The roles of the endocannabinoid system, endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids in immune function and inflammatory conditions are a popular area of research. Both Type 1 and Type 2 cannabinoid receptors have been found on immune cells, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system is involved in our immune function. Studies have shown that cannabinoids can paradoxically both inhibit and stimulate the immune system in order to maintain homeostasis and control of immune responses. Cells of the immune system secrete numerous compounds that create inflammation, which may be a normal response to a trigger such as an infection, or it may be an abnormal “over-response” of the body which leads to inflammatory disease.
Cannabinoids have a potent inhibitory effect on cells of the immune system. In multiple animal studies, cannabinoids inhibit severity of disease, delay onset of disease and decrease inflammation.1,2 Cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory agents have been researched in numerous autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic asthma, multiple sclerosis, colitis, chronic liver inflammation and cancers with inflammatory components.3
I have many patients who report excellent results using phytocannabinoids as anti-inflammatory medicine. Since medical conditions vary person-to-person and response to cannabinoid treatment varies as well, patients may respond to different cannabinoid profiles and doses. Some of my patients are only using THC-rich cannabis in low, intermittent doses with improvement of their inflammation as evidenced by their reports of less pain and better mobility. Other patients are using CBD-rich cannabis in a daily high-dose regimen to suppress inflammation that occurs in autoimmune disease. Some patients are using combination CBD+THC in various ratios depending on what works best for their symptoms. As mentioned earlier, CBD-rich cannabis should be included in any regimen aiming for potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Croxford, J. Ludovic, and Takashi Yamamura. “Cannabinoids and the immune system: potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases?.” Journal of neuroimmunology 166.1 (2005): 3-18.
Klein, Thomas W. “Cannabinoid-based drugs as anti-inflammatory therapeutics.” Nature Reviews Immunology 5.5 (2005): 400-411.
Nagarkatti, Prakash, et al. “Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs.” Future medicinal chemistry 1.7 (2009): 1333-1349.