New Research on CBD for Inflammation Confirms Suspicions

As CBD products continue to rise in popularity, countless manufacturers are beginning to join the trend and sell CBD. You can find a plethora of different types of CBD products on the market from oils, gummies, lotions, bath bombs, and even CBD infused water. Along with the increase in companies selling CBD comes health promises that often under perform.

Hopeful patients find themselves looking for relief by using CBD oil for inflammation, anxiety, and sleep support. Unfortunately, most CBD companies are favoring profit margins over improved patient health outcomes, leaving individuals still suffering and believing that CBD is ineffective. Often times, patients don't get the results they are looking for when taking CBD due to the fact that companies are using inexpensive ingredients and manufacturing methods to create their products. These ineffective products lead individuals to the conclusion that CBD oil is a trendy new supplement without scientific literature backing its efficacy.

In reality, a significant body of clinical research has been published suggesting that CBD oil can be utilized as an effective tool to manage anxiety and inflammatory based conditions.

The misconception

A common misunderstanding in individuals taking CBD products is that a higher dose equals a more effective dose. When it comes to CBD, more does not always equal better. In fact, taking more CBD than you need can render your therapy ineffective. It's important to speak with a qualified health professional to review your health history, medication use, and several other factors that can determine the proper dose of CBD for you.

Inflammation

Inflammatory related conditions like arthritis are on the rise, with more than 50 million Americans above the age of 18 being diagnosed with arthritis between 2007 and 2009. Aside from being a contributing factor to arthritis, inflammation also plays a role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.  Various nutraceuticals have been examined to assess their effectiveness in managing inflammation with mixed results. CBD is being investigated as a potentially powerful anti-inflammatory therapeutic treatment for patients with various inflammatory related conditions. 

Below, we will explore a new study that was published in June of 2021 in the Cannabis Cannabinoid Research journal that aimed to assess the impact that CBD oil has on various inflammatory markers.

What Journal?:

Cannabis Cannabinoid Research journal

 
Who/How?:

• This study was a systematic review that included 26 different published papers.
• Only studies that evaluated the effect of cannabinoids on inflammatory markers in animal models were included in the review.
• The study compared the effect of different cannabinoids including CBD, CBG, and THC on the inflammatory response in the animal models.

Additional Info:

The study examined the effect that CBD, CBG and THC each have separately on inflammatory markers. The study then assessed the impact of a CBD and THC combination.

Results:

The researchers concluded that key inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and interferon gamma were significantly reduced after treatment with CBD, CBG, or CBD+THC, but not with THC alone.

The takeaway:

While each of the components that are found in the hemp plant have their own unique benefits, this research confirms previous research showing that THC is largely ineffective for inflammation management. The research suggests that CBD works synergistically with CBG and THC to yield the best results in reducing key inflammatory markers.

Is CBD right for you?

If you're interested in using CBD, call us at the pharmacy to discuss which formulation is best suited for you and your unique needs. Call 908-658-4900 and speak to our professional staff.

Joe Condora is the Nutrition & Health Coach at Valley Integrative Pharmacy. His specialties include nutraceutical counseling and creating personalized meal plans for clients to achieve optimal wellness.