cbd for illness – Culture For Good

August 25, 2021September 2, 2022

In CBD, Immune Healthby Callie Gilman

5 Ways CBD Can Boost Your Immune System

Scientists have only recently discovered how various cannabinoids work within the body. With this research, many have set their sights on cannabidiols (CBDs) effects on the immune system.

Throughout this article, we’re going to review CBDs relation with the immune system and the illnesses it can potentially treat.

1Direct Immune System Effects

All cannabinoids (including CBD) minimize inflammation and, in effect, are considered immune suppressors.¹ This means CBD will suppress the power of the body’s immune system.

Understandably, this sounds like a negative consequence and, furthermore, a reason to avoid CBD. However, by suppressing the immune system, CBD can actually help the body fight various diseases.

2Help With Autoimmune Diseases

There are a number of diseases linked to hyperactive immune systems, including arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. Since CBD acts as an immune suppressor, it may help those whose immune systems are overactive.²

For example, in people with multiple sclerosis, their body is lead to believe the central nervous system (CNS) is a hazard. In effect, their immune system is jacked up and places protection around nerve fibers which, inevitably, builds up scar tissue. This is what ultimately causes a loss of movement and, in most cases, paralysis within those with multiple sclerosis.³

Scientists continue to struggle in finding a cure. However, since cannabidiol can reduce immune system regulation, there’s a strong possibility it can help with mobility and decrease pain in those with multiple sclerosis.

3Help With Cancer

We’ve all heard cannabis can be the answer to finding a treatment for cancer. And for good reason.

Though cancer will debilitate the immune system, CBD has an effect on cancer cells themselves. Under normal circumstances, our cells self-destruct upon aging. Under cancer’s circumstances, these cells continue to produce rather than leaving our body.

There have been numerous studies looking into how cannabinoids affect our cancer cells. And in one particular study, it was found that CBD triggered many aging cells to self-destruct through something known as apoptosis. In effect, it prevented tumors from expanding.⁴

4Help With HIV/AIDS

Like cancer, HIV/AIDS will suppress the immune system, making CBD seem as though it’s not the right fit for treatment.

Yet, studies have shown that those with HIV who use cannabis products deplete the number of viral loads and stimulate the number of T-cells.

T-cells are necessary for immunity by finding threats within the body and destroying them. Therefore, cannabis products actually activated the immune system.⁵

5Help With Inflammation

Inflammation is quite necessary for healthy body functioning. It helps the body separate areas which are either infected or damaged. In effect, these infections or dangers can’t spread throughout the rest of the body.

Within those with weak immune systems, inflammation is prevented. However, cannabidiol has been found to even out this body’s function. In other words, it allows the body to create inflammation when necessary.

Vice versa, if the body is experiencing too much inflammation, CBD also has the ability to reduce it. In effect, it may be able to help numerous diseases, including⁶:

Acne
Allergies
Arthritis
Asthma
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Will CBD Work for You?

Cannabidiol is universally something that can benefit everyone. Whether you’re suffering from pain, a specific disease, or mental health, CBD has a versatile amount of promising properties.

If you’re suffering from any of the diseases mentioned on this list, we suggest consulting your doctor before taking CBD products. There are some cases where cannabidiol can interact with other medication.

If you’re interested in trying CBD, feel free to check out our products page to learn more.

Reference Sources

¹ HHS Public Access: The Profile of Immune Modulation by Cannabidiol (CBD) Involves Deregulation of Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells (NFAT)

² HHS Public Access: Emerging Role of CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Prospects

³ NCCIH: Multiple Sclerosis

⁴ Current Oncology: Anticancer mechanisms of cannabinoids

⁵ AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses: Cannabinoid Administration Attenuates the Progression of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

⁶ HHS Public Access: Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs

August 23, 2021September 2, 2022

In CBDby Callie Gilman

4 Tips For Taking CBD When You’re Sick

When the cold, flu (influenza), or a virus comes on, the body has a tendency to produce some nasty symptoms. These include:

Body aches
Congestion
Fatigue
Headaches
Runny nose
Sore throats

Though over-the-counter medication does all it can to alleviate these symptoms, it never seems to be enough. With cannabidiol (CBD) making so many headlines as a therapeutic medication, it comes as no surprise many people wonder if it can help for common sicknesses. There are ways in which CBD can help and ways in which it can actually worsen symptoms. Throughout this article, we’re going to review both.

1CBD vs. Traditional Medication

Though over-the-counter medication does all it can to alleviate the cold and flu symptoms, it never seems to be enough. With cannabidiol (CBD) making so many headlines as a therapeutic medication, it comes as no surprise many people wonder if it can help for common sicknesses. As you’re probably aware, there currently isn’t a cure for the common cold or flu. Though getting your flu shot before the winter season can help (and is highly advised), dodging these common sicknesses at least once a year is practically unavoidable. With the understanding, most medication out there seeks to relieve symptoms rather than targeting viruses. Since a new flu or cold virus appears so frequently, scientists don’t have the time nor ability to develop a medication that properly kills it off.

Keeping all this in mind, CBD also doesn’t have the ability to kill off a cold virus. In other words, if you’re already feeling the onset of a cold, you’re bound to get symptoms.

However, CBD may just have the ability to alleviate some of these symptoms.

2Pain Relief

Research has confirmed CBD can be used as a treatment method for chronic pain.³ This data suggests it may help with some of the pain associated with a cold or flu, such as body aches and headaches. However, this suggestion isn’t confirmed.

3Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Viral

Currently, there is no research suggesting CBD can properly fight off a cold or flu virus or infection. However, due to cannabidiols anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, it might help in getting rid of your sickness faster.⁴

4Cold And Flu Symptom Help

One of the biggest discoveries scientists made was CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. Certain cold and flu symptoms can be associated with inflammation, such as a sore throat or swollen nasal and sinus passageways.⁵ Numerous studies have also found CBD can help people who suffer from nausea. Sometimes, when we get a cold or flu, we experience nausea or vomiting.⁶ One of the biggest difficulties when it comes to getting the flu or cold is many people feel restless. Cannabidiol can not only help people get to bed quicker, but also give them better quality sleep.⁸

Taking CBD While Sick

There are methods of taking cannabidiol which most likely won’t help you when you’re sick. For example, smoking hemp buds or vaping CBD e-liquid juice can actually worsen certain symptoms, such as a sore throat.

If you’re thinking about taking cannabidiol while you’re sick, it’s suggested you consume it through an edible, tincture, or topical. If interested in finding products of this category, feel free to check out Culture for Good’s products page.

Reference Sources

¹ CDC: Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others

² World Health Organization: Cannabidiol (CBD)

³ Dovepress: Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain

⁴ PubMed: Antibacterial activity of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.

⁵ HHS Public Access: Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs

⁶ BJP: Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids

⁷ Frontiers in Immunology: Targeting Cannabinoid Signaling in the Immune System: “High”-ly Exciting Questions, Possibilities, and Challenges

⁸ The Permanente Journal: Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series

August 20, 2021September 2, 2022

In Cancer, CBDby Callie Gilman

4 Facts We Know About CBD and Cancer

Some scientists have alluded to the idea that cannabidiol CBD might just be a strong fighting agent against cancer. And this is quite exciting news considering medical professionals still don’t have access to a cure. Over the last decade, a lot of research has gone into this topic. Unfortunately, the FDA still hasn’t approved CBD nor any cannabis product for the treatment of cancer. However, as more research develops, opinions continue to change and a push for better regulations arises.

So, how much do we know and is CBD really going to be the miracle medicine we’ve been looking for? Throughout this article, we’re going to look into what research says surrounding CBD and cancer.

1CBD And Preventing The Spread Of Cancer

Before we dive deeper into this topic, it’s important to remember that there are a lot of different forms of cancer. And the research we currently have has only looked into so many of these.

What we know, as of this time, is:

Through a 2015 study, it was found that there was a link between cannabis use and bladder cancer. The study concluded that those who used cannabis (namely marijuana which has some CBD) were 45% less likely to develop bladder cancer.¹

In another study, it was found that CBD averted a specific gene known to cause breast cancer. It was also discovered to impede on ID-1 which prevents cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.²

Other research has found that CBD, along with the cannabinoids cannabivarin (CBV) and cannabigerol (CBG), has been found to control gene regulation responsible for the spread of skin cancer.³

What research confirms is CBD can’t necessarily battle cancer the way many people hoped. However, it may just be able to prevent cancer from spreading. And, with that, doctors may one day use it as a complementary therapy to already standard treatment.

2CBD And Treating Cancer

Though research is still limited, what it shows it that CBD prevents cancer growth, but doesn’t get rid of cancer as a whole. Therefore, it’s unlikely cannabidiol will ever be the “cure” for cancer. However, that’s not to say it can’t save lives. If cancer is found in the early stages (or if someone makes CBD a regular part of their supplementary diet), then this might have the ability to stop it from reaching fatal levels.

Still, it’s important to mention that as of this time, medical professionals aren’t entirely sure how CBD and cancer cells truly work with one another.

3CBD And Complementary Therapy For Cancer

The role of CBD goes beyond potentially being able to prevent cancer from spreading. The current treatment for cancer (primarily, chemotherapy) is extremely uncomfortable and comes with a list of side effects. It’s been discovered CBD may be able to help make this treatment a bit more bearable.

This is due to the fact that CBD has the ability to:

Alleviate nausea – Chemotherapy tends to leave people feeling nauseous – many times to the point of vomiting. Research has found that many cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, are able to reduce nausea within people.⁵
Relieve pain – both THC and CBD have been hailed as prominent pain releivers as they directly (and indirectly) affect our endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for delivering pain neurotransmitters to the brain and other areas of the body. This can also potentially put an end to the escalating opioid epidemic.
Stimulate the appetite – When someone undergoes chemotherapy, it’s common for them to lose a lot of weight. Due to high levels of nausea, eating becomes an uncomfortable process. However, the cannabinoid THC (along with a few others) has been found to help stimulate a person’s appetite.⁶

Still, even with these benefits, it should be mentioned that CBD comes with some notable side effects. These include:⁷

Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Muscle relaxation
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
Reduced digestion

4CBD In The Future For Cancer

The information throughout this article is the sum of what we know about cannabinoids and cancer. Until further research is conducted, it’s very difficult to say just what cannabis’s role can be in cancer treatment.

However, it seems almost certain that cannabis can be a complementary medicine for cancer patients. Not only does it relieve many of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy but it can potentially help prevent the spread of cancer growth.

In many ways, these two factors should be considered a miracle for medical professionals. Still, due to prohibitions, it’s going to take time for cannabis to be accepted as a treatment option. This is why it’s entirely vital more research is pushed into how cannabinoids affect people suffering from cancer.

Final Thoughts On CBD For Cancer-related Use

As of this time, research concerning CBD and cancer remains inconclusive. Though there’s a lot of promise, we need to wait more time before we are certain as to the benefits of CBD for cancer.

Still, there are many people out there who may be looking at CBD for natural, therapeutic relief from cancer treatment. If you or someone you love is in this position, we invite you to visit our products page to learn more.