Although psoriasis is a visible skin disorder, it is actually caused by an immune system that overreacts to triggers in the environment. Triggers of psoriasis can include certain medications, stress, a skin injury, or an infection. While research is still in process, many people believe that food allergies or sensitivities can also trigger psoriasis. We look at if CBD can help with psoriasis.
Genetics also play a part in who is most likely to suffer with this condition although only 2 to 3 percent of the population will actually develop the disorder because they would need to be exposed to the triggers that ‘switch on’ those genes.
Treating psoriasis is usually a process of trial and error, taking the time to find the right medications for a specific individual. Topical medications, including corticosteroids, Vitamin D analogues, topical retinoids, moisturizers, and more, are most commonly used with mild psoriasis.
Oral medications used to treat psoriasis are associated with severe side effects and may be avoided or only used for a short time in people with more intense symptoms. Light therapy is another popular treatment method, including increased exposure to natural light and control doses of UVB phototherapy.
Can CBD help with Psoriasis?
The possibility of CBD as an alternative treatment for Psoriasis has risen in popularity over the last several years. Proponents of this therapy believe that CBD can be used to reduce inflammation and pain as well as suppress the overactive immune functions associated with this disorder.
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is and oil derived from the hemp species of the cannabis plant. It is an attractive natural treatment for many hard-to-treat disorders because it comes with few side effects and is generally considered to be safe.
Additionally, CBD oil is typically free of THC or has only a trace amount of it, which is the component of marijuana that results in a high. This means that, even in countries where medical marijuana has not been legalized, you can still legally purchase CBD.
As with many uses of CBD, using this cannabis-derived oil for psoriasis is still being researched. The common belief is that CBD has healing capabilities because it has anti-inflammation properties. We’ve known for some time now, as indicated in a 2010 study published in the journal Future Medical Chemistry, that CBD works well as an anti-inflammatory, mitigating some of the symptoms of certain diseases associated with inflammation.
Since individuals with psoriasis often experience discomfort associated with the patches on their skin, pain relief is also an important component of treating psoriasis. CBD has been explored as a pain relief option with fewer side effects for many chronic health conditions and may be an option worth considering for individuals with psoriasis. Many users have also begun experimenting using topical CBD products such as balms, lotions and sprays.
As reported in a study published in Biochemical Pharmacology, CBD has been found to suppress certain functions of the immune system. For individuals experiencing the negative effects of an overactive immune system, this could be promising news.
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the go-to source of information on psoriasis, including treatment options for this troubling disorder. CBD is not included among the treatment recommendations for psoriasis on their website although it is very likely this will change as more research is done and attitudes about cannabis derived medications evolve.
Using CBD for Psoriasis
There are two main methods of taking CBD when looking at treatment of the symptoms of psoriasis. Users either take CBD oil drops (by mouth), use a CBD balm/lotion or combine the two methods together.
For instance, if you are looking for localized relief of pain or discomfort associated with psoriasis, topical application makes sense. However, if you are hoping to address underlying problems associated with psoriasis, like the over activity of the immune system, taking it orally might be a more suitable option.
Ideally fighting the symptoms from the outside and inside means that you are covering all bases and could expect better results.
Ultimately, CBD dosages should be determined with the help of your own doctor. If you are considering this alternative treatment for yourself, it is important to talk to your doctor about whether any of the medications you are already taking could negatively interact with CBD, or if you have any other medical condition which could react with the use of CBD.
