At Papa & Barkley, we focus a lot of time and attention on the functional use of cannabis products like our classic Releaf Balm, the salve that our founder Adam Grossman created to help his father manage his debilitating back pain. But as many of you already know, cannabis is just as powerful inside the body as out; that’s why cannabis ingestibles such as our potent and pure cannabis tinctures help relieve discomfort and ease us into better rest, among other effects.
One relationship that has garnered more mainstream media attention recently is that between cannabinoids and the immune system. A growing number of us are wondering: Does CBD support your immune system? What about THC? Research suggests a potentially beneficial but complex interaction. If you’re interested in how cannabis oil and the immune system interact, today’s post should be required reading!
Cannabinoids and the Immune System: A Multilayered Relationship
You likely already know how CBD and THC can help us manage muscle discomfort, reduce stress, and potentially help us get a better night’s rest. And seeing as the endocannabinoid system—the major regulatory network that interfaces with these cannabinoids—is tasked with helping to modulate the immune system, it’s not much of a surprise that cannabis has an immunomodulatory (or response-changing) effect on the immune system.
This finding is borne out by a 2017 study demonstrating that CBD and THC interact with the lymphatic system, which produces most of our immune cells. The question is whether the effect is positive or negative. And as it turns out, the answer is: both.
A previous study found that regular cannabis use suppressed the immune system. In the case of those who are prone to unhealthy autoimmune responses such as gut dysbiosis and asthma, this can be looked at as a positive. But there’s a potential downside, too: White blood cells, which are tasked with fighting infections, could be compromised. And in extreme cases—such as people undergoing chemotherapy—this suppression could be detrimental.
Does CBD oil affect immune system response? The “second cannabinoid”—known for exerting a number of beneficial effects without the psychoactivity associated with THC—also suppresses immune system response, though in different ways than THC.
As a recent review of the clinical data suggests, CBD reduces some inflammatory responses, and may also instigate the cellular death of immune cells. Alarming though that may sound, it’s actually a normal and healthy immune system response and modulates the sort of inflammatory responses associated with autoimmune disorders such as the ones we pointed out a moment ago.
Cannabis Oil and Immune System Function: Wrapping Up
All told, it’s still a little too early to declare whether cannabis hurts or helps the immune system—and the answers we uncover will likely further illuminate the complexity of the relationship. What the current research suggests is that in certain cases it regulates unhealthy immune function, but in other cases, it may have a detrimental effect on otherwise normal functioning.
At Papa & Barkley, we’re passionate about the promise of plant-powered care, and its demonstrated potential for helping us manage chronic symptoms and conditions in the natural plant-powered way. As research around cannabis and its plethora of active ingredients continue, we’ll be sure to share new developments with you.
In the meantime, we hope today’s post helped to illuminate the complexity and nuance of how cannabis interacts with the human body. If there’s more you’d like to know, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re always here to help!
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