How Your Immunity Can Be Affected By CBD Oil
How Your Immunity Can Be Affected By CBD Oil
CBD is one of the active compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive, making it a safer ingredient for manufacturing various products. CBD oil is a vegetable oil extracted from hemp, a cannabis plant with little to no THC. The oil has several effects on the immune system, and it's absorbed into the bloodstream through a special membrane under the tongue. However, how does it affect and suppress the immune system? How does it strengthen the immune system? How do you choose the best CBD oil for your immune system? Read on to find out more.
Our bodies can fight pathogens and other trigger diseases. With a strong immune system, one can live a disease-free life. However, one becomes prone to several health problems when the immune system is weak. Many factors can impact the immune system positively and negatively. For instance, nutrient deficiency, inadequate sleep, and not indulging in physical activities can negatively affect the immune system. You'll need to eat a well-balanced diet and use various supplements to improve your immune function. One of the popular supplements used today for this purpose is CBD oil. You need to understand how your immunity can be affected by CBD oil. Moreover, it's important to know the basics regarding CBD and its derivative (CBD oil).
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active compounds found in the cannabis plant, hemp. There are hundreds of such compounds in the cannabis plant. However, unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, which is why it's a common ingredient in hair products, body lotions, drugs, and edibles. Being non-psychoactive means the cannabinoid CBD has little to no THC.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a vegetable oil extracted from a cannabis plant. The oil is extracted through CO2 extraction, oil extraction, and liquid solvent extraction. CBD oil is available in capsules, oil, tincture, vape oils, and edibles. The oil is believed to have significant health benefits and is one of the most sought CBD products.
How Is It Absorbed in the Body?
A special membrane under our tongue acts as a router to the bloodstream. This membrane eases the absorption of CBD oil when you put some drops in your mouth. The oil is absorbed through this membrane to the bloodstream without interacting with the digestive system and the liver. With this quick absorption, the oil kicks in a few minutes after the administration.
How Does It Affect the Immune System?
Raup-Konsavage et al. (2020) explained that CBD oil has a higher concentration. This compound interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In the endocannabinoid system, the CB2 receptor regulates inflammatory immune responses. The receptor is inhibited by CBD oil, which regulates body inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties in CBD oil affect the central nervous system, which amplifies its health benefits.
When experiencing stress, the immune cells release cytokines and proteins. These proteins trigger inflammation. According to recent studies, CBD can effectively regulate cytokine production. Therefore, CBD oil can prevent inflammation in the early stage.
Additionally, CBD oil inhibits adenosine reuptake (adenosine is a neurotransmitter). This process increases the level of adenosine in the brain. The process acts on adenosine receptors to stop inflammation.
CBD oil's benefits are due to the ability of CBD to suppress the immune system. However, it's not that easy. In some cases, CBD oil can optimize the immune system and deliver other benefits. Your health is the primary determinant of whether CBD oil will optimize or hurt your immune system.
How Does It Suppress the Immune System?
CBD oil manages autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and HIV/AIDS. The effects of these diseases vary. However, they share something in common – the hyperactive immune system. The immune system's overreaction distinguishes the autoimmune system from unthreatening internal activities. This overreaction leads to the attack of healthy cells in the body. The inflammation can lead to stiffness and pain and sometimes damage the internal organ or tissue.
For example, the immune system attacks the central nervous system with multiple sclerosis. In this case, the body attacks the coatings of nerve fibers, creating a layer of scar tissue. The scar tissues prevent these nerves from sending and receiving signals, leading to motor function loss and further paralysis. According to De Filippis et al. (2011), the cannabinoid (CBD) in CBD oil can help reduce inflammation, stiffness, and pain, improving the experience of multiple sclerosis patients.
Cannabis plant extracts can be used to reduce severe symptoms. Additionally, Sativex has recently been approved in the UK, Canada, and several European nations to relieve nerve pain in multiple sclerosis patients. Sativex is an oral spray containing THC and CBD.
Unlike traditional medication, which shuts down the immune system, CBD oil can be a perfect remedy for an autoimmune condition. It targets specific parts of the immune system without shutting it down.
How Does It Strengthen the Immune System?
A weak immune system cannot protect the body against infections. According to Oláh, Szekanecz & Bíró (2017), CBD suppresses the immune system effectively, which is why it's a perfect remedy for inflammation. Recent studies show that cancer patients with weaker immune systems can prevent various infections by taking CBD products.
According to Yasmin-Karim et al. (2018), a high CBD dosage can kill cancer cells through apoptosis. Apoptosis is often triggered in a strong immune system when the body determines harmful immune cells.
How To Choose the Best CBD Oil For Your Immune System
There are several factors to consider before choosing CBD oil for your immune system. The factors may include where you live, what you need to address, and your preference.
Before purchasing any cannabis-related product, it's essential to know the legality in your state. You'll get a full-spectrum CBD with THC if you live in a state where recreational and medicinal cannabis is legalized. Although THC can deliver significant benefits in treating autoimmune conditions, it can lead to mind-altering effects. You can still use hemp products if you live in a state where cannabis is illegal. How you ingest hemp oil depends on your needs and preferences. Autoimmune, characterized by chronic pain, can be addressed by topical CBD oil.
CBD oil capsules and tinctures are the perfect way to ingest CBD oil. It's easy to incorporate these CBD derivatives into your daily routine and enjoy the benefits of CBD.
The Bottom Line
The immune system protects our bodies against infections. A strong immune system fights pathogens and helps maintain the body's overall health. On the other hand, a weak immune system makes the person vulnerable to several health conditions. CBD oil is shown to improve immune function. The oil contains a high CBD concentration, which contributes to its effectiveness. The cannabinoid in CBD oil interacts with the immune system to prevent various autoimmune conditions.
References
De Filippis, Daniele, Giuseppe Esposito, Carla Cirillo, Mariateresa Cipriano, Benedicte Y De Winter, Caterina Scuderi, Giovanni Sarnelli et al. "Cannabidiol reduces intestinal inflammation through the control of neuroimmune axis." PLoS One 6, no. 12 (2011): e28159.
Oláh, A., Szekanecz, Z., & Bíró, T. (2017). Targeting cannabinoid signaling in the immune system: "High" -ly exciting questions, possibilities, and challenges. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, 1487.
Raup-Konsavage, W. M., Carkaci-Salli, N., Greenland, K., Gearhart, R., & Vrana, K. E. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) oil does not display an entourage effect in reducing cancer cell viability in vitro. Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 3(2), 95-102.
Yasmin-Karim S Moreau M Mueller R Sinha N Dabney R Herman A. & Ngwa W (2018). Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatment with cannabinoids. Frontiers in oncology, 8, 114
