CBD For Inflammation

Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the many components found in cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana.  Due to a severe lack of understanding and generalized misconceptions, CBD often gets a bad rep.  People are quick to shun the chemical because they believe it is responsible for making people high.  In reality, however; that is contributed by a psychoactive compound found in marijuana.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is associated with feelings of euphoria and relaxation, unlike cannabidiol, which has an array of non-triggering medicinal benefits.  Although there are no definitive studies that can corroborate CBD’s medicinal properties, some studies have found that CBD has positive effects on inflammation.

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is our body’s response to any harmful stimuli that activate our immune system.  While this sounds quite simple, inflammation can only truly be explained on a spectrum.  For example, when you get injured or contract a virus, our white blood cells prepare to bring our bodies back to its optimal condition and under normal circumstances.  That’s good – without it, humans wouldn’t survive.

However, sometimes, inflammation can be triggered by factors that do not sanction it. Exposure to toxins, prolonged stress, and an unhealthy weight can lead to this condition, which, if persists, is categorized as chronic inflammation.  The latter can cause a multitude of different health complications, including arthritis, cancer, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and more.

Higher levels of inflammation are intricately linked to a state of oxidative stress, whereby our body excessively produces free radicals.  Not only do these cause severe damage to cell tissue but also our DNA, which is precisely why neurological problems like Alzheimer’s disease are inherently genetic.

CBD Oil for Inflammation

Studies conducted over the last decade show that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.  The studies involving animals and humans suggest that CBD helps block certain enzymes and molecules responsible for increased inflammation.  For instance, CBD has been found to alleviate the damage done by Cytokine Release Syndrome, an inflammatory condition commonly characterized by typical fever symptoms.

Verily, the unique properties contained within cannabidiol may very well be useful for delaying or even preventing the onset of certain diseases.   More research is required to verify the preventative properties of CBD.

The benefits of CBD oil for inflammation are gaining traction among people suffering from different ailments.  The concoction is curated by extracting CBD from cannabis and then mixing it with a carrier oil, usually hemp oil.  CBD oil is considered a viable alternative to mainstream drugs.

Considering the devastating side-effects of opioid medicines, some cancer patients are now trying CBD oil pain treatment.  Research suggests that CBD oil can also help mitigate the severity of chemotherapy symptoms like irregular appetite, nausea, and headaches.  Additionally, a connection between arthritis and CBD oil imports a reasonable explanation for its effectiveness against inflammation.

Many individuals suffering from inflammatory complications are using CBD.  Many people have already reported improved mobility because of using CBD for joint pain, but the answer to ‘how long does it take for CBD oil to work for joint pain?’ remains hazy.

Generally, patients are advised to wait for two weeks before expecting any noticeable differences. This means that when applied, the oil targets inflamed areas like the knee, for instance, to yield results.

CBD and Immune system

When it comes to deriving relevance between CBD and our body’s immune system, the former is widely considered an immunosuppressant.  Since inflammation is an immune response, CBD may aid in subduing the reaction.  CBD is said to be achieving these results by countering accelerated lymphocyte and chemokine production.

Generally, immunosuppressants are useful in the treatment of autoimmune illnesses like Crohn’s disease.  Likewise, CBD is thought to be an immunomodulator, meaning that it may regulate the immune system.  Because increased inflammation is detrimental, it is in no way a ‘normal’ response.

But CBD’s influence on our immune systems does not end there.  In addition to reducing inflammatory responses, it is also said to be inhibiting rapid cell growth and promoting cell death. Naturally, for a healthy person, the immunosuppressant properties of CBD purport an undesirable impact, such as cellular death.  However, these discoveries can bode very well for people with autoimmune complications.

Endocannabinoid System and Inflammation

Although the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) has only recently been discovered, it plays a crucial part in maintaining a balance within the human body. It does so by regulating different internal systems and by ensuring that they are functioning in relative synchronism. Thus, endocannabinoids are produced naturally, directly determining cell function – particularly of those found in our immune system.

The ECS is marked by signaling molecules, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors. These are integrated across neurogenerative pathways spanning throughout the nervous system. As such, they gain control over an individual’s mood, appetite, metabolism, and other pathological factors.

Furthermore, the Endocannabinoid System is closely related to the sensations of pain, just as it is to the entire process of inflammation.  For example, arthritis occurs due to chronic inflammation and, in turn, causes chronic pain. This, in turn, forms the primary concern of every patient, disabling pain.  The ECS regulates such immune responses, and similarly, cannabinoids from cannabis are thought to be exhibiting the same effect.  So, if you’re wondering why CBD even affects our body in the first place, it is because it impacts the neural receptors while boosting overall endocannabinoid production.

What do Studies Say About CBD?

There is still a lot of research underway, and studies have yet to yield any decisive answer about CBD’s health benefits.  That isn’t to say that cannabidiol doesn’t have potential.  On the contrary, it is proving to be vital in many areas of human health and scientists are devoted to unraveling everything there is to know about this mysterious compound.

Perhaps the most promising studies concerning CBD are those that involve epilepsy syndromes. There are multiple videos available on the internet that demonstrate CBD’s effectiveness on children with severe epilepsy.  Even in cases where anti-seizure medicines proved to be of no use, cannabinoid reportedly exhibited good results.

In one study, CBD demonstrated a reduced frequency of seizures in patient’s after they were given CBD; and in another study, it was able to stop them altogether.  This automatically prompted the Food and Drug Administration to approve Epidiolex – a cannabis-based medicine for people with epilepsy conditions like Dravet Syndrome.

Also, CBD tests conducted on mice with diabetes led to intriguing findings.  When compared to a controlled sample, mice treated with CBD reported fewer incidences of diabetes.

A lab study of rats with arthritis also served as one of the intimal breakthroughs in dubbing CBD as a possible option for managing arthritis or joint pain.  A CBD solution was applied to the rodents for four consecutive days in varying quantities.  While the scientists concluded a visible reduction in inflammation and pain, it was also found that only moderate doses of CBD provided pain relief.

Another research, which focused on cannabidiol’s impact on anxiety and insomnia, also paved the way for the compound’s growing momentum.  Mental health has become a growing problem in 2020, and this study offered valuable insight into how CBD could be a potential counter for anxiety and depression in the future.  Investigators studied a primary sample of 72 adults with anxiety and irregular sleep patterns for a fixed duration.  Surprisingly, anxiety metrics improved considerably in most participants, whereas complaints of insomnia also reduced, although only by less than three-quarters of the total sample.

These studies highlight CBD’s budding potential and health benefits.  However, further research and human trials must be conducted to truly understand how this plant-based compound works against inflammation and pain problems.

The Law and CBD

Stores in the US are allowed to sell CBD as long as they don’t advertise it for health purposes. Unfortunately, this discrepancy allows a lot of misuses when it comes to the cannabis industry. The FDA has only approved one CBD derived drug called Epidiolex, used to treat people with seizures disorders associated with Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis.  Therefore, getting the right forms of CBD isn’t risk-free as many manufacturers have come under fire for including harmful chemicals like pesticides in their CBD products.

If you’re interested in trying CBD for inflammation, pain management, or any other reason, make sure to first consult with your doctor and ask if it could be effective and safe for you.  Based on your overall health status, your doctor may or may not recommend CBD use.  Remember that there are a few side effects associated with CBD.  These side effects may become severe for individuals with serious underlying health issues or people taking other medications.

Be sure to buy CBD products only from a trusted brand and refrain from investing in imported versions, as those have higher chances of contamination and may cause severe sickness.  Lastly, check which state laws apply to your area and only make a purchase once you are well informed.

CBD and inflammation – Perspectives

Conversations about CBD are riddled with a plethora of opinions.  No scientist has provided a definitive argument in favor of or against the substance’s use for inflammation.  Despite varying perspectives, some studies indicate that it reduces inflammation.   As such, it is safe to assume that CBD products have anti-inflammatory properties.

Scientists agree that it affects our molecules in one way or another, but what level of CBD is good for inflammation is yet to be answered.  While there has been testing done on humans, they have always been under controlled environments.   More importantly, the amount of dosage prescribed may pose a threat.  What if substantially high quantities lead to newfound illnesses or not do anything at all?  These questions have still not been answered definitively, and hence, the air is thick with speculation.

Furthermore, there’s also public opinion on the matter.  People who have used CBD provide differing opinions about its effects on inflammation.  But when we see user reviews and videos on the topic, most of them swear by the compound’s benefits.   

Inflammation is a complicated subject, primarily because it is the very reason why the human race has evolved.  While CBD seems promising, administering it to a healthy person can impede cell proliferation and promote cellular death.  Also, CBD is not free from side effects; it can cause fatigue, diarrhea, fluctuations in weight and appetite, and increase the risk of liver toxicity. Likewise, CBD may interact with other drugs, causing harmful reactions.

We do believe that CBD has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. And if you want to use it for inflammation, just be sure to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider.   Remember that even FDA approved medicines can have dire effects, and CBD could be a great alternative for you.

Conclusion

In retrospect, CBD for inflammation is an under-researched chemical compound with many promising benefits.  It can impact our immune system to help regulate bodily reactions and, thus, help in the genesis of preventative measures for different illnesses in the future.  Research has also shown a correlation between pain, neurotransmission, and CBD.

 Scientists still need to answer a critical question: Will CBD actually cure inflammation in the long term? The results we see right now are mostly variable.  As such, it cannot be classified as a medicinal product.  And, as with any supplement or medicine, consult your healthcare provider to be sure it is safe for you.