CBD for Inflammation: When the Good Turns Bad

Inflammation is the body’s natural way of protecting itself against damage, irritants, and pathogens. Without inflammation, the healing process does not begin. It is an innate immune response. This means that it is a naturally present capability as opposed to being adaptive. There are two types of inflammation. The first is acute inflammation. This is quick and will usually be triggered by injured tissue or a simple virus. It escalates very quickly. It can go one of three ways. It can improve the situation then dissipate when healing has occurred. It may also turn into an abscess. The worst-case scenario is if it becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation occurs over a long period. It may also be brought about by an overactive immune system or long-term exposure to irritants. 

There are five main symptoms of inflammation. Swelling is a major one. It is caused by the buildup of fluid around the affected area. That swelling will put pressure on nerves and cause pain. The pain may also be brought about by the production of chemicals that stimulate the nerve endings making them more sensitive. Redness is very common because the area receives a higher supply of blood than usual. This fact may also cause the area to feel warm or hot to the touch. In some cases, immobility may arise. One will have trouble moving the limb due to pain and/or swelling. These are symptoms of external inflammation. Internal inflammation may be signaled by only a few of those. Pain, for example, may not be experienced if inflammation is in an organ that does not have nerve endings. In addition, an inflamed internal may cause fatigue, fever and even mouth sores. 

Before the inflammatory response is activated, a few things come first. This may also be known as the inflammatory process. The first is that vessels become enlarged to allow more blood to flow to the affected area or organ. The second is that capillaries become more porous. Such that, fluids and blood can pass through and from cells easily. The third is the release of neutrophils. These are white blood cells carrying enzymes and a mechanism for digestion of microorganisms. After these three steps are bypassed, the signs of inflammation are seen and experienced. 

Inflammation Remedies

There are effective drugs on the market targeted at mitigating inflammation and the effects it may have on the body. These drugs arrest the enzymes that contribute to the harmful inflammation. However, long-term use can bring about bleeding ulcers, organ damage, and even stroke. There are herbs that one can include in the diet to keep inflammation from crossing over to its vile qualities. Hyssop, ginger, and turmeric have been found to be quite helpful. Joining the band of natural remedies is cannabis. There have been numerous studies and personal testaments supporting the efficacy of cannabis and more specifically CBD in the management of inflammation. 

CBD Mechanism of Action

A study was conducted to look into the role of the endocannabinoid system in the inflammatory response. It was found that the ECS is tightly intertwined with the key processes involved in inflammation. This offers possibilities for prevention and intervention through the ECS. Thus the viability of CBD as a treatment for inflammation. It was found that cannabinoid actions increase production of compounds that promote resolution of inflammation. Anecdotal evidence has been found by studying the inflammatory markers before and after CBD administration. 

It is estimated that CBD is stronger twenty times over than anti-inflammatory agents are and twice as strong as a prescription of hydrocortisone. By down-regulating cytokine and chemokine production and enhancing T-regulatory cells, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of CBD is affected. 

Studies into CBD for Inflammation

In 2011, a study about the potential of CBD to treat inflammation caused organ damage was published. Conducted at the University of Mississippi, the study found that CBD indeed could repair organ damage caused by inflammation and the drugs used to manage it. It was found that other effects of inflammation were also mitigated by the use of CBD. This means that not only will CBD reduce the inflammation to healthy levels, it will also help heal the troubles brought about. 

Another study published in 2016 looked into the efficacy of CBD on arthritic rats. The rats’ limbs were treated with a topical application of CBD gel. The joint swelling reduced significantly. This led to the conclusion that CBD is an effective treatment for arthritic inflammation. It can also be extended to the treatment of general inflammation. This spelled hope for over 50 Million people in the world who have suffered over the years from arthritis and medications that hurt them in the long term. 

In 2013, scientists studied the effect of CBD mice with acute pancreatitis. It was found that CBD decreased the enzyme activity and even improved other side effects of the condition. Unlike traditional treatments, CBD did not have harmful side effects. With more than 200,000 hospitalizations a year from acute pancreatitis, CBD will go a long way in reducing that number. 

Autoimmunity

Chronic inflammation can lead to autoimmunity. This is a situation whereby the immune system mistakenly attacks harmless stimuli. That means that the body will attack itself devoid of a credible threat. The result of all of these is oxidative stress. A study conducted at the University of Kobe in Japan measured the levels of oxidative stress in a few autoimmune diseases. It was found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus had excessive oxidative stress. Another similar study found oxidative damage in the tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients. CBD is an effective antioxidant in addition to being an anti-inflammatory. 

Brain Inflammation from SO₂ Pollution

Sulfur dioxide is a common preservative in dried fruits. It is relatively safe when ingested in that respect but can be quite irritating when inhaled. It will even harm the respiratory system when inhaled over time. This is in addition to the neuronal deficits that come with sulfur dioxide pollution. People who work in manufacturing plants for fertilizers and food preservatives are at a high risk for brain injury. Scanty medications have been developed for the harmful outcomes of such chemical aggressors. These outcomes are in the form of brain inflammatory insult, which leads to dysfunction.

Studies have found that cannabis provides neuronal protection against such injury. Activation of microglia is inhibited and over-expression of inflammatory cytokines is mitigated. Through the endocannabinoid system, a mechanistic basis for development f new therapeutic approaches for treating such brain injuries is possible. With such a large portion of the global population exposed to sulfur dioxide every day, this is something worth serious consideration. Even as the world is moving towards a less-emissions living, it would not hurt to have something to keep from suffering neuronal injuries before that is fully achieved. 

Hope for Millions 

Harmful inflammation is the underlying cause of many diseases including cancer and diabetes. This means hundreds of millions of people suffer due to inflammation. Inflammation that can be quite easily managed by use of CBD