Inflammation and cannabis

Inflammation, or the inflammatory response, is one of the ways the body defends itself against an attack and is therefore part of the immune response. While short-term inflammation can be protective, chronic inflammation is linked to several diseases, including heart disease, cancer, the diabetes, the rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Inflammation often goes hand in hand with pain. The most common symptoms of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, and swelling. Generally, inflammation is treated with anti-inflammatory medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroidal medications.

However, these medications carry risks and side effects. Some people choose to take a more preventive approach to treating inflammation, such as following an anti-inflammatory diet and taking anti-inflammatory supplements. The CBD Could it contribute to a more natural approach to treating inflammation? Does it have anti-inflammatory effects?

Current evidence suggests that it does, but as with many topics in the world of cannabis, further research is needed.

How does CBD reduce inflammation?

Cannabinoids, including CBD, have anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies involving cells, rodents, and humans show that CBD may be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, but further research is needed to determine how it works and its best applications for specific types of inflammation.

Inflammation is a complex process involving many signaling pathways. The body uses signaling molecules called eicosanoids to trigger the inflammatory response. One way CBD can reduce inflammation is by inhibiting an eicosanoid enzyme called COX-2. NSAIDs such as Advil and aspirin also target COX-2 in their mechanism of action.

CBD also appears to affect a class of molecules called cytokines, which play an important role in the inflammatory process. CBD tends to reduce the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation.

An Overview of Research on CBD and Inflammation

There is a wealth of research on CBD in animal models, and the cannabinoid appears to be capable of interacting with the immune system, reducing inflammation, and alleviating pain caused by a number of conditions. Studies date back to 2009, but the most recent ones are highlighted here.

A 2015 Study Review published in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry sought to determine the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. The authors found that CBD reduces inflammation through several pathways in the body and represents a potentially effective treatment for a range of conditions characterized by inflammation.

A 2016 study published in Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation studied 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. Mice that received 10 weeks of CBD treatment developed diabetes later than mice that did not receive the treatment. The mice treated with CBD also showed a significant reduction in immune cell activity.

A study published in 2017 in the magazine Bread examined the effects of CBD in male rats with osteoarthritis. After two weeks, acute joint inflammation was reduced by topical CBD treatment applied to the affected area. It was also found that CBD administration prevented the development of nerve damage and joint pain.

This research using animal models has shown that CBD may be able to modulate the immune system. Although CBD does not have a high affinity for the body’s cannabinoid receptors, it affects 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.

Inflammation in Humans and CBD: What Do the Studies Say?

Inflammation plays an important role in a number of diseases, including asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and a number of autoimmune diseases, as well as in other seemingly unrelated conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Could CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects be used in any of these applications?

There is evidence to support the idea that CBD can act as an anti-inflammatory treatment for certain diseases.

A a study conducted in 2008 A study in mice revealed that CBD prevented the onset of type 1 diabetes, an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the beta cells of the pancreas.

Another 2013 study revealed that CBD protects against the harmful effects of inflammation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

A 2013 Academic Journal concluded that CBD was a potential candidate for treating inflammatory bowel disease. However, a 2017 clinical trial found that CBD was safe but ineffective for the condition. The authors stated that their results could «be due to the low dose of CBD, the small number of patients in the study, or the lack of necessary synergy with other cannabinoids.»

Overall, while more research is still needed on the subject, the initial reports are promising.