Lupus is a devastating autoimmune disease, one that causes the body to attack itself—organs and all. A single lupus flare up can force a person to put their entire life on hold. Sometimes the pain is so severe that even walking or reading a book is unbearable. If you or someone you know is among the 240,000 people with lupus in the US, then you are probably searching for a way to diminish the pain and reduce the number of flare ups. You may also be wondering if cannabinoids like CBD can help with lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
This article is going to discuss what research has discovered about autoimmune diseases like lupus and CBD use. Let’s get started.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are an organic chemical that is derived from the cannabis sativa plant. There are over a hundred cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid (EC) system in the body, binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found within the nervous system, organs, glands, and connective tissues, while CB2 receptors are in the immune system, predominantly. You can also find CB2 receptors in the endocrine glands, liver, heart, spleen, bones, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and more.
The way these CB1 and CB2 receptors behave depends on the cannabinoid that interacts with them. THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, will interact with CB1 and cause euphoria. Meanwhile, when CBD binds to EC system receptors, it has a therapeutic effect. For example, when CBD binds to CB2 receptors, the body produces resolvins—proteins that reduce inflammation [1].
What Does Research Tell Us About Using CBD for Lupus?
Unfortunately, while there has been a significant amount of research done on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids, including CBD oil and medical cannabis, much of it has not been done in relation to lupus. Instead, what you have to go on is how CBD may affect lupus symptoms and pain. Hopefully, in the future, researchers will consider looking into how CBD directly impacts lupus, so people can have a better answer.
For now, here is what research has found:
CBD Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus is “a chronic disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body.” The most commonly affected regions include your joints, skin, heart, and kidneys. As such, one of the main things doctors focus on when treating an individual for lupus is controlling inflammation. Usually, this is by way of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, but the side effects of such prescriptions can lead to more problems.
Presently, medical cannabis and cannabidiol oil are both offered to individuals with chronic inflammation, including people diagnosed with lupus. There is a wealth of research dedicated to uncovering the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD and other cannabinoids, like CBG. For example, an animal study from 2021 found that CBD and CBG have anti-inflammatory activity at higher doses and induced neutrophil (immune system) recruitment [2].
A 2020 review looked at the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD, stating that CBD may modify oxidant and antioxidant levels in the body and, therefore, interrupt free radical chains [3]. In other words, CBD stops the formation of many dangerous free radicals. Furthermore, the review stated that studies confirmed that CBD reduces the levels of cytokines (which cause inflammation), induce T cell apoptosis, inhibit T cell proliferation, and also certain receptors known for pro-inflammation gene expression.
Another 2021 review of in vivo studies reported that in 22 studies using CBD, CBG, or a CBD/THC combination, there was a reduction of levels in at least one inflammatory cytokine [4]. In 24 studies, the disease or disability studied showed some degree of improvement.
Results like these have led to CBD being known as a novel anti-inflammatory.
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CBD Has Immunomodulatory Effects
Oftentimes, lupus treatment calls for the use of drugs that effectively turn off the immune system, leaving you susceptible to other conditions. What if there was another way? Cannabinoids have opened up a window of opportunity, because they are known for displaying immunomodulatory effects [5].
This means that CBD helps with homeostasis, or the regulation of equilibrium within the body. For individuals with autoimmune diseases like lupus, maintaining homeostasis is incredibly difficult without medication.
As mentioned earlier, CBD is an agonist to CB2 receptors, meaning that it suppresses certain immune responses, including inflammation [6]. Additionally, the terpenes found in medical cannabis and CBD oil, including beta-caryophyllene and myrcene, can decrease inflammation by interacting with CB2 receptors in the body [7, 8].
What About CBD For Other Autoimmune Diseases?
Interestingly, “clinical endocannabinoid deficiency” is often cited as a potential cause for many autoimmune disorders and chronic conditions, including fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. As such, there are many completed and ongoing studies looking into CBD for arthritis and other conditions.
For instance, a study from 2020 named CBD the “killer” of synovial fibroblasts, which are cells that cause inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [9]. In the study, CBD was also seen targeting pro-inflammatory receptors and inhibiting them.
There has also been a plethora of research done on CBD for multiple sclerosis, including a review that looked into the immunomodulatory potential of cannabidiol for multiple sclerosis [10, 11]. Though more research has to be conducted, the review was optimistic about the beneficial effects of CBD on MS.
Looking For High Quality CBD?
Cannabidiol has proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulating capabilities. In the future, you may see medications for lupus and other autoimmune diseases that contain CBD and other cannabinoids. Until then, consider your options carefully. If you would like to try CBD as a complement to ongoing treatment for lupus or another autoimmune disease, please speak with a medical professional for their opinion.
If you decide that you would like to try CBD, consider high quality options, like those from Sugar Bottom Hemp. Our organically grown hemp is minimally processed, ensuring you receive only the purest of CBD extracts. We have each product analyzed by a third party lab as well. Check out our huge lineup of CBD products today. You are bound to find a CBD tincture or topical you will love.
Resources
- Chen, J. (2019, September 23). Can cannabinoids help lupus and other diseases? Yale Medicine. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/cbd-and-lupus
- Robaina Cabrera, C. L., Keir-Rudman, S., Horniman, N., Clarkson, N., & Page, C. (2021). The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol and cannabigerol alone, and in combination. Pulmonary Pharmacology &Amp; Therapeutics, 69, 102047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102047
- Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
- Henshaw, F. R., Dewsbury, L. S., Lim, C. K., & Steiner, G. Z. (2021b). The Effects of Cannabinoids on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 6(3), 177–195. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0105
- Rodríguez Mesa, X. M., Moreno Vergara, A. F., Contreras Bolaños, L. A., Guevara Moriones, N., Mejía Piñeros, A. L., & Santander González, S. P. (2021). Therapeutic Prospects of Cannabinoids in the Immunomodulation of Prevalent Autoimmune Diseases. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 6(3), 196–210. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0183
- Turcotte, C., Blanchet, M. R., Laviolette, M., & Flamand, N. (2016). The CB2 receptor and its role as a regulator of inflammation. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 73(23), 4449–4470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2300-4
- El-Sheikh, S. M., Abd El-Alim, A. E. A. F., Galal, A. A., El-Sayed, R. G., & El-naseery, N. I. (2019). Anti-arthritic effect of β-caryophyllene and its ameliorative role on methotrexate and/or leflunomide-induced side effects in arthritic rats. Life Sciences, 233, 116750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116750
- Rufino, A. T., Ribeiro, M., Sousa, C., Judas, F., Salgueiro, L., Cavaleiro, C., & Mendes, A. F. (2015). Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic effects of E-caryophyllene, myrcene and limonene in a cell model of osteoarthritis. European Journal of Pharmacology, 750, 141–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.01.018
- Lowin, T., Tingting, R., Zurmahr, J., Classen, T., Schneider, M., & Pongratz, G. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD): a killer for inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. Cell Death &Amp; Disease, 11(8). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-020-02892-1
- What to know about CBD and MS. Sugar Bottom Hemp. (2022, November 24). Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://sugarbottomhemp.com/what-to-know-about-cbd-and-ms/
- Furgiuele, A., Cosentino, M., Ferrari, M. et al. Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabidiol in Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 16, 251–269 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-021-09982-7
