Knee pain has many causes, and some of them, like tendonitis and arthritis, require long-term, professional medical treatment.
But while seeing a doctor should always be the first thing you do when you experience prolonged knee pain, using a natural supplement like cannabidiol (CBD) can help you stay comfortable in the meantime.
CBD is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that may promote physical comfort and mobility. While CBD isn’t a medical treatment, nor a substitute for one, it still has benefits.
But finding high-quality CBD for knee pain isn’t always easy. CBD products aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as supplements are, so any product must be heavily vetted before you purchase it to ensure it’s safe and effective.
To help you, we’ve analyzed dozens of CBD products to find the best CBD for knee pain. In this article, we’re presenting you with seven of the best options.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of 100+ cannabinoids that naturally occur in the hemp plant. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Preliminary research has found CBD to be beneficial for pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and other conditions. Because of its versatility, CBD has become a popular natural health supplement.
A Quick Look at the Best CBD Products for Knee Pain in 2024
Best CBD Oil for Knee Pain: Natural Ways Full-Spectrum CBG:CBD Oil
Best CBD Cream for Knee Pain: CBDFx CBG + CBD Muscle and Joint Cream
Best CBD Gummies for Knee Pain: Canna River CBD Wellness Gummies
Best CBD Salve for Knee Pain: Natural Ways CBD:CBG Salve
Best CBD Roll-On for Knee Pain: Crescent CBD Freeze Roller
Best CBD:THC Product for Knee Pain: Hometown Hero Balance THC:CBD Gummies
Best-Tasting CBD Gummies for Knee Pain: Joy Organics CBD Gummies
How We Chose the Best CBD for Knee Pain
To recommend the best-quality CBD products for knee pain, we’ve only included products that meet the following standards:
- Made by a company that has its products 3rd-party lab tested and provides proof
- Made by a company that discloses the source of its hemp
- Contains no more than 0.3% THC in compliance with the Farm Bill (verified by its lab test)
- Passes tests for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and molds
In conducting our review, we also accounted for things like:
- The user reviews of each product
- The ingredients in each product
We’ve also aimed to include a variety of different CBD products. You may prefer an oral product or a topical. Maybe you like gummies better than oil. Your unique wellness situation and preferences are unique; our review seeks to reflect that.
The 7 Best CBD Products for Knee Pain in 2024
Without further ado, let’s get into the 7 best CBD products for knee pain:
1. Best CBD Oil for Knee Pain: Natural Ways Full-Spectrum CBG:CBD Oil
Type of CBD: Full-spectrum CBD & CBG
Potency: 500mg, 1000mg, 1500mg, or 3000mg of CBG & CBD each per bottle
Size: 1 oz. (30 ml)
Price: $45 (500mg of each), $65 (1000mg of each), $85 (1500mg of each), $115 (3000mg of each)
If you’re looking for the strongest, most effective CBD oil for knee pain, our full-spectrum CBG:CBD oil is hard to beat.
With this product, we’ve combined CBD with cannabigerol (CBG), another cannabinoid in hemp with physically-supportive properties
Both of these cannabinoids promote physical comfort, but they work differently. By using them in combination, you’ll receive stronger benefits than you can get from CBD by itself.
This is called the entourage effect; a phenomenon in which using cannabinoids in combination renders more benefits than using them by themselves.
To make the effects even stronger, we’ve used full-spectrum cannabinoids in this product. This means that the CBG and CBD extracts we use also contain small amounts of CBN, CBC, and THC, which add to the entourage effect.
Our CBG:CBD oil comes in four strengths to accommodate everyone’s needs: 500mg, 1000mg, 1500mg, or 3000mg of CBG and CBD each per bottle.
We firmly believe it’s the most effective cannabinoid formula out there for physical discomfort.
Shop: Full-Spectrum CBG CBD Oil
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: No free shipping
Returns: 30-day returns
Pros
- 1:1 CBG:CBD formula renders more powerful physical relaxation than any other cannabinoid or cannabinoid combination
- Full-spectrum CBD oil renders more benefits than broad-spectrum or isolate formulas
- Sublingual delivery method allows for better bioavailability (higher potency) than gummies
Cons
- Full-spectrum formula means this product contains THC, so it’s not a good option if you have to undergo regular drug tests
2. Best CBD Cream for Knee Pain: CBDFx CBG + CBD Muscle and Joint Cream
Type of CBD: Broad-spectrum CBD & CBG
Potency: 1000mg or 3000mg of CBD & CBG each per pump
Size: 1.7 oz.
Price: $49.99 (1000mg of each) or $99.99 (3000mg of each)
CBDFx’s CBG + CBD Muscle and Joint Cream contains the powerful CBG-CBD combination, plus white willow bark, caffeine, and tea tree oil.
Each pump contains either 1000mg or 3000mg of CBG and CBD each, allowing for the deep topical relaxation.
Adding white willow bark and tea tree oil improves the anti-inflammatory properties of this product, while the topical caffeine adds to the benefits of the white willow bark.
By combining hemp-derived cannabinoids with other natural ingredients, CBDFx has created the best CBD cream for knee and joint pain.
Shop: CBG + CBD Muscle and Joint Cream
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: Orders over $99
Returns: 60-day returns
Pros
- 1:1 CBG:CBD formula renders more powerful physical relaxation than any other cannabinoid or cannabinoid combination
- Addition of white willow bark, caffeine, and tea tree oil improves the anti-inflammatory effects of this product
- Topical application allows you to deliver benefits to specific areas of the body without needing to ingest anything
Cons
- Topical application means this product will only work where you apply it; it won’t deliver full-body benefits
- Broad-spectrum formula used means this topical is slightly less effective than full-spectrum topicals
3. Best CBD Gummies for Knee Pain: Canna River CBD Wellness Gummies
Type of CBD: Broad-spectrum CBD & CBG
Potency: 50mg CBD & 50mg CBG per gummy
Size: 30 gummies
Price: $35.00
Canna River’s CBD Wellness Gummies combine 50mg CBD and 50mg CBG to provide the best physical relaxation you can get from an edible product.
The concern with any oral CBD product is often, “will this cause me to fail a drug test?”
With Canna River’s gummies, the answer is no, because they’re made with broad-spectrum extracts – they’re THC-free.
Not only are these gummies highly effective and drug-test-proof: they’re also delicious. With passion orange guava, pink watermelon, red berry, and strawberry mango flavors, these gummies taste as good as they make you feel.
Shop: CBD Wellness Gummies
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: All orders
Returns: 7-day returns
Pros
- 1:1 CBG:CBD formula renders more powerful physical relaxation than any other cannabinoid or cannabinoid combination
- Broad-spectrum formula makes this product a safe option for those having to undergo regular drug tests
Cons
- Edibles are not as bioavailable as sublingual oils/tinctures, making their benefits and effects slightly less potent
- Broad-spectrum formula means this product is slightly less effective than full-spectrum gummies
4. Best CBD Salve for Knee Pain: Natural Ways CBD:CBG Salve
Type of CBD: CBD Isolate & CBG Isolate
Potency: 3000mg CBD & 1000mg CBG per jar
Size: 3 oz.
Price: $70
Our CBD:CBG salve combines these eminently beneficial cannabinoids in a 3:1 ratio to deliver deep, effective topical relaxation.
Compared to creams, salves penetrate deeper into the skin because they’re oil-based, rather than water-based. Our salve is formulated with a beeswax and coconut oil base, making it beneficial for the skin, as well as the muscles and joints underneath.
In addition to the CBD and CBG, our salve also contains arnica oil and almond oil for added anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits.
Shop: CBD CBG Salve
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: No free shipping
Returns: 30-day returns
Pros
- 3:1 CBG:CBD formula renders more powerful physical relaxation than any other cannabinoid or cannabinoid combination
- Beeswax and coconut oil base means this product penetrates deeper into the skin than other topicals
- Addition of arnica oil and almond oil to cannabinoids increases the anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties of this product
Cons
- Isolate formula makes this product less effective than full-spectrum or broad-spectrum formulas
- Salve may be messier to apply than creams or roll-ons
5. Best CBD Roll-On for Knee Pain: Crescent CBD Freeze Roller
Type of CBD: CBD isolate
Potency: 1000mg, 3000mg, or 5000mg per stick
Size: 3 oz.
Price: $45 (1000mg), $100 (3000mg), or $150 (5000mg)
Crescent’s CBD Freeze Roller is a topical that offers quick, clean application along with the benefits of CBD.
Each roller contains 1000mg, 3000mg, or 5000mg of CBD, so there’s an option for you no matter what strength of product you need.
In addition to high-quality hemp extract, this product features menthol and other natural ingredients designed to promote a cooling effect, adding to this product’s soothing properties.
Shop: CBD Freeze Roller
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: Orders over $99
Returns: 30-day returns
Pros
- Three available strengths, making this a good option no matter what level of relaxation you need
- Cooling ingredients offer additional soothing benefits
Cons
- CBD isolate formula used means this product isn’t as effective as broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD products
- Topical application means this product will only work where you apply it; it won’t deliver full-body benefits
6. Best CBD:THC Product for Knee Pain: Hometown Hero Balance THC:CBD Gummies
Type of CBD: CBD isolate & THC isolate
Potency: 10mg CBD & 10mg delta 9 THC per gummy
Size: 10 gummies
Price: $40
If you’re looking for physical balance with an elevated twist, a CBD:THC product will give you the experience you’re looking for.
And Hometown Hero’s Balance THC:CBD gummies fit this bill perfectly.
Each delicious gummy contains 10mg of CBD and 10mg of delta 9 THC for deep physical relaxation along with a chilled-out, euphoric head-high experience that’s neither underwhelming nor overpowering.
For a different kind of relaxation, turn to these THC:CBD gummies from Hometown Hero.
Shop: Balance THC:CBD Gummies
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: All orders
Returns: 14-day returns
Pros
- CBD:THC combination renders a head-high effect in addition to physical benefits, making this option great if you’d like a mental break in addition to muscle and joint relaxation
- 1:1 combination of CBD:THC means you can enjoy the high without becoming overwhelmed by excess inebriating effects
Cons
- CBD:THC combination means this product is somewhat inebriating, so it’s not the best choice for daytime use
- Contains THC and will cause you to fail a drug test
7. Best-Tasting CBD Gummies for Knee Pain: Joy Organics CBD Gummies
Type of CBD: Broad-spectrum CBD
Potency: 25mg CBD per gummy
Size: 30 gummies
Price: $39.96
While the physical relaxation you receive is the most important factor when choosing a CBD product, taste and experience matter, too.
That’s why we’re including Joy Organics’ CBD Gummies: each piece contains 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD along with delicious strawberry lemonade flavors.
Wellness can taste great, and this product proves it. Plus, since these gummies are made with broad-spectrum CBD, they’re not a drug testing risk.
Shop: Organic CBD Gummies
Product Details
3rd-Party Lab Tested: Yes (available here)
Free Shipping: Orders over $50
Returns: 90-day returns
Pros
- Broad-spectrum formula used means this product renders deeper benefits than CBD isolate gummies
- Strawberry lemonade flavors mean this product tastes as good as it makes you feel
Cons
- Broad-spectrum formula used means this product isn’t as effective as full-spectrum CBD gummies
Does CBD Help With Knee Pain?
While CBD hasn’t been researched for knee pain, specifically, it has been researched for conditions that often cause knee pain, as well as pain, generally.
Research suggests CBD may exert pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory effects by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). Other research shows CBD may increase your levels of anandamide, a neurotransmitter that’s associated with reduced pain sensations.
CBD has been researched for its use with arthritis, a major cause of knee pain.
One study “found associations between CBD use and improvements in patients’ arthritis symptoms and reductions in other medications.”
Another study found that “CBD possesses anti-arthritic activity” and “might ameliorate arthritis.”
While more research is needed on CBD as a treatment for knee pain, evidence so far indicates that CBD may promote physical comfort and mobility. However, it isn’t a substitute for medical treatment – especially for prolonged pain.
How CBD Works in the Body
CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a receptor system in your body that’s designed to keep your mind and body in homeostasis, or balance. Homeostasis is associated with normal mental and physical health states.
Although CBD doesn’t bind to the CB1 or CB2 receptors as many cannabinoids do, research suggests that it supports the function of your ECS by preventing the breakdown of its processes.
There is also research suggesting that CBD can help with pain by increasing the levels of anandamide, a neurotransmitter, in your body. Higher levels of anandamide are associated with a reduction in pain sensations.
More clinical research is needed before we truly know how reliable CBD is and to what extent it may benefit people with knee pain. Still, the research so far is promising, as are the first-hand accounts of people who report that CBD has helped them live more comfortably.
CBD for Knee Pain: Side Effects and Safety
CBD is safe and well-tolerated in most people.
However, CBD has the potential to cause the following side effects:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
While it’s possible that you’ll feel these effects, many people who take CBD feel very few side effects.
Your chance of feeling any type of side effects is greatly reduced if you employ careful CBD dosage practices.
Types of CBD Products for Knee Pain
CBD comes in five main forms – oils, edibles, capsules, topicals, and inhalables.
None of them is necessarily superior to the others for knee pain. Rather, it all comes down to your personal needs and preferences.
Here’s a bit about each:
CBD Oil
Average Bioavailability*: 20-30%
Starts Working In: 10-15 minutes
CBD oil consists of cannabinoids and carrier oil. CBD oil is taken under the tongue and absorbed through the blood vessels in your mouth, allowing it to reach your bloodstream more quickly than edible CBD.
Oils are a good option if you’re taking very precise doses of CBD for knee pain, as they can be dosed down to the drop. Most CBD oils include a metered dropper for this purpose.
The only drawback of oils is the taste: some types of CBD oil have an earthy, slightly bitter flavor which you may not be crazy about.
*The percentage of cannabinoids you consume that your body can use.
CBD Edibles
Average Bioavailability: 10-20%
Starts Working In: 45 minutes to 1 hour
CBD edibles, such as CBD gummies, are popular because they taste great and they’re easy to take. Gummies are fixed-dose, meaning each piece contains the same amount of CBD. This makes them ideal if you’ll be taking the same dose regularly.
Edibles can also be split into pieces if you want to take a smaller dose of CBD or split your daily dose into multiple parts.
CBD Capsules
Average Bioavailability: 10-20%
Starts Working In: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Swallowable CBD capsules provide a tasteless alternative to edibles. However, capsules can’t easily be split into multiple smaller pieces if you need to adjust your dose.
CBD Topicals
Average Bioavailability: N/A
Starts Working In: 10-15 minutes
CBD topicals are applied directly to the skin, rather than orally consumed. Topicals, such as CBD cream and CBD massage oil, allow you to target specific areas of the body for relaxation, instead of letting CBD flow through your bloodstream and reach all areas of your body and brain.
Anecdotally, topicals are a very effective way to use CBD for knee pain, as they allow you to concentrate the benefits of CBD just in the areas you need them. Similar to CBD oils, topicals are fairly fast-acting.
The downside of topicals is that, since they don’t deliver CBD throughout your body, you won’t experience the mental relaxation from CBD.
CBD Flower & Vapes
Average Bioavailability: 40-50%
Starts Working In: 5-10 minutes
In addition to being ingested or applied to the body, CBD can be inhaled in the form of vapes and hemp flower.
One benefit of inhalable CBD products is that they are very fast-acting, which is made possible by the delivery of cannabinoids to your lungs through smoke or vapor.
In addition to the health risks posed by vaping or smoking anything, a downside of this method is that you can’t accurately measure how much CBD you’re taking.
CBD Dosage for Knee Pain
If you’re using oral CBD – oil, gummies, or capsules – we recommend using a formula to calculate a weight-based starting dose of CBD. This will allow you to take enough CBD for it to be effective, but not so much that you feel unnecessary side effects.
The CBD dosage formula we recommend is:
(0.3) x (your body weight in lbs) = your daily dose of CBD in mg. for knee pain
For most people, this dose will be between 30mg and 60mg of CBD per day.
Once you’ve taken this dose for a while, you can slowly adjust it up or down depending on how it’s working.
Be sure to use CBD for at least two weeks before deciding how it’s working for you. Your body needs time to adapt to CBD – this isn’t the case for cannabinoids like THC, which will create noticeable effects after the first use.
How Does CBD Compare to Prescription and Over-the-counter Drugs for Knee Pain?
CBD isn’t a treatment for knee pain, and it’s not a substitute for seeing a doctor or taking the medications that have been prescribed to you.
However, CBD may supplement more traditional methods of treatment. Here’s how CBD compares to prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for knee pain:
Cost
The drugs you’ll be prescribed for knee pain will vary based on what’s causing it, so a definitive cost comparison with CBD is difficult.
But to give you an example, we’ll compare the costs of a 30-day supply of CBD oil with a 30-day supply of Aspirin (OTC) or Oxycodone (a prescription pain medication):
- A 30-day supply of CBD oil is about $50.
- A 30-day supply of Aspirin is about $10.
- A 30-day supply of Oxycodone is about $30 – $40.
Good-quality CBD is generally cheaper than or comparable to specialized medications, but is more expensive than generic OTC medications.
Strength & Efficacy
Research suggests that CBD has therapeutic potential for addressing pain and inflammation. However, most people note that it works subtly: CBD makes the discomfort less noticeable, rather than creating strong sensations
Many pain prescriptions, on the other hand, render very powerful effects – albeit, with many adverse side effects.
They may be stronger than CBD, but they have more downsides, too. Ultimately, whether CBD is more or less effective than prescription or OTC drugs depends on what the medication is.
Side Effects
Researchers consider CBD to be well-tolerated. While it can cause side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, diarrhea, reduced appetite, and fatigue, such effects usually aren’t severe.
The same can’t be said for many OTC and prescription drugs.
The side effects of Aspirin, for example, include upset stomach, heartburn, drowsiness, or mild headache.
More severe side effects include acid or sour stomach, anxiety, belching, dizziness, dry mouth, hyperventilation, irritability, shaking, trouble sleeping, or unusual drowsiness.
This is just one example, but generally, pharmaceutical medications are much harder on the body than CBD is.
How to Shop for CBD Products
We hope the suggestions presented in this article gave you a starting place in your search for the best CBD product.
But you probably also want to do some independent research. Here are a few tips to help you find the safest, most effective CBD products:
Check lab reports
Only buy CBD products that have a certificate of analysis (COA) from a 3rd-party lab. Reputable companies have their products tested to verify potency, safety, and authenticity; look for the following when examining a lab report:
- Cannabinoid profile: Ensure that the cannabinoids stated in the lab report are the cannabinoids the product is supposed to contain, according to its label.
- Potency: Check the amount of each cannabinoid listed in the lab report to ensure it matches what’s listed on the product’s label.
- Contaminants: Make sure the product passes the tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and mold.
Read ingredients
Make sure the ingredients list for the product you’re interested in specifically says cannabidiol.
Just because it says hempseed oil or cannabis sativa oil doesn’t necessarily mean it contains CBD.
Make sure it’s responsibly sourced
Buy products that are made by reputable companies from organic hemp grown in the US.
Because US hemp is subject to regulation, it won’t contain more than 0.3% THC by law, so you can assume with high confidence that you’re getting a safe, legal product.
Conclusion: Is CBD a Beneficial Natural Supplement for Knee Pain?
Knee pain is complex. It can be caused by arthritis or a simple sprain, be mild or severe, be transient or long-lasting – there are a lot of variables to consider.
But whatever the nature of your knee pain, CBD may be a viable natural alternative to more traditional treatments.
Research suggests CBD can promote physical comfort and mobility, and it often does so without causing a fraction of the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Still, remember that it’s not a replacement for professional treatment.
Best CBD for Knee Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about finding the best CBD product for knee pain.
What’s the best CBD cream for knee pain?
CBDFx CBG + CBD Muscle and Joint Cream is one of the best CBD creams for knee pain. With 1000mg or 3000mg of CBG and CBD each, along with white willow bark, caffeine, and tea tree oil, it’s one of the most effective topical products available.
What’s the best CBD oil for knee pain?
Natural Ways Full-Spectrum CBG:CBD oil is one of the best CBD oil products for knee pain. It combines full-spectrum CBG and CBD in a 1:1 ratio and comes with 1000mg, 2000mg, 3000mg, or 6000mg total cannabinoids per bottle, delivering the strongest relaxation available through CBD oil.
What are the best CBD gummies for knee pain?
Canna River CBD Wellness Gummies are some of the best CBD gummies on the market for knee pain. With 50mg of CBG and 50mg CBD in each piece, these gummies deliver deep physical relaxation with delicious flavors.
What strength of CBD is best for arthritis?
For most people, a good starting dose of CBD for arthritis or other similar conditions is 30-60mg per day. Based on this, we recommend purchasing a product that contains 3000mg to 6000mg of total cannabinoids so that each product provides a 30-day supply. However, we recommend speaking to your doctor before using CBD if you have arthritis.
Which form of CBD is best for pain?
Generally, full-spectrum CBD is the best type of CBD for physical discomfort. In addition to CBD, full-spectrum extracts contain other cannabinoids (e.g. CBG and THC) and terpenes that add to its benefits.
What medications should not be taken with CBD?
There is a long list of medications that are contraindicated with CBD: a good rule of thumb is to avoid any medication that has the grapefruit warning, as CBD may interact with these medications similarly to grapefruit. If you’re using prescription medications, be sure to speak to your doctor before you start using CBD.
