How does CBD affect the human immune system?

How does CBD affect our immune system?

Cannabidiol (CBD) acts on the endocannabinoid system and may have the ability to maintain a balanced immune system.

The Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) protein plays an important role in immune system function. It facilitates the communication of cells with their extracellular environment. It is CBD that activates TRPV2 and also affects other TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) channels involved in promoting immunity.

CBD can help balance your immune system

In principle, the body uses 2 types of immune mechanisms to prevent disease. These are the following:

1. Cellular (cell-mediated) immunity: This type of immunity does not produce anti-disease antibodies. Instead, protection is provided by the generation and activation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes, known as phagocytes. These phagocytes secrete cytokines that target various antigens, eliminating the potential threat and returning the body to normal.
2. Humoral immunity: This type of immunity (also known as antibody-mediated immunity) relies on macromolecules in extracellular fluids to protect antigens, as opposed to cell-mediated immunity involving T lymphocytes.

Scientists have discovered that cannabinoids can balance various parts of the immune system through the endocannabinoid system. Since over-stimulation of the immune system often leads to autoimmune disorders, and dangerous allergi reactions, such as food sensitivity, can play an important role.

Increased stimulation of the immune system can even respond to ordinary things, such as dust or pollen, as dangerous “impostors”, causing “false alarms” that instruct the body to attack an allergen.

However, if the immune system is under-stimulated, cancer and catastrophic infections can occur. Therefore, if cannabinoids can help balance the immune system for optimal functionality, it can dramatically reduce the rate of adverse effects.

CBD also helps maintain healthy gut flora

Much of the immune system is located in the digestive tract, where there is a large amount of organized lymphoid tissue and scattered innate and adaptive effector cells.

The gut microbiota, the collection of organisms - both good and bad - found in the gut, plays an important role in supporting a balanced immune response in the body.

Excessive inflammation in the gut can lead to intestinal permeability, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and impaired gut immune response. One way the body combats this is through the endocannabinoid system.

Like endogenous cannabinoids, CBD has been shown in studies to support a healthy gut inflammatory response. The key message is that maintaining a healthy gut supports overall immunity.

CBD counteracts stress and promotes good sleep

CBD has a positive effect on psychological stress. Sustained psychological stress is associated with a decline in immunity.

The same is true for good-quality sleep. If you suffer from insomnia, your immune system is compromised. CBD effectively combats insomnia.

CBD and autoimmune disorder

An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system mistakes a part of your body for a foreign threat and attacks it. This can cause inflammation and other unwanted symptoms. With an autoimmune disorder, the immune system over-reacts, leading to allergies to normal, actually healthy foods, and can even attack the body in response. According to some researchers, CBD has strong immunosuppressive properties.

The most common autoimmune diseases include:

• Lupus
• rheumatoid arthritis
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis

People with autoimmune diseases often need to take immunosuppressive treatment. An immunosuppressant is something that can slow down or stop an overactive immune system.

Research in 2020 and 2021 suggests that CBD has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are important for people with autoimmune diseases.

However, most research on CBD and immunosuppression involves animal and laboratory studies. To understand whether CBD is a viable immunosuppressant, it still needs to be studied further in humans.

What is good for boosting immunity?

We recommend the following points to support your immunity in addition to using CBD:

1. A healthy and varied diet

A varied diet is essential for your immune system. Avoid excessive consumption of simple (sugary) sugars, which negatively affect the ability of white blood cells to absorb harmful bacteria. This is also linked to excessive intake of 'unhealthy' fats, especially in the form of solidified vegetable oils such as wafers, biscuits, various desserts or long-life pastries. Include more fruit and vegetables in your diet to help jump-start your immune system.

2. Quality sleep

The body will significantly deplete its energy if it has a lack of sleep. Then, the body finds it very difficult to fight any viruses or bacteria. Therefore, do not underestimate the quality and healthy sleep. In combination with a varied diet and enough vitamins, you can quite easily improve your body's protection against various diseases.

 

3. Wash your hands

All kinds of bacteria collect on our hands every day. Good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and germs and protect you and your family from illness. Researchers at the Naval Health Centre in San Diego even found that there was up to a 45% reduction in respiratory illnesses in people who washed their hands 5 times a day.

And how do you wash your hands properly?

1. Soak your hands thoroughly under running lukewarm water.
2. Apply soap to your hands - feel free to try our hemp soap.
3. Rub the palms of your hands thoroughly, including in the creases and under the nails.
4. Rinse your hands thoroughly.
5. Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer.
6. The last point is to turn off the tap. Don't do it with your hand, but with your elbow, for example.

4. Use appropriate products

Last but not least, it's important to give your body's immune system a little help - so take products to support your immunity. Preferably natural ones - try the tried and tested CBD products for example.

Hemp tea

If you are a tea lover, you should definitely have hemp tea at home. Our teas are harvested by hand and with love. It contains valuable cannabinoids (CBD - Cannabidiol), terpenes, flavonoids and essential oils, which harmonise the body's natural processes and thus support its natural defences.

We recommend combining hemp tea with CBD products to complete your immune booster!

Unsaturated fatty acids

Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids are very important, they are fundamentally influencing the proper functioning of the brain, heart and blood vessels, or vision. They also reduce the development of long-lasting inflammation, reduce allergic reactions or eliminate the risk of venous thrombosis.

Unsaturated fatty acids can be found in hemp oil. It is advisable to take a teaspoon of hemp oil daily - it is also a good alternative to fish oil.
Or try CBD oil in fish fats!

Natural sources of vitamins and minerals

If you wish to do something for your immunity, it is best to indulge it with supplements rich in a natural source of vitamins. These are generally included

• Hemp seeds

Did you know that Buddha has already said that hemp seed is the most complex food for the human body? It contains the ideal ratio of unsaturated fatty acids, rare proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It protects the heart and circulatory system and promotes the body's natural defenses.

Read more: 6 proofs of the health benefits of hemp seeds

• Hemp protein

It contains all 23 naturally occurring amino acids, including the 8 essential ones essential to the body. It is an ideal supplement for those who want quality nutrition for creating and regenerating muscle mass and for strengthening the whole organism because hemp protein affects normal muscle and joint activity.

Whether you choose any of the above products that will certainly help you to survive the flu and cold season, we recommend that you always dispense the products regularly and according to the recommended dosage. Personally, we have excellent experience with product combinations - if you decide to use CBD capsules, for example, we recommend combining them with hemp oil or tea :-).

The studies from which the following were drawn:

https://www.chiroeco.com/cbd-immune-system/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/sns-cbd-boost-immune-system-20200706-pyb5herhh5gr5fzahsieuo7uzq-story.html

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