You may have heard about CBD. It is sweeping the world and taking it by force as a new alternative treatment option. Its popularity stems from the vast amount of conditions it treats. One of these conditions is inflammation. Inflammation causes many health care conditions, so it turns out to be an excellent resource for those suffering from many different health conditions.
But there actually may be some who have not heard about CBD or who may have limited knowledge of what it is and what it can do.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is one of over a hundred compounds that's found in the Cannabis Sativa Hemp plant. It is completely non-psychoactive, which means that it does not produce the "high" or "stoned" feeling associated with its close cousin, the Cannabis Sative Marijuana plant.
The reason that it does not produce a "high" is because it contains less than 0.03% total THC. Because of this low THC count, it is legal in all 50 states. The 2018 Farm Bill, signed by the president, made industrial hemp legal at the federal level. Some states have restrictions on CBD sale and use.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is the body's response to injury or disease and can cause swelling and a whole host of problems. Inflammation is also the body's immune response. Shirt-term inflammation can be beneficial because it protects the body and its systems. This inflammation makes it a protective response.
But chronic, long-term inflammation is linked to many diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and even Alzheimers. Chronic inflammation is a prolonged inflammatory response in the body.
Inflammation and oxidative stress often go hand in hand. This combination can also cause autoimmune responses in the body and cause autoimmune disorders. Higher levels of inflammation manifest as damage to tissue in the body. It increases the number of free radicals, which causes oxidative stress.
How Does CBD Help Inflammation?
One way that CBD helps with inflammation is by inhibiting an enzyme called COX2. NSAID pain reliever also targets this enzyme, but long-term use can cause damage in the body, especially the stomach and digestive system.CBD does not harm any system in the body and has no long term side effects. CBD will reduce the impact of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation.
Studies
A 2015 review published in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry found that CBD reduces inflammation through several body pathways. It shows a strong promise to be an effective treatment for many conditions caused by inflammation.
A 2016 study published in the Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation investigated CBD as a promising treatment for pancreatic inflammation in diabetic mice. This inflammation can lead to full-blown diabetes because the inflammation destroys insulin-producing cells. Mice who received ten weeks of treatment with CBD developed diabetes much less than mice who did not receive this treatment.
A 2018 study published in Neurology showed that CBD binds with receptors and desensitizes receptors known for sensory perception, body temperature, and pain.
There are have been many other studies that show great promise for the treatment of inflammation using CBD. More studies need to get done, but scientists are racing to do more studies with the legalization of CBD. But the promise is there for the reduction of inflammation and, with that, the healing of many diseases.
