Inflammation is a great burden for the body and can occur in almost any area. Sometimes inflammation develops after a small wound, which the immune system fights on its own. But then there are chronic inflammations that take much more effort to fight and are sometimes incurable. There are early reports and findings that hemp oil and other CBD products may help fight inflammation. Whether this is so and what the research has found out so far, we tell you here.
How do inflammations develop in the body and how do they become noticeable?
Inflammation is initially a sign that the immune system is reacting to an influencing factor. It all often starts with a harmful stimulus or injury. The body’s cells now release chemical messengers such as histamines and prostaglandins to fight the inflammation. Blood vessels dilate, allowing nutrients, white blood cells and fluid to pass more easily.
Harmful stimuli, such as bacteria and viruses, are eliminated and inflammation subsides. Acute inflammation can often be treated by the body on its own; no medication is needed. The situation is different if the inflammation is extensive and caused by bacteria. In this case, antibiotics are used to break the inflammatory process.
Chronic inflammations are processes that remain active in the body for a long period of time. They can be incurable diseases such as Crohn’s disease, but also undetected inflammations that have less severe symptoms due to their chronicity. The most important triggers for chronic inflammation include autoimmune diseases, infections that have not been eliminated, or permanent contact with irritants.
How are inflammations usually treated?
The treatment of inflammation depends on the cause. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are an efficient means of alleviating and ultimately curing the symptoms. For inflammation without a bacterial background, the focus is on effective pain relief. There are a variety of drugs, such as ibuprofen, which are used. The effect is good, but disadvantageous are the side effects, which can be extremely stressful for the gastrointestinal tract and other areas of the body.
What is CBD and how can it affect inflammation?
More and more often, sufferers of inflammatory diseases report the positive effects of the cannabis plant. The cannabinoid CBD is said to have the ability to reduce inflammation, as explained in this study, among others. It is believed that the anti-inflammatory effect is based on the endocannabinoid system, because CBD can dock to the CB1 receptor. This in turn is partly responsible for the immune system and could thus benefit from ingestion.
Additionally, there are approaches that show CBD can reduce oxidative stress. Since negative properties and inflammation-triggering factors are attributed to this, the effect of CBD could also be explained here.
What inflammatory conditions can benefit from CBD?
The list of possible inflammatory conditions is long. It starts with harmless acute infections that the body can handle on its own. On the other hand, chronic inflammations, which are accompanied by pain and other symptoms, are particularly burdensome. Here is just a small selection of inflammatory diseases that could possibly benefit from the use of CBD.
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease:
Users report that cannabinoids such as CBD show positive effects in alleviating chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common CEDs for which there is still no effective therapy despite numerous studies. Primarily anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone are used to regulate the overshooting immune system. But how does CBD work in this regard?
Cannabinoids such as CBD are said to possess properties that influence the endocannabinoid system. For example, it is said to be possible to regulate the body’s immune response through cannabidiol (CBD).
Inflammatory skin conditions:
Many users use CBD to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema. The ingredients of the hemp plant are said to have a direct effect on the CB1 and CB2 receptors on the one hand, but also have a soothing effect on the skin itself. Primarily, reporting users work here with cosmetic products such as ointment or cream based on cannabidiol (CBD).
Chronic joint disease:
With growing age, more and more people suffer from arthritis, a painful inflammation of the joints for which there is no cure. Here, too, studies have already reported positive experiences in the treatment of test subjects. Clearer, however, are the reports from people who use CBD as an alternative or supplement to their existing medication. Here, the anti-inflammatory effects or the pain-relieving properties are mentioned positively again and again.
Multiple Sclerosis:
Studies in the treatment of MS symptoms with CBD are also interesting. CBD is well tolerated by both humans and animals. Here, however, cannabinoids showed significantly stronger effects in treating animals, whereas the experience in human sufferers was less conclusive. This is a general problem, also with regard to many in vitro studies. Differing results continue to challenge researchers, and so it will be some time before valid reports are available.
How is CBD used for inflammation?
Due to the variety of CBD products, it is difficult to recommend an all-time dosage of cannabidiol. Primarily, the way it is used is based on personal experience. It is advisable to start with a small dosage and observe the potential anti-inflammatory effects. Since each body works individually, CBD works differently for each user. The fact seems to be that a slow dosing up of cannabidiol is better tolerated by the body than a high dosage right at the beginning of treatment.
CBD oil is the most commonly used form of CBD for inflammation, and this in turn is available in different strengths. The effect usually does not start immediately, but develops bit by bit, especially in chronic inflammation. This is one of the reasons why people with persistent pain use their CBD oil daily to reduce discomfort.
However, CBD is also said to be able to show its anti-inflammatory effects when used topically. For example, sufferers of eczema or psoriasis like to use ointments and creams, while patients with osteoarthritis rely on pain gels containing the active ingredient CBD.
What are the possible side effects of taking CBD?
Although CBD is considered well tolerated and many users report a good effect on inflammation, side effects can never be ruled out. The effect of CBD is based on the interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Even though no psychoactive effect is noticeable, especially novices find the intensity of CBD oil surprisingly strong. It is highly recommended for beginners to start with a lower active ingredient content of 5%.
Side effects of CBD in inflammation that may occur include primarily gastrointestinal discomfort, but also dizziness and fatigue. The higher the initial dose, the greater the likelihood that CBD oil will have adverse effects. Almost always, such complaints are mild in nature and disappear as soon as the dose is lowered.
Is CBD an alternative to painkillers and anti-inflammatories?
How does CBD work? This is a question that researchers around the world are asking. It seems to be proven that pain and inflammation can be reduced by taking CBD oil and other products. However, despite all of its positive properties, CBD for inflammation is not a substitute for seeing a doctor and receiving appropriate therapy. Patients are advised to talk to their doctor about their desire for CBD and to seek advice from him or her.
This is especially about the issue of what interactions CBD may have with medications already taken. As a rule, there are rarely problems with its use, but some medicines should not be combined. Seeing a doctor will help ensure proper use of CBD and minimize side effects.
Note: CBD is described as very beneficial for the treatment of inflammation both in initial studies and by users. However, cannabidiol is not a cure or miracle drug!
Conclusion: CBD with a lot of potential in inflammation
There are positive findings that the topic of CBD in inflammation raises. Studies have made initial breakthroughs, users are satisfied, and the WHO has classified CBD as safe. Since CBD oil is also completely legal, it represents hope for many sufferers of inflammatory diseases. Even if ailments cannot be completely cured, the thought of relief with few side effects is still very pleasant for most people.
