The mysterious healing powers of CBD have been used for years by the medical community. It has been used as a pain reliever and is known to provide relief from nausea, lack of appetite and general pain. As a cannabinoid, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system in our body hence providing therapeutic benefits when consumed. CBD oil is also supposed to be effective against different types of arthritis, including lupus. The purpose of this blog is to explore some general information about CBD oil for lupus; what it is, how you can benefit from it and its possible side effects.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found in hemp plants. Cannabis and its derivatives contain over 100 various chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Unlike its sister compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce psychoactive effects. This means that it does not create the "high" or disorienting feeling associated with marijuana. This natural ingredient can help relieve pain, inflammation and cramping as well as treat nausea and anxiety. CBD does this by interacting with the ECS. The ECS (Endocannabinoid System) impacts many physiological processes within the body that include appetite, pain-sensation, mood, memory and much more!
Currently, CBD oil is being utilized to relieve the symptoms of Lupus. The connection between this natural substance and Lupus is exciting for many sufferers due to the various ways in which CBD oil formulated with medical consistency can help relieve Lupus-related symptoms and ailments.
Why use CBD for Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic condition, and it can be difficult to manage. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys and blood vessels. It can cause pain and swelling in the joints, and some people with lupus also experience fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and headaches.
It is important to know that there are treatments that can help you feel better, but not all of them will work for everyone. If you have tried other medications and supplements, but have not found something that works for you, CBD oil could be the next step in your treatment plan.
CBD interacts with receptors in your body called cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). These receptors are found throughout the body and play roles in regulating many different processes such as sleep patterns, appetite control and mood regulation
CBD Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory
CBD has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation. This is because of its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS consists of receptors that are found throughout the body and help regulate a number of systems, including pain, mood, memory and appetite. When you ingest CBD, it interacts with these receptors to help promote homeostasis in your body. The end result is that less inflammation occurs as a result of this interaction. CBD also reduces inflammation by blocking the production of cytokines, proteins that cause it.
CBD also works by inhibiting the production of arachidonic acid (AA), a fatty acid that forms pro-inflammatory molecules known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are one of the main classes of compounds that cause inflammation in your body, so by reducing their production you reduce inflammation overall.
CBD oil can help with pain in the joints and muscles.
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and pain associated with lupus symptoms such as arthritis flares or joint pain from inflammation caused by this autoimmune disease process. It works by blocking the production of two enzymes that are responsible for inflammation, 5-LOX and COX-1.
The first enzyme, 5-LOX, is a specific enzyme that helps regulate the body's response to inflammation. 5-LOX is activated by free radicals in your body. Once 5-LOX is activated, it converts arachidonic acid into leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which then triggers an inflammatory response. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) can be found on the surface of white blood cells. It also causes white blood cells to migrate to inflammed areas, where they contribute to even more inflammation.
The second enzyme, COX-1 is an enzyme that is responsible for inflammation. COX-1 is short for cyclooxygenase-1. When your body is exposed to something that causes inflammation, COX-1 is activated and starts producing prostaglandins, which are chemicals that cause pain and swelling.
CBD oil inhibits COX-1, which reduces the production of prostaglandins and reduces inflammation. This means it can help with some of the symptoms associated with lupus like joint pain, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches.
CBD oil can help to reduce fatigue, a common effect of living with lupus.
Fatigue is a symptom of lupus that can be caused by many different factors. It can be the result of inflammation in your body, lack of sleep, stress, and other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
CBD oil helps improve sleep quality, which is important for people with lupus because it can help them feel less fatigued and more motivated to get up and move around during the day (instead of just lying in bed all day).
CBD oil acts on the endocannabinoid system in the body by interacting with receptors called CB1 receptors found throughout the body (CB2 receptors are primarily found in the brain). When these receptors are activated by cannabinoids (such as CBD), they produce effects such as pain relief or increased appetite by interacting with certain neurotransmitters linked to these receptors (such as serotonin).
Takeaway:
CBD oil could help relieve the symptoms of lupus and is worth considering if you suffer from this disease.
Hopefully, this blog has given you the information you need to know about CBD oil and how it could be helpful in treating lupus. Again, a doctor or licensed health professional should be the one to decide whether or not CBD oil is right for you. And of course, if you're suffering from any serious illness, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor to make sure that such treatment doesn't interfere with any current medications. With this said, lupus patients should seriously consider trying CBD oil at least once since there is little risk of side effects with such treatment—and you might be surprised to find out how much it helps.