Wellness from Inflammation. Can CBD Help?
We’ve all dealt with inflammation in our bodies on some level during our lives. So what is inflammation and how does it affect the human body? In a most basic sense, inflammation is created when the body is trying to ward off threats to the normal homeostasis or balance of all the cells and systems in our body. These threats can be caused by injury, infections or reactions to toxins. When something damages cells in your body, chemicals are released to mitigate and stop the damage, helping bring the body back into balance. Ever experienced a sprained ankle or jammed a finger? The body immediately increases blood flow to that area while also releasing healing proteins and antibodies. One of the byproducts of all this activity is heat. If you can reduce heat, in a sprain for example, you also reduce swelling, pain and promote healing. Ice is most effective at doing exactly that. Can all natural plant based CBD cool the heat of inflammation and bring healing in other areas of your body? Read on.
Chronic Inflammation. A Simplified Discussion.
When inflammation is present for an extended period of time within the body it means your body is doing its best to ward off some type of threat. Extended periods of inflammation are known as chronic inflammation. Studies have suggested that chronic inflammation is detrimental to the body, potentially damaging tissues and organs that may result in more serious conditions like arthritis, asthma, and cancer.
How Does CBD Work Inside The Body?
Virtually all animals, humans and pets have what is known as an endocannabinoid system. It’s kind of like a control mechanism that constantly scans your body and looks for anomalies or abnormalities that are out of balance or causing problems; for example conditions that might cause inflammation. CBD targets the endocannabinoid system by interacting with receptors in the brain and central nervous system to help promote balance, or homeostasis within the body. Without getting too technical, CBD binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors that are found in nerve and immune cells that are in almost all organs within the body to potentially benefit to keep them in balance or bring them back into homeostasis. Another method CBD may utilize to possibly reduce inflammation is by inhibiting an enzyme in the body known as COX2. Non-steroidal drugs like Aleve and Advil utilize the same process in pain and inflammation reduction, however CBD is a plant based healing cannabidinol that is not as hard on your stomach and liver as NASID’s or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore CBD is more easily tolerated by the body with less side effects than NASID’s. CBD also appears to positively affect molecules known as cytokines by reducing the impact they play in the inflammation process. Additionally, high blood pressure can be caused by inflammation in the body. The stress and anxiety reducing potential of CBD may reduce blood pressure which in effect also acts as a strong antioxidant and may help reduce inflammation too.
Informed Decisions
Though there is much to be learned about the efficacy and safety of CBD, results from recent studies suggest that CBD may provide a safe, powerful natural treatment for many health issues, including the possible reduction of inflammation within the body. Here’s a great article published by the National Institute of Health, Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs, that discusses at length the findings of utilizing CBD and cannabidinols to reduce inflammation, treat arthritis, MS, colitis amount other health issues. Apparently, the Chinese were on to something when they began using cannabidinols for benefit in treating pain and inflammation for maladies such as gout and arthritis as early as 2500BC and there is still a growing body of evidence that promotes why these natural borne plant based compounds are still in use today.
*The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.
