Meta title: Can CBD Help Your Immune System?
Meta description: CBD can dampen down or stimulate the immune system to provide optimal immune function depending on your inflammatory state
Permalink: cbd-immune-system

If you have a compromised immune system, or you simply need a boost or immunity reduction, there is evidence to suggest that CBD is a promising option for optimal immune function.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been shown to both stimulate and dampen down the immune system. CBD acts on CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system in order to either promote or decrease immune function. This can help in a wide variety of diseases, depending on whether you have an over or underactive immune system.

How Does CBD Affect the Immune System?

Anti-Inflammatory

CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system, meaning it dampens down the immune response (1). The immune system is responsible for keeping us healthy and fighting off invading pathogens. Inflammation is normal and highly functioning in the body in response to threats (2).

This helps to block invading pathogens and fight potential illnesses, keeping us healthy. In some cases, though, we need to reduce immune function, particularly in people who live with chronic immune conditions that cause their immune system to be overactive,
damaging their body. This includes diabetes, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. As such, it is also important to have substances that can produce anti-inflammatory responses.

CBD acts on two different cannabinoid receptors in the body, CB1 and CB2. CB2 is known to directly impact the immune response by regulating proliferation, development and migration of a wide range of cells, modulating the function of immune cells (3). These receptors can be activated by naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body. When CBD enters the body, it can bind to CB2 receptors and block them, blocking these pathways, leading to a decrease in overall immune function.

As well as blocking the CB2 receptors, the presence of CBD in the body also impacts the levels of cytokines. Cytokines are small molecules released by immune cells that help to activate and deactivate the immune system. Some evidence has shown that
CBD interferes with the release of cytokines, indicating they could disrupt the initiation of the immune system before it even gets started (4).

Evidence shows CBD affects the immune system in a variety of ways, all of which appear to lead to the dampening down of the immune response. This is especially beneficial in autoimmune diseases, where the immune system is overregulated leading to pain, stiffness, and damage to multiple internal organs.

Pro-Inflammatory

Interestingly, CBD has also been shown to stimulate the immune system. As mentioned,
CBD can act on two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. It is currently thought that
activation of CB1 receptors can lead to the upregulation of the immune system. This is
important for people with a weak immune system (5). Individuals with inadequate
immune systems are prone to infection due to the body being unable to fight off
pathogens. A high functioning immune system is also important in people with
conditions such as cancer, where the immune system is not strong enough to prevent
tumour growth and spread. CBD has therefore proven to be beneficial in boosting the
immune system as well as dampening it down.

Research On CBD And Immunity/Health Conditions

Anti-Inflammatory

CBD has been shown to aid in a number of health conditions, particularly autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by overactivation of the immune system, leading to the body attacking its own healthy cells. This long-term stimulation of
the immune system can lead to damage of healthy cells and even internal organs. There are a wide range of autoimmune conditions that have been shown to benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.

Arthritis

One of the most common autoimmune diseases is rheumatoid arthritis. This is characterized by joint pain and decreased motility to the immune system attacking the cells in the joints. Recent studies have indicated that CBD products can improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. CBD has demonstrated the potential to provide antiarthritic properties (6).

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition where the body starts to attack the neurons in the central nervous system. A study looking at 137 people with multiplesclerosis found that CBD reduced multiple sclerosis symptoms (7). This is thought to be attributed to the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD, reducing the impact of the overstimulated immune system.

Pro-Inflammatory

CBD has also proven to be beneficial in a wide range of conditions as a pro-inflammatory supplement. Diseases that are characterized by an underfunctioning immune system have been shown to benefit from CBD. One particular example of this is in patients with cancer.

Cancer

Cancer is characterized by a weakened overall immune response, particularly if patients have also undergone chemotherapy. One of the problems with cancer development isthat the body does not attack and kill cancer cells, leading to the development of tumours that can spread throughout the body.

Studies have shown high-dose CBD can induce death and decrease proliferation of cancer cells (8). This indicates CBD could help to boost the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Another study also found that CBD reduced tumour growth in patients with cancer (9). The proinflammatory properties of CBD therefore have the potential to help in cancer treatment and management in the future.

Companies such as Phoenix Life Sciences International Ltd have identified the potential of CBD to manipulate the immune system in order to provide optimal function. Phoenix Life Sciences Chief Executive Officer, Willis Victory and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Roni
Deluz, have researched the potential pro and anti-inflammatory functions of CBD, and have developed products to target this in order to aid in the management of conditions such as diabetes, pain, and cancer. These scientific foundations are therefore being recognized in order to develop products to produce optimal results.

The Bottom Line

CBD has shown immense potential in providing optimal function of the immune system. Regardless of if your immune system is impaired or hyperactive, CBD can help to increase or decrease immune function by acting on different receptors in the endocannabinoid system. CBD provides the potential for optimum immune function and overall health, and this is being recognized by companies invested in improving the health of individuals.

Article Written By: Willis Victory
Chief Executive Officer for Phoenix Life Sciences International
July 6th, 2020
San Diego, California