Inflammation

Lars
November 13, 2020

Chances are, you have experienced inflammation at some point in your life. Be it an injury, or minor cuts/burns, or disorders like diabetes, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome; inflammation is common in all these health issues. 

Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from illness, injury, or infection. Whether inflammation is good or bad, the pain or soreness it causes can be annoying and bothersome. While there are medicines like ibuprofen to provide relief, they come with many side effects and risks.

Along with the painful inflammation, one has to take on the burden medications. Enter CBD and its remarkable anti-inflammatory benefits. CBD in its many forms(oils, tinctures, topical creams) helps reduce the inflammation and the discomfort it causes.

What is inflammation?


Physiologically, inflammation refers to a body process through which the body’s immune system protects you from infection caused by external factors such as bacteria and viruses. But in diseases such as arthritis, the immune system triggers inflammation. 

The cells that are damaged by external injury releases body chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals cause blood vessels to leak fluid into blood tissues, which causes swelling(inflammation).

Inflammation is of two types:

  • Acute inflammation – short-lived (goes away in hours or days)
  • Chronic inflammation – long-lasting (lasts for months or years)

 

Inflammation has to be treated quickly, else it can sometimes attack the patient’s cells, and the damage can be permanent.

CBD for inflammation


CBD is a savior for people suffering from inflammation. It is a natural anti-inflammatory compound with no side effects. CBD, with its anti-inflammatory benefits, makes it a great alternative along with vitamin C and omega 3. 

CBD is most effective in alleviating chronic inflammation caused by diseases such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel syndrome. There are many ways in which CBD may help reduce inflammation.

CBD acts on the body’s Endocannabinoid System(ECS), consisting of CB1 and CB2 receptors, which regulates many body processes such as the immune system, metabolism, anxiety, etc. CBD acts on these receptors and helps reduce inflammation.

According to the study, Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs, Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory response and subsequently weaken symptoms. The same study also showed that CBD protects the host from the pathogenesis through induction of multiple anti-inflammatory pathways in several experimental models of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, and hepatitis.

Another study published in the European Journal of Pain, called Transdermal cannabidiol, reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis, indicated that topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation without evident side-effects.

CBD also reduces inflammation caused by disorders such as Colitis, Neuroinflammation, Acute lung injury. CBD has shown its anti-inflammatory properties in various pre-clinical models. One study that proves the points mentioned above is Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation, published in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 

Conclusion


Various studies have proved CBD’s effectiveness in treating inflammation associated with multiple medical conditions over the last two decades. CBD is the wonder drug that has helped many people in treating inflammation.

Although we need more research to realize CBD’s full potential, it has so far been proven to be the best available alternative to many prescribed medications. The key to getting the most out of CBD is to use high-quality CBD products.

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