CBD & Its Anti-Inflammatory Effects

CBD has been turning out to be quite the beneficial alternative health supplement, with its anti-inflammatory effects and other benefits it carries when ingested or applied topically.  

CBD is anti-inflammatory because of its ability to impact redox balance and inflammation via controlling TRP channels.  TRP channels modulate immune responses, and CBD is able to desensitize these channels, exhibiting its anti-inflammatory effects.  CBD can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit T cell proliferation and induce apoptosis.

This article will explain exactly how CBD exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, from controlling TRP channel receptors, lowering ROS molecules which initiate oxidative stress and inflammation to reducing the chances of cytokine storms.

Controls TRP Channels

CBD can help to regulate TRP channels, which are responsible for modulating the body’s immune response.  TRP channels exist to mediate different sensations the body experiences such as pain, taste, temperature, vision and pressure.  Scientists envision these channels sort of like microscopic thermometers used to sense different sensations.

Since TRP (mammalian transient receptor potential) channels respond to pain, CBD is beneficial because it is able to “numb” these responses, lessening the amount of inflammation the body will experience.  When CBD is ingested, it densensitizes TRPV1 receptors which produces a paradoxical analgesic effect.  

As TRP channels are desensitized, proinflammatory mediators will be less in number, which will lessen the overall inflammation being experienced in the body.  Although TRP receptors help maintain adequate intracellular calcium levels, they can be troublesome.  It is still unknown as to how CBD affects other TRP channel receptors, as more research still has yet to be performed.

CBD Helps Modulate ROS Production

ROS (reactive oxygen species) are molecules that signal for key functions in the inflammatory and immune process.  As ROS molecules increase throughout the body due to different physical stresses such as a sharp decline or rise in body temperature or pain sensations, so does autoimmunity and therefore an increased release of cytokines.

CBD is able to prevent the formation of superoxide radicals generated by xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase, which greatly preserves cell integrity and prevents oxidative damage throughout the body.  Preventing oxidative stress is beneficial because it helps to avoid the breakdown of cellular tissue and possible DNA damage.    

CBD Helps To Reduce Chances Of Cytokine Storms

Cytokines can be favorable when fighting off a simple virus or bacterium, but when too many are released into the bloodstream at once they can wreak havoc on the health of your body.  If too many at once are released into the body’s blood, they can create inflammatory diseases and even the growth of some necrotic tumors.

CBD acts to lessen the amount of cytokines released into the blood by effectively numbing TRPV1 receptors.  This in turn causes a helpful chain reaction, lessening the amount of pain or other unfavorable physical sensations and therefore lessening the amount of inflammatory cytokines that are released into the bloodstream.

Cytokines can increase inflammation in the body by killing pathogens and also can also cause chills, fever, tiredness, headaches, low blood pressure, cough, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.  This over-aggressive immune response the body undergoes when extremely physically stressed or while on immunosuppressants can be controlled with the right dosage of CBD.   

Summary

CBD is a plant compound derived from the cannabis plant that yields many benefits to human health, especially lessening inflammation and the unfavorable symptoms that accompany it.  It is able to modulate cytokine storms, desensitize TRPV1 receptors which induce inflammation and decrease ROS molecules which normally signal for proinflammatory ROS molecules.

Although you should speak to a doctor before you try CBD, this plant compound is relatively well-tolerated in humans and can work wonders to densensitve TRP channel receptors which induce inflammation.