How CBD Treats Inflammation

Inflammation can be good and bad, in a healthy scenario, an inflammatory response can cause healing and protection. Without an inflammatory response, we would simply not be able to fight off infections and die relatively easily due to unhindered bacterial infections. When the body senses an infection, your body sends immune elements to clean up the issue or clear damaged tissue so that the healing process can take place. In basic terms, the inflammatory response is when the body’s first line of defense has failed and the body calls 911, when this takes place, our immune system dispatches an army of white blood cells to surround and protect the area, creating visible redness and swelling. In an unhealthy scenario, like chronic inflammation caused by an autoimmune disease like arthritis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, and multiple, the individuals facing these severe autoimmune diseases, live a life where the body is constantly calling 911. In these cases, the body is continuously sending inflammatory responses which can cause severe pain, exhaustion, and further complications and illness.

Current treatment options

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pharmaceutical treatment for inflammation. They include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Celecoxib, Oxaprozin, and Piroxicam. One of the main issues with NSAIDs is that many of them are over the counter, which allows for abuse with little knowledge of the potentially harmful side effects, which include: Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Stomach bleeding, Diarrhea, Dizziness, and in some cases Kidney failure. Recent studies suggest that prolonged use of NSAIDs can increase the risk of potentially fatal strokes and heart attacks.

How can CBD help

Our bodies have two main cannabinoid receptors in our nervous system, the CB1, and CB2 receptors. As we introduce cannabinoids into our body and throughout our endocannabinoid system, how they take effect is directly related to their relationship with our CB1 or CB2 receptors. Broadly speaking, THC interacts with our CB1 receptors, while CBD interacts with our CB2 receptors. Our CB1 receptors are more responsible for controlling memory, perception, appetite, sleep, and mood. While our CB2 receptors, affect the nervous system as a whole and are generally located in the peripheral nervous system. When CBD is ingested or consumed, this activates the CB2 receptors in our nervous system, which then go to work by reducing inflammation. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the only cannabinoids in cannabis which interacts with our CB2 receptor which gives them the ability to treat a number of inflammatory-related diseases and disorders. Disorders like: rheumatoid arthritis, types 1 and 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, ischemia-reperfusion injury, depression, and neuropathic pain. Researchers have also attributed CBD to exhibiting an antipsychotic, anti-convulsive, ad anti-oxidant effect on the body.

A research study conducted by US researcher G.W. Booz from the University of Mississippi Medical Center showed that cannabidiol can be used to minimize the impact of inflammation on oxidative stress, which further decreases the risk of damage to vital organs. Oxidative stress occurs when the body is unable to properly detoxify or get rid of damaged tissue which can lead to further ailments and disease.

Another preclinical study was conducted at the Imperial College London. The researchers studied the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD by administering 5mg of mice on a daily basis. The researchers found the mice, who had taken CBD, showed a 50% reduction in inflammation when compared to the control group. These exciting preliminary studies do show promise, but more broad based human studies are needed in order for CBD, and Cannabis as a whole, to be accepted by the medical community.

What’s even more exciting is that CBD is not considered toxic to the human body. CBD, when taken daily or over a long period of time, show little to no negative side effects. Unlike NSAIDs, CBD does not negatively affect the kidneys or gut lining. Many personal testimonies raving about the benefits of supplementing with CBD have been proliferated on social media and other more traditional news sites. Vloggers, or daily video bloggers, on YouTube have been especially vocal about their experience with supplementing with CBD and how it’s helped them with inflammatory-related discomfort and pain. If supplementing with CBD interests you and you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at hello@japaorganics.com.

Medical Disclaimer

Information listed, referenced or linked to on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not provide professional medical or legal advice.

Japa Organics does not condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use. Japa Organics cannot be held responsible for material from references on our pages or on pages to which we provide links, which condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use or illegal activities. Please consult your Doctor/Healthcare Practitioner before using any products/methods listed, referenced or linked to on this website.

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21238581

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4297696/