Cannabis, THC, CBD, and Inflammation: What Research Shows

When there’s an injury or infection in the body, inflammation acts as a natural defense reaction. Inflammation plays a big role in tumor progression by either damaging resident tissues or promoting tumor growth. Chronic inflammation can also cause other diseases or conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and autoimmune diseases.

Key Takeaways

• Researchers are studying how THC interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system in relation to inflammation.
• Conditions involving inflammation that researchers have studied alongside THC include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• On the other hand, THC could potentially cause inflammation, particularly in the airway, when smoking or vaping cannabis.
• CBD interacts with CB2 receptors, which are involved in the immune response, an area researchers study in relation to inflammation.
• Candy Crush, Cherry Burst, Harlequin CBD, MAC 1, and Mai Tai Gravity are examples of strains that come up in conversations about inflammation.
• Cannabis use can deliver several side effects such as dizziness, anxiety, and paranoia, and prolonged use may be linked to addiction and dependency as long-term effects.

How does cannabis help with inflammation?

Weed or cannabis contains hundreds of chemical compounds called cannabinoids, THC and CBD are the two most common cannabinoids that are usually talked about. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” people associate with cannabis. THC can overstimulate the endocannabinoid system, which is one source of its negative effects, and it has also been studied in relation to inflammation.

What is the endocannabinoid system? Great question!

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the system in our body that regulates pain and inflammation and it plays an important role in how the body deals with inflammation. For better understanding, it can be broken down into 3 main components:

1. Endocannabinoids: They are naturally produced by our body. The cannabinoids we produced share a similar structure to cannabinoids found in the cannabis plants.
2. Receptors: CB1 and CB2 are the two main types of receptors in the endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors can be found in the brain and spinal cord, while CB2 receptors can be found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
3. Enzymes: The enzymes break down endocannabinoids as well as THC and CBD.

The relationship between THC and inflammation is complex. To answer the question asking if THC can help with inflammation or not, well, the precise and clear answer is “mixed”. And why is that? That’s because some research has shown the anti-inflammatory properties of THC in some cases, and some showed that THC can also cause inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of THC

Several studies and anecdotal reports have examined THC in connection with pain and inflammation, particularly in chronic inflammation conditions, and some users describe their own experiences with chronic pain and arthritis. Neuroinflammation is another area where THC has been studied, including research that looks at multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s. THC along with other cannabinoids has been studied in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and symptoms such as pain, nausea, and appetite loss. THC has also been studied in connection with glaucoma and eye pressure, which is a common symptom of that condition.

Conversely, higher doses or chronic use of THC are associated with pro-inflammatory responses and the respiratory system can be irritated from smoking or vaping THC which can lead to airway inflammation and other respiratory issues.

What about CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major bioactive compound in cannabis, and it is often discussed in relation to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating, which is one reason it draws interest in wellness discussions. Some clinical research has looked at CBD alongside a range of pharmacological properties including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) through CB2 receptors, which are involved in regulating the immune response, an area researchers continue to study in connection with inflammation.

5 Cannabis Strains That Come Up in Conversations About Inflammation

The strains below are described for general background on their genetics and characteristics. If you are new to how strains are grouped, our guide to Sativa, Indica, and hybrid types explains the basics.

• Candy Crush is an Indica-dominant hybrid of Lifesaver and Airheadz F2, with reported THC levels of 15% to 23%. It is known for its sugary sweet fruity flavor and won third place in the Spannabis Cannabis Champions Cup in 2012.
• Cherry Burst is another Indica-dominant hybrid, this one made by mixing Tropicana Cherry with Super Buff Cherry #26.
• Harlequin CBD is a CBD-rich strain. Users commonly describe its effects as mild and clear-headed.
• MAC 1 comes from Alien Cookies F2 and Miracle 15 and is a relatively rare strain.
• Mai Tai Gravity is a 50/50 hybrid developed by crossbreeding Maui Waui and Tutti Frutti, with a sweet aroma and rich flavor.

Risk and Side Effects of Cannabis Consumption

Even though there has never been a fatal cannabis overdose, some of you may experience some negative side effects from consuming weed which may include:

• Psychoactive effects
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired cognitive
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Dizzy

Chronic users or long-term effects of cannabis may develop dependency, addictions, respiratory issues, and memory impairments.

Conclusion

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an injury or infection, and ongoing inflammation is linked to conditions such as heart disease and chronic pain. Cannabis comes up often in conversations about inflammation. The endocannabinoid system in the human body plays a part in how the body manages inflammation, and THC and CBD interact with its receptors, which is why researchers keep studying this relationship. Higher doses of THC, including from smoking or vaping, may instead cause inflammation in the respiratory system. This article looked at 5 strains that come up in these discussions: Candy Crush, Cherry Burst, Harlequin CBD, MAC 1, and Mai Tai Gravity. Lastly, keep in mind that cannabis still carries side effects, and prolonged use may be linked to other serious conditions.