Is CBD Oil Useful in Kidney Disease Management?

Kidney malfunctioning can manifest as chronic kidney disease, Glomerulonephritis, Urinary tract infection, and kidney stones. CBD oil is backed by many studies to address symptoms of kidney disease. Herein, we discuss CBD's potential impact on managing kidney diseases.  

The kidney plays an important role in maintaining overall body health. These essential organs work to detoxify our bodies. For kidneys to be more efficient, they need consistent water and nutrient supply. The lack of these substances is what causes kidney disease. While many people are becoming aware of the kidney disease impact on the human body, of the promising treatments for kidney problems is CBD oil. Although there is no clear understanding regarding the relationship between CBD oil and kidney diseases, studies on the cannabis derivative are positive. 

What Is Kidney Disease? 

Also referred to as kidney failure, kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys cannot eliminate excess salts and other wastes from the body. Patients diagnosed with kidney failure have elevated toxins in their blood. These toxins include but are not limited to electrolytes and a high fluid level. The elevation may lead to other health conditions such as heart disease, anemia, and bone loss. 

Recent reports show kidney diseases affect up to 37 million people in the US. Up to 90 percent of the patients do not know they have the condition.

 Kidney disease manifestation varies with patients; the common manifestations of kidney disease include: 

Chronic kidney disease 

Chronic kidney disease is a condition caused by high blood pressure. The high blood pressure in the kidneys asserts high pressure on the glomeruli, leading to kidney damage and further kidney failure. 

Glomerulonephritis 

Glomerulonephritis manifest as inflammation in the glomeruli. The condition is caused by defects in congenital tissues and improper drug usage. Additionally, it can be caused by various infections. Glomerulonephritis can heal without any treatment. 

Urinary Tract Infection 

Infections in the urinary system cause urinary tract infections. The condition can easily be treated. However, when overlooked, it can lead to kidney failure.

Kidney Stones 

Kidney stone is a common problem that results from the crystallization of blood minerals in the kidneys, leading to stone-like solid particles. 

Causes of Kidney Disease 

Kidneys are responsible for regulating blood pressure and filtering wastes entering the bloodstream. This precise organ can filter to the microscopic level. The functional unit for the entire process is the nephron. Nephrons are sensitive and can easily be damaged if toxins are detected in the blood. Therefore, kidney disease is often due to nephron damage. 

What Is CBD Oil 

CBD oil is a natural oil obtained from a cannabis plant called hemp. It's a non-psychoactive cannabis extract that delivers health benefits. The non-psychoactive product has little to no THC, making it a safer solution for various health conditions such as kidney disease.  

CBD Oil and Kidney Disease 

According to Davison et al. (2011), CBD can help manage symptoms of kidney disease such as inflammation and chronic pain. Although studies on CBD oil and kidney disease are ongoing, this treatment has much potential. 

Kidney failure means the kidney has stopped functioning. Patients with kidney failure need a kidney transplant to survive. Although there are limited studies on the effects of CBD oil on the kidney, available studies focus on how cannabis affects kidney health. For example, one study shows that cannabis has promising impacts when used to manage CKD symptoms such as nausea, anorexia, and anxiety.

Is it Useful in Kidney Disease Management?

There is no straightforward cure for kidney disease. Any treatment will often focus on the symptoms. Therefore, CBD can be a useful solution for symptoms associated with kidney disease. Here is how CBD oil helps manage these symptoms.   

Reduces Inflammation 

Kidney inflammation can result from pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis. According to Juknat et al. (2016), CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which help manage inflammation, one of the symptoms of kidney failure. 

Pain Relief 

Kidney disease can be accompanied by severe pain. And this pain can be due to kidney inflammation, urinary tract infections, or kidney stones. Johnson et al. (2010), CBD can help manage pain caused by the mentioned kidney conditions. Additionally, it can relieve pain caused by surgical incisions.  

Appetite Loss 

Appetite loss is one of the kidney disease symptoms. When overlooked, it can lead to sudden weight loss or fatigue. CBD oil is shown to regulate appetite. 

It Manages Moods

CBD oil can improve anandamide levels. Leweke et al. (2012) noted that CBD enhances the signaling of anandamide, a natural acid that plays an important role in managing moods, memory, and appetite. 

Experts say that CBD can positively impact the serotonin receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for managing moods and psychological processes. Although there is no evidence that CBD may improve serotonin levels in the brain, it affects the reactions of the brain's chemical receptors to the available serotonin hormones. 

What Is the Right CBD Oil Dosage for Kidney Disease?

With CBD oil, it's always challenging to find the right dosage. That's because CBD effects vary across different human bodies. 

A report by WHO showed that CBD oil could be taken in 100 to 800 mg daily. This can be challenging for patients to determine the right amount of CBD per oil milliliter. This is even more challenging since CBD oils vary in concentrations. 

If you plan to use CBD oil to address kidney disease, starting with a small dosage is advisable. As the body gets used to it, you'll know how it affects your body. Later on, you can increase the dosage to suit your desired needs.  

The Bottom Line

CBD oil is the perfect way to handle kidney disease naturally. The product is rich in multiple health and therapeutic properties that suppress pain and inflammation, which are common diseases caused by kidney diseases. Similarly, the cannabis derivative contains ant-depressants that suppress stress and anxiety associated with kidney diseases. While the product is well tolerated in the body, incorrect usage may result in adverse side effects. Therefore, users should seek medical advice to get the correct dosage for kidney diseases.   

References

Davison S N & Davison J S (2011). Is there a legitimate role for the therapeutic use of cannabinoids for symptom management in chronic kidney disease?. Journal of Pain and symptom management, 41(4), 768-778.

Johnson J R Burnell-Nugent M Lossignol D Ganae-Motan E D Potts R & Fallon M T (2010). Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of THC: CBD extract and THC extract in patients with intractable cancer-related pain. Journal of Pain and symptom management, 39(2), 167-179.

Juknat A Kozela E Kaushansky N Mechoulam R & Vogel Z (2016). Anti-inflammatory effects of the cannabidiol derivative dimethylheptyl-cannabidiol–studies in BV-2 microglia and encephalitogenic T cells. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 27(3), 289-296.

Leweke F M Piomelli D Pahlisch F Muhl D Gerth C W Hoyer C & Koethe D (2012). Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Translational psychiatry, 2(3), e94-e94.