What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a vital part of the immune system’s response to injury and infection. It works to heal wounds, but it can also play a role in some chronic diseases. Inflammation is the body’s way of signaling the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue, as well as defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. The five classical signs of inflammation are heat, pain, redness, swelling, and loss of function. According to Johns Hopkins Health Review, inflammation has been found to be an underlying cause in many common and serious health conditions.
Inflammation can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. Prolonged inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells present at the site of inflammation, such as mononuclear cells, and is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process. Such conditions include asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, sinusitis, and etc. This form of inflammation can span from periods of months to years.
In dealing with chronic inflammation, medical practitioners are tasked with weakening the immune system just enough to control chronic inflammation while still allowing the body to fight off bacteria. Currently, there are no prescription drugs that specifically target chronic inflammation. However, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pharmaceutical treatment for inflammation. In addition, patients are advised to start an anti-inflammatory diet. The recommended foods are typical of a Mediterranean diet and include eating more fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats; eating moderate amounts of nuts; eating very little red meat, and drinking red wine in moderation.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis. CBD is closely related to another important medicinally active phytocannabinoid: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that causes the high that cannabis is famous for. These are the two components of cannabis that have been most studied by scientists. Both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That is because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body.
How It Works?
All cannabinoids, including CBD, produce effects in the body by attaching to certain receptors. The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. These substances are known as “endogenous cannabinoids.” It also has two receptors for cannabinoids, called the CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, but many are in the brain. The CB1 receptors in the brain deal with coordination and movement, pain, emotions, and mood, thinking, appetite, and memories, and other functions. THC attaches to these receptors. CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain. Some researchers believe that CBD attaches to these CB2 receptors. Others believe that CBD does not attach directly to either receptor. Instead, it directs the body to use more of its own cannabinoids.
Can CBD Help With Inflammation?
CBD is becoming increasingly popular as a medicinal molecule, as well as a dietary and wellness supplement. It has been found to be effective in the treatment of depression, chronic pain, epilepsy, and other neurological symptoms and disorders. In addition, a significant success has been noted in using CBD to treat inflammation. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid has been studied in depth over recent years and is showing some exciting results in regard to its anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. The cannabinoid is also displaying efficacy in reducing inflammation, a factor of pain and discomfort present in many health conditions, and a contributing factor to various chronic diseases.
There is a growing body of research showing that cannabinoids have great potential because they can exert anti-inflammatory effects through various channels, many of which are the same pathways that trigger inflammation in the first place. The cannabinoid has shown potential in helping to mediate the immune response associated with autoimmune diseases. The molecule may act to combat inflammation and its associated oxidative stress in numerous ways, including exerting an immunosuppressive effect on macrophages and microglial cells, cells that play a role in inflammation and immunity. CBD has also been shown to significantly reduce chronic inflammatory pain by possibly activating glycine receptors. In another study was shown that mice injected with CBD experienced anti-inflammatory effects. According to research published in the Future of Medicinal Chemistry, “cannabinoids have been tested in several experimental models of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, and hepatitis and have been shown to protect the host from the pathogenesis through induction of multiple anti-inflammatory pathways.” However, the majority of CBD trials do not include humans and those that do have typically studied CBD’s effects on epilepsy and psychotic disorders. Though more and more studies are revealing that cannabinoids can help reduce pain and inflammation, it should be noted that side effects tend to vary depending on how much CBD you take, how you take it, and how long you take it.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis compounds, including CBD, have been used since ancient times for their pain-suppressing and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to the scientific research, people of all ages have found success in using CBD to treat inflammation. This so-called multipurpose molecule may reduce pain, inflammation, and overall discomfort related to a variety of health conditions. It comes in a variety of forms, including oils, gummies, edibles, tinctures, topical ointments, and more. Most commonly people use it in the form of CBD oils. Which CBD oil you will use it is totally up to you and you can expect anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes before it will take effect. The fact that CBD is all-natural and has therapeutic attributes, is non-intoxicating, and easy to take as a CBD oil, makes it an appealing treatment option.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.