Effects of Medical Cannabis
We talk about human immunity, the effect of medical cannabis on it and completed studies in this article.
Medical cannabis is gradually being legalized in many countries: Poland, Spain, Croatia, Canada, Israel, Italy, partly in the USA. This raises interest to study its effects on the human body, including immunity. Scientists are conducting new research to determine how cannabis affects a person’s immunity.
We talk about human immunity, the effect of medical cannabis on it and completed studies in this article.
How does a healthy person’s immune system work?
The function of the human immune system is to protect the human body from external pathogens (any microorganism capable of causing a disease state). Immune cells absorb and destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi which have a negative effect on the functioning of the human body. Human immunity reduces inflammation and prevents diseases.
There is a myth that immunity needs to be “increased”, then the body will become more resistant to viral cells and will be better able to cope with diseases. But the immunity of a healthy person doesn’t change significantly. It can improve and worsen due to external factors throughout the day such as poor sleep, junk food, or stress. You can learn more about CBD and mental health here.
The cannabinoids found in cannabis also affect the human immune system. For a healthy body, this process is almost imperceptible, but people with an overactive or weakened immune system feel the effects of cannabinoids more strongly.
How medical cannabis affects the immune system
The phytocannabinoids (or plant cannabinoids) found in cannabis interact directly with the immune system. Unless a person has a chronic immune disease, this interaction may slightly impact mood, appetite, or sleep. But phytocannabinoids do not significantly impact the strengthening or worsening of the immune system.
After a series of researches, conducted at Columbia and Mississippi State Universities in 2020 and 2021, scientists concluded that cannabinoids can help with autoimmune diseases, when cells of the immune system are overactive and begin to attack healthy body tissues instead of pathogenic ones. These diseases include:
– lupus;
– rheumatoid arthritis;
– psoriasis;
– multiple sclerosis.
Autoimmune diseases are treated with immunosuppressants, drugs that slow down an overactive immune system. During research with cannabinoids, scientists have identified immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Medical cannabis can relieve some symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as inflammation.
Medical cannabis can also boost the human immune system by positively influencing sleep, appetite, and mood. These factors can improve immune function, but only marginally and in the short term. CBD relieves symptoms of COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, cancer. According to the US National Academy of Sciences, existing research has not found significant changes in the immune system of a healthy person after using medical cannabis.
Summary
At the moment, there is a small amount of research which shows that medical cannabis can have a short-term effect on human immunity by improving basic factors: appetite, sleep, and mood. Read more about the effects of cannabis on the human body here.
Effects of Medical Cannabis
With the development of the industry, its gradual legalization in many countries, new companies producing cannabis products appear on the market. This contributes to the development of the economic aspect of this area, the emergence of new technologies and jobs, and a deeper research of the interaction of cannabis with the human body.
One such company is S-Pharmaceutical, which is engaged in the full cycle of production, extraction, and distribution of medical cannabis. This provides an opportunity to invest in an innovative and growing direction today.