Benefits Of CBD Oil With Turmeric

By | Updated on October 6, 2023

Medically reviewed by
Kimberly Langdon

Evidence Based 31

Key Takeaways:

  • Both CBD and turmeric have shown potential benefits for a wide range of health problems, including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, mental disorders, and cancer.
  • Turmeric-infused CBD oil may be particularly effective for conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis, due to the anti-inflammatory properties of both CBD and curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.

Although CBD is already great on its own, you can make it even more effective by combining it with other evidence-based ingredients. One such ingredient is turmeric because it complements CBD’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other beneficial properties.

Turmeric-infused CBD oil is best suited for symptoms of inflammation as well as specific conditions, such as arthritis.

Read on for a closer look at the potential benefits of turmeric-infused CBD oil, a comparison of the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric and CBD, and dosage suggestions.

Potential Benefits of Turmeric CBD Oil

Turmeric-infused CBD oil may work best for any type of inflammation and related symptoms, such as redness and swelling. Turmeric and CBD may also help relieve pain, especially when it’s related to inflammation.

That’s because both CBD and curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, have potent anti-inflammatory effects backed by multiple studies (1, 2).

Research also suggests that both CBD and turmeric may be beneficial for specific conditions that involve inflammatory processes, such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD)
  • Cardiovascular disorders
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions
  • Depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
  • Cancer

Here’s a closer look at the major findings of medical research.

Arthritis

Researchers believe the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD and other cannabinoids may be beneficial for arthritis (3). In one 2016 study, CBD gel reduced arthritic pain and inflammation in mice (4).

Meanwhile, the findings for curcumin are more substantial. In one 2019 study of people with knee osteoarthritis, curcumin improved pain and other symptoms and produced fewer side effects than the prescription medication diclofenac (5).

More importantly, a meta-analysis (review of the data from multiple studies) found that curcumin taken at doses of about 1000 mg a day is effective in the treatment of arthritis (6).

IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disorder characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract.

In one 2011 study, CBD reduced inflammation in isolated intestinal cells from people and mice with ulcerative colitis, one of the two main types of IBD, leading the researchers to conclude that “CBD indeed unravels a new therapeutic strategy to treat inflammatory bowel diseases” (7).

Meanwhile, a 2019 review paper concluded that curcumin “may play a significant role in intestinal inflammatory disease treatment in the future” (8).

Cardiovascular Conditions

Studies suggest that CBD can protect against atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque in arteries), damage caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart,10 reduce blood pressure,11 and have other cardiovascular benefits (9, 10, 11).

Curcumin has also shown cardioprotective effects in multiple studies, suggesting it may be beneficial for heart disease, heart attack, atherosclerosis, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues (12).

Neurodegenerative Conditions

CBD and other cannabinoids have neuroprotective properties that may help with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions characterized by neurodegeneration — the deterioration of brain cells — such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

For example, there’s evidence that CBD can reduce neuroinflammation, reversing and preventing the development of cognitive issues in mice with Alzheimer’s disease (13).

Similarly, curcumin has shown beneficial effects in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (14, 15).

We also know that India has lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease, which may indicate that high dietary turmeric intake can reduce its risk (16).

Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Disorders

There’s also evidence that CBD can help with anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions.

Multiple studies have shown that CBD can reduce anxiety. In one 2011 study, people with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who took CBD capsules before a simulated public speaking test experienced a significant reduction in anxiety (17).

Similar results were reported by a 2019 Colorado study of people with anxiety and sleep issues. Researchers believe that CBD can also help with many other anxiety-related conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (18, 19).

There’s also some early evidence that CBD may have antidepressant effects, although human studies are needed (20). 

Meanwhile, a high-quality 2014 clinical study reported that curcumin improved depression (21). Curcumin also showed anti-anxiety effects in a mouse model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (22).

Cancer

Research on CBD and curcumin for cancer is in its early stages. Having said that, the findings are positive. For one thing, CBD can help reduce the symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy treatments, such as pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, nausea, and vomiting (23).

Furthermore, there’s early evidence that CBD and other cannabinoids may help suppress cancer tumor growth (24).

Similarly, studies suggest that curcumin may directly help with cancer by affecting the growth and survival of cancer cells, the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, and other effects (25).

Nonetheless, much more research in this area is needed before we can say anything conclusive about CBD’s or curcumin’s anti-cancer benefits.

Turmeric Vs CBD For Inflammation

Both turmeric and CBD can be an effective option for reducing inflammation. Having said that, if we had to compare their effects, CBD would certainly come out ahead.

The major reason why is because turmeric’s main active ingredient curcumin is notorious for its poor bioavailability, which means only a small portion of the curcumin you take reaches your bloodstream and has a positive effect (26).

This makes its effects weaker and less consistent than CBD. 

This is even more true when we’re talking about CBD oil. Unlike capsules and other oral forms of CBD, CBD oil has relatively high absorption when taken sublingually (under the tongue) (27).

Having said that, curcumin’s absorption can be greatly improved by adding piperine, a compound found in black pepper. Piperine has been found to boost curcumin’s bioavailability by as much as 2,000% (28).

In any case, if you’re suffering from any sort of inflammation, it’s best to take CBD oil and turmeric together.

Turmeric CBD Oil Dosage

Many people are curious about the ideal dosage of turmeric-infused CBD oil. The amount of CBD and turmeric needed to produce a specific effect depends on many factors, including your body weight, tolerance, symptom severity, and the type of CBD product you’re using.

As such, it’s impossible to suggest a dosage of turmeric CBD oil that will work for everyone. 

We recommend starting with a 5-15 mg dose of turmeric-infused CBD oil. If you don’t notice any effects, you can gradually increase the dosage. Use this method until you find the dosage that provides you with the desired effects.

Combining Turmeric with CBD Oil

Although more studies are needed before we can say anything conclusive, early research suggests that turmeric and CBD may be beneficial for inflammation and inflammatory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, IBD, and arthritis.

And since inflammation plays a major role in numerous health disorders, it can also be a great option for supporting your overall health and preventing disease (29).

While both compounds have potent anti-inflammatory properties, it’s best to combine them for maximum benefit.

Besides, researchers have also shown that curcumin from turmeric can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is the same way CBD achieves most of its benefits (30).

As one final note, make sure to look for a full-spectrum CBD oil product rather than one containing pure CBD. Research suggests that full-spectrum hemp extracts can be up to four times more potent than purified CBD (31).

Interested in trying out turmeric-infused CBD products? Check out our list of the best CBD turmeric capsules and oils.

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