Keeping our immune system at its strongest usually requires a lot of guesswork. There’s a lot of debate around this topic…and as coronavirus looms, immune system health is on everyone’s minds. And there is one substance that can help in keeping your immune system safe and strong: CBD.
But let’s take a step back. So, what exactly is this substance that everyone’s raving about? It’s a compound extract known as cannabidiol (CBD) and is derived from the cannabis plant. There’s a common myth that CBD gets you high…but let’s just debunk that right now. CBD doesn’t contain enough of a certain compound known as THC, which is the psychoactive compound responsible for that high. It can’t happen, so there’s no need to worry, it’s a perfectly safe substance.
CBD is really versatile and can be used across different functions, such as keeping your immune responses strong, managing pain and autoimmune diseases, and aiding with mental health issues as well.
I’ve always been a true believer when it comes to CBD and its benefits for your body and mind…so much so that I even grow my own! I know that it can work, but it’s important to look at the research as well to understand how it affects the immune system. With everything going on right now, CBD, along with some other routines, has been one of the main options I’ve relied on to keep my family safe and healthy. Because CBD has been so key in keeping our immune systems strong, I’ve been trying to understand this connection better so I can.
What’s the connection between CBD and the immune system?
There’s a lot of different research out on how CBD interacts with the immune system because it’s not just a singular method of operation. The way CBD works is by interacting with our endocannabinoid system and altering physiological responses. One of the primary actions of the endocannabinoid system is to keep your immune system ready – and that’s where CBD comes in. What it’s really doing is stimulating a response through keeping the immune system alert. CBD helps kickstart it a little bit and makes sure the immune ready to go.
You know how at the beginning of a race or a marathon, there’s someone who’s going to blow the whistle to signal ‘go’ and the runners just keep looking at them, waiting for that whistle? It’s kind of like that. Whether your immune system is underactive or overactive, CBD can help regulate it, make sure that it’s functioning correctly and that immune responses are ready to go when needed.
How does this work?
There’s a lot of complicated details on the exact functioning of it across the research and the main conclusion is that CBD really is effective for the immune system. Because of the way CBD interacts with your immune system, it’s known for a dual purpose: immunosuppressant and immunomodulator.
But what does that mean?
As an immunosuppressant, CBD helps reduce or eliminate suppress or prevent the immune response. This can be reducing unnecessary processes and helping you become healthier. As an immunomodulator, it helps regulate and normalize the immune system. The two actions within CBD serve a dual purpose that can help your body improve its immune responses overall.
For example, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation and keep toxins from spreading. It helps in cell death and prevents regrowth, which is key for your immune system and gives it a better chance of fighting off infections. The role of CBD is to keep your immune system functioning correctly and helping reduce distractions that the system might face over the course of time. It keeps it focused, and ready to go for whenever an invader attacks.
The one thing to bear in mind with CBD though is that there is a modicum of patience involved. It’s not something that you’ll start one day and see effects instantly. Everyone’s body works differently, so some people see results faster than others, but using CBD for your immune system isn’t about making it a race. Essentially, CBD helps your immune system stay functioning…without you actually noticing.
Think of it as the absence of something, rather than the presence of something. Because CBD is able to keep your immune system functioning and reduce the need for unnecessary processes, you’ll feel healthy overall.
What are other ways to keep my immune system strong?
The other best ways to manage your immune system during this time is by modifying diet, sticking to a regular exercise routine, and adding supplements (in moderation!) to your routine. In terms of diets, there are a lot of yummy foods you can indulge in that keep you and your family safe.
Antioxidants, in particular, is what you need to be looking for when you’re planning meals. This power compound counteracts free radicals (i.e. unstable molecules) that can be potentially damaging. By creating an oxidative burst, your immune system is able to use that oxygen to fight off viruses and bacteria as they enter your body.
Antioxidant foods such as blueberries, onions and garlic, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley, red wine, and tea are all sources of antioxidants that can help keep your immune system in fighting shape. You can opt for a fun smoothie day at home and blend some of these ingredients together or start adding more antioxidants to your daily meals since these are all easy and versatile ingredients to work with.
As the stay home orders ebb and flow, taking control of diet and exercise are a great way to focus your energy and make your body strong. You can add some immune system friendly supplements, such as olive leaf extract and zinc to further solidify that!
CBD, alongside a good diet and exercise, can help boost your immunity as well as your family’s. With patience and dedication, you’ll start to see a difference in your body and the way it responds to some of the world’s not-so-great elements. I’ve always been a believer in the impact of CBD, especially when it comes to helping the immune system. As emerging research continues to release, it demonstrates that the substance has a lot of potential in the years to come for this purpose.
Hope You Enjoyed the Read!
