Over the last several years, the potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) as a natural therapeutic for a variety of ailments have piqued the interest of medical researchers and health-conscious consumers alike. The relaxed regulatory environment for hemp-derived products, in particular, has led to a diverse range of new over-the-counter options, from gel capsules to topical oils, all readily available at any retailer that offers food and health supplements.
However, the lack of an industry standard for testing and quality control in the hemp and CBD manufacturing industry poses a few challenges when it comes to determining which products are both safe and effective. For years now, CBD has been widely extolled and celebrated in the media for its potential health benefits, but why are researchers particularly optimistic about cannabidiol as a therapeutic for psoriasis patients?
Before delving into how CBD may help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is and how it compares with its sister cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The Difference Between CBD and THC Explained
CBD and THC are just two of over 80 distinct chemical compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. THC, by most accounts, is the better-known of the two derivatives because, for decades now, it has been recognized as the agent that produces the euphoric high that many associate with dried cannabis flowers.
For that reason, THC, since 1970, remains a Schedule I controlled substance under the controlled substance act (CSA) effectuated into US law that same year. However, a growing number of states now offer retail THC cannabinoid products in addition to medically prescribed therapeutics. In addition, there’s an ongoing push among some politicians in Congress to remove the Schedule I classification level of THC.
The interest in decriminalizing THC is largely owed to its low toxicity and potential as an effective therapeutic for several conditions that tend to evade conventional treatments. Both THC and CBD are naturally occurring compounds found within the cannabis sativa plant in varying intensities, depending on the strain. The potency and presence of a given cannabinoid rely upon plant selection and hybridization methods used to produce an array of unique varietals, each with its own purported therapeutic benefits and induced effects.
Cannabis sativa plants are developed, bred, and cultivated for their specified extraction purposes and the distinct effects they were engineered to produce. Because of its historically restricted legal status, up until recently, most of the available knowledge concerning CBD and THC has been restricted to animal studies and patient-to-doctor anecdotal accounts alone.
While researchers know for a certainty that, unlike THC, the CBD compound is non-psychoactive. In other words, the THC levels in CBD products are typically so low that they don’t lead to impairment and concerns with dependency issues that many attribute to habitual marijuana use.
Nevertheless, the current legal status of cannabis continues to complicate the safety and efficacy testing of both THC and CBD products sold at the casual retail level. This is why it is increasingly vital to access products from a licensed producer like Sugar Bottom Hemp that adheres to strict testing and quality control standards to ensure you’re consuming a premium organic product manufactured in a carefully monitored and controlled lab environment.
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What Potential has CBD Demonstrated for Psoriasis?
Thus far, the outlook for CBD as a therapeutic psoriatic disease and several other skin-related conditions, including eczema, is promising. Psoriatic disease is a chronic, autoimmune-related disorder that can refer to both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis [1, 2]. Typically, the disease is triggered by an abnormal immune response that can inflame the skin or the joints, in the case of psoriatic arthritis.
At the skin level, psoriasis presents itself as plaques and scales and scales, both representing the results of an overactive immune system that promotes a repaid reproduction of skin cells. Psoriasis is characterized as a systemic condition. This means the inflammation point starts beneath the skin and can extend to the joints, producing swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.
Researchers speculate that CBD binds to the body’s receptors that correlate with the human cannabinoid system (HCS). Also known as endocannabinoids, the HCS has the capacity to influence pain levels and is responsible for the mechanisms that produce inflammation and itch. In fact, one study from 2020 has suggested that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in skin homeostasis, leading to the belief that cannabinoids may help with chronic pruritus [3]. The general idea is that CBD binds to the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) and other receptors to resolve inflammation and the other discomforts associated with psoriasis.
The relationship between the human cannabinoid system and CBD is complex and warrants further investigation before determining the best practical applications as therapeutic. Emergent studies seem to suggest that topical CBD ointments with an oil-based carrier improve skin hydration, elasticity, and health if applied to any present psoriasis lesions twice daily for at least 60 days [4].
A recent study from 2020 indicated that patients suffering from scalp psoriasis were effective at reducing itching and inflammation while reducing overall discomfort associated with psoriasis at the scalp after using CBD shampoo [5].
Are There Any Downsides to CBD for Psoriasis?
While many medical practitioners and researchers concur that the outlook for CBD as a potential therapeutic for psoriasis is positive overall, the lack of high-quality studies on the subject warrants further investigation. At this stage, despite the positive conclusions emerging, the medical research community can’t wholly agree with any certainty on how CBD helps alleviate symptoms of psoriasis.
As legal restrictions on cannabis ease nationwide, it’s reasonable to expect more solidified biological support for the now largely anecdotal evidence surrounding CBD as therapeutic for chronic psoriatic disease.
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Choosing the Right Topical CBD Product for Psoriasis
While we can’t say with certainty that CBD will provide relief from psoriatic disease, there’s ample evidence to show that its anti-inflammatory properties could be effective. At the very least CBD is a safe way to soften and moisturize the impacted areas of the skin. When combined with additional ingredients such as camphor, CBD can be effective in eliminating thick, scaly skin and relieving symptoms of irritation and pain.
Cannabinoids, however, are inherently lipophilic, drawn to fatty environments while being resistive to water [6]. The best topical CBD formulations should incorporate oil-based carriers to help permeate the watery outer layer of skin and bond with the fatty environment beneath it.
At Sugar Bottom Hemp, we adhere to industry-leading quality assurance practices to guarantee you’re always receiving premium naturally harvested CBD that’s both safe and effective. To learn more about our consumer-focused approach, continue to explore are a range of CBD offerings online.
Resources
- National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.). Psoriasis: Causes, triggers and treatments. The National Psoriasis Foundation: National Psoriasis Foundation. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/
- National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.). What is psoriatic arthritis (PSA)? The National Psoriasis Foundation: National Psoriasis Foundation. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis/
- Avila, C., Massick, S., Kaffenberger, B. H., Kwatra, S. G., & Bechtel, M. (2020). Cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(5), 1205–1212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.01.036
- Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, Volume 13, 927–942. https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s286411
- Vincenzi, C., & Tosti, A. (2020). Efficacy and Tolerability of a Shampoo Containing Broad-Spectrum Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Scalp Inflammation in Patients with Mild to Moderate Scalp Psoriasis or Seborrheic Dermatitis. Skin Appendage Disorders, 6(6), 355–361. https://doi.org/10.1159/000510896
- Lucas, C. J., Galettis, P., & Schneider, J. (2018). The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 84(11), 2477–2482. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13710
