The immune system is one of the most important parts of the body. It’s the main defense against infections, diseases, and health issues. There are many factors that both positively and negatively affect the immune system. For example, not getting enough sleep, not eating well, and not getting enough physical activity can cause a drop in our immune function. If you want to ensure your immune system is functioning optimally, you’ll want to eat right, make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals, sleep deeply, and decrease your stress levels. There are many supplements that you can use to balance your body and boost your immune system, but there seems to be one that is leading the pack: CBD.
Understanding the Endocannabinoid and Immune Systems
There are many different autoimmune conditions that affect how the body functions, but even people with high functioning immune systems can benefit from supplements. Boosting immune health helps prevent disease, and hopefully will lead to a long and happy life. Since the immune system and our endocannabinoid system are intertwined a great deal, it makes sense to use CBD for preventative measures.
How CBD Affects the Immune System
While research has been conducted for years about how the immune system works, there is still a lot that scientists and doctors are uncovering, and unfortunately, endocannabinoid system is something that we understand even less about. We are still discovering new cannabinoids, and we are just now learning about how they affect the immune system and body. While we understand that CBD can influence how our immune system works, we can’t always predict what will happen when it does. Currently, the body utilizes two different methods of finding and destroying dangerous pathogens by way of our immune system:
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Cell-Mediation Immunity: T-Cells in the body look for foreign antigens and bring on a method of killing these foreign antigens. - Humoral Immunity: The B-cells in the body create various antibodies as a way to find and destroy pathogens that are a threat.
CBD and Autoimmune Diseases
When our body experiences incorrect autoimmune responses, cannabinoids can be beneficial. They have the potential for treating and preventing a variety of autoimmune issues including issues such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. While some minor research has been done on this topic, future research may help determine the role that CBD supplementation has on these molecular pathways. It is already known that CBD can decrease inflammation in the body. Many autoimmune conditions are known to cause inflammation in the body. This supplementation of CBD would help with conditions that are affected by inflammation. CBD can also stimulate the endocannabinoid system in a way that promotes the regeneration of nerve cells.
There are many different types of CBD oil to think about using. If you’re using a product that contains zero percent THC, then this is a completely safe and legal supplement to utilize. The 2018 Farm Bill set manufacturing criteria for CBD production, specifying the difference between full-spectrum hemp and CBD products versus no THC products. Whether you want to use CBD for general immune support or you’re looking to assist with an autoimmune issue that you have, CBD can be very safe and beneficial for the body. Remember, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor* before you start a daily regimen. This will ensure you won’t experience an interaction with something else that you’re taking.
*American Spa, Alex Malkin, and CBD.Market are not medical professionals.
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