Does CBD have an anti-inflammatory effect?

Is CBD being researched for anti-inflammatory properties?

Is CBD oil being studied for anti-inflammatory effects? This is a question that is increasingly being asked in connection with the cannabinoid. Among the potential properties of CBD being researched, anti-inflammatory effects are among the most frequently studied. The potential anti-inflammatory effect of CBD has been investigated in studies: there are now many clinical studies and thousands of animal and in vitro studies exploring the anti-inflammatory potential of CBD and other secondary plant compounds in hemp.

There are dozens of chemical messengers and enzymes that interact in the development of inflammation in the body. Blocking a pathway can be relevant for some types of inflammation, but it is not always the most effective approach.

CBD is being studied as a potential anti-inflammatory because it may work through multiple pathways. For this reason, researchers suggest CBD may interact with the inflammatory process at different points. Compared to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin - which only inhibits one of the enzymes involved in the inflammatory process - CBD's potential mechanism of action is of particular research interest.

Anti-inflammatory research: Which CBD products are being explored?

CBD-containing preparations are available in the form of:

• CBD oil and tinctures,
• CBD capsules
• CBD suppositories,
• CBD products for external use
• CBD fruit gums
• CBD flowers

Different forms of CBD may have differing properties and may not all be suitable for every situation. Let's take a look at the main types of CBD you're likely to come across and discuss their pros and cons.

CBD drops and oils

CBD oils, usually in drop form, are the most common form of CBD used today. They allow for easy and effective dosing and have a long shelf life. The main thing to look out for here is that they are true full-spectrum oils, containing not just CBD or a broad spectrum, but actually all cannabinoids. All CBD oils from Lucky Hemp® are TÜV-tested. About the oils.

CBD tinctures are very similar to oils, but use alcohol as a carrier instead of oil. This extends their shelf life and makes it easier for herbalists and alternative practitioners to mix them with other herbs - however, the taste is usually unpleasant. CBD oil dosage always depends on the individual case, more on this below.

CBD capsules

CBD capsules are another popular method of taking CBD. They solve a lot of confusion around dosage and make it easier to take CBD on the go.

CBD suppositories

CBD suppositories aren't very popular, but they're an option some users explore for delivering CBD directly to the digestive tract area.

CBD products for external use

Topical CBD products are sometimes explored as an addition to other approaches. The internal application of CBD is one option some users consider. Topical products such as patches or ointments are also available, allowing cannabinoids to be applied directly to the affected area.

Topical CBD products are sometimes used in the context of skin-related concerns such as:

• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Allergic dermatitis
• Acne
• Muscle injuries
• Tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath)
• Skin infections

CBD foods

Foods - such as fruit gums, biscuits or cooking oils - also offer ways to get CBD into the body. They taste great. The only downside is that, with the exception of standardised chewing gum, measuring the consistency of CBD foods can be difficult. Consuming too many edibles can have negative effects in the long term due to the high sugar content./p>

Foods are therefore better suited for irregular use than for daily intake of CBD.

CBD flowers

Vaporising CBD is one of the most efficient delivery forms in terms of bioavailability, as absorption through the lungs is much higher than via the digestive tract.

Vaporisation is one option for getting CBD into the lungs. Caution is advised, as it may not be appropriate for everyone or for conditions such as asthma - so CBD flowers for vapourising should always be used with care. Using it as a tea or room fragrance are other options. You can get creative here. At Lucky Hemp® you can order different CBD flowers - just try the assortment. Take a closer look at the CBD flowers.

CBD dosage considerations

Most studies on the use of cannabinoids in inflammation research point to a dose-dependent response. This means that the amount taken may influence observed effects. Therefore, the typical research dose varies depending on the situation.

For lower-grade situations - such as early-stage arthritis research - even a low dose has been studied.

For severe inflammation research - such as inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune disorders - studies have explored medium or high potency formulations.

What are the side effects of CBD?

Although CBD has been shown to be very safe in terms of toxicity, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects. Everyone is different, and what works for one person may not be equally good for another.

Here are some of the most common side effects of CBD:

• Reduction in appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Head shaking
• Lower heart rate
• Fatigue

The controversy surrounding CBD and its researched properties

CBD is mainly associated with the stimulant cannabis. Unfortunately, because of this association, those who explore CBD for the partial properties being researched are often met with resentment and stigma.

Effects of CBD on the body

The traditional uses of hemp have been known to mankind for generations. The first documented use of cannabinoids dates back as early as 2,700 BC in ancient China. At that time, hemp flowers and resin were used historically, among other things, in the context of menstrual cramps and rheumatism.

Clinical studies conducted in recent years have explored antispasmodic properties. When mice were given CBD in a dose of 120 mg per kilogram of body weight, researchers observed a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures. CBD has also been shown to be well tolerated in humans. In studies , daily doses in the order of 1,500 mg administered orally or 30 mg administered intravenously did not produce negative central nervous system symptoms or worsening of mood.

Basic information about inflammation and the research on CBD

The human body is made up of trillions of individual cells that need to work together and be able to communicate with each other. Our nervous system sends messages in the form of electrical impulses to and from the brain and uses chemical messengers to send signals through the body via the blood.

The inflammatory process depends largely on how these chemical messengers activate the immune system and regulate blood flow to damaged areas of the body.

There are dozens of inflammatory messengers, each sending a specific type of message. Some call immune cells to the affected area to help clear the infection, others tell the cardiovascular system to start collecting blood in the affected area.

Allergic reactions, for example, rely on the activation of mast cells that wait patiently until an allergen is nearby. When a cell is exposed to an allergen, it releases a strong dose of inflammatory markers (such as histamine) that trigger a series of inflammatory reactions. These are called allergic reactions (e.g. hives, runny nose, puffy eyes or scratchy throat).

Scientists are constantly discovering new information about inflammatory processes, and there are forms of inflammation that we do not yet understand (e.g. interstitial cystitis and irritable bowel syndrome). The most appropriate management approach depends on the type of inflammation.

We need to consider whether the inflammation is acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). We also consider whether the inflammation is caused by physical damage, an allergic reaction or an autoimmune reaction. This is important information because each of these forms of inflammation involves different chemical messengers.

Different inflammatory pathways involve different chemical messengers. The most important distinction is whether the inflammation is acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). CBD oil or CBD flowers are sometimes explored by users in this context.

Acute inflammation

Acute inflammation can lead to chronic inflammation if the stimulus persists (e.g. regular consumption of inflammation-promoting foods).

Acute inflammation can lead to chronic inflammation if the stimulus persists (e.g. regular consumption of pro-inflammatory foods).

The most common causes of acute inflammation include:

• Allergic reactions
• Asthma attacks
• Traumatic injuries
• Eczema (can also become chronic)
• Early stages of arthritis
• Early stages of depression

The main messengers involved in acute inflammation are histamine, nitric oxide and inflammatory enzymes such as COX or 5-LOX. Aspirin, for example, works by blocking the COX enzyme.

Research has explored CBD's potential interaction with COX enzymes (both COX-1 and COX-2), which are responsible for the production of inflammatory messengers such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins, which are known key mediators in both acute and chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation

Inflammation is classified as chronic when symptoms last longer than six months. Long-term inflammation can seriously damage the affected systems.

In short, chronic inflammation works like this:

• Inflammation damages the tissues
• The tissue releases new inflammatory messengers to repair the damage
• New inflammation leads to further damage to the tissue
• The process repeats itself

If this process continues over a long period of time, it can lead to further health problems. Long-term inflammation can damage membranes (such as the digestive membrane or the blood-brain barrier), lead to the formation of scar tissue, reduce the sensitivity of hormones such as insulin, and trigger autoimmune responses.

Conditions associated with chronic inflammation:

• Depression
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety
• Mood disorders
• Eczema and psoriasis

The main inflammatory messengers involved in chronic inflammation include TNF-a, NF-kB, IL-6 and IFN-y. Research has explored CBD's potential to interact with these inflammatory messengers. This is one focus of the ongoing research on CBD.

Conventional approaches to inflammation

Inflammation is very common - which is why many different approaches have been developed over the years. Common forms of inflammation management include:

1. Changing your diet
   • Removing foods from the diet that cause inflammation
   • Identifying and eliminating the causes of food allergies
   • Eating more fibre and antioxidant-rich foods
   • Increasing consumption of foods with anti-inflammatory properties (such as turmeric or ginger).
2. Anti-inflammatory medications
   • Corticosteroids
   • NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol)
   • TNF inhibitors (adalimumab and etanercept)
3. Herbal preparations
   • Hemp extracts (CBD, CBN and THC)
   • Ginger root (Zingiber officinalis)
   • Frankincense resin (Boswellia serrata)
   • Curcuma root (Curcuma longa)
   • Aloe vera
4. Lifestyle changes
   • Gentle aerobic exercise
   • Stress reduction techniques
   • Yoga/meditation
   • Sleep hygiene

What the research says about CBD and inflammation

Research suggests CBD may interact with inflammatory messengers at multiple levels of the inflammatory response.

There are several reasons why CBD is being researched in the context of inflammation at so many levels:

• It is being studied for its effect on the breakdown of anandamide, a regulator of inflammation in the body.
• CBD (and other cannabinoids) are structurally similar to many of our inflammatory messengers (similar to prostaglandins and leukotrienes).
• CBD has been studied for its interaction with vanilloid receptors involved in regulating various inflammatory messengers (TNF-a, IL-4, IL-12).
• Studies have explored its effect on the activation of immune cells, such as T and B cells, which are involved in autoimmune inflammation.
• CBD has been researched in relation to apoptosis (programmed cell death) in immune cells involved in chronic inflammation.

CBD oil research: Which inflammatory messengers is it studied for?

Unlike most anti-inflammatory agents, which only target a few inflammatory messengers, CBD is being researched for interaction with a broad range. This makes it of interest for many different research areas - from allergic and autoimmune reactions to sprains and strains.

Conclusion: CBD and inflammation research

CBD is being researched in the context of many different inflammation-related areas.

Areas where CBD is being studied:

• Autoimmune reactions
• Allergic reactions
• Traumatic damage to soft tissues
• Muscle tension
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Post-operative inflammation

The key to a quality experience is to ensure that only high quality full spectrum CBD extracts are used that have been confirmed to be free of contaminants through third party testing. In fact, at Lucky Hemp® you'll only find oils that have been tested by TÜV.

You can use virtually any form of CBD. However, we recommend buying a high potency CBD oil as it is easy to use, inexpensive and has a long shelf life.