What Does Science Say About MJ for Treating Inflammation?
When it comes to the body’s response to injury, inflammation is the immune system’s way of fighting off harmful irritants. However, this process isn’t as harmless as it might seem. Chronic inflammation can be the root cause of many diseases, including cancer, stroke, heart disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders like lupus. Recently, there have been numerous discoveries about how MJ in various forms may reduce inflammation and help the body restore balance.
Research Overview
MJ for inflammation is a broad area of research, covering many different aspects. Unfortunately, much of the research so far has been conducted on animals, and there is a clear need for more human studies and clinical trials. Still, the results we do have are promising and shed light on how CBD may help fight inflammation.
Can CBD relieve arthritis pain? A 2018 article in Medical News Today addressed this question, citing animal studies that demonstrated the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD. This cannabinoid affects receptors in the brain and immune system, leading to reduced pain and inflammation.
A 2011 research report published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine also examined the potential role of CBD in various inflammation-related conditions. The report concluded that inflammation and oxidative stress are closely linked to the development of many human diseases. Breaking this connection therapeutically has proven challenging, partly because inflammation and oxidative stress “fuel” each other. Nevertheless, CBD may be a promising starting point for further drug development, given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells.
Even more encouraging news about CBD’s effects on inflammation comes from a 2016 literature review published in BioMed Research International. Researchers identified CBD as a possible key tool in controlling the spread and growth of cancer cells, while also noting the urgent need for further research.
A clinical trial at the University of Colorado aims to provide some of this much-needed additional research. Since 2018, researchers have been studying how inflammation levels change before and after MJ use, depending on THC and CBD levels in the blood. The trial is still in its early stages, as researchers continue to recruit participants.
Outlook for Patients
Swollen joints, skin rashes, and persistent fatigue are among the symptoms often experienced by people with lupus. Lupus Corner reported the results of a survey of 781 people with lupus about their use of MJ for various reasons, including treating their autoimmune disease. Of those surveyed, 36% said they had used MJ. Among those who used MJ specifically to manage lupus symptoms, 83% said they would recommend it to another person with lupus. However, 96% of respondents said their doctors had not discussed using MJ for lupus treatment, meaning most people turn to medical MJ on their own.
It’s also common for patients to use cannabis to recover after surgery. In addition to directly reducing pain, this can also make it easier to wean off high post-surgical doses of painkillers and other medications. The benefits these patients experience may also be partly due to the anti-inflammatory properties of terpenes found in cannabis.
What Do Experts Say?
Some researchers are optimistic about the potential of cannabis in treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In particular, endocannabinoids may have the ability to create a pathway that turns off the body’s inflammatory response. This was discussed in a 2018 article from Science Alert that reviewed several mouse studies.
Additionally, a 2018 article for Harvard Health Publishing discussed previous research on CBD for pain relief in a variety of inflammation-related conditions. For example, animal studies show that applying CBD to the skin can help reduce pain and inflammation from arthritis. A mechanism has also been demonstrated by which CBD suppresses inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat.
Most existing studies also note that clinical trials are needed to definitively show the possibilities and limitations of using MJ to treat chronic inflammation.