CBD and the immune system
by 5 LEAF PRODUCTS © 2024
Nichols and Kaplan (2020)
The immune system describes complex mechanisms that protect the organism from harmful external influences - ideally without harming the body itself.
There is evidence that CBD can directly and indirectly influence the functioning of the immune system.
CBD could directly suppress the activation of various immune cell types. Furthermore, it could indirectly alter other immune processes through increased induction of apoptosis and promotion of regulatory cells.
Most studies on this topic focused either on individual human or animal cells or on specific animals (e.g., mice or rats).
The authors suggested that CBD, due to its immunosuppressive and neuroprotective mechanisms of action, could be a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Other autoimmune diseases, such as forms of hepatitis, myocarditis, and diabetes, could also be alleviated by CBD, as studies in mice have suggested.
Overall, however, there is a lack of clinical studies that could identify corresponding effects.
Nichols, J.M., & Kaplan, B.L.F. (2020). Immune Responses Regulated by Cannabidiol. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 5(1), 12-31. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0073
Peyravian et al. (2020)
It is assumed that CBD can influence certain receptors and mechanisms of the immune system, which is reflected in the observed immunosuppression.
CBD appears to interact with various enzymes and proteins in different ways.
Among other things, CBD can inhibit adenosine reuptake or promote adenosine signaling. This can help prevent inflammation and stress-related cell damage.
Overall, there is much evidence to suggest that CBD has an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect.
The use of CBD-containing products could therefore be therapeutically significant for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Several studies have yielded promising results in this regard. However, long-term studies that could demonstrate the clinical relevance of CBD in this context are still lacking.
The investigation of possible immunomodulatory mechanisms has so far mainly taken place in the laboratory and is only just beginning.
Peyravian, N., Deo, S., Daunert, S., & Jimenez, JJ (2022). The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. Journal of Inflammation Research, 15, 2795-2801. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S355489