CBD Anti-Inflammatory
CBD oil as an anti-inflammatory
Inflammation occurs as a natural protective response when the body is affected. There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic.
The acute inflammation it occurs after an injury, infection, or illness. The immune system releases immune cells to the affected area to protect it, causing redness and swelling.
The chronic inflammation refers to a sustained inflammatory response in the body. When inflammation persists, it can negatively affect tissues and organs due to increased production of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress, an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals.
The inflamación and the oxidative stress are involved in many diseases. Chronic inflammation can be caused by autoimmune diseases, infections or untreated disease and often plays a role in conditions such as asthma, cancer and diabetes.
Factors such as smoking, obesity, or stress can also contribute to chronic inflammation.
Although inflammation is necessary to help protect the body while it heals, but a state of chronic or prolonged inflammation is undesirable and can be a source of significant pain and anxiety and even cause depression. The CBD shows potential as an anti-inflammatory plant-based without the side effects of medicines.
What does research show about CBD as an anti-inflammatory?
Research on CBD in animal models abounds, and the cannabinoid appears to be able to interact with the immune system, reduce inflammation, and reduce pain from a number of conditions. The studies date back to 2009, but the most recent ones are highlighted here.
A 2015 review published in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry discussed the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. The reviewers found that CBD reduces inflammation through several pathways in the body and represents an effective potential treatment for a variety of conditions characterized by inflammation.
A 2016 study published in Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation investigated CBD as a treatment for early pancreatic inflammation in diabetic mice. Pancreatic inflammation can lead to diabetes due to an invasion of immune cells that destroy insulin-producing cells. The mice that received 10 weeks of CBD treatment developed diabetes later than the mice that did not receive the treatment. CBD-treated mice also showed a significant reduction in immune cell activity.
A 2017 study in the journal Pain examined the CBD effects in male rats with osteoarthritis. After two weeks, the acute joint inflammation was reduced by local CBD treatment applied to the area. CBD administration was also found to prevent the development of nerve damage and joint pain.
Research with animal models has shown that CBD can modulate the immune system. While CBD does not have much affinity for cannabinoid receptors in the body, it does affect other receptors and targets. According to a 2018 study published in Neurology, CBD binds to and desensitizes receptors known to mediate pain and sensory perception, inflammation, and body temperature.
While these results are promising and most FDA-approved drugs are initially tested on animals, rigorous human clinical trials are needed for CBD to move from an alternative treatment to an approved drug.
Patient Perspectives on the Use of CBD as an Anti-Inflammatory
Amy Orr, author of the book "Taming Chronic Pain," has been using CBD oil for three years to treat the inflammation and pain associated with irritable bowel disease, an autoimmune disease.
“I have had IBD for over 20 years and had been taking a variety of medications, from steroids to opioids,” Orr told Weedmaps. “The steroids helped a lot with the inflammation but not the pain, and the Oxy was like trying to crack a walnut with a sledgehammer – brutal side effects. It made me feel really bad due to nausea and extreme haze.”
Orr first experimented with medical marijuana with mixed results, then discovered CBD. "I have found more long-term success with fewer side effects from CBD oil," Orr said.
"I would say that switching to CBD oil was like a 'eureka' moment for me, and I really couldn't believe that something so good and simple hadn't been available to me from the start."
For Orr, CBD was immediately more effective than opioids and steroids, and even better than edibles. “I can adjust my dose very exactly and I can vary the amount depending on what bad day I am having.”
“I have had a variety of experiences with different doctors, as well as with different methods of ingestion. However, I have truly found CBD oil to be transformative and I am committed to raising awareness for others suffering from autoimmune diseases and IBD.”
Adam Kemp is a professional basketball player who turned to CBD products after breaking a bone in his back at the start of the 2017 season.
“I was able to undertake my entire back injury recovery using only CBD products, and now continue to use them to help with inflammation and other muscle pain,” Kemp said.
However, not everyone who has turned to CBD to help with their inflammation has experienced benefits.
Lucy Blythe, whose name has been changed for this article, has experimented with CBD to help treat her chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, and fibromyalgia, all of which are autoimmune diseases characterized by chronic inflammation in the body.
“I have taken CBD to fight inflammation and have tried four different brands,” Allen explained. “I didn't notice any difference with any of the brands. So, I prefer to use my other anti-inflammatories, like Plaquinel, low-dose naltrexone, and turmeric.”
What do the experts say about CBD as an Anti-inflammatory?
Dr. Jeremy Riggle is the Chief Scientist at Mary's Medicinals, a brand specializing in CBD products to treat pain and inflammation.
“In general, the research literature indicates that cannabinoids, including CBD:, could be anti-inflammatory agents, very effective in nerve tissue inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, vascular inflammation and some cancers that are caused by chronic inflammation,” Riggle says.
However, he cautions that there is still a long way to go before scientists fully understand how CBD attenuates inflammation.
"Inflammation is an extremely complex and varied process, and the effect of CBD and other cannabinoids is not fully understood at this time," Riggle explained.
Riggle emphasizes that the mechanisms by which CBD works in the body, its specific applications, and appropriate dosages require further study. That said, he acknowledges that CBD represents a low-risk, high-reward treatment for inflammation, as it is non-toxic and has minor side effects.
Stacia Woodcock, a pharmacist at Curaleaf New York, which sells CBD products, points out that the CBD oil it may take some time to exercise its anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
“Based on my experience, I think CBD can offer some relief if dosed correctly, like a minimum of 50 milligrams a day to start with, but it can take a few weeks to see a good result,” Woodcock said.
She recommends sublingual tinctures because they are easy to adjust in dosage, are quickly absorbed and work for 4-6 hours. Smoking vaporizers only lasts a few hours, but can help with breakout symptoms. The two are best combined for long-term relief.
Woodcock says that compared to other anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen or naproxen, CBD represents a safe alternative. “CBD provides relief from inflammation without the side effects of blood thinning or stomach ulceration that traditional over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can cause.”
She notes that she has seen patients successfully switch from anti-inflammatories and steroids to medical cannabis, but that this should only be done under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist.
Conclusions about CBD as an Anti-inflammatory
There is already a large body of scientific literature and anecdotal evidence supporting the potential of CBD for treating inflammation.
However, it is critical to remember that many of these existing studies have been animal studies and that human trials are needed to more fully understand how CBD works in humans.
