What is inflammation?
Inflammation is a physiological reaction of the body to an attack (virus, bacteria, cells to be eliminated). It involves the immune system and a cascade of molecules that normally protect the body. It is triggered when physical barriers such as the skin are not enough to stop these attacks. Its most visible characteristic is redness (pimple, around a recent scar, etc.), edema, a feeling of heat and pain can also be noted.
The increase in temperature kills any fragile pathogens. The immune cells on site emit molecules (chemokines) in order to increase the volume of blood vessels (edema) and convey reinforcements (other cells, nutrients, etc.). It is indeed necessary to destroy the threat, to clean the damage (debris of cells for example) and to rebuild, which requires a lot of resources. The inflammatory reaction is therefore essential for the health of our body.
Inflammation is a normal physiological mechanism. It becomes problematic when it turns into chronic inflammation or when the inflammatory phenomenon is exaggerated in relation to the threat being fought (acute allergy, chronic autoimmune disease).
What are the consequences of chronic inflammation?
An inflammation maintained by a disease or “bad” lifestyle habits (sedentary lifestyle, smoking, unbalanced diet, etc.) causes a normally temporary phenomenon to evolve into an abnormal chronic state. Inflammatory molecules will spread throughout the body: this is called a high inflammatory state. This situation is linked to many deleterious effects of obesity, chronic and autoimmune diseases and risks of cancer (or their recurrence).
Chronic inflammation can also cause cell damage:
At the digestive level, in connection with diet and stress (irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac or Crohn’s disease) causing feeding difficulties, absorption of nutrients and pain.
At the joint level: osteoarthritis (and arthritis) are inflammatory diseases of the joints. They arise from a vicious circle: joint damage, inflammation, loss of mobility (stiffness, swelling, pain) leading to muscle weakness. We then move less, the joint is therefore less well maintained, which leads to more damage (destruction of cartilage, deformation of the joints).
Healthy inflammation ends with a phase of rebuilding functional tissue. During an inflammatory reaction that is too intense or repeated, fibrosis may appear: a filling tissue. Whether it replaces cartilage, lung or liver tissue, fibrosis does not fulfill the original role. It causes loss of function, pain, and often more inflammation.
The last player in chronic inflammation is stress. Cortisol, a hormone secreted during a stressful episode, is paradoxically anti-inflammatory in the short term. This property led to the discovery of corticosteroids (steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs derived from cortisone). However, its continuous production causes immunosuppression and a drop in immune defences, explaining in particular the many side effects of these drugs. These effects are enhanced in people with stress-related sleep disorders, which further weakens these defenses. We then end up with an increase in pathogen attacks and therefore higher inflammation.
How is CBD anti-inflammatory?
The anti-inflammatory properties have two ways of helping you: by preventing inflammation from getting too high or by treating inflammation that is already there. Prevention is always more effective than treating the symptoms that are already present. Prevention means avoiding potential inflammatory damage and the runaway immune system. In this register, a healthy diet or including certain foods (such as turmeric or hemp seed oil), the practice of physical exercise and CBD have their place.
By acting on your mood, the action of CBD is not to be underestimated to combat anxiety problems and sleep disorders. Lack of sleep causes a weakening of the immune defenses and a possible increase in the painful sensation. By helping you maintain a serene mood, CBD can therefore help you better endure difficult days. What’s more, cortisol secretion is highly synchronized with sleep cycles. A disturbance in its production is linked to pathologies such as depression, alcoholism and a high inflammatory state.
At the digestive and cutaneous levels, the properties of CBD and hemp seed oil could translate more locally. CBD oil is placed under the tongue for maximum absorption via the oral mucous membranes and then swallowed. This would allow the intestinal microbiota to benefit from beneficial nutrients (omega 3, 6, polyphenols but also the fibers present in our infusions). These contributions could help people with inflammatory digestive pathologies or help a healthy person to take care of themselves. Since the skin is the main barrier against external aggressions, ensuring that its lipid film is maintained via CBD cosmetics is also important. For people with skin disease(s), this lipid film is often damaged and flare-ups of psoriasis and/or eczema are linked to stress and inflammation.
More detailed human studies are yet to be conducted to confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD. However, ongoing trials in the United States, Canada and Europe as well as numerous user testimonials tend towards confirmation of these soothing and analgesic properties. We remind you that CBD remains limited to well-being use and that it is not a miracle cure: it does not cure and does not replace an existing treatment. This does not detract from its soothing effects, both physical and mental. Remember that 5% of European people suffer from chronic and painful pathologies and that hypnotics (treatments for sleep disorders) have a high rate of misuse.
In conclusion, we can therefore say that CBD could be a natural alternative method complementary to existing treatments with the potential to help a large part of the population in search of a natural solution of serenity.