In recent years, many CBD benefits have been discovered through research as consumer interest in the cannabinoid is rising. This has caused many over-the-counter products containing CBD to erupt, from oils and tinctures to capsules and moisturizers.
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the more than 80 compounds in a plant called Cannabis sativa. However, it is not the compound that causes the “high” typically associated with cannabis. That compound’s name is THC, tetrahydrocannabinol. These two compounds can be extracted from the plant and used for product development.
CBD has shown that it has several benefits, like helping with pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
It has also proven to be beneficial for skin conditions, being one of psoriasis.
Benefits of CBD for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition where the skin appears flaky with a silver covering on top. The areas affected by psoriasis can become itchy and cause soreness. There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can be alleviated by applying lotion to the area. Common treatments for psoriasis are corticosteroids which is a type of drug that reduces inflammation and pain, and which is available as ointment, cream, lotion, gel, foam, sprays and shampoo.
Regarding psoriasis and CBD, research suggests that products with cannabidiol could benefit those living with the disease.
A 2019 study found that CBD-enriched ointment without THC led to an improvement in the skin.
Another 2019 study suggested that CBD has therapeutic potential. Experts believe that CBD can help with skin conditions because it has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation. Although humans can have their antioxidants, it is not to a level where we can neutralize the effects of external factors like pollution, smoke, and more. That is why it is crucial to harness antioxidants from food. Antioxidants are an essential part of any diet for maintaining good health and proper function since it’s proven that the damage to “oxidized” cells leads to illness and chronic disease.
So, how does CBD come into the mix? The results of lab studies support that CBD is a potent antioxidant and neuroprotective compound.
This happens by triggering cannabinoid receptors in the human endocannabinoid system. In 1998, a study by the National Institutes of Mental Health, and the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, USA, proved the neuroprotective and antioxidant potential of CBD and THC.
In 2000, The National Institute of Mental Health did a study named “Neuroprotective antioxidants from marijuana,” which demonstrated that CBD and THC acted as antioxidants in neuronal cultures, which are neurons used as a model to study the central nervous system, especially the brain, by reducing hydroperoxide toxicity in neurons. CBD was the most protective compound regarding neuronal damage.
The key is that antioxidants can help support the treatment of psoriasis by preventing damage linked to oxidative stress, which occurs when disease-triggered free radical molecules and protective antioxidant substances are imbalanced in the body.
CBD as an Anti-Inflammatory
On the other hand, CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory.
A study from 2016 looked at the effects of CBD on rats that had joint inflammation. The researchers found that topical CBD gel reduced the joint swelling with no significant side effects.
Another study from 2017 found that CBD anti-inflammatory properties could help the following diseases: Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, general pain, inflammatory skin conditions, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
This is important because inflammation is considered to play a role in psoriasis. What happens with psoriasis is that the underlying inflammatory response speeds up skin cell growth, which causes the body to produce new skin cells faster than usual. These cells build up and turn into psoriasis plaques. That’s why reducing general inflammation could be a massive deal for those who experience the ailment.
Which CBD Product to Choose
It is also essential to know how to choose from a wide variety of CBD products. People with psoriasis may find that topical treatments such as lotions, serums, and ointments can be the most useful. Applying them to the affected skin could provide relief.
Topicals designed to deliver CBD into the skin need to be developed with specific factors; since cannabinoids are very lipophilic, which means they thrive in fatty environments. This means a good topical CBD formulation has to be greasy.
It is vital before using any product to check that it has undergone third-party lab testing and it’s approved by medical professionals.
It is also essential to make sure that the CBD is from a reputable source and know exactly what type of CBD it is. There are three types of CBD: Full-spectrum, which includes all parts of the cannabis plant and contains less than 0.3% THC; Broad-spectrum which contains most of the cannabis plant compounds and only have trace amounts of THC; and Isolate, which has only CBD with no other cannabinoid in it.
With these considerations in mind, CBD could be a good option