Winter is coming soon along with the usual flu and cold season. And, it seems as if many of us are struggling with severe sniffles meaning that our immune systems appear to be weaker.
Each day, we come into contact with thousands of bacteria. Not all of these microbes are pathogens. In fact, many help to keep us healthy, as our body needs to be exposed to germs for it to build up an effective defense system.
While many of us are out of lockdowns and getting out and about, we may still have weakened immune systems. So it seems as though our immune systems are in need of a little boost. For years, scientists have been investigating the best natural ways to support our immune function- but could CBD be the answer?
Endocannabinoids and your immune system
Your immune system is your body’s defense mechanism. It strives to keep us safe by fighting off bacteria, viruses, and other biological threats. Without our immune system, these daily invaders could be deadly.
Immune cells are responsible for recognizing foreign bodies. They can be split into two categories: phagocytes, which engulf and break down invaders, and lymphocytes, which learn to recognize invaders in order to swiftly destroy them in the future.
Each component of the immune system has a precise role. With so many functions, immune cells and mediators need to be balanced. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps maintain that balance.
The ECS helps to regulate our mood, appetite, sleep, memory, and much more. It regulates immune activity to keep it stable and balanced, which is known as homeostasis. It does this through the activity of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, which can be found all over the immune system.
With the ECS and the immune system being so highly interconnected, this opens the possibility of using cannabinoids to modulate immune activity. One compound known to assist the ECS in its biological endeavors is CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is an active compound from the Cannabis sativa plant. It is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it interacts with our ECS without inducing the high that is commonly associated with cannabis. The mind-altering effects of cannabis come from the compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In the US, CBD must be free of THC.
CBD is an accepted treatment for rare forms of epilepsy and shows promise in the treatment of anxiety, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and much more. The benefits of CBD come from its ability to alter activity in the ECS. So, CBD can also boost your immune cell activity.
How does CBD affect the immune system?
Most of the research into CBD and the immune system centers on inflammation and autoimmune disease. There is little evidence to say whether or not CBD can boost our immune system, but we can offer some insights that go beyond the evidence.
CBD is anti-inflammatory. In numerous animal models and human studies, CBD inhibits the onset of inflammation and reduces the severity of inflammatory disease. This is because CBD reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the molecules responsible for telling the body to initiate an immune response.
CBD is also immunosuppressive in diseases characterized by uncontrollable immune activity. For example, in studies of experimental autoimmune encephalitis- an animal model of MS- CBD reduces the migration of T cell lymphocytes to the site of inflammation.
So, when would suppressing the immune system be appropriate?
It all comes back to homeostasis. The ECS strives to maintain a balance in your body, and CBD will support it in achieving this. Because of this, CBD will likely cater to your body’s needs. If your immune system is overactive, it could counterbalance it; if it needs a boost, CBD may help as well.
CBD and immune system support
Although more research is needed, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD is immunomodulatory and can promote immune function.
In various animal studies, CBD has been shown to increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhance the breakdown of pathogens. Much of this experimental evidence suggests that under normal conditions, CBD helps to balance and boost the immune system.
So, CBD can either suppress or boost the immune system. The effectiveness of CBD is said to be biphasic. Depending on the dosage administered and how active our immune system is, CBD can act in opposing ways. Researchers are still trying to pinpoint the optimal dose for immune support.
CBD may also boost our immune system by improving other aspects of our mental and physical well-being. Our lifestyle is a major predictor of our immune health; disruptions in mood, sleep, and diet can weaken our immune system. There is solid evidence to suggest that CBD can promote a healthy lifestyle, thus indirectly providing immune support.
Sleep
The body follows its circadian rhythm. Likewise, the immune system follows a rhythmic daily cycle. To function optimally, our immune cells sync to our sleep-wake cycle. So, if our sleeping pattern is thrown off, we’re far more likely to get ill.
Sleep deprivation can cause a low-level inflammatory response. This compromises our immunity, making us more vulnerable to infections and disease. Extreme shift work (working nights) has been linked to higher incidences of diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
CBD is used by many as a natural sleep aid. There is preliminary evidence to suggest that CBD may be an effective treatment for insomnia. In a survey of 387 CBD users, 42.5% of participants reported that they used CBD to overcome sleeping problems.
Stress
Chronic stress can dysregulate our immune response, triggering a constant low-grade inflammation that makes us more susceptible to disease and can worsen symptoms of illness. CBD has been well-researched in the context of anxiety. By increasing the signaling of serotonin in the brain, it shows promise in the treatment of numerous anxiety disorders. As CBD appears to be significantly effective at managing anxiety, this can help to limit the impact of stress on the immune system.
Gut health
Much of the immune system is located in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The ECS facilitates communication between the digestive system and immune system, helping to withstand inflammation in the gut. So, when the GI tract becomes inflamed, this can have a negative impact on our immune function.
The ECS helps to maintain immune health in the gut through the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide. Anandamide can work wonders for our mood. It has also been shown to support immune function. In one study with animals, oral administration of anandamide increased the number of immune cells in the gut and was protective against type 1 diabetes.
By inhibiting the FAAH enzyme, CBD prevents the breakdown of anandamide, subsequently increasing its levels in the body. CBD may be able to indirectly improve immune function in the gut.
CBD also directly reduces inflammation in the GI tract. This make CBD a promising treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, and it may help maintain our gut health and keep our immune system functioning efficiently.
How to Take CBD to Support Your Immune System
For those using CBD for immediate pain relief or to manage anxiety, most prefer to take a high dose of CBD oil or vape, as these have the quickest onset. For immune support, a daily dose may be more beneficial than an “as-needed” approach. CBD builds up in your system over time, so its cumulative effects may help to build your immune system.
For a consistent daily dose, CBD capsules and gummies are a good option. The only issue here is its bioavailability. CBD is lipid-soluble; it doesn’t dissolve in the stomach very easily. Therefore, a good chunk of our CBD is broken down in the digestive system before it is absorbed. In order to get the most out of your oral dose, be sure to take it with food rich in fat as this has been shown to increase its bioavailability significantly.
Final thoughts
CBD has become a popular supplement, with people talking about its therapeutic benefits. But be sure to consult your doctor before adding CBD to your routine, as it has been shown to interact with certain medications.
CBD has been deemed a safe and well-tolerated substance. There have been reports of tiredness, nausea, and appetite changes with CBD use, but these side effects are rare and mild in comparison to common over-the-counter meds.
However, be wary of outrageous health claims being made about CBD. More research is needed.
There are undeniable benefits of CBD use that will more than likely support the immune system. If you are interested in maintaining your immune systems health, you might want to give CBD a try.