 The inflammatory process is designed to help us with the function and repair of injury. However, inflammation that is out of control and chronic can lead to diseases such as metabolic syndrome or arthritis. Acute inflammation can be downright painful. It is no wonder we have developed anti-inflammatory medications to control these effects and have now turned to a more natural relief, cannabidiol.
What is Inflammation? nflammation is the body’s response to injury. It is the body’s way of telling the immune system that it needs to heal itself, repair damaged tissue, and defend against pathological invaders such as bacteria and viruses. For example, in acute injury, inflammation is usually short, and it is designed to remove the harmful agent. This is a positive inflammatory response. Our job is to prevent the inflammation from getting out of control by taking anti-inflammatory measures. Short-term measures for acute inflammation might include rest, ice, compression, elevation, and topical CBD. When inflammation is prolonged past the critical stage and becomes chronic, tissue damage can occur, and pain can become relentless. What happens when inflammation sets in? Your body increases its production of white blood cells and cytokines to help fight infection. Cytokines are small messenger proteins that can stimulate inflammation. Cytokines can be pro-inflammatory and cause swelling and heat in the tissues as an inflammatory response. Cytokines are also involved in the sensation of pain. CBD has been shown to downregulate cytokines. The primary problem with inflammation is the increased production of free radicals, causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the balance between the production of free radicals and the presence of antioxidants. When there are more free radicals than antioxidants, the body becomes stressed and out of balance, and tissue damage occurs in general. When oxidative stress operates, total speed damage occurs to proteins, fats, and genetic material, specifically. CBD has been shown to have potent antioxidant activity. Signs of inflammation include:
If inflammation is necessary for our body to heal, what types of inflammation do we need to control to feel well and still be in balance and healthy? Acute inflammation Inflammation can be divided into acute and chronic. There is local vasodilation, increased capillary perfusion, accumulation of fluid, and pain from increased cytokine production in acute inflammation.” If these processes are not halted, such as by the use of CBD, and whatever caused the inflammation is not removed, progression to chronic inflammation will occur, which is characterized by a maladaptive immune system and the overexpression of pro-inflammatory genes, the dysregulation of cellular signaling and the loss of barrier function. Examples of acute inflammation:
A reaction to an acute injury will begin within two hours of the injury, and anti-inflammatory measures are generally begun to prevent the inflammation from causing tissue damage or pain from the resulting swelling. Acute inflammation can serve a positive role if it stops an infection from causing tissue damage or cushions an injured joint from further harm. Chronic inflammation is a maladapted immune system response of the immune, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems to a perceived threat or injury. This maladaptation leads to such diseases as:
Can CBD be Used for Inflammation? Some of these chronic conditions do not have acceptable treatments for the pain associated with them, such as osteoarthritis. Opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories often do not adequately control the pain and/or are not acceptable as a treatment option. In a landscape of opioid addiction, other viable pain relievers must be found. This is where CBD can be safely used topically or orally to control the pain from the inflammatory process. CBD as a Safe Alternative Anti-inflammatory Current therapies for inflammation involve pharmaceutical drugs with well-known and mostly adverse side-effect risk profiles not only on the cardiovascular system but also on the gastrointestinal tract. Drugs such as diclofenac sodium or ibuprofen are common pharmaceutical answers to inflammation, but they come at a price that may put your heart or gut at risk. CBD has few to no adverse side effects making it a perfect alternative to more dangerous therapies. Does CBD Help With Inflammation? CBD is well known for its anti-inflammatory effects, and CBD limits the formation of free radicals and modulates the function of the immune system. How does it do this? CBD is known to: ● Increase cellular apoptosis (cellular death). Cell death refers to leakage of cell contents into the adjacent tissues, resulting in the transfer of white blood cells to the injured tissue. The accumulation of white blood cells and enzymes and oxygen radicals release enhances the inflammatory reaction. ● Inhibit cell proliferation. The cellular division increases rapidly during the inflammatory process, and CBD slows down the growth of unruly cells. ● Inhibit cytokine production. Cytokines are signaling molecules released from immune cells that cause inflammation. ● Stimulates induction of T-regulatory cells. T-regulatory cells prevent auto-immune disease, are immunosuppressive, and promote wound healing. ● IL-6 suppression IL-6 has pro-inflammatory characteristics and plays a pathological role in autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. CBD amplifies CB2 receptor signaling, which regulates inflammation and immune cell activity. It does this without actually binding to the CB2 receptor, and CBD can down-regulate the CB1 receptor while up-regulating the CB2 receptor. It does this through a myriad of parallel metabolic pathways involving other receptor sites and enzymatic actions. Its actions are often termed the “entourage effect” since CBD works in concert with terpenes, flavonoids and other synergistic molecules to achieve its anti-inflammatory effect. CBD is also known to inhibit a specific enzyme (FAAH) that breaks down the body’s own endocannabinoid, Anandamide, causing these levels to be elevated exerting another synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. CBD Dosage for Inflammation Clinical trials are fervently underway to answer the myriad of questions the new legal status of CBD has ushered in. With CBD status now primarily legal in the US and Europe and the rest of the world taking a renewed interest in it pharmacologically, studies that can accurately answer CBD dosage questions are underway. For now, we have a plethora of animal studies that cannot be extrapolated to humans and small, poorly designed human trials from which to glean some information on dosages for inflammation. Topical doses of CBD for inflammation Animal studies have shown us that low doses of CBD do not exert an anti-inflammatory effect that we must turn to higher doses to achieve local effects. This could be because CBD will interact with cannabinoid receptors in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin tissue) but not enter the endocannabinoid system itself. The epidermis has cannabinoid receptors, but the effect is local, not systemic, which is why topicals can be used without the CBD getting into the bloodstream and, thus, the entire endocannabinoid system. Transdermal applications have shown a dose-dependent response, with the higher doses giving greater pain relief. Animal studies showed a wide range of effective doses from 6.2 – 62 mg/day. Transdermal applications enter the endocannabinoid system. Oral doses of CBD for inflammation Oral bioavailability is quite low – about 13%-19% of the ingested amount. According to one study, suggested oral amounts are 5-25 mg/kg/day. To get an idea how much CBD oil this would be for anti-inflammation for this woman, calculate: for a 60 kg woman, take 60 kg and multiply by 5mg = 300 mg of CBD. The low oral bioavailability is due to the excretion of metabolites via the kidneys and the multiple metabolic pathways CBD undergoes in the transition from the gastrointestinal tract through the liver and then undergoing elimination. Oral CBD bioavailability can be increased if taken sublingually and held under the tongue putting the oil in direct contact with the blood vessel located on the underside of the tongue. Hold the oil there for 60-90 seconds. CBD doses based on weight Other resources based on body weight suggest a dose range of 1-6 mg of CBD per 10 lbs. Of body weight. The weight guideline is unclear on whether these dosage recommendations are for inhaled or oil-based products. For example, starting at the lowest dose of 1 mg per 10 lbs., a 100 lb. woman would need 100 lbs. divided by 10 = 10 x 1 mg = 10 mg to start. Dosages will vary according to several variables, including sex, genetics, environment, presence of food, the form of CBD, age, and others. A scientific basis for the weight guidelines is not found and varies from website to website. What about CBD vaping for inflammation? Doses by inhalation would theoretically be lower as you don’t have to deal with the first pass metabolism associated with digestion and the CBD would pass into the bloodstream within minutes. Clinical data on inhalation doses for inflammation are currently lacking, although a proposal for an aerosol delivery system of 4 mg -200 mg of CBD has been proposed. Is CBD legal for athletes to take for their injuries? All cannabinoids except for CBD are prohibited from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so CBD is in the clear for using topically or orally to treat inflammatory conditions resulting from sports trauma or injuries. Topical ointments and creams packed with CBD are widely available in doses up to 3500 mg for application on injured areas to subdue pain and reduce swelling in the injured athlete. These may be used in conjunction with CBD oils for a synergistic effect. Application We know CBD works for inflammation, and it offers a safer alternative than opioids or NSAIDs. Many products for CBD treatment exist, and more are being put on the patent market every day. The literature supports using both topical and oral CBD for inflammation, with dosages yet to be determined. Acute inflammation would benefit from topical use of the creams and lotions with supportive oral use as prevention for a few days. More chronic conditions might want to consider oral or aerosol/inhalation devices for use every day to prevent the persistent discomfort prevalent with the pain these inflammatory dysfunctions often bring. And, always, if in doubt, consult your physician or health provider for guidance.
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