How CBD Can Boost Your Immune System
If recent events have shown us anything, it is the importance of having a robust immune system. Your immune system is supported through a variety of healthful activities, including eating nutritious food and exercising regularly. However, many people believe there is more you can do to ensure you have a strong immune system.
One of the most recent trends in the health and wellness community includes the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to boost immune functions. Preliminary studies have shown this to be effective in supporting the immune system of certain individuals, but each person’s body can react to CBD differently. To help you understand how CBD could affect you, we will dive further into this subject below.
The Immune System
You are exposed to a constant barrage of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants every second of your life. Your immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and tissues that destroy foreign and harmful contaminants or cells, which helps keep you alive. The most crucial element in your immune system being white blood cells.
Your body contains two types of white blood cells, which are T-cells and B-cells. These not only destroy foreign bacteria or substances, but they retain information on the things to which they have been exposed, helping your immune system respond to their presence more quickly. When a person receives a vaccine, they are essentially teaching their white blood cells to recognize the disease for which they are being vaccinated, so their body knows how to respond before they even get sick.
Another important function of your immune system is to identify and destroy cells that are not working properly. These cells are the ones responsible for rapidly multiplying and creating tumors. Once the immune system locates this type of cell, it will work hard to kill it off before it gets the chance to spread.
The Endocannabinoid System
Through THC research, scientists have been able to identify a complex system within your body called the Endocannabinoid system. There is still much to be learned about this system. However, researchers believe it plays a role in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, memory, and reproductive functions. This system exists in everyone’s body regardless of their cannabis use.
Naturally-occurring endocannabinoid receptors are located throughout your body, the main two being CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB2 receptors are frequently found in immune cells, whereas CB1 is found more often in the central nervous system. Your body produces endocannabinoids that target these receptors to address certain issues you may have, such as pain or inflammation. After the endocannabinoids have bound to the receptors, they start to break down.
CBD and the Immune System
Researchers believe that the cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, CBD and THC, can interact with these receptors in such a way that boosts your body’s response to a variety of issues. However, while these both may support immune function, your body does not necessarily process and use them in the same manner.
CBD vs. THC
THC is the compound that is responsible for cannabis’ psychoactive effects or the feeling of being “high.” THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors, which can produce a wide range of effects in your body. THC may be able to stimulate appetite, reduce pain, soothe anxiety, and more.
CBD, on the other hand, does not seem to bind to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. Instead, many scientists believe it helps prevent endocannabinoids produced by the body from breaking down, increasing their effect on the body. Other researchers have proposed that CBD bind to a receptor that has yet to be discovered.
Boosting the Immune System with CBD Oil
While there is still much research and debate to be had over how exactly CBD works in the body, preliminary studies show that it has a positive effect on the immune system. However, the overall effect of CBD has seemed to vary from person to person. In some studies, CBD has been shown to increase the body’s production of white blood cells in immunodeficient patients, such as those with HIV. In other trials, researchers found evidence of pure CBD suppressing the body’s immune response, such as inflammation.
No matter how the immune system responds to problems in the body, it requires nourishment to be effective long term. You can easily buy CBD products, such as full-spectrum CBD oil and tinctures, which can help you support some of the major structures of your body’s immune system. There are also options that target other issues within the body, such as CBD for pain relief.
If you are wondering, “what is CBD oil?” then keep reading. Below is an explanation of CBD oil how to use CBD oil to support your body’s immune response.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD Oils and CBD tinctures are derived from the cannabis plant. They are concentrated solutions that contain a measured amount of CBD. Typically, CBD oil is made with coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, or palm oil. CBD tinctures are made with alcohol- or glycerin-based solutions.
CBD tincture and CBD oil are generally ingested the same way by placing a few drops under your tongue. It is easy to find CBD oil for sale, but it is important to get the best CBD oil tincture available to ensure there are no other chemicals in the solution. You can buy CBD oil in several dosage levels, typically ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 milligrams per 30mL bottle.
The Bottom Line
If you find yourself asking, “what is CBD oil good for?” then you are not alone. CBD oil can do more than boost your body’s immune response. In fact, there is a wide range of issues that it may be able to address, including insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, and even rheumatoid arthritis.
Whether you need the best CBD oil for pain relief or just want to buy a CBD tincture to nourish your immune system, there are high-quality options available. Be sure to choose a reputable manufacturer, opting for companies that seek out certificates of analysis, and avoid shopping by price tag alone.