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CBD Balances the Immune System: 

Cannabis in different forms has been used for its medicinal and nutritional purposes for thousands of years. Archeologists are discovering evidence of cannabis oil and seeds in ancient Chinese food dating as far back as 6000 BCE. Although the Chinese used the plant for a variety of reasons, its main purpose was medicinal. Ancient civilizations around the world, including Egypt, Europe, Africa, Asia, India, Greece, the Middle East, and Rome, believed CBD balances the immune system and used it for medicinal and nutritional purposes. Simply put, these civilizations used cannabis to keep their bodies in balance weather currently sick or not. So, like a vitamin? Sounds like it.

Today, scientists are trying to understand cannabis on a molecular level.  For example, the makeup of cannabis and how it interacts with the complexity of our biological system. With all the science that has been done so far, we still know fairly little regarding the cannabinoids and the immune system.

CBD BALANCES THE IMMUNE SYSTEMHowever, the studies we have now indicate that cannabinoids are immunosuppressant. This is great for patients with autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. On the other hand, research shows us that cannabinoids are effective in increasing white blood cell counts in immunodeficient patients. Wait, it gets even more confusing when we talk about how cannabinoids interact with endocannabinoid system. Scientists believe this system interacts with all cellular/biological activity in the body, including the immune system.

Bottom line, there is so much that still needs to be learned about CBD balancing the immune system. Let’s take a look at what we know.

Balanced Immune System with CBD: 

The body is regularly exposed to infections, bacteria, and viruses, that all have a sole purpose of destroying our bodies peaceful existence. The immune system is here running with military precision to keep the body in a state of peaceful equilibrium (balance).

The MVP of the immune system is the white blood cells. They seek out invaders and DESTROY! I know this is aggressive, but it is survival of the fittest in here people. We need to embrace the white blood cells destructive tendencies. Without them we would not last 5 minutes on this planet. The body is at WAR! Now there are two groups of white blood cells. First, the CBD BALANCES THE IMMUNE SYSTEMlymphocytes (T cells and B cells) that are the destroyers with a built-in memory of their previous attackers. Second, the phagocytes absorb and neutralize the invaders.

Our immune system also takes part in identifying malfunctioning cells. The immune system ensures they do not continue to grow and become tumors by apoptosis (cell death). DIE! Does anybody remember that movie?

Cell death is vital to a healthy functioning immune system. For instance, if to many cells die an autoimmune disease can result. While having to many cells will create a perfect environment for cancer cells to thrive. What a delicate balance the body needs.

Endocannabinoid System Teams with Immune System

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered in the 1990’s. (Good times!) This discovery gave scientists a key piece in explaining how the body maintains balance. The endocannabinoid system is composed of two receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids, transport proteins for endocannabinoids, and enzymes that break down endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids travel throughout the body regulating cellular activity. Therefore, the ECS is the homeostasis (balance) regulator. Feels like a cool title. We need a name tag.

ECS controls immune function and inflammation. The immune cells have both types of ECS receptor. Activation of the CB2 receptor creates an anti-inflammatory effect. This helps those with autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

CBD Supports the Immune System

CBD BALANCES THE IMMUNE SYSTEMNew research points toward cannabinoids being adaptive and immunomodulating, rather than suppressing the immune system. “I believe [cannabis] is immunosuppressive when there is hyper-immune response,” says Dr. Garcia de Palau, “but otherwise it regulates and corrects the immune system. In fact, you could say it functions like the endocannabinoid system, bringing equilibrium to the organism.”

There has been animal research on brain cancer in rats, that examined the effects of CBD combined with radiotherapy. The tumors were significantly smaller with little to no immune suppression evident in the study. This is GREAT news! Cannabinoids showed the ability to both suppress and bolster immune function. This gives evidence to the idea that the ECS is involved in immunomodulation (regulation). Dr. Liu told Project CBD: “I suspect that cannabinoids are having a double-punch effect of 1) direct killing and 2) enhancing immunity by suppressing those immune cells that serve to hold back the immune-based killing cells.” To summarize, CBD balances the immune system. 

Hemp based CBD oil could have direct or indirect mechanisms that will help in maintaining immune health.

The Highlights:

Despite the lack of clarity involving cannabinoids and immunotherapy, the amount of data suggests it is time to abandon the misleading immunosuppressant PR and embrace the idea that cannabinoids are immunomodulators. The evidence is clear, cannabinoids work with the ECS to maintain balance within the immune system by suppressing cells that serve to block the white blood cells. NOTE: We talked a lot about CBD and its immune boosting benefits, but we did not talk at all about CBD and COVID19. To learn more about that, click here.



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