Lyme disease and cannabis

Lyme disease has become more common in recent years, causing a variety of symptoms, some of which can be extremely debilitating.

Many people also wonder if CBD for Lyme disease could help them. In this article, we cover what you need to know about CBD oil, Lyme disease and related questions.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a common vector-borne illness in the United States. A vector-borne disease is one that infects humans via another organism, in this case a tick. The disease itself is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi or, more rarely, Borrelia mayonii. The disease is sometimes known as Lyme borreliosis.

When an infected tick bites a human, it transmits the bacteria in its bloodstream.

Doctors generally treat Lyme disease with antibiotics. Although this is sometimes effective, many people continue to experience symptoms even after treatment. This is known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

Unfortunately, the incidence of Lyme disease has increased in recent years. The CDC now estimates that around 300,000 new cases occur every year. On the positive side, research into the disease and its treatment is also on the rise. Hopefully, this will lead to the discovery of an effective treatment for Lyme disease in the near future.

For now, however, many Lyme disease patients struggle to manage their illness so they can lead fulfilling lives. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of the disease and how CBD for Lyme disease could help them.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

This disease causes a variety of different symptoms. Lyme disease experts generally divide them into early and late signs and symptoms, depending on when they occur.

Early signs and symptoms

The first sign of Lyme disease is often a tick bite. However, some people don't realize they've been bitten, leading to a delay in diagnosis.

Lyme disease patients often develop a rash called erythema migrans. This rash can resemble a bull's-eye, with a round central spot and a surrounding ring. However, the rash is not always bull's-eye in appearance, and may not appear at all.

Other early symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to those of the flu and other infections. They include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headaches
• Body pain
• Stiff neck
• Swollen glands
• Fatigue

The fact that these symptoms are similar to other pathologies can lead to further delays in diagnosis and treatment. This increases the risk of developing LTDS.

Subsequent signs and symptoms

Although doctors can cure many Lyme disease patients, some develop long-lasting symptoms, even after their treatment has ended. Late symptoms of Lyme disease include:

• Body aches and pains
• Joint pain
• Nerve pain
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Facial paralysis

Many people compare these symptoms to those of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. In some people, Lyme disease can affect the heart, causing palpitations. This condition is called Lyme carditis.

What causes Lyme disease?

As mentioned above, Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium that humans contract from a tick bite. Several types of tick can transmit Lyme disease, but the most common is the black-legged deer tick.

The best way to protect yourself against these causes of Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites. Take care when in habitats such as tall grass, and wear insect repellent and long sleeves or pants.

If you find a tick on your skin, remove it as quickly as possible using fine tweezers or a special tick remover. Do this carefully to ensure that the tick's mouthparts do not remain in the skin. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, then safely remove the tick.

Treatment of Lyme disease

It is essential to treat Lyme disease as quickly as possible to increase the chances of success. The most common treatment for Lyme disease is antibiotics, which patients must take for several weeks. This treatment can be highly effective, provided that patients take their medication exactly as directed and follow it through to the end.

Unfortunately, some patients' symptoms persist, even after they've completed their course of antibiotics. This is where remedies like CBD can help.

CBD for Lyme disease

Although there is little clinical research on the subject, there are reports of patients using CBD oil for Lyme disease. For those who have never heard of CBD, it stands for cannabidiol. It is one of the many active compounds in cannabis. However, unlike its cousin THC, it does not cause intoxicating effects.

That's why CBD has become popular with people suffering from a wide variety of health problems. It offers many of the benefits of cannabis without getting users high. In fact, most companies manufacture their CBD oils using hemp rather than marijuana plants. The difference is that hemp contains less than 0.3 % of THC.

CBD works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is made up of a series of cellular receptors (CB1 and CB2) and chemicals called endocannabinoids.

When these receptors and chemicals bind together, they trigger a series of reactions that help maintain homeostasis (balance) in the body. The ECS system plays a role in many different functions, including mood, movement, sensation, appetite, immunity and more.

CBD affects the ECS system in a number of ways, including slowing the breakdown of certain endocannabinoids such as anandamide, known as the bliss molecule.

So, how does CBD oil for Lyme work? Let's take a look.

How CBD oil helps fight Lyme disease

While research on CBD for Lyme disease is sadly lacking, a 2015 article for Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests it could help. The article, entitled Unorthodox Alternative Therapies Marketed to Treat Lyme Disease, lists cannabis and CBD oil as potential options.

Cannabis contains many different types of chemicals, including cannabinoids such as CBD. The main benefit of CBD for Lyme disease is its ability to influence the cells of the immune system. It modulates the immune response and produces an anti-inflammatory effect.

As many people know, inflammation is a common cause of pain, including that caused by Lyme disease. By reducing this inflammation, CBD has the potential to relieve physical discomfort, aches and pains.

However, the possible benefits of CBD for Lyme disease don't stop there. There is evidence that CBD has antibacterial effects. It also acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from damage.

Finally, CBD has a potentially positive impact on mood and sleep. This last point is likely to be beneficial for patients living with the consequences of a chronic illness.

Many people use CBD in oil form, which they hold under the tongue for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing. This allows consumers to feel the effects of CBD throughout their body.

However, more and more people are now choosing topical CBD, which they can apply directly to painful areas. This method has the advantage of providing rapid relief where it's needed most.

So it seems that CBD may offer patients some hope when it comes to treating Lyme disease. However, further research is needed to confirm precisely to what extent.

Final thoughts on CBD for Lyme disease

It appears that CBD may bring some relief to Lyme disease patients. Its anti-inflammatory properties could help relieve pain while offering several other benefits throughout the body. Further scientific evidence is needed to determine precisely how CBD for Lyme disease works, but anecdotal reports look promising.

Anyone wishing to use CBD to treat Lyme disease or any other condition should first consult a healthcare professional. They will be able to offer advice on how to use the substance safely and effectively for your situation.

We hope this article has answered some common questions about CBD oil and Lyme disease.