New Research on the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of CBD

New research published in the journal Inflammopharmacology shows promise in the use of CBD for acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.

Chronic inflammatory disorders are when our body continues sending inflammatory cells even when there is no outside danger. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory cells and substances attack joint tissues leading to an inflammation that comes and goes and can cause severe damage to joints with pain and deformities.

Examples of chronic inflammatory disorders are:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Acute inflammatory disorders are the response to sudden body damage, such as cutting your finger. To heal the cut, your body sends inflammatory cells to the injury. These cells start the healing process.

The typical symptoms of acute inflammatory disorders are:

• Flushed skin at the site of the injury
• Pain or tenderness
• Swelling
• Heat

The researchers in this CBD study concluded that:

“Taken together, results suggest that CBD treatment significantly improved behavioral tasks and decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines under SIRS conditions that might provide an opportunity to manage acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.”

This latest research on CBD must be taken with caution given it was a study conducted on laboratory animals (in this case mice). However, this most recent study is another promising set of research that follows on other similar research outcomes related to CBD and its anti-inflammatory properties.

For instance, in a 2016 study, researchers found that “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation without evident side-effects.” 

And a survey conducted by the American Arthritis Foundation found that a whopping 79% of patients have used CBD in the past or are considering giving it a try to help alleviate arthritis symptoms. 

The Arthritis Foundation has developed a guidance paper on CBD and arthritis that you might find helpful. It is important to note that they do advise people new to CBD to talk to their doctor or a medical professional prior to trying CBD:

CBD is thought to have the potential to interact with some drugs commonly taken by people with arthritis. Talk to your doctor before trying CBD if you take any of the following: corticosteroids (such as prednisone), tofacitinib (Xeljanz), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), tramadol (Ultram), certain antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and certain medications for fibromyalgia, including gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

If you think you might benefit from CBD or other medical cannabis products, consider booking a free online appointment with one of our medical cannabis health practitioners. They can provide you with a medical cannabis or CBD prescription you need to purchase medical cannabis.