How to Take CBD Oil for Gout

Treating Gout Attacks

Talk to your doctor before taking CBD oil. Since there isn’t a lot of research on CBD oil for treating gout, let your doctor know that you want to try it. Your doctor can let you know of any risks with taking CBD and if it could interact with medications you’re currently taking. Follow your doctor’s recommendations so you can take CBD oil safely. For example, CBD oil can have negative interactions with blood thinners and could be dangerous to take. As of October 2019, there are no CBD oil prescriptions given for treating gout.

Wash and dry the area where you feel pain. Use warm, soapy water and a washcloth to clean the area where you feel a gout attack. Gently scrub the area so you don’t cause too much pain before rinsing it off with clean water. Dry the area completely so the CBD oil can absorb fully and work the most effectively. You don’t need to wash and dry where you feel pain if you plan on taking CBD oil orally. Common areas where you might get a gout attack include your feet, hands, wrists, ankles, and knees.

Rub topical CBD oil on the affected area when you experience a gout attack. Take a bead-sized amount of topical CBD oil and apply it directly onto where you feel the most pain. Massage the oil gently in a circular motion until it’s completely worked into your skin. You should typically feel relief within about 20–30 minutes and it usually lasts 3–4 hours. You can get topical CBD oil online or from specialty stores. You can reapply the CBD oil 2–3 times daily if you still feel pain from a gout attack. If you don’t feel the effects of the CBD oil, then you may need to use another dose or get a higher concentration.Tip: Avoid using the area of your body where you applied the oil for a few minutes after application so it can absorb better.

Take CBD oil orally to help manage acute gout pain. You can either choose to use a CBD oil tincture or capsule for your treatment. If you choose a tincture, squeeze a dose into your mouth and hold it under your tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing it. If you’re taking a capsule, swallow it with a large sip of water. Usually, the CBD oil will start working in 30–60 minutes and relief will last up to 4 hours. You can buy CBD oil tinctures or capsules online or from specialty stores. Taking CBD oil orally will help relieve pain throughout your entire body so it may not be as effective where you’re experiencing a gout attack. You may try taking a dose of CBD oil daily to help prevent gout attacks, but results may vary.

Use over-the-counter pain relievers if the CBD oil doesn’t work on its own. If you’re still feeling pain after taking or applying CBD oil, opt for a pain reliever such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen sodium. Take a single dose of the medication at first and wait at least 30 minutes to see how you feel. Follow the directions on the package so you don’t take too many doses throughout the day. You can use pain relievers and CBD oil at the same time. Taking too many pain relievers could be harmful, so only take the recommended doses on the package.

Picking a Quality CBD Oil

Use an oil that has a lower potency if you haven’t tried CBD before. Look for an oil that has a 250 mg or 500 mg concentration when you start taking CBD oil so you can get used to it. Try a single dose and notice how it affects your body. Once you feel comfortable taking a lower dose, you can try using a higher potency, such as 750 mg or 1,000 mg for more prominent effects. The concentration listing usually refers to the total amount of CBD in the product. CBD affects every person differently, so while a single dose of a low concentration oil may work for you, someone else may need a higher concentration to feel the same.

Opt for a full-spectrum oil for the most effectiveness. Full-spectrum oil contains other natural chemicals from the hemp plant, which usually makes the effects of the CBD more prominent. Look on the packaging on the oil for the phrase “full-spectrum” or “whole-plant” to ensure you’re getting the most effective oil. If you can’t find it listed anywhere on the package, then the oil may be low-quality. Full-spectrum oil contains less than 0.3% THC, but it’s not enough to get you high or show up on drug tests. You can also try an isolate oil that only has pure CBD, but it may not work as well as a full-spectrum oil.

Get CBD oil extracted with CO2 or ethanol for the purest substance. Some companies extract CBD from hemp using toxic chemicals like butane, which can leave harmful contaminants in the oil. Check the package to see if they list CO2 or ethanol as their extraction method to ensure that it’s safe to use. If you can’t find it listed on the package, look the product up online to see if they list it there. If you can’t find the extraction method, don’t buy the oil since it may not be safe.

See if the ingredients are listed on the oil’s packaging. Good-quality CBD oils usually list the ingredients on their package so you can see if the oil has been altered in any way. Check the back of the package and search for a breakdown of each ingredient. If you can’t find the ingredients on the package, avoid buying the oil. Many topical CBD oils are mixed with a carrier product, such as a lotion or cream, so it’s easier to apply. Ideally, choose a product that lists hemp oil as an ingredient, along with the amount of naturally-occurring CBD on the supplement facts panel.

Check on the label to see if the oil’s been lab-tested. Third-party labs test CBD oil for contaminants and list the percentages of what they found. Look for a seal or batch number on the oil’s packaging that says “lab-tested” or something similar. If you don’t see anything printed on the package, then search for the product online to see if you can find the lab results. Don’t buy CBD oil that hasn’t been tested by a lab since it will usually be low-quality.Tip: If you find a batch number, try looking up the product name and the batch number since you may be able to see the lab results for that specific package.