How Does Inflammation Occur and Would CBD Be a Viable Treatment Option For It?

We all experience inflammation in some form of another, as no human is immune to this inherent bodily process. Derived from the immune system, the inflammatory process can cause pain, and disrupt our ability to function due to its effects on various systems of the body. Despite how common inflammation is, many people still don’t quite understand what causes it, and don’t realize that the issue that they’re facing is caused by inflammation.

This is where going for a more holistic approach could yield positive results. Specifically, cannabidiol (CBD), a unique type of compound that can potentially regulate inflammation throughout all systems of the body. This particularly useful to those with some type of chronic inflammatory condition, as you will soon find out here today.

What Exactly is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a process produced by the immune system (a network of cells and tissue that work to keep the body safe and healthy). It fights away invaders in the form of infection, and also repairs the body when it becomes injured.
The immune system accomplishes these tasks by sending cells known as “cytokines” to areas that it perceives to be in harm. Cytokines enter the affected tissue of the body in great numbers, which causes swelling, pain, tenderness and redness. When a person injures their body and the area swells up, that’s due to the cytokines rushing to the area. Similarly, when a person catches a cold and gets a stuffy nose, the symptom is caused by inflammation, not the virus itself, as cytokines enter the nasal and sinus tissue in an effort to protect the host.

Where Can Inflammation Occur?
No tissue of the body is immune to the effects of inflammation, which can happen anywhere. Inflammation can occur on the skin, in the form of a condition like eczema or acne, and can occur in the digestive tract, causing troubles with digestion including frequent pain, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
Inflammation can even be widespread if a person comes into contact with something that they are allergic to and can also be widespread if a person is under stress, as the heavy flow of cortisol through the bloodstream causes inflammation to occur in various bodily symptoms. Plus, muscles can become inflamed easily due to injury.

What are the Effects Then of Inflammation?
Inflammation can manifest itself in all kinds of ways, and systemic inflammation can lead to a breakdown of various bodily processes we rely on daily. For instance, someone who experiences chronic stress can exist naturally in a more inflamed state, due to the effects of stress hormones on the immune system. Because the immune system causes the inflammatory response in the body, if the immune system is compromised, inflammation can become excessive and systemic, affecting everything from mood to digestive function, and can even cause widespread pain throughout the body. Examples of systemic inflammation conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), causing symptoms including eczema, allergies and brain fog.

Whenever a person is sick or injured, their body will experience inflammation. The idea is that the inflammation level reduces when the issue is no longer threatening to a person’s wellbeing. But, in certain cases, inflammation can become chronic, which means that a person needs to take action to heal the body.

What Can a Person Do to Treat Inflammation?
Treating inflammation is complex, since it can occur in any area of the body, or even affect multiple systems simultaneously. Inflammation itself can’t be diagnosed, and so a doctor must simply draw conclusions based on various symptoms present to create a diagnosis. As we mentioned, there are various types of inflammatory conditions that present themselves differently.

The right doctor will aim to both minimize the symptoms you’re experiencing, and from there, minimize the more widespread inflammation in the body. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories may work for more minor issues, such as joint pain. But, at the end of the day, the goal is to address the cause for the inflammation. It could be related to stress, dietary issues, an underlying disease or genetic factors. Usually, treating a more systemic inflammation issue comes down to supporting the immune system with good nutrition and lifestyle habits, and being extra mindful of one’s overall health.

What Can CBD Do for Inflammation?
What’s unique about cannabidiol (CBD) is the manner in which it aims to address inflammation. CBD is sent to cannabinoid receptors all throughout the body, in each bodily system, to regulate processes including ones related to inflammation. This is why taking CBD daily could potentially relieve symptoms associated with various inflammation-based conditions, including ones that are autoimmune in nature.

CBD is also used as an anti-inflammatory pain-reliever, due to its ability to lower inflammation in the muscles and joints, especially when applied directly to the affected area in the form of a topical.

How Should a Person Use CBD for Inflammation?
If you are dealing with inflammation, you should speak to your doctor before attempting to treat it at home. Your doctor will want to rule out serious underlying conditions, and possibly order bloodwork to see whether or not your inflammation is caused by some type of dietary deficiency or other related issue. They may recommend the use of certain products, or suggest certain changes to your daily routine, and/or prescribe some type of medication.

It’s important to speak with your doctor about using cannabidiol, and ask them what their thoughts are, as they can give you more personalized advice. If they advise you to take it, we recommend choosing an internal method like a tincture (Supercharged™ CBD Oil - Sublingual) or edible (Supercharged™ CBD Gummies) which allows for more widespread distribution of cannabidiol throughout the various cannabinoid receptors in the body.

One final key thing to keep in mind is that you should take CBD daily for the best results, to give your body an adequate and steady supply of cannabidiol to fully support the body.