Since its beginnings as a source of research due to the spectrum of medicinal properties that it covers under a null parameter of psychoactive effects, the cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown as a optimal phytocannabinoid for the treatment of various diseases and with a positive impact on the immune system.
Understand the help that cannabidiol provides as immune system enhancer It involves understanding the functioning of this system and the medical capabilities of CBD in its intervention with it.
What is the immune system?
He does, immune system o immunological constitutes the body's defense mechanism against infections through a system of attack on invading germs that gives us the necessary coverage to keep our health in perfect condition.
La detection of antigens by the immune system is the basic pillar of its functioning. He recognition y elimination of foreign substances are the hard core of the immune system's work.
This defense work is based on the collaboration between cells and organs, in which leukocytes take on a special role. These white blood cells play priority functions in the body's defense.
How does the immune system work?
The immune or immune system works by detecting and eliminating antigens that invade the body. For this, antibodies are made that immobilize these antigens. The human body has three types of immunity: innate, adaptive and passive.
We are all born with a innate immunityNaturally, the skin itself is an example of the human body's protective capacity, but we also have a passive protection model whose origin is external and its duration is relatively short, such as antibodies supplied through breastfeeding.
It is throughout our lives that we develop the true defensive structure, called adaptive immunity o active. This type of protection constitutes our body's true strength against antigens and is forged through exposure to diseases and the vaccination protocol.
Correct functioning of the immune system involves managing the body's natural defense without causing any type of damage. When this protocol does not work perfectly, the immune response is weakened and autoimmunity occurs.
Autoimmunity is an attack by the immune system to healthy tissues and organisms, producing autoimmune diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, allergies or HIV/AIDS.
Endocannabinoid system
Known by the acronym ECS, the endocannabinoid system is a neurotransmitter structure composed of cannabinoid and endocannabinoid receptors that interact with each other and are located in the brain and in different organs, tissues, glands and immune cells.
The activity of the ECS in each location is different, but its common function in all of them: homeostasis, maintain the balance of a stable internal environment regardless of the variation of the external environment.
Thus, the endocannabinoid system seeks biological harmony and inter-system coordination despite the environmental changes that affect the different body systems and the functions related to each of them.
This is possible through the regulation of essential functions that allow the correct functioning of the cells of organisms within ideal ranges of conditions in media whose parameters are variable.
The ECS intervenes in almost all physiological processes, having ability to influence pain, appetite, Stress, sleep or immune function; moderating these processes through its CB receptors.
The CB1 receptors They are located in the brain and intervene in the regions responsible for mental and physiological processes. The CB2 receptors They are located in the immune and nervous systems, as well as in different organs and glands. Its activity is especially linked to the functioning of CBD as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Pharmacological capabilities of CBD
El cannabinoid CBD has been shown to cause a positive effect on neurogenesis and neurodegeneration; that is, about the creation and death of both brain cells and nervous tissue. These two elements play a fundamental role in the health and proper functioning of the immune system.
In different laboratory studies on the hemp plant, positive and promising results on the use of cannabidiol as a natural treatment for patients suffering from head trauma, stroke, cerebral ischemia and atrophy.
While CBD effects They have been a door of hope for treatments with minimal side effects, the effect of their qualities is dependent on the human body's capacity for the acquisition and absorption of the beneficial properties of cannabinoids, entering into the equation factors such as weight, height, age, diet and habits.
Among the latests Moravia's compositions CBD capabilities include the effect of sedation, reducing memory leak in the short term and stability e insensitivity to oxidation, making it a long-lasting agent for use in the immune system.
What is the relationship between the immune system and cannabinoids?
The disposition in different systems and organs of the human body is a common factor between the immune system and cannabinoids, hence the DO show optimal functioning through endocannabinoid functions.
This relationship allows cannabinoids such as CBD to help the system and prevent autoimmune and inflammatory responses that cause greater pathological damage.
CBD and immune system
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD They are useful for the immune system to reduce inflammation, which causes most autoimmune diseases. Thus, CBD is consolidated as a component very effective for strengthening the immune system.
Both hyperactivity and weakening of the immune system are counteracted by positive effects of CBD Due to its capacity as an immune suppressant, at the same time as its potential for reducing pain, it helps with any pathology that includes this symptomatology in its condition.
Clinical studies linked to CBD and the immune system
During various research focused on specific cannabinoids, such as CBD, in types of autoimmune pathologies it has been proven that cannabidiol positively regulates the immune system without depressing him.
The catalytic effect on the production of T cells, responsible for protecting the body against infections, as well as the elimination of immunological “memory” reduces the possibility of future autoimmune interference.
During the preclinical studies, it was already anticipated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of CBD in controlled quantities and its ability to activate CB2 receptors in order to inhibit the damaging effects of immune system cells.
These preclinical findings have allowed further studies that focus on the functions of the cannabinoid. CBD as an immune system aid for the recovery of homeostatic balance, protection against the autoimmune response and inhibition of the functions of hyperactive cells to avoid the activation of an attack of the system itself.
In various investigations, the regulatory function of CB2 receptors in complex networks of the immune system has been taken as a basis to demonstrate that their activation can inhibit the immune response, which is also useful for patients with autoimmune diseases.
CB2 receptors inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines and stimulate the production of their antagonists, anti-inflammatory cytokines. This blocking and catalyzing process helps restore homeostasis.
How does CBD help the immune system?
The detection and elimination of pathogens by the immune system is carried out through two pathways: cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity. The balance between both disease-fighting mechanisms is what guarantees the optimal functioning of the IS.
The endocannabinoid system, for its part, carries out supervisory and regulatory control between both responses, so stimulation of the system through the CBD helps for an improvement in the state of health, the necessary balance, the responsiveness and the totality of SI functions.
The effect of CBD on the ECS directly involves them in the correct functioning of the SI, since the cannabinoid works as a modulator of the latter through a regulatory function, restoring balance whenever its functioning erroneously occurs in excess or insufficiently.
El treatment of autoimmune reactions by CBD It is carried out by modulating the immune system itself, reducing inflammation through its anti-inflammatory potential and the adjuvant function of helping the digestive system.
Its application meets treatment criteria for the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, affecting chronic pain, inflammation and spasms.