2 MIN READ | GEORGIA SMITH
CBD and your immune system for a body in balance
CBD has been championed as a beneficial supplement for a healthy immune response. Research has discovered some big benefits for treating overactive immune systems. To understand exactly how CBD and your immune system interact, we have to go back to the basics.
Let’s throw back to 7th grade science class. Just in case you slept through the Bill Nye video, here’s a quick overview of how your immune system works.
Immune System Basics
Your immune system is your number one defense against viruses, bacteria, and more. It has the important job of protecting our bodies from invaders, including everything from the common cold to the novel coronavirus. A healthy immune system identifies and attacks harmful bacteria and viruses. White blood cells rush to latch onto and kill the intruder, correctly identifying and separating the healthy tissue from the foreign agent.
In a body with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system is overactive. It struggles to categorize healthy, normal tissue from disease. Because of this, the white blood cells attack healthy tissue, creating a large and unnecessary inflammation response. Some common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, and vitiligo. In fact, tens of millions of people have autoimmune disease disorders.
These conditions have no known cure and are notoriously difficult to treat. Even in people without diagnosed autoimmune disorders, a hypervigilant immune system can cause serious effects throughout the body. Yet, we are just beginning to learn more about the positive benefits of plants and hemp-derived cannabinoids that can help people with such a disorder.
The most studied cannabinoid, CBD (cannabidiol) is being researched for its ability to help calm an overactive immune system by interacting with the endocannabinoid system – your body’s immune system regulator.
The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS), discovered in the early 1990s, helps regulate processes in your body, including immune response and inflammation. The ECS acts as a sort of traffic light for the immune system: its signals keep things flowing smoothly.
Even if you don’t use hemp or cannabis, your body produces its own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids): AEA and 2-AG, which interact with the endocannabinoid receptors throughout your body’s nervous system. Research indicates that CBD prevents endocannabinoids like AEA and 2-AG from breaking down.
Think of your immune system like an old-fashioned balance scale. The plates on either side are the ECS receptors. If your body produces the correct amount of AEA and 2-AG, the scales will remain balanced and your immune system will function in a harmonious way. But if the scales become unbalanced, an overactive immune response could result. This could lead to all kinds of problems, potentially even an autoimmune disorder.
CBD Your Immune System – Better Together
If your immune system is out of balance, CBD might help to regulate your body’s immune response. CBD may interact with your endocannabinoid system to restore balance and decrease inflammatory responses. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before starting any supplementation for medical purposes, but CBD has been shown to be beneficial for historically tricky-to-treat autoimmune disorders.
For an extra wellness boost, Zolt mixie sticks combine CBD or full-spectrum hemp with a range of other health-boosting ingredients. Look for antioxidants, like black and green tea, and organic adaptogens like astragalus, ashwagandha, amla fruit, and reishi — these can reduce oxidative stress on your body, boost brain function, and support your white blood cells to fight off infection. This powerful combination of antioxidants, adaptogens, and CBD make Zolt a soothing choice for every immune system.
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