How CBD Addresses Inflammation

Why suffer?  Choose natural, safe, and effective CBD products to fight pain and inflammation.

The nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine system all work together to coordinate our body’s responses to danger – including inflammatory processes. Most drugs target one particular aspect of the process – CBD goes to the root of inflammation.

These three body systems are all strong influenced by a relatively recently discovered body system: the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a series of receptors that respond both to molecules contained in the cannabis plant – cannabinoids – and compounds with similar effects that are produced by our own bodies – endocannabinoids. All of the major types of cells involved in inflammation contain endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid receptors, suggesting that the system, when it is healthy, helps keep inflammation in balance (Pellati 2018). Researchers even theorize that an endocannabinoid deficiency may play a role in chronic pain and inflammation in diseases like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. Ethan Russo (2016) points out the role that endocannabinoids play in regulating mood and digestion and reducing pain, and suggests that:

“If endocannabinoid function were decreased, it follows that a lowered pain threshold would be operative, along with derangements of digestion, mood, and sleep among the almost universal physiological systems subserved by the endocannabinoid system .”

In an earlier paper, Russo (2008) notes that while we have found many molecules that act on the endocannabinoid system, the “first clinically available” compound that acts to balance the whole system, to modulate the modulators, is CBD. CBD is a molecule created by plants of the cannabis genus that has been shown to reduce inflammation in conditions ranging from osteoarthritis (Philpott 2017) to Parkinson’s disease. It is being investigated for its potential in reducing cancer risks by regulating inflammation. (Pellati 2018.)

 In marijuana, CBD is found alongside the mind altering compound, THC. Hemp plants also contain a lot of CBD, but don’t have enough THC to get you “high,” so products made from hemp are the preferred source of CBD for many people.

 CBD has also been identified as a possible adaptogen. (Pellati 2018) Adaptogens are compounds that help regulate the body’s stress response without creating any significant side effects by balancing the HPA axis. (Panosssian & Wilkman 2010) Scientists recently discovered that the hypothalamus has endocannabinoid receptors that respond to anandamide (Hill 2019), a molecule produced by our own bodies whose name is derived from the Sanskrit word for “bliss.” Anandamide helps soothe us, which in turn helps soothe inflammation. CBD helps the body use anandamide more efficiently. (Prud'homme 2015)

 CBD also has pain relieving properties. It both directly reduces pain (Russo 2008, Ko 2016, Philpott 2017, Vučković 2018) and changes the way the body perceives pain, to make it less overwhelming. (Vučković 2018.)

 CBD shows great promise in breaking the vicious cycle where inflammation causes pain, pain causes stress and loss of sleep, and stress and loss of sleep cause more inflammation.

Managing pain and inflammation is complex. Dietary and lifestyle changes play an important role in helping people’s bodies come back into health. CBD, a molecule that acts in the body in unique and complex ways, can play an important role in a multi-pronged approach to bringing inflammation back under control. It is one of the few molecular tools we have for addressing inflammation that does not feed into the underlying problems. In the coming years, new research will continue to shed light on the applications of this amazing compound in promoting whole body health.