Consider how strange it must seem for your fingertips to become blue or white whenever you are worried or chilly. Now combine that with a feeling of pins and needles-like discomfort. These are some of the symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome. The good news is that using CBD for Raynaud’s may help with the discomfort.
If you’ve ever experienced this, you will likely do anything you can to help cope with the sensations that can some with this severely annoying, and sometimes painful, condition.
What Is Raynaud’s Disease?
Raynaud’s Disease, also called Raynaud’s Phenomenon, is a condition that affects the arteries that bring blood to the skin. As a result, the blood vessels become narrow, restricting blood flow to certain areas of the body, most often the fingers or toes.
The cause of Raynaud’s Disease is not known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Raynaud’s Disease has no cure, but some treatments can help to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
When blood can’t reach the skin, these regions turn blue or white. The individual may experience throbbing or tingling discomfort when the circulation begins again. The skin may also appear red or engorged. Raynaud’s Disease episodes are generally triggered by cold and stress.
According to the Raynaud’s Association, 28 million individuals suffer from this condition, but only a fraction of them get treatment.
Because arteries that supply blood to the fingers and toes tend to constrict in colder temperatures, these individuals can experience chronic pain and discomfort during the winter months. Calcium channel blockers can be given by physicians in some circumstances to regulate the circulation of blood in these areas.
While these medications are not without risks or side effects, they are effective in some cases for improving circulation and relieving Raynaud’s symptoms.
Types of Raynaud’s Disease
Primary and Secondary Raynaud’s Disease are two types of the condition.
Primary Raynaud Disease
The most prevalent form of Raynaud’s Disease is Primary Raynaud’s Disease. Primary Raynaud’s occurs more in women, those with a family history, people in their teens and twenties, and individuals who reside in chilly climates the most.
Secondary Raynaud Disease
Secondary Raynaud’s Disease is a more severe form of primary Raynaud’s Disease that usually occurs due to another illness, an accident, or medicines. Persons with connective tissue diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are also prone to Secondary Raynaud’s, as are those with arterial blockages.
The chart above is from semantic scholar, and does a good job of helping compare the primary and secondary types.
Raynaud’s phenomenon can also be triggered by trauma to the hands and feet, carpal tunnel syndrome, and those who use blood pressure medications. In addition, Secondary Raynaud’s may be induced by working or hobbies that necessitate repeated movements or vibration.
Symptoms of Raynaud’s Syndrome
Because the blood vessels are in spasm and block circulation, the most frequent symptoms are skin color changes. It’s a typical cycle from white to pale or white (termed pallor) on one side of the afflicted region, then blue to red as blood flow returns.
Other signs include numbness, pins and needles, and pain that lasts for several hours to just a few minutes. People who have Raynaud’s (primary) are prone to go long periods without any symptoms, and the Disease sometimes goes away on its own.
While the symptoms may not be as severe, having Raynaud’s is still inconvenient because it makes it hard to use your fingers.
Causes of Raynaud’s Disease
The exact cause of Raynaud’s Disease is unknown. However, according to doctors, arteries in your feet and hands appear to overreact to stress or cold temperatures.
When you’re stressed or cold, your blood vessels to your toes and fingers go into vasospasm, causing the veins to be restricted. In addition, smaller arteries become somewhat thicker over time and further limit blood supply.
Cold temperatures are often the main trigger for an attack of Raynaud Disease. Painful numbness and color changes in the fingers and toes are classic symptoms of this condition caused by a circulation problem.
Common ways people expose their hands to cold include putting them in cold water, being exposed to cold air outdoors or indoors, handling something cold from the freezer, or holding a cold beverage. These triggers can cause arteries to contract rapidly to restrict blood flow to the extremities, which is typically painful.
However, managing these triggers through various coping strategies like wearing gloves or moving into warmer environments can help prevent attacks. Overall, understanding what causes attacks of Raynaud disease can be essential for avoiding situations that may worsen your symptoms.
Emotional stress can cause a Raynaud attack in some people. For example, you might be having a Raynaud spasm if air conditioning causes an episode.
Diseases of the Arteries
Secondary Raynaud’s can be caused by several things, including Buerger’s Disease and atherosclerosis, and primary pulmonary hypertension, a form of high blood pressure.
Connective Tissue Disease
Raynaud’s Disease is a circulatory problem that causes numbness and tingling in the hands. Individuals with scleroderma, an uncommon disease that leads to scarring and hardness of the skin, frequently have Raynaud’s.
In addition, rheumatoid arthritis in seniors, Lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and Carpal tunnel syndrome are conditions characterized by pressure on a major hand nerve creating numbness in the hand and making the hand more susceptible to chilly temperatures.
Smoking
Raynaud’s Disease causes the arteries to constrict when exposed to cold or emotional stress. This can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected area. Smoking is a significant risk factor for Raynaud’s, making the blood vessels constrict.
In fact, studies have shown that smokers are up to six times more likely to develop Raynaud’s Disease than nonsmokers. If you smoke and have Raynaud’s, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to reduce your symptoms.
Repetitive Vibration or Action
Raynaud disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the hands and feet. The arteries narrow, which reduces blood flow to the extremities. This can cause the hands and feet to feel cold and numb. In severe cases, it can lead to tissue death.
Raynaud disease is often caused by repetitive movements, such as playing the piano or typing. It can also be caused by vibrating tools, such as jackhammers. Overuse injuries are common in people who perform these activities for long periods. Treatment for Raynaud’s Disease typically involves medications that improve the flow of blood and reduce inflammation.
Certain Medications
Certain medications can cause or worsen Raynaud’s Disease. These include migraine medicines, beta-blockers for treating high blood pressure, some chemotherapy agents, and drugs that cause narrowing of the arteries.
Injuries to the Hands and Feet
While Raynaud disease can occur independently, it is often precipitated by an injury to the hands or feet. Surgery, wrist fractures, and frostbite are all potential triggers for the condition.
In some cases, Raynaud disease may resolve independently, but the condition is chronic for many people, and the quality of life can be affected significantly. If you have experienced any type of injury to your hands or feet, it is essential to be aware of the potential for developing Raynaud disease.
CBD May Be Helpful for Raynaud’s Disease
CBD, or cannabidiol, when consumed regularly, has a wide range of health benefits when consumed regularly. It is also becoming more popular among users since it is a safe alternative.
CBD also aids in the management of Raynaud’s in several ways.
What Does CBD Stand For?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is a natural, plant chemical located within the cannabis plant family. It is non-intoxicating, and non-addicting.
Many, many people are reporting massive success through using CBD to help manage their discomforts in life. From sleep, to pain relief, to anxiety management, people simply get a lot out of using CBD.
CBD Relieves Your Stress
Stress is the most typical cause of Raynaud’s Syndrome. Due to tension, our blood vessels tend to constrict. Using CBD for stress relief has been studied and shown to lower anxiety and mood swings. This cannabinoid inhibits the production of FAAH, an enzyme that promotes anandamide breakdown if activated, allowing it to reduce your stress levels and keep your blood vessels open. CBD reduced resting blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress,
It has an anti-inflammatory effect and lowers inflammation by activating the CB2 receptors. It is also supposed to help people cope with chronic stress and boost their mood by stimulating the 5HT1A serotonin receptors.
Pain Relief
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that has many benefits, including the ability to help with pain and inflammation. It is also an excellent analgesic and has been studied to treat a variety of pains, ranging from acute to chronic. In fact, using CBD oil for pain relief is one of the most highly reported uses of CBD.
Related: CBD and Inflammation Relief
In addition, this pain-relieving effect of CBD helps maintain proper blood flow throughout your body, especially in your extremities, which is essential in the treatment of Raynaud’s Disease.
Acts As A Vasodilator
This cannabinoid has been shown to act as a vasodilator, allowing for a greater flow of blood and reducing damage to the arterial walls. It also aids in maintaining continuous blood flow to the hands and fingers by widening the tiny arteries.
How to Use CBD for Raynaud’s Phenomenon
CBD is reasonably safe, with little risk of adverse effects. Nevertheless, it is critical to utilize the proper delivery technique to get the most out of it. Good thing figuring out how to use CBD is simple.
Some people prefer to smoke CBD, and high-CBD strains are available in states where medical marijuana is lawful.
Although smoking is not advised for people with Raynaud’s Disease, it can exacerbate the condition and is not a good choice. Instead of vaping, CBD oil, edibles, or topicals, CBD products are much safer options.
Finally, each of these approaches has its own pluses and minuses to consider.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is one of the most popular methods of consuming CBD. It allows anybody to control how much they take in and guarantees a high absorption rate. On the other hand, using oil may be inconvenient since it must be held for 90 seconds under the tongue before swallowing.
Edibles
Cannabidiol edibles are a form of edible cannabis that has grown in popularity since their introduction. They taste considerably better than CBD oil and are much easier to consume. However, they must go through the digestive system; a substantial part of their strength is lost on the way.
They may also take some time to start working, making them less useful in treating acute symptoms.
Vaping
Another approach to consuming CBD is through CBD vaping. It’s one of the quickest and most efficient ways to utilize CBD.
On the other hand, Vaping is not for everyone, and the long-term effects on the lungs are uncertain. For this reason, we do not sell any vape products. If you really want to explore this option, there are many companies that do.
Topicals
Finally, topical CBD items are a fantastic choice for localized issues. They allow users to apply CBD straight to the skin, reaching where they need it most quickly. These types of products are great for localized pain relief, like joints or muscular aches.
How Does CBD Interact with Medications for Raynaud Phenomenon?
Cannabinoids, particularly CBD, have been proven to have various health advantages. It is, however, critical to keeping in mind that CBD may interact with several prescription medications.
For example, CBD may increase the amount of medication in your blood, just like grapefruit does. In addition, it may interact with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiretrovirals, antihistamines, and antidepressants. Raynaud’s phenomenon is perhaps the most well-known interaction between CBD and prescription drugs.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that causes the fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in response to stress or cold temperatures. CBD reduces the symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon by reducing the number of cold-induced vasospastic attacks.
Additionally, another study found that CBD may improve exercise tolerance in people with Raynaud’s phenomenon by reducing the perception of effort during a cold-induced stress test.
Using Cannabinoids for Raynaud Disease
The benefits of some cannabinoids within medical cannabis are continuing to be proven, including relieving and treating symptoms associated with a variety of illnesses. Marijuana and Raynaud’s disease treatment have been found to aid in dilating the arteries and maintaining a good flow of blood in the hands.
Medical Marijuana Can Help with Symptoms of Raynaud Disease
Marijuana has been used to treat many medical conditions for many years. For example, it can help with Raynaud’s Disease, a condition characterized by periods of painful and often debilitating coldness in the fingers and toes. Some symptoms of this Disease that medical marijuana can help control include pain, swelling, depression, and anxiety.
By reducing these symptoms, marijuana can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from this condition. Whether through smoking or using CBD oil, consuming marijuana can be an effective way to minimize the effects of Raynaud’s Syndrome and allow patients to get back to their everyday lives.
Best Methods of Using CBD for the Side Effects and Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease
There are various ways to use medical weed other than just smoking it in a joint. For instance, you can use vaporizers, Oral ingestion, topical methods, tinctures, and CBD oils. The type of cannabis ingestion is vital because research shows that smoking the plant can alter the flow of blood.
Creams and topicals are two safer options for delivery. They may be used to treat your feet or hands, which have tiny blood vessels constricting and cutting off the circulation. In addition, calcium channel blockers are often used to treat Raynaud’s by widening these tiny arteries and increasing blood flow.
However, medical cannabis has also been effective at widening the arteries and improving blood circulation. As a result, using medical cannabis in safer forms can effectively treat Raynaud’s Disease.
Summary
Despite the limited research on CBD for Raynaud’s Disease, some people have reported that it has been beneficial for them. It has been found to help relieve tension and anxiety, which are common symptoms of this condition.
Additionally, it is thought to promote circulation by relaxing the arteries and boosting blood circulation in the body. While more research is needed before fully understanding the effects of CBD on Raynaud’s, early signs suggest that it may be a promising treatment option for those who struggle with these musculoskeletal and skin diseases.
Users taking CBD oil for Raynaud’s or any other medical condition should always see a doctor. They should also pick a reputable brand and follow the instructions carefully. This ensures that the user gets the most out of CBD while avoiding unwanted side effects.
References
Clinical Trials of Raynaud’s: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00000530
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20363572
Missouri Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139949/
