Inflammation is originally a defense mechanism of the body. However, the inflammation turns into chronic inflammation, which is the cause of many forms of diseases. Allergies are diseases caused by chronic inflammation. The good news is that CBD works in both our brains and our body to prevent inflammation.
This simple action can greatly impact your overall health and well-being. Studies have shown that CBD effectively treats chronic inflammation, interacting with the clotting system and other neurotransmitters to reduce inflammation and allergies. As a result, CBD has emerged as a new way to relieve and mitigate many allergic manifestations in recent years.
Human Inflammation and CBD studies
Inflammation is vital in some diseases, including allergies, asthma, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, it affects other ailments that might not appear connected, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Can CBD's anti-inflammatory effects be used in any of these cases?
Evidence supports the idea of using CBD for the anti-inflammatory treatment of certain diseases. For example, a study performed on mice showed that CBD prevents type 1 diabetes from developing because it is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the beta cells located in the pancreas.
According to another study using a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, CBD protects against the negative consequences of inflammation.
A review of studies concluded that CBD would be a potential candidate for treating inflammatory bowel disease. However, a clinical trial found that CBD was safe but not effective in combating the disease.
Research Overview
Numerous studies on CBD's effects on the immune system, inflammation, and pain from a variety of illnesses have been conducted in animal models. According to this study conducted on animal models, CBD may have the ability to modify the immune system.
Although CBD does not have much affinity for cannabinoid receptors in the body, it does affect other receptors and targets. For example, based on a study reported in Neurology, CBD attaches to and deactivates sensory receptors known to be involved in pain and sensory perception, inflammation, and body temperature.
The authors found that CBD carries out inflammation reduction through various pathways in the body. It represents a potentially effective treatment for various conditions that cause inflammation.
After two weeks of suffering from osteoarthritis, acute joint inflammation was reduced when they applied a local CBD treatment to the area. Additionally, it was shown that using it helps to reduce the onset of joint pain and nerve damage.
Using CBD relieves inflammation
CBD and all other Cannabinoids are anti-inflammatory. Several studies in cells, humans, and rodents show that CBD is an effective anti-inflammatory. But more research needs to be carried out to identify how it functions and which applications are optimal for exact types of inflammation.
Inflammation is a complicated process that includes many different signaling mechanisms. The body uses signaling molecules called eicosanoids to trigger the inflammatory response. One way CBD can improve inflammation is by preventing an eicosanoid enzyme known as COX2. Drugs such as Aspirin and Advil also use their action method to target COX2.
CBD also seems to impact a class of molecules essential to the inflammation process known as cytokines, it tends to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines effects, reducing inflammation.
CBD and allergies
Allergies are immune reactions to substances called allergens. These allergens are found almost everywhere and are generally considered harmless.
Allergic symptoms are varied and can be benign or, on the contrary, very dangerous for the physical integrity of the person. Thus, the reactions will vary according to the type of allergy:
- Runny nose and sneezing;
- Swelling of the lips or throat;
- Itchy palate;
- Red and watery eyes, allergic conjunctivitis;
- Asthma or other breathing difficulties;
- Eczema and/or hives;
- Digestive symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation;
- Anaphylactic shock (low blood pressure).
CBD and allergic skin reactions
Allergic skin rashes include urticaria and contact dermatitis (eczema). Unfortunately, research explicitly addressing CBD and hives is currently limited. However, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can be a vital ally in hives and eczema.
Indeed, in topical use, CBD fully participates in an improvement of well-being by soothing irritations. In addition, with a local application, CBD allows for rehydrating of the epidermis but also brings a little more elasticity to the skin.
CBD will also reduce irritation and calm chronic cravings for scratching. This point is essential because the permanent itching accentuates the feelings of discomfort, but especially the fact that scratching weakens the skin and slows down the cicatrization of the touched zones.
CBD and allergic bronchospasm
A study published in the "Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics" revealed that CBD partly annihilates the pulmonary contractions responsible for the process of restricted airways.
This study shows that CBD significantly influences the respiratory system by delivering anandamide, which attenuates bronchial contractions. This means more clearly that CBD allows for lessening the process of allergic bronchospasm.
CBD and asthma
An allergen usually triggers asthma. However, asthma attacks are linked to an increase in cytokines. Cytokines act as signals that allow cells to work remotely on other cells to regulate their activity and function.
CBD can target and therefore stop the signals emitted by cytokines. Therefore, CBD's anti-inflammatory effects can reduce the risk of asthmatic attacks by inhibiting the inflammatory response caused by an allergy.
CBD and allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is better known as "runny nose". It is one of the most common and unpleasant manifestations of allergic phenomena. The allergic process of rhinitis is always the same. CBD will allow you to moderate, even stop, this famous runny nose.
CBD will have the function of a message scrambler. When a foreign body is detected, the first physiological reaction will be the increase of cytokines. The intake of CBD will progressively reduce the manifestations of allergic rhinitis, as an antihistamine could do.
CBD and histamine
As mentioned above, allergies result from an extreme immune response characterized by the release of histamine. Yet, paradoxically, CBD, derived from a plant that produces flowers and pollens, can regulate the immune response and thereby reduce allergic symptoms.
A study demonstrated that CBD could limit the production of histamine by having a moderating effect on mast cells. Mast cells are found in mucous membranes, connective tissues, and the dermis (skin).
The function of mast cells is quite simple: they detect the presence of foreign substances, and when they interact with them, they produce heparin and histamine to help the immune system fight the intrusion of the pathogen.
The role of histamine in the allergic process is crucial. Indeed, histamine stimulates the production of mucus, but it also causes the tightening of bronchioles (asthma). Histamine is involved in allergic symptoms such as urticaria, rhinorrhea, rash, and asthma.
However, several types of research have shown that CBD inhibits the release of histamines by its ability to inhibit mast cells. CBD, therefore, appears as a new way to relieve allergic people because it allows regulation of the physical reactions to the presence of an allergen.