CBD oil has fast become the trend to treat ailments and seizures, involving inflammation and pain. So far, there is no conclusive evidence to support the fact that CBD Oil is safe for Lupus treatment, but researchers are working hard to find evidence and there are ongoing studies for the same.
Since the usage of medical marijuana is still controversial, and the laws governing the use of CBD are confusing, people are very hesitant to use them. Here is an explanation of what CBD is and if it is safe for Lupus or not.
CBD Oil
Cannabinoid (CBD) is one of the two main chemicals found in the cannabis plant. There are no psychoactive properties related to CBD, and it is increasingly used in the medical industry for treating a lot of diseases. The other element is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and it has a major role when you talk about “getting high”.
Marijuana planters focus on techniques and strains that increase the levels of THC. However, hemp is a kind of Cannabis that has a lot of CBD even after increasing THC concentration. But using hemp in the medical industry is not permitted because it is considered as a schedule I drug by DEA.
If you search the web, you will find many claims about the benefits of CBD oil in treating various ailments. The claims are so attractive and confidently presented that they appear to be true every time. But when such claims are made by websites promoting the legalization of marijuana, their accuracy can be judged.
The research is at a very early stage for these claims to get verified. However, the Farm Bill of 2018 explained the use of CBD for a variety of health problems like:
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Glaucoma Pain
- Sleep Disorders
CBD Oil can be taken in a variety of ways such as smoking, consuming capsules, sprays or drops under the tongue, and also in the form of a topical ointment.
Lupus and CBD Oil
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that is incurable and can damage any body part permanently. All your organs, skin, and joints are critically susceptible to its spleen. The human body is designed to fight pathogens that enter the body, but when an autoimmune system comes into the picture, as in the case of Lupus, the antibodies start attacking everything.
Many traditional medicines are used to treat Lupus successfully, but all of them have certain unwanted side effects, which can sometimes be serious. These problems commonly include high blood pressure, liver damage, stomach and kidney damage, weight gain, infections, and high chances of Cancer.
CBD oil is believed to provide a natural solution for lifting the inflammation and pain related to Lupus. The oil is not a permanent fix for the problem but helps in controlling the symptoms to a great extent.
The endocannabinoid system of the human body has receptors that help manage your memory, mood, inflammation, and pain. When the chemicals present in CBD actively interact with these receptors, reactions for fighting inflammation are instantly triggered.
This is the reason why CBD is preferred by the patients looking for over-the-counter pain-relieving solutions. Several Lupus patients also experienced improvements in their migraines and chronic pain for a very long time.
Instead of using painkillers to get instant relief, CBD is a very good option as it helps avoid long-term problems.
Dosage
It is very important to consult a doctor before adding CBD to your treatment plan because Lupus can have severe complications. The brand of CBD oil should be good enough to work effectively with the prescribed medicines.
Experts generally recommend starting slow so that you can discover the right dosage that works for you. A good start can be following the recommended dosage mentioned on the CBD product packaging you are taking.
Some experts also recommend a ratio of 1:6mg for every 10lbs of body weight or a dosage of 10-20 mg per day. You can also add a topical CBD cream to your daily routine to get relief from joint pain and swelling related to Lupus.
Mostly, the tinctures sprayed under the tongue takes around 20 minutes to show the desired results, while the lotions and creams take more than 3 hours. The effects wear off much slowly as compared to other solutions.
However, even after so many recommendations, the appropriate dosage will be determined by your body type, tolerance level, and strength towards the pain.
Points to note before buying a CBD Oil
- The brand should have a report from an independent or third-party and should provide updated information on the official website or upon request.
- The company should be transparent and disclose all the necessary information about the production and storage of the CBD product it is producing.
- The manufacturer must check and act on all the verified reviews.
Benefits of CBD Oil
- CBD Oil helps to cure undertreated or untreated pain experienced during Lupus. All the current treatments of Lupus are far from perfect but CBD can help in the long run.
- It helps to reduce depression and anxiety that comes with disorders. You feel light and relieved just after a few minutes or a few hours, depending upon the dosage pattern you follow.
- It also helps in treating acne because of the anti-inflammatory properties and the potential of reducing sebum production.
- Another notable benefit of CBD oil is that it improves heart health by dealing with high blood pressure problems.
- In certain cases, CBD oil showed anti-tumor properties and reduced chemotherapy-included vomiting and nausea.
Side-Effects of CBD
Since the research on CBD still stands incomplete, there are no fixed side-effects of the same, and scientists are trying to give a detailed explanation soon. However, here are some of the notable ones that were seen in patients who were taking CBD in different ways for treating disorders like Lupus or Epilepsy.
- Drowsiness
- Altered hormone levels
- Low blood pressure
- Liver ailments
- Infections
- Dry mouth
- Disturbed sleeping patterns
Some people confuse CBD to be addictive or abusive, but, that is not the case. It is THC, the cannabis element discussed above, that is psychoactive and sometimes addictive.
Frequently Asked Questions about CBD
Is the usage of CBD legal in the USA?
The usage of CBD is legal in the USA after the Farm Bill of 2018, but the THC concentration of all such products should not be more than 0.3%.
For Lupus, what is the best method of using CBD?
The best method will depend upon the ultimate goal of the patient consuming it. The patient can use CBD oil as a topical ointment if they want to get relief from joint pain, whereas CBD tinctures are advisable for inflammation issues.
Conclusion
Researchers and scientists are still testing CBD for many disorders and the research for Lupus is not complete yet. So treatment decisions should be taken after proper medical consultation and the consumption of CBD products should be slow and should not exceed the recommended levels. CBD indeed has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in alleviating the symptoms related to Lupus. However, the factor of lack of scientific evidence should never be missed.