Cannabis and Immune System: Discover How You Are Affected

Cannabis and Immune System: Discover How You Are Affected

Posted by Christian on 26th Apr 2023

Legal cannabis growing and consumption is dramatically becoming the norm across many parts of the world, mainly the United States. Most people use it for recreation and pleasure by smoking it, vaping it, drinking it, or eating it. Nowadays, doctors prescribe it for particular medical conditions and symptoms.  In this  post, we'll take a look at the impact of cannabis on our immune system and how we can improve it.

Research into the benefits of cannabis for the body is in the early stages of development. Even so, some research proves that cannabinoids can help the endocannabinoid system (ECS) function well, thus maintaining your health as well as relieving any pain caused by chronic ongoing conditions.

Cannabis and Immune System Overview 


The relationship between cannabis and the immune system and its effects on the entire body has an ongoing debate. People report varying physical and psychological effects, from pain and relaxation to harm and discomfort.

The immune system comprises a network of cells and organs that act as the body's defense system against pathogens and other infectious organisms. So, it is essential to your well-being and making sure that it functions optimally.

Cannabis is a plant with more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids. The main active ingredients in it are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC is the mind-altering (psychoactive) or intoxicating compound in cannabis – it is responsible for the high effect. On the other hand, CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning that it will not make you high. It is usually used to help reduce pain and inflammation in various conditions, including easing anxiety, nausea, migraine, and seizures.

The potency and balance of these ingredients vary based on how the plant was grown and processed. They also largely influence your immune system depending on how you ingest cannabis and the amount you take.

Cannabis has the ability to balance your immune system and lower the body's inflammatory response. The herb can impact your immune system either positively or negatively - it depends on your prevailing condition. For instance, people with autoimmune conditions with overactive immune systems can stand to benefit from using cannabis.

How Does Cannabis Affect the Immune System?


Different methods of consuming cannabis affect your body differently. When smoked or vaped, cannabinoids immediately enter your bloodstream and quickly pave their way to the brain and other organs.

When eaten or drunk, the cannabinoids first pass through the digestive system and liver before being absorbed into your bloodstream. This way, cannabis and immune system interaction take some time and the effects might onset after a few minutes to hours.

Does CBD help your immune system? Yes! Cannabis compounds, particularly CBD, interacts with the body defense system in various ways. It works via your body’s ECS, which protects the immune system due to its ability to regulate inflammatory responses that might result in diseases. Research claims that cannabis affects the functioning of many kinds of immune cells like T-cells.

Even though there are a number of receptors within the body, the main ones that interact with cannabis are endocannabinoid receptors - CB1 and CB2. They determine how the body responds physiologically to CBD or THC consumed. These cannabinoids have distinctive effects on the immune system on account of their unique interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors.

How Does CBD Help Immune System?


cannabis and immune system

Cannabis has immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects on your body. Sometimes your immune system will overreact to perceived internal threats, resulting in various autoimmune conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Type I Diabetes. CBD can help the immune system to return to balance by reducing inflammatory responses related to these diseases.

Based on a 2020 review, CBD can suppress the activation of several immune cells but might induce death to others. This immunosuppressive effect is not always a bad thing as it can be used to manage excessive inflammation, such as cytokine storms evident in people with COVID-19 or autoimmune conditions.

Cannabinoids inhibit white blood cells and T-cells that contribute to your body’s natural defense mechanism from activating. This means that if your immune system is uncompromised and happens to have flu while using cannabis, your body will have difficulty combating that flu bug.

Generally, CBD can boost and also suppress your immunity based on the product type, weed strain, consumption methods as well as your immune system condition.

What’s the Best Way to use Cannabis to Boost Immune System?


Cannabis laws vary from region to region. Thus, it can be pretty confusing whether to use cannabis to improve your immunity and how. However, CBD or medical marijuana is legal in most parts of the world, but first, consult your local laws before using them.

Cannabis potential effects as an immune booster and suppressant have been proven in several clinical studies. The best way to use cannabis to boost your immune system is the one that suits you most - vaping, smoking, drinking, or eating. Even so, CBD oil is the most preferred and the most recommended form to consume cannabis.

What’s the Best Way to use Cannabis to Boost Immune System?

Despite the ingesting method you use, how long it takes for cannabis to work is the most important factor to consider. So, before you begin to use it regularly, you require to be aware of your bioavailability, the ratio of your body’s capacity to effectively absorb CBD to the available amount in the product.

Bioavailability significantly varies based on your body mass and cannabis concentration in a product. Be sure to consult your doctor about the correct dosage for you. This will significantly aid cannabis and immune system functioning.

For instance, most CBD oils are packaged in dropper containers; thus, you need to know the exact number of drops to use. It is advisable to start with low doses, like one drop, and increase gradually depending on your body’s response to it. Doctors recommend taking the oil orally, which works within two hours.

The earthly taste of CBD oil may not suit everyone, but there are several ways you can take it without compromising its potency. For example, you can prepare your CBD-flavored snack, spice your morning coffee or smoothie with CBD oil or add a few drops of honey to it.

Cannabis in the time of Coronavirus


As the concern and threat of COVID-19 persist in many regions around the world, the cannabis industry is dramatically flourishing. For the most part, the state and local government authorities deemed cannabis companies as “essential businesses”, surging their sales to new heights.

Most people are waiting and hoping for the perfect treatment for the coronavirus to be developed that will even prevent potential threats. In a surprising turn of events, cannabis emerges on top of the list as a potential treatment.

While scientists are exploring various possibilities in fighting coronavirus, some scientists are looking into whether cannabis (or cannabis-derived CBD) may benefit people experiencing extreme forms of this deadly infection.

Interestingly, scientists have proposed some ways CBD might help, including the ability to lower ACE2 expression along with pro-inflammatory production of cytokine to combat lung inflammation and its antiviral potential.

To date, CBD has a history of safe use and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It might act as a vasorelaxant and reduce pain and anxiety related to coronavirus. Also, when combined with cannabinoids like cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV),  and terpenes, CBD has the potential to treat viral symptoms like COVID-19.

Proven Ways Cannabis Can Improve Your Immunity


CBD immune system booster properties offer a balanced and healthy immunity in the following ways:

Offer Relieve to Cancer Patients


Since cancer occurs as a result of malfunctioning or multiplication of abnormal body cells, it drastically damages your immune system. CBD can prevent the rapid growth of cancerous cells and promote their death or apoptosis.

Hence, cancer-related symptoms like vomiting and pain are lowered considerably. In fact, most patients undergoing chemotherapy nowadays prefer taking CBD to painkillers.

Maintain Better Intestinal Health


CBD is proven to lower inflammation in the gut. Microorganisms found in intestines work to regulate immunity balance under the influence of cannabidiol and PEA fatty acid in the complex. Thus, one of the primary purposes of CBD is to relieve colitis as well as diarrhea.

Prevents Acne and Other Skin-Related Diseases


Cannabis and the immune system can work together to soothe the skin by modifying the elements that bring about acne. It blocks the production of excess sebum from sebaceous glands, which is responsible for pimples and blackheads.

Alleviates Anxiety and Depression


Ongoing psychological stress is linked with a decline in immunity. Cannabis is a strong antidepressant - it plays a part in health stress response. CBD stress-relieving effects are also associated with CBD’s ability to modulate cerebral blood circulation in the brain regions, which causes anxiety, including, amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, together with the cingulate cortex.

Alleviates Anxiety and Depression

In a certain study, CBD was found to lower mild stress in individuals giving a speech. It increases blood circulation and alters the receptors’ response to serotonin, increasing their performance.

Conclusion 


Does CBD help the immune system? Yes, there are proven ways how CBD can improve your immune system. But how and where can you get cannabis or cannabis-derived products?

Always buy from a reputable company like us that only employ certified testing methods at a third-party lab. Our products are sourced from pure hemp strains.

We offer top-tier hemp-derived CBD and Delta-8 products at affordable rates. Contact us today or check out our product line at CBDVapeJuice.net for more information about our high-quality products.