As CBD continues to grow in popularity, numerous suppliers advertise the health benefits of using cannabidiol as a health supplement. One of the main benefits found in marketing material is improved immunity functions – many CBD users claim that CBD can help you fight off illness and disease.
See all CBD oil benefits here.
Still, others are more dubious about the immunity benefits of CBD oil and similar products. In fact, there is even evidence that suggests CBD can act as an immunosuppressant. For those passionate about the CBD industry, the exaggerated marketing of the product can have a negative impact on its reputation – it’s critical to separate fact from fiction.
So, as CBD becomes legal in an increasing number of states, is this a supplement you should take to improve your immune system?
What Does the Research Suggest?
To gauge the effectiveness of CBD in supporting human immune systems, it’s critical to assess the available research. While there haven’t been as many empirical studies on CBD oil as other medicines, there’s still solid research to examine.
While some studies point toward CBD oil offering immunity benefits, other evidence actually points towards CBD acting as an immunosuppressant. Much of this is related to CBD’s apparent role as an anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is a natural immune response to a variety of issues.
For example, research suggests that endocannabinoids play a significant role in immunity regulation. By reducing inflammation, CBD may be able to fight inflammatory disorders. This has the potential to benefit patients that suffer from an ‘immune-mediated injury.’
While this won’t help people who need an immunity response to an illness, it may prove useful to participants that require protection from an auto-immune disease. As auto-immune diseases imply that your immune system attacks your own body, using an immunosuppressant is sometimes necessary.
For those who suffer from movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s, there is evidence that suggests CBD can help improve the body’s movement response. While pre-clinical trials are still being conducted, there is promising data about CBD’s role in helping the body reduce unwanted movement.
There is also evidence that CBD helped reduced inflammation and pain-related issues in rats. For those suffering from pain disorders, this has obvious benefits.
Much of the research that points to a positive immune response from CBD is related to CBD acting as an ‘immunity modulator.’ An immunity modulator implies that a substance is able to improve a deficient immune system and decrease the activity of an over-active immune system. The idea is the immunomodulation can bring the immune system into a state of ‘homeostasis’ or physiological balance.
This would explain the immunosuppressant nature of CBD, as well as the potential for CBD to increase the immune response to specific threats. Fortunately, there is some research that points towards CBD containing an immunomodulatory effect in test studies. Still, the overwhelming consensus is that its primary benefit is reducing the inflammation response in subjects.
It’s essential to keep in mind that there are numerous studies that draw inconclusive results regarding CBD’s immune system benefits. As CBD continues to grow in popularity, it’s our hope that more extensive research is performed on its various benefits. There’s a good chance the full advantages of CBD oil are yet to be discovered.
If you have a severe immunity issue, it’s best to speak to your doctor before you seek any additional immunity treatment. You don’t want to risk consuming a CBD product that isn’t suitable for your particular condition.
Other Immunity-Related Health Benefits to Consider
Now that we’ve discussed research directed at CBD’s impact on the immune system, it’s time to consider some other health benefits associated with CBD consumption. We’ve chosen these two health benefits because they are known to have an impact on the body’s immune system.
Improved Sleep
One of the primary benefits associated with CBD supplementation is improved sleep. If you’re someone that has trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, you may want to consider the benefits of using CBD as a sleeping supplement. There has been positive research indicating the sleep-based benefits of cannabinol.
So, how does sleep improve your chances of building a healthy immune system? The answer to this is linked more to the damage that a lack of sleep can do. Studies suggest that a poor night’s sleep can have sweeping health ramifications.
While sleep is suspected of helping your immune system in a variety of ways, there is one benefit that is particularly interesting. Research suggests that healthy sleep can provide ample support for your immune system’s ability to recognize diseases or infections, for example. This is called immunological memory, and it can have a significant impact on your immune system’s effectiveness.
Reduced Stress
Another useful health benefit associated with CBD is a reduction in stress levels. While a decrease in stress can be hard to quantify, there have been several studies that examine the impact of CBD on human stress levels. Evidence suggests that CBD can reduce stress in humans.
So, how does this relate to maintaining a healthy immune system? Stress is known to suppress the immune system. In fact, there is an entire discipline devoted to ‘psychoneuroimmunology’ – this is the study of the effects that psychological wellbeing can have on your ability to fight off disease.
Reducing your exposure to stress and anxiety can have a considerable impact on your immune system. If your use of CBD can calm your nerves, reduce anxiety, and remove stress from your life, your immune system may benefit.
Still, it’s important to note that CBD alone may not be able to reduce your stress. You should use it in combination with other stress-reduction methods. By using a range of stress-relief measures, you may be able to improve your immune system.
CBD Is Not a Replacement for Healthy Habits
While there is evidence that suggests CBD can help you modulate your immune system, this should not be a replacement for other healthy habits. Eating a balanced and healthy diet is also a critical element of maintaining a healthy immune system.
There are also other measures you should take if your primary goal is to increase your immune system’s capabilities. Let’s take a look at other actions that should be taken in conjunction with consuming an immunity supplement:
- Quit or Reduce Smoking and Drinking: Smoking and drinking are two habits that can drastically impact your immune system’s capabilities. Quitting or reducing both behaviors can have a significant impact on your body’s ability to fight illness.
- Increase Exercise Activity: Good exercise habits can help your body improve its immune system.
- Lose Weight: If you’re currently overweight, it may be damaging your body’s ability to respond effectively to disease.
CBD Health Myth Damage
While it’s clear that research points to the positive health benefits of CBD products, it’s important to stay realistic about the current level of data. As CBD has been shunned by the medical community for decades, there hasn’t been adequate research into its numerous benefits. Its association with marijuana and dubious legal status have left CBD research, in general, underfunded and under-researched.
Fortunately, there appears to be a change in attitude towards CBD products. As more states begin to legalize various cannabis products, a growing number of US residents are enjoying the therapeutic and health-related benefits of the substance. We are also now seeing a large amount of money (some from major corporations) flow into the industry.
As the legitimacy of CBD increases around the United States, there is significant promise there will be more research into its numerous health benefits. Its impact on the immune system will undoubtedly play a major role in future studies.
Tips for CBD Consumption
If you do decide to use CBD as a supplement, it’s essential to understand the product as much as possible. We’ve compiled a few tips that you can use if you’re planning on taking CBD as a supplement for your immune system:
Decide on Your Intake Method
The first step to using CBD for your immune system is deciding how you’re going to take it. As CBD manufacturers grow increasingly creative, there are now several ways that you can consume CBD products. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options:
- CBD Oil – If you’ve been keeping tabs on the CBD industry, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of CBD oil. This is one of the most popular CBD products on the market. In most cases, CBD oil users will drop the oil underneath their tongues.
- CBD Concentrates – CBD concentrates are similar to CBD oils, but they’re much more potent. Most people also choose to consume concentrates by dropping them under their tongues. The benefit of using a CBD concentrates is that you can avoid the distinguishable taste of CBD oils – most concentrates are tasteless.
- CBD Edibles – CBD edibles are simply CBD products that you can eat (or drink). This may come in the form of a baked good, gummy bear, or any other type of edible product. CBD manufacturers are increasingly creative with their edible options – keep your eyes peeled for new options.
- CBD Capsules – Last but not least is CBD capsules. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and tasteless way to consume CBD oil for your immune system, a capsule might be the best option. Aside from the obvious advantages associated with capsules, you’ll also benefit from more precise dosing.
All of the methods mentioned above are effective. The method of intake is something that is largely determined by your preferences – each method will provide you with a specific CBD dose. To learn more about different CBD products, click here for additional information on our website.
Use a Reputable CBD Producer
If you’ve kept your eyes on the CBD market in recent years, you’ve probably noticed there are hundreds of new companies flooding the markets. While this has created healthy competition and brought numerous new products to consumers, it’s also come at a cost. There are now numerous opportunists in the market touting sub-par products at exhorbitant prices.
For this reason, it’s critical to use the best producers on the market. By accessing the top CBD products, you can ensure you’ll receive the full health benefits of the supplement. If improving your immune system is your priority, you don’t want to use “fake” or sub-standard CBD oil.
If you’re interested in finding out more information about reliable CBD products and producers, we have in-depth information on some of the industry’s top products. You can find it here.
Follow Proper Dosage Advice
If you’re planning on taking CBD to help modulate your immune system, it’s essential to take the right dosage. Many first-time CBD users tend to take too much or too little of the product – both will cause negative results.
Dosage levels will vary on a range of factors, so it’s sometimes best to test the waters before you dive headfirst. For example, if you’re someone who is taking a small dose to help you sleep at night, you should be consuming about 10 to 40 mg a day.
If you’d like in-depth information about CBD dosage levels, make sure to check out our comprehensive dosing guide. We even have an extensive dosage chart that can help you assess the right dose for your weight and desired effect. You can find the link to it here.
Learn More About CBD from LearningCBD
At LearningCBD, we’re firmly committed to providing CBD education to our readers. Now that you’ve explored information about CBD and the immune system, it’s time to decide if this is a supplement that’s right for you. Our website hosts in-depth information on the best CBD options available.
We also host buying guides, product recommendations, and a host of other online resources. As a one-stop-shop for all your CBD needs, LearningCBD is the perfect place to learn more about this groundbreaking supplement. If you want to keep tabs on the latest CBD trends, make sure to check out our blog.
Works Cited:
Immunomodulation: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2018.0073
Endocannabinoids and inflammation regulation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3044336/
CBD and Movement Disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5958190/
Anti-inflammation in rats: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
CBD and Stress: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
Stress and immunity: https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune
Sleep and CBD: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881112474524
Sleep and immunity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3256323/
FAQs About CBD And Your Immune System?
Question: Does CBD Help Your Immune System?
Answer: Although the research for the benefits of CBD oil is still ongoing, there is already evidence that suggests CBD can help the immune system because it is an immunosuppressant and immunity modulator.
Question: Do endocannabinoids help in immunity regulation?
Answer: Some research suggests that endocannabinoids play a significant role in immunity regulation.
Question: Can CBD treat Parkinson’s disease?
Answer: While there are still ongoing clinical trials, there is evidence suggesting that CBD can improve the body’s movement response.
Question: What are some health benefits you can get from CBD?
Answer: Some of the health benefits you can get include sleep improvement, reduced stress, and anti inflammation.
Question: Can you use CBD oil as an alternative for exercise?
Answer: While there are evidence suggesting that CBD can help your immune system, you should not replace consuming CBD for exercise. Good exercise habits are proven ways to increase the immune system. Consuming CBD could only supplement healthy habits.
Question: What are the tips for consuming CBD products?
Answer: Some of the tips include deciding your intake method, buying from a reputable CBD producer, and following proper dosage advice.
Question: What are the different ways to intake CBD?
Answer: You can consume CBD products using different methods. You can take CBD oil, CBD concentrates, CBD edibles or CBD capsules.
