MEDICAL CANNABIS SHOWS PROMISE AGAINST AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
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Medical Cannabis can benefit patients suffering from a wide range of autoimmune disorders because compounds in the Cannabis plant activate receptors in the human brain and body that regulate inflammation and immune cell activity. |
Autoimmune disease symptoms don’t always announce their arrival loudly. Many people slowly develop autoimmune conditions without even realizing anything is wrong. And the road to a diagnosis can be long and frustrating. In fact it can take about five years to receive an official autoimmune diagnosis. The average person goes to 6 to 10 doctors before autoimmunity is recognized as the culprit largely because the symptoms of these diseases are so disparate and vague. Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words the body actually attacks its own cells. The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression medication which decreases the immune response.
Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Acne
- Attention deficit problems
- Brain fog
- Bloated stomach
- Body rashes, red bumps on facial skin and red flaking skin
- Constipation
- Dermatitis
- Dry mouth
- Digestive tract upset may indicate irritable bowel disease
- Diarrhoea
- Exhaustion
- Eczema
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Frequent colds
- Gas
- General feeling of malaise
- Headaches
- Hyperactivity
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Stomach cramping
- Stiffness and pain (could suggest rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia symptoms)
- Thyroid – such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’s disease
- Weight gain or loss
In a study called “Direct Suppression of Autoreactive Lymphocytes in the Central Nervous System Via the CB2 Receptor” by Blood Centre of Wisconsin at the Blood Research Institute it was found that “The Cannabinoid system is now recognized as a regulator of both the nervous and immune systems. THC produced by Cannabis Sativa has shown evidence of being immunosuppressive in both in vivo and in vitro.” Therefore Cannabis has an immunosuppressive quality very beneficial for those who suffer from autoimmune diseases.
Medical Cannabis can benefit patients suffering from a wide range of autoimmune disorders because compounds in the Cannabis plant activate receptors in the human brain and body that regulate inflammation and immune cell activity.
However in those with autoimmune disorders the immune system fails to differentiate between foreign intruders and the individual’s body. The resulting self inflicted damage can ravage organs, cause pain and even lead to death. CBD supports and helps the immune system allowing the body’s self defence to be able to recognize the difference between normal anatomy and foreign bodies.
Conclusion
CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects, it has minimal side effects and is non toxic and non addictive. The best way to describe this system is to use the analogy of vitamin D. There are vitamin D receptors in every tissue in our body and this is the system that interfaces with sunlight. The Endocannabinoid system interfaces with the plant world and we receive all the benefits through this system. It’s crucial to homeostasis, pain reduction, neurotransmitter levels and much more.