inside the joint is part of what drives the pain.

• Swallowed CBD (oils, capsules, gummies): Not established. Three placebo-controlled trials found no benefit. The largest gave 86 people with knee arthritis 600 mg of CBD a day for 8 weeks; pain improved equally with CBD and placebo. A 2025 trial of a CBD- rich oil and a trial in hand arthritis were also negative.
• CBD cream or lotion on the joint: Limited. In a small trial of 18 people with thumb-base arthritis, CBD cream cut pain scores from 5 to 2 out of 10, while the plain cream did not change pain. An ongoing trial comparing CBD lotion with diclofenac gel (Voltaren) has shown similar early results.
• THC-containing products: Limited. Little research specific to osteoarthritis. THC products help some types of chronic pain modestly (see Chronic pain).

Compared with standard treatment: Many people with arthritis cannot safely take NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen long term because of stomach bleeding, kidney , and heart risks. CBD does not carry those risks, and topical products put very little into the bloodstream. That safety advantage is real and is a reasonable reason to try a topical. The caution is that swallowed CBD has not beaten placebo for arthritis pain, and very high doses raised liver enzymes in some trial patients.

Good to know: Topical CBD is a low-risk first step for one or two painful joints. Give it 2 weeks of regular use. Exercise, weight management, and physical therapy remain the most effective treatments.

What to ask for: For one or two painful joints, a CBD or 1:1 topical cream or gel applied 2 to 3 times a day; this is the form with positive trial results. If pain is widespread or a topical is not enough, follow the Chronic pain guidance: a balanced or THC-containing oral product in the evening. Swallowed CBD-only products are not recommended for arthritis pain based on current trials.