CBD for Inflammation: How It Works and The Potential Benefits

When we talk about inflammation, it tends to be in reference to something you can see. As The Telegraph explains, this could be ‘the redness of a stubbed toe, the “-itis” of a swollen pair of tonsils or appendix, an auto-immune condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease.’ In the short term, inflammation is a normal response to viruses, bacterias or other toxic chemicals. 

However, there is also hidden inflammation; a chronic inflammation that we can’t see, but that is tied to a range of conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and depression. As Dr Shilpa Ravella explains in the article, long-term inflammation is associated with a higher rate of chronic illness, and affects ageing, the germs in our gut, and our intestinal function. Indeed, inflammatory diseases are the most common causes of sickness and death in the world, and The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks chronic diseases as the greatest threat to human health.

Although genetics play a role, Dr Ravella states that ‘research is increasingly showing that many inflammatory diseases are largely lifestyle disorders.’ While we can’t alter our genetics, we can make changes to get closer to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that could help us live a longer, healthier life. 

Diet plays a crucial role in this, but in this article, we’re interested in how Cannabidiol (CBD) could help counter chronic inflammation. Keep reading to find out more about the relationship between the two, and the potential benefits of using CBD for inflammation. 

Is CBD Good for Inflammation?

There is a growing number of studies that support the fact that CBD can help counter chronic inflammation. This is because it is thought that cannabinoids can interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system — which regulates and controls your bodily functions, including pain control and and immune responses — and exert their anti-inflammatory properties. 

In other words, research suggests that CBD can bind to your CB1 and CB2 receptors which, in turn, stops endocannabinoids from being broken down, increasing and prolonging their effect. This includes anti-inflammatory effects. 

A 2009 review of research found that, amongst other benefits —

1. CBD reduces joint and intestinal inflammation in arthritis in mice. 
2. Reduces neuropathic and inflammatory pain in rats. 
3. Reduces joint inflammation, including cartilage degradation and bone erosion in murine. 
4. Suppresses fatty acid amidohydrolase, which increases concentrations of the anti-inflammatory endocannabinoid anandamide. 

— and in the eight years since, there has been further research that suggests that CBD can reduce inflammation. 

‘CBD is non-psychoactive, but exerts a number of beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,’ explains Sinemyiz Atalay, Iwona Jarocka-Karpowicz, and Elzbieta Skrzydlewska in  Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol (2019). ‘In addition, preclinical and clinical studies have contributed to our understanding of the therapeutic potential of CBD for many diseases, including diseases associated with oxidative stress.’

What CBD Is Best for Inflammation?

As chronic inflammation is an internal process, we would recommend that you take a CBD product that you digest, such as an oil or edible. We would also recommend that this is made with broad-spectrum CBD as this offers the full therapeutic benefits of CBD, without the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive and illegal compound in cannabis (in the UK). 

Regardless of what product you go for, make sure it’s made with safe and certified processes, and extracted from organic and non-GMO hemp with CO2 extraction. At Purity Hemp, we can trace our products from seed to shelf. This means we grow our own organic hemp in nutrient-rich soil, which is farmed using sustainable and quality-assured processes, extracted using C02 extraction, and then lab tested and certified. 

Need additional help to choose the right product for inflammation? Read our guides on How to Choose the Right CBD Product and The Different Types of CBD, or take our CBD Quiz for a product recommendation in minutes. 

How Much CBD Do I Need for Inflammation?

There are several factors that help determine how much CBD you need. However, most if it comes down to personal preference and requirements. Our recommendation would be to start with 20-40 mg a day, and then to take the low and slow approach — start with a small and less frequent dosage, and increase it until you find your perfect dose.

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