Cannabis and the Immune System

Have you ever wondered whether cannabis or hemp can hurt or help your immune system? You’re not alone! Many CBD users wonder whether consuming hemp products will help them prevent and get over a cold, or help them find relief from certain immune conditions. The short answer? “Maybe…it depends.” 

Your Endocannabinoid System’s Role In Immune Response 

To begin understanding the complex relationship between the endocannabinoid system and your immune system, we’ll need to start in the beginning. Your body is blanketed with countless cells that have cannabinoid receptors. These can be found anywhere from your respiratory system to the digestive system, and even your immune system. 

These cells are triggered by the presence of cannabinoids, and how they react is based on the type of cell that is affected. As a general rule, our endocannabinoid system’s role is to regulate and provide balance to a huge variety of our systems. Along those lines, your endocannabinoid system can also detect and respond to stimuli, such as when something is wrong with a cell.

Cannabinoids such as cannabis, hemp, or CBD oil affect your ECS (endocannabinoid system) in a very particular way. Each immune cell’s receptors are affected differently by cannabinoids, and the cell’s behavior is altered.

How Are Immune Cells Altered by Cannabinoids?

As you may have heard, CBD is an excellent anti-inflammatory. When the body is fighting off an infection, a common and normal immune response is for the body to become inflamed. While inflammation is often seen in a negative light, this is not always the case. Inflammation assists your body with locating potential threats and helping to prevent further damage from infected areas. 

This being the case, a reduction in inflammation could inadvertently temporarily weaken the immune system, even if ever so slightly. In the case of more serious infections, heavy cannabis or hemp consumption could have the effect of being detrimental to your body’s immune system response, particularly if your body is immune-compromised. 

Potential Benefits of Immune Suppression In Certain Cases

While decreasing the body’s immune response seems counterintuitive to fighting many illnesses, it may actually have its benefits.  

With autoimmune disorders, the body attacks itself by creating inflammation where none is necessary at all. This inflammation can cause a loss of full range of motion, mobility, discomfort, and even extreme pain. This kind of long-term inflammation can wreak havoc on one’s health if left unchecked and untreated. 

With CBD and many terpenes from the hemp plant showing evidence of strong anti-inflammatory properties, it is easy to see why some patients with autoimmune disorders have looked to CBD to help reduce inflammation throughout the body. 

A Natural Approach To Potentially Help Reduce Unwanted Inflammation

It is always advisable to speak with your healthcare professionals if you have or suspect you have symptoms of an autoimmune disorder, as they can help provide treatment paths and options that may be best for your individual circumstances. However, if you feel that taking a more natural approach to possibly help your condition, high-quality, potent CBD products may be a viable option.

Danu Apothecary provides a wide range of natural CBD products tailored to meet your specific needs. We also are proud to offer vegan CBD products. If you need relief for more localized pain, our CBD Sports Cream or Salve are excellent options. If you need a more full-body approach, tinctures, gummies, or softgels are all superb choices as well. Check out our shop today to see what we offer!