Boosting Your Immune System with CBD
Covid-19 is making us think more about our immune systems. Society is focused on making sure supplements are taken, hands are washed, and refraining from not being so invasive in others people’s space. Many are also looking at CBD for boosting the immune system.
People are used to orange juice, airborne, and vitamin C supplements. Now, many are starting to look at CBD and for good reason. The human endocannabinoid system and Cannabis plant endocannabinoid system create magic together. Here’s how.
In a previous piece on the blog, the human endocannabinoid system was discussed in detail, as related to the endocannabinoid system found in plant Cannabis - both have one! The human endocannabinoid system, which produces cannabinoid - just like plant Cannabis, is involved in a wide variety of processes including immune function.
Consuming CBD means consuming cannabinoids, and paired with the ones made by the body, magic is created. The endocannabinoid system supports the immune system and so a strong one does a body good. CBD helps contribute to immune health strength, through the endocannabinoid system.
Overview of Immune System
The immune system is a network of cells, organs, and tissues that work together to destroy foreign cells or particles, thus keeping you healthy and alive. The key players who make this happen: white blood cells.
There are two types of white blood cells: lymphocytes and phagocytes. Lymphocytes are more commonly known as B-cells and T-cells, and they destroy antigens (toxins or harmful foreign substances). They also help your body remember these foreign substances so that the immune system can respond quickly and appropriately when it detects another invasion. Phagocytes help absorb and neutralize the invaders, preventing them from spreading and causing more damage.
In addition to protecting the body against toxic invaders, the immune system is responsible for detecting and eliminating cells that aren’t working properly. Once found, the immune system initiates apoptosis, or cell death, so that the defective cells do not multiply and form tumors.
CBD and the Immune System
Project CBD states that the effects of Cannabis are mediated primarily by the endocannabinoid system, which scientists believe interacts with all biological activity, including our immune system. Some studies suggest that cannabinoids like THC and CBD are immunosuppressant. This is a possible explanation for the relief experienced by medical Cannabis consumers with autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation and thus boosting your immune system with CBD could help.
Other studies have shown that Cannabis use can increase white blood cell counts (a key player in the immune system’s arsenal) in immunodeficiency disorders such as HIV, suggesting an immune-boosting effect. There is still a lot to be discovered about CBD and the immune system, but studies are showing that Cannabis as a whole has promising effects on the human immune system.
How CBD Impacts the Immune System
For optimum body functioning, communication between immune cells, tissues, and organs is necessary. Project CBD explains the importance of the endocannabinoid system:
“The ECS regulates a plethora of physiological processes, including immune function and inflammation. Both CB1 and CB2 receptors can be found on immune cells, although there are between 10-100 times more CB2 receptors than CB1. Endocannabinoids act upon immune cells directly through the CB2 receptor.”
And from the last piece on the blog, we know that although CBD isn’t an exact match for either receptor, it does stimulate both receptors, and causes a reaction without binding directly, creating changes in cells that contain them. So directly, and maybe indirectly, CBD contributes to the operation of the CB2 receptor which is found in the immune system.
And maybe the changes caused by CBD in the immune system, via white blood cells, are changes for the better- meaning healing! CBD Hemp Experts say:
“CBD is an intelligent immunomodulator and knows exactly what reactions our body must take to aid the immune system in fighting whatever may be dampening the bodies full functionality.”
In Closing
Right now, Covid-19 and immune health are the focus. There is information out there, supporting Cannabis/CBD as a remedy for preventing and healing Covid-19. That’s not hard to believe considering the information above covering Cannabis/CBD and the immune system.
There haven’t been any direct research, studies, or trials (because the government still has Cannabis on schedule 1) that support Cannabis having profound anti-viral properties that can help with anything Covid-19. Reuters reports the following about Cannabis and Covid-19:
“There is no evidence to back up the claim that cannabis kills coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists smoking as one of the things that are not effective against the virus and might cause harm. While this might refer to cigarettes smoking, the American Lung Association explains that smoking cannabis can also damage lungs and potentially affect the immune system and its ability to fight off diseases.”
Boosting your immune system with CBD is magical because it can be consumed in multiple non-harmful ways: oil, edible, vape, and topical.
