Managing Inflammation with CBD

Inflammation, or the inflammatory response, is an aspect of the body’s immune response. While short-term inflammation can be protective, chronic inflammation is linked to several diseases including asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and a number of autoimmune conditions, as well as in other seemingly unrelated conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Inflammation often goes hand in hand with pain. The most common symptoms of inflammation include pain, heat, redness, and swelling. Typically, inflammation is treated with anti-inflammatory medications, including both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroid medications.

Such medications have risks and side effects, however. Some people choose to take a more preventative approach to treating inflammation, such as consuming an anti-inflammatory diet, and taking anti-inflammatory supplements. 

 CBD vs Traditional Prescription NSAIDs

One way CBD can reduce inflammation is by inhibiting an eicosanoid enzyme called COX2. Inflammation is a complicated process involving many signaling pathways. The body uses signaling molecules called eicosanoids (COX2) to initiate the inflammatory response. NSAID medications such as Advil and Aspirin also target COX2 in their method of action.

Unfortunately, recent studies are showing that 15% of NSAID users are exceeding the maximum daily dose, (with and without being aware) which increases the potential for dangerous side effects such as risk of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and kidney problems, allergies, skin reactions, swelling, wheezing, hives, blisters, and skin rash.

NSAID's primary function is to reduce pain by decreasing inflammation. CBD has been found to have similar anti-inflammatory properties, again without the side effects.

CBD also appears to affect a class of molecules important to the inflammation process called cytokines. CBD tends to reduce the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation.

In addition to the anti-inflammatory and pain reducing effects, CBD can help to decrease feelings of stress and anxiety by having a calming effect on the central nervous system. A meta-analysis showed that 79.2% of humans taking CBD daily experienced symptomatic improvement in one month with similar efficacy one month later. 

Environmentally, NSAIDs are released into the environment via excretion and unused drug waste which can cause environmental damage and contaminates marine, ground, and surface water. In contrast CBD is a natural compound that is properly utilized by the body, even if some should end up in the environment it is fully biodegradable making it harmless. 

 What does the Science Say?

There is some evidence supporting the idea that CBD can act as an anti-inflammatory treatment for some diseases.

A 2008 study in mice found that CBD prevented the onset of type 1 diabetes, an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the beta cells of the pancreas.

Another 2013 study found that CBD protected against the harmful effects of inflammation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

A 2013 review concluded that CBD was a potential candidate for an inflammatory bowel disease medication. However, a 2017 clinical trial found CBD to be safe, but ineffective for the condition. The authors said their results could “be due to the small dose of CBD, the small number of patients in the study, or the lack of the necessary synergism with other cannabinoids.”

When asked if CBD might be able to treat inflammatory health conditions, Dr. Michael Verbora, MD, cannabinoid expert and chief medical officer at Aleafia Health, had a simple message: “CBD is known to be an anti-inflammatory and it is likely one of the safest medicines to provide such an effect.”

 Education Center: "How does CBD Really Stop Pain?"

 

 Why Choose 8Labs CBD?

 Message from 8Labs Founder & CEO

Our hemp has a unique chemical composition. It is extremely rich in CBD and other cannabinoids with less than 0.3% THC. Therefore, our products do not have any negative effects associated with marijuana and THC use. With 8LABS CBD, you receive all the positive benefits of hemp’s full spectrum of components, with absolutely zero psychoactive effects.

8LABS CBD products contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids including CBC, CBG, CBDA, CBN and others. Additionally, our extracts contain terpenes - organic hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants. Together CBD, other cannabinoids and terpenes all interact synergistically to create what scientists refer to as an “entourage effect” that magnifies the therapeutic benefits of the plant’s individual components—so that the medicinal impact of the whole plant is greater than the sum of its parts.

We have a strict quality control program including on site chromatography reviews and independent lab tests on each batch of product. These reports confirm that the components of hemp remain potent, completely undenatured, and fully active. We maintain high standards of purity and potency to deliver only the highest grade CBD.

 

Sources:

1. https://www.leafly.com/news/health/cbd-for-inflammation-science
2. https://worldhealth.net/news/why-cbd-oil-better-nsaids/