Cannabis and Your Immune System - Helpful or Harmful?

Cannabis is scientifically proven to help treat a plethora of conditions and ailments? But how does it impact our immune system? Keep reading for all you need to know about cannabis and your immune system.

By now, it’s no secret that cannabis is helpful for countless conditions and ailments - even some that you might not even know about. But how does cannabis consumption impact our immune systems? In the time of COVID-19, a strengthened immune system has been a priority for millions of people. Many consumers, especially chronic ones, might have wondered if their cannabis intake might make them more likely to get infections or contagious diseases.

As more and more layers of the war on cannabis are peeled back, it’s important to develop a deeper understanding of our endocannabinoid system and how it works. There is not enough scientific data to determine, but the present evidence we have suggests that chronic cannabis consumption (daily use) might harm the immune system. A suppressed immune system can help medical patients with autoimmune disease, but could possibly be detrimental to everyone else. Does this hold any water? First, we need to dive deeper into the relationship between our immune and endocannabinoid systems.

The Connection Between Our Endocannabinoid and Immune Systems

Our immune systems are one of the most intricate and sophisticated in the human body. It’s responsible for ridding our bodies of infections, pathogens, and malfunctioning cells. Our immune systems are intrinsically linked to our endocannabinoid systems, with one of their main functions being an anti-inflammatory, that prevents the body’s inflammation response, potentially causing disease. Cannabinoids are proven to be anti-inflammatory. Our CB1 and CB2 receptors are tasked with mediating the effects cannabis has on our immune systems.

Many studies have concluded that cannabinoids like CBD have many anti-inflammatory properties. Although limited research exists, cannabinoids’ impact on white blood cell count could cause immunosuppression. If someone’s immune system is dysregulated and in need of suppression, cannabis can act as a great treatment, studies show.

Cannabis and the Immune System - Bottom Line

Studies have conflicted as to whether cannabis can help our immune systems. On one hand, anti-inflammatory medications can be very helpful in preventing disease. On the other hand, chronic cannabis consumption can negatively impact the body’s white cell functionality, and impaired white cells could lead to a lessened ability to fight off infections.

As is the case with so many other aspects of how cannabis consumption impacts our bodies, more studies are needed. We might find that different methods of consumption could impact the immune system as well, as the majority of current studies on the matter have focused mainly on those who smoke it.

Disclaimer:

The content on this page is provided by HashDash for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any medical condition or ailment on your own. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about treatment. The information and products mentioned herein have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.

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