Healthcare Technology Featured Article

June 18, 2021

4 Tips On Using CBD For Inflammation




CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid (compound) of the cannabis plant. It was first identified and isolated by the American chemist, Roger Adams, in 1940. That same year, Dr. Robert Mechoulam, an Israeli scientist, conducted further scientific studies on CBD and identified its chemical structure. Dr. Mechoulam is also the scientist who identified and isolated another cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Scientists have subsequently found at least 113 cannabinoids in the marijuana plant, including CBD and THC. Of these cannabinoids, THC, according to Dr. Mechoulam’s findings, is responsible for getting that ‘high’ feeling. CBD, on the other hand, is a cannabinoid that has no psychotropic effects. What the scientists found, however, is its potential medicinal value.  

CBD And Its Potential Medicinal Value

Nowadays, the CBD found in most products, like this Rescue Relief from CBD Puroil, is extracted from hemp, which is a cannabis plant bred specifically for its higher CBD and negligible THC content. Modern CBD products, by law, must have a content of THC not higher than 0.3%. In the UK, it’s less than 0.2%. After all, cannabis and its products are still illegal at the federal level.

Now that many states have legalized medical and recreational cannabis use, CBD’s market has grown exponentially. By 2021, the market is expected to reach USD$3.5 billion. As a result, researchers are also able to conduct more studies regarding cannabis. Additionally, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) has also allowed a few organizations to grow marijuana for research.

Although scientists have presented their findings of CBD and its anti-epileptic properties in the 80s, it was only in 2018 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a CBD-derived drug (Epidiolex) to treat seizures connected to epilepsy. The medical community has finally accepted, albeit with reservations, that CBD has medicinal benefits.         

CBD And Inflammation

Inflammation occurs as the body’s protective response against pain and others that can harm it, like infections, toxins, or injuries. In other words, it’s your body's attempt to protect and heal itself. Inflammation has two types: acute and chronic.

  • Acute inflammation typically occurs after an illness, injury, or infection. In turn, the immune system releases cells to your body’s affected area as protection. This causes swelling and redness.
  • Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is the body’s persistent inflammatory response. Prolonged inflammation is harmful to your body as it could damage organs and tissues.

Chronic inflammation is also associated with long-term diseases, such as asthma and tuberculosis. Inflammation may be a crucial factor in healing, but chronic inflammation increases the risk of many diseases, like arthritis, periodontitis, and even some forms of cancer.

Several published studies suggest CBD could act as an effective treatment for inflammation as an effect of different diseases. The studies published are promising, but keep in mind that clinical trials done so far are still not considered conclusive. More rigorous clinical trials are still needed.

Ways That CBD Might Reduce Inflammation

Moreover, most CBD studies were done on animals. Clinical trials involving humans would require further studies. Still, animal trials conducted so far showed very promising results, especially regarding CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.

In the studies, it was shown that the cannabinoid appears to be capable of interacting with the body’s immune system, reducing inflammation, as well as pain, caused by various conditions.

One way it can potentially reduce inflammation is by hindering an enzyme (Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) that helps your body in creating inflammation. Other medications, like Aspirin, also work by targeting that very same enzyme. Additionally, CBD may also affect inflammation by acting on the body’s ECS (endocannabinoid system). Your body’s ECS is essential for making sure that your nervous and immune systems are in optimum shape.

CBD also appears to affect anandamide, one of your body’s enzymes responsible for regulating inflammation. It may also reduce cytokines, a protein in your immune system that’s also involved in creating inflammation. These properties of CBD may result in the reduction of inflammation.     

CBD’s effects on inflammation appear to be through the cannabinoid receptors, which are activated as a response to inflammation. Cannabinoid receptors are a part of ECS.       

Tips on Using CBD Oil For Inflammation

There are many CBD products that you can choose from, but probably the easiest and most effective way is CBD oil. Here are few tips on using CBD to treat inflammation:

1. Take Little Steps

Any journey worth taking starts with a step. So, if this is the first time you’re using CBD, you should start by taking a small amount of the oil and see if that amount gives you relief.

You can adjust the amount by experimenting with different doses so you can find out the correct amount of dosage that works for you.

2. Choose your Preferred Dosage Delivery Method

There are several ways of taking CBD oil. Check these methods out and see which is better for you:

  • Eat CBD oil-infused edibles     
  • Directly ingest CBD oil
  • CBD oil transdermal patch (via skin patch)
  • Sublingual (under the tongue) method
  • CBD oil directly applied to the skin 

3. Get The Right CBD Strain
Not all CBDs are created the same. Sometimes, getting the right strain can make all the difference. For example, the hemp plant that was bred specifically to produce the CBD strain used as a treatment for a rare form of childhood epilepsy is called Charlotte’s Web.

Below is a list of some CBD strains that are considered to be suited to treat inflammation:

  • CBD Mango Haze
  • CBD Blue Shark
  • CBD OG Kush
  • Ringo Gifts
  • CBD ACDC
  • CBD Harlequin
  • CBD Supreme Durban
  • Sour Space Candy
  • Sour G
  • Suver Haze

4. Get Quality Products From Reputable Manufacturers
Remember to get your CBD oil from manufacturers that adhere to practices established by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. However, since CBD products aren’t federally regulated, the manufacturers’ adherence to quality standards is voluntary. If they do follow these standards, they’d most likely provide proof.   

Manufacturers also provide a certificate of analysis provided by independent laboratories that use testing methods that are standardized, validated, and approved by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC), and other institutions. In the United Kingdom, they have independent accredited CBD testing laboratories that ensure the quality of CBD products for export and local consumption.

Since CBD is probably one of the most hyped products today, be sure to avoid people who claim all sorts of miraculous cures attributed to CBD. At the end of the day, you still have to consult your doctor regarding the treatment best suited for you.



Conclusion

Many studies indicated CBD’s effectiveness in treating inflammation. However, the studies so far aren’t conclusive (yet). So, although the medical community may accept CBD’s medical benefits, especially in the treatment of epilepsy-related seizures and a few others, the consensus is that more rigorous clinical trials are still needed.

If you’re a first-time user of CBD oil to treat inflammation, try following the tips listed in this article to find out how much you need, how to administer the oil, what strain to choose, and how to ensure you're getting the best quality of CBD oil in the market.


 
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