Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, tissues and organs. These disorders are typically chronic and can be difficult to treat.
Despite this, many patients have found relief using cannabis. It can be used to relieve pain, inflammation and spasms associated with autoimmune diseases.
The Plant
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the body’s immune system attacking the body’s own tissues, causing inflammation and other complications. The symptoms of these diseases include pain, fatigue and loss of function. Cannabis has been shown to treat these diseases in a few ways, including decreasing general inflammation and helping to relieve digestive disorders.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol), both phytocannabinoids in the plant, have anti-inflammatory activity that can help treat chronic inflammation. They bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors found on immune cells, which are responsible for the regulation of the immune system. They also interact with a variety of receptors in the brain and other organs.
Inflammation is an underlying cause of many autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. The treatment of chronic inflammation is vital in order to control autoimmune diseases, which are often fatal, as well as preventing the development of infections and cancer.
One of the most significant findings of recent studies is that THC can modify critical molecules in the human epigenome, such as histones, which are essential for inflammation suppression. These changes, in turn, may lead to improved treatments of autoimmune diseases, such as MS and rheumatoid arthritis.
The effects of these changes have been shown in a number of animal models, including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis. The effects of CBD on AIH were mediated through reductions in proinflammatory cytokines, increased levels of CD11b+Gr-1+MDSCs, and an increase in the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine FoxP3+ T regulatory cells.
In addition, the plant’s terpenes have been shown to decrease pain and inflammation in mice. They have also been shown to inhibit inflammation-promoting proteins such as interleukin-2, while increasing the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-10. This research has also been applied to autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, where inflammation is the underlying cause of pain and other symptoms.
The Cannabinoids
Cannabis has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, and this is especially true of THC and CBD. They have been shown to reduce inflammation, which is the root cause of many autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus and type 1 diabetes.
The pharmacological effects of cannabis are mediated by the interaction between the cannabinoids and the receptors on immune cells. Cannabinoids act as immunomodulators, reducing the levels of various cytokines and other proteins that are responsible for causing the inflammation. The cannabinoids can also alter the expression of several genes that regulate inflammation, which has led to their potential as new therapeutic options for autoimmune diseases.
CBD and THC are the two most common cannabinoids used for medicinal purposes, although other cannabinoids have been found to have therapeutic effects as well. For example, nabilone and dronabinol are D9-THC analogs that are used in clinical trials as antiemetics for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to stimulate appetite in AIDS and cancer patients.
Both agonists and antagonists of CB2 cannabinoid receptors have been shown to suppress the inflammatory response. This includes reducing levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), the inflammatory mediator of RA and other autoimmune diseases, while increasing IL-10, a key anti-inflammatory protein in the body.
A variety of cannabinoids can bind to CB2 receptors, including the more popular THC and CBD. They all have unique biological activities that can be useful for different patients, and each can have distinct side effects.
THC can be found in the cannabis plant, and it is the most widely marketed drug from this family. It has been approved by the FDA to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and it has been found to improve cachexia in HIV patients.
Other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, including
The most important function of cannabinoids is their ability to modulate the immune system. This includes a wide variety of cells, from lymphocytes and macrophages to chondrocytes. The immune systems of each autoimmune disease are different, and this is why it is important to tailor the cannabinoid treatment for each patient.
The Terpenes
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in a wide range of plants, including cannabis. They help defend a plant from predators and attract pollinators. They also play a key role in the aroma and flavor of a strain.
These terpenes can also affect the effects of THC and CBD, and may enhance the overall therapeutic benefits of cannabis. Researchers are beginning to explore the potential of terpenes in treating autoimmune diseases.
There are over 200 different terpenes in the cannabis plant, and many of them work in synergy to produce the psychoactive effects you’re familiar with. The most popular terpenes in cannabis include pinene, which reduces anxiety, and linalool, which regulates mood and pain.
Some terpenes are more beneficial than others, so it’s important to know what each one does and how it can benefit your health. For example, limonene is a citrus-scented terpene that’s been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Another terpene, humulene, has long been used in folk medicine to ward off insomnia and energize the body. It’s most commonly found in ginseng, but it’s also present in the flowers of other plants.
While terpenes aren’t yet fully understood, there’s promising evidence that they can affect how your body uses cannabinoids. This could make them a valuable tool for improving the therapeutic effects of marijuana, as well as reducing its undesirable side effects.
A study published in the journal Molecular Neuroscience tested whether terpenes could influence how cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with receptors in the brain. It found that terpenes were able to activate the CB1 and A2a receptors.
This cannabinoid-like activity may allow terpenes to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as inflammation and pain. In addition, terpenes have been shown to affect how your brain processes information, which may be beneficial for people with autism or other brain disorders.
In a study on mice, researchers found that THC can alter critical histones in the immune system and suppress inflammation. This is an important finding because it can help ease the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as chronic pain or inflammation.
The Effects
There are many autoimmune diseases that can cause pain and other symptoms, such as arthritis or inflammation. While some of these conditions are treatable, others can be difficult to manage and can be chronic and debilitating.
Luckily, cannabis can help alleviate the symptoms of these conditions and improve your quality of life. It also works as an effective immunomodulator.
Your immune system helps your body fight off infection and disease by attacking and killing faulty cells or abnormal organs. However, when your immune system gets confused and starts to attack the body’s own healthy cells, it is known as an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune diseases fall into two different categories: organ-specific autoimmune diseases and systemic autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases can lead to many different symptoms including pain, inflammation, and digestive problems. The best way to determine if your autoimmune disease may be treatable with cannabis is to speak to your doctor.
Studies show that cannabis can help relieve the symptoms of autoimmune diseases by regulating the immune system. It does this by influencing the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system contains receptors, CB1 and CB2, that are expressed on various immune cells including B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytes. The expression of these receptors on immune cells depends on the type of cell, the immune stimulation, and the activation state.
A variety of cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers such as TNF-a, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10. These cannabinoids also suppress the production of inflammatory proteins and increase the activity of regulatory T-cells, or Tregs.
Inflammation is a key component in most autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. Research shows that cannabis can effectively reduce the levels of interleukin-2, an inflammation-promoting protein, and enhance the levels of the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10.
In addition, a recent study found that THC has the potential to control autoimmune diseases by inhibiting DNA expression through epigenetic pathways. This is a promising new treatment option for patients with autoimmune diseases such as MS, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and rheumatoid arthritis.
