The effect of CBD oil on autoimmune diseases
We live in a time when terms like CBD oil and autoimmune diseases are being bandied about more and more often. But few can say exactly what lies beneath the former or the latter and uncover a possible link between the two.
CBD oil
Cannabidiol is a substance found naturally in the cannabis plant. It contains several dozen beneficial substances, but CBD stands out among them. The interest from users and the rapidly expanding number of manufacturers and sellers clearly proves this. It has no psychoactive effects, it is legal (but the level of legality needs to be verified in each country) and, based on numerous research and studies, it can be confirmed to have many health benefits. It can aid in better quality sleep, relieve chronic pain, combat stress, balance blood pressure, alleviate depression and anxiety, and last but not least, effectively intervene in autoimmune disease.
There is a wide variety of CBD-containing products on the market today, from the flowers themselves, to bottles (CBD gummies), sprays, vaporizer pens, teas, crystals, concentrates, to patches and cosmetics, with CBD drops (oil) long being among the most popular. CBD use is safe, and potential side effects are mostly mild. Dry mouth, drowsiness or weight fluctuations are among the typical symptoms. Dosage and intake should therefore always be regulated according to how your body reacts to CBD.
Autoimmune disorders
The name itself suggests that it is a medical complication related to the functioning of the immune system. It attacks the body's own tissues, organs and naturally occurring substances. In normal operation, it protects against the entry of antigen into the body. If this already happens, it starts to produce antibodies and destroys the harmful substances. When an autoimmune disease develops, it loses this ability and the ability to recognize toxic components is in decline. In the advanced stage of the disease, it also destroys its own tissues and cells, leading to hypersensitivity of the organism.
The cause has not been discovered to date, but statistics suggest that environmental or genetic predispositions may be one of the culprits. In contrast, the hygiene hypothesis sees the source of the problem in overexposure to antibiotics. Currently, nearly eight per cent of the population in the developed world suffers from autoimmune diseases, and three-quarters of these are women. Of the eighty diseases that fall into this category, the most common are sugar, lupus, celiac disease, lupus, gout, vitiligo, fragmentary sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, glandular problemsor the increasingly common myasthenia gravis.
An important link
The link between CBD and autoimmune disease is increasingly the subject of various studies. It is now clear that the common denominator is the endocannabinoid system. It is a complex system of cell signaling and the right arm of the nervous system. It is responsible for hundreds of different functions from drowsiness to feelings of hunger, from muscle coordination to reproductive issues, coping with stress or skin and connective tissue problems.
In autoimmune disease, treatment with immunosuppressive drugs is usually deployed. It can be beneficial in the beginning and there is a partial improvement in health as the immune system "shuts down" and cannot attack healthy cells. Unfortunately, it usually weakens so dramatically that it is almost impossible for it to re-establish a protective barrier. This is when the use of CBD oil can be helpful. By binding to receptors, it is possible to improve many bodily functions related to organs and processes in the human body.
Research on ECS is still in its infancy. The first references date back to the late 1980s. But it is undeniable that one of its roles is to maintain homeostasis between all the functions involved in the body. It is enough to ensure that the endocannabinoid system is constantly active. But this can be a problem. The shelf-life of endocannabinoids (i.e. cannabinoids that our own body makes) is relatively short and they can't follow up on "work that has been done". The goal is to keep them alive. And that's exactly what regular intake of CBD can solve.
In the long term, it can be confirmed that CBD prolongs the lifespan of endocannabinoids and allows them to better respond to the needs of organs and processes in the body. In addition, research suggests that CBD slows down the production of T-cells and prevents disproportionate immune system reactions. The terpenes (aromatic compounds found in cannabis) beta-caryophyllene and myrcene can effectively fight inflammation.
A deficiency of endocannabinoids is dangerous to the body and can trigger autoimmune diseases or significantly worsen their manifestations.
Balance is essential
CBD may seem to be effective in fighting autoimmune disease in a relatively short period of time. Understandably, patients get bored of dosing drop by drop and waiting for a gradual improvement in their health. But for a positive and, above all, lasting result, this is essential. The amount and concentration of CBD oil depends on many factors such as previous experience, allergies, hypersensitivity (one of the main manifestations of autoimmune disease), prescription medications, physical condition and countless others. The size of a single dose also depends on the form in which you intend to ingest CBD. However, dosing has many specifics and it is always best to discuss everything with your doctors.
CBD oil is clearly the most popular method. The drop is applied under the tongue, where it should linger for 30 to 60 seconds for maximum bioavailability. The proportion of CBD in a single drop should not exceed 15 mg at the start. Subsequently, it is necessary to wait several hours for the oil to pass through the digestive tract and be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The solution for users who cannot tolerate the specific taste of CBD is capsules. However, the amount is clearly given and may not fully meet the needs of the individual. They fall into the same category as tablets or candy. Even in this case, a single dose should not exceed 15 mg.
With topical CBD products, it is ideal to start twenty-four hours in advance when you undergo the test if your skin does not react irritably. Only then apply to a larger area and leave to work.
Conclusion
CBD is the most well-known cannabinoid extracted from cannabis and has received the most attention, but research has not yet reached the point where it is common (and possible) to substitute it for medical treatment. However, users and patients regularly confirm that CBD drops have relieved many ailments, and a significant shift has been seen particularly in lupus and arthritis. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the link between CBD and autoimmune diseases will be increasingly explored by experts.
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