How to Use Cannabis for Autoimmune Disorders

Cannabis For Autoimmune Disorders

If you’re here reading this, I can pretty much guarantee that you already know this:

Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body, causing a wide range of symptoms that can be debilitating and life-altering¹. 

The incidence of autoimmune disorders is rising, affecting millions of people, including hundreds of members of my Well With Cannabis Community. 

The symptoms can be mysterious, and the traditional solutions can be frustrating, leaving more and more people turning to explore natural options on their own.

That’s why you’re here, right?

Thankfully, research is starting to show that cannabinoids from the cannabis plant may be an effective treatment for these conditions. 

This research backs up the years and years of anecdotal reports from people who have discovered that cannabis really does help manage their autoimmune condition. 

In this guide, we will explore the role of cannabinoids in treating autoimmune disorders and the different ways you can get started experimenting at home. 

Cannabinoids From The Plant

First, I want to make sure you know what cannabinoids are. 

Cannabinoids are the active compounds found in cannabis, including THC and CBD. 

THC is the psychoactive compound that creates a “high,” while CBD is non-psychoactive and has various therapeutic effects. 

Other types of cannabinoids have specific effects on the body, such as CBG and CBN. 

When consumed, cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system in your body, which regulates almost every bodily process.

These cannabinoids all have different effects on each person, but generally, we consider:

• THC: for pain relief, depression
• CBD: for anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties 
• CBN: for falling asleep and staying asleep
• CBG: for focus and energy 

All mammals, including you, have a biological system in your body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Even though you may have never heard of it before, the ECS affects nearly every aspect of our human experience, from memory and pain relief to stress management and reproduction_².

Your ECS has the ability to work with the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis through endocannabinoid receptors located throughout your body. 

The ECS holds an important role; it is designed to help your body maintain homeostasis, or the stability, of your internal environment. 

It essentially helps you rest, eat, sleep, and protect³.

When I first learned about my endocannabinoid system, it finally clicked; “so this is why cannabis makes me feel so much better.“

One of the most important parts of your ECS is the cannabinoid receptors known as CB₁ and CB₂ receptors.

CB₁ receptors are mainly found in your brain and central nervous system, while CB₂ receptors are found in your immune cells and peripheral tissues. 

CB₂ receptors have been found to play a significant role in symptom management of autoimmune disorders⁴.

Specifically, CB₂ receptors have been shown to suppress pain, inflammation, and other symptoms⁵. 

For so many people suffering from an autoimmune condition, this is when the lightbulbs start to light up? Is this the connection you’ve been searching for?

This knowledge helps us begin to understand why cannabinoids that target the CB₂ receptors may be a promising treatment for autoimmune conditions.

What The Research Says 

When I first began researching for my article on Cannabis for Autoimmune Disorders published by CR_X, I was very excited to find such promising potential. 

Research has shown that cannabinoids may be able to control immune functions and modulate the immune response, which could make them an effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions⁴.

Many experts, including myself, believe that cannabinoids could represent a significant breakthrough in medical treatment for autoimmune diseases. 

While more research is needed to understand the benefits fully, the early results are promising and support years of anecdotal reports by people who use cannabis as an effective treatment. 

Anecdotally, people have reported finding relief with both recreational and medical cannabis for the following conditions: 

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chron’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus 
• Diabetes mellitus type 1
• Celiac disease 
• Neurological disorders
• Alzheimer’s disease 
• Chronic pain and pain management for joint pain
• Chronic inflammation
• Other mysterious symptoms of autoimmune diseases

Ultimately, while we have anecdotal evidence, we lack the clinical evidence and deep cannabinoid research needed to prove the use of cannabinoids as an effective alternative treatment option.  

We need more clinical trials and a systematic review of the current literature to determine the effect cannabis has on immune function. 

An Endocannabinoid Deficiency

Just like we can experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies, we can experience a clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD). 

The CECD theory is a hypothesis proposed by Dr. Ethan Russo that suggests some people may have an underlying cannabinoid deficiency, leading to various health conditions that can affect your body’s immune system⁶.

The idea behind CECD is that a deficiency in the body’s natural cannabinoids may be at the root of certain autoimmune disorders.

Specifically, the theory proposes that a lack of endocannabinoids, the naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body, can cause imbalances in the ECS. 

Studies have shown that CECD is linked to autoimmune conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraines, and irritable bowel syndrome⁷.

This theory may explain why those suffering from fibromyalgia, IBS, and other autoimmune conditions find relief with cannabis use. 

Cannabinoid Treatment

The good news is that early evidence already suggests that active ingredients like CBD and THC can help treat a cannabinoid deficiency. 

For example, studies have shown that CBD can decrease pain and improve sleep for patients with suspected CECD⁸. 

For many people, this is a huge benefit because cannabis can provide fewer side effects compared to conventional treatments like prescription medications. 

Lifestyle approaches, such as exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet, can also affect the ECS and relieve symptoms. 

It’s important to note that cannabinoid treatment in dosage and delivery methods will vary significantly from person to person, given our unique endocannabinoid systems. 

It is also essential to know that synthetic cannabinoids are not recommended and may worsen the body’s immune response to a specific product. 

If you don’t know where to start, this beginner’s guide to getting started with cannabis is a great place to get started for treating autoimmune diseases. 

Real Inspiration

If you are skeptical about whether cannabis could help you manage your autoimmune condition, I want to introduce you to these incredible people. 

Each one of these brave men and women has joined me as a guest on my Well With Cannabis Podcast to talk about how cannabis helps them manage their autoimmune condition and live their best life.

Meet our autoimmune warriors and discover their stories of how cannabis helps them everyday:

• Discover how our very own Chief Happiness Officer, Renée Leonard, manages Hashimoto’s, Sjögren’s syndrome, and fibromyalgia with the help of cannabis. 
• Meet Louisa Miller from New Zealand who details how she managed to heal her Crohn’s disease with the help of cannabis.
• Meet Annie Morgan, a brave woman who underwent a bilateral styloidectomy to treat her rare and debilitating Eagle Syndrome.
• Meet Chrissy Curley who was diagnosed with visceral hyperalgesia. She shares her journey toward discovering the benefits of cannabis and how it gave her a new lease on life.
• Meet Carrie Turpin who shares her lifelong journey with debilitating autoimmune conditions including Crohn’s disease starting at the tender age of five.

Conclusion

Whether you are suffering from a chronic illness or simply looking for new ways to improve your overall health and wellness, cannabinoids may be worth exploring as a potential treatment option.

Cannabis may offer a promising treatment option for autoimmune disorders, thanks to its effects on the ECS and CB₂ receptors.

By understanding the role of cannabinoids in treating autoimmune disorders, we can take a step toward alleviating the suffering of millions of people affected by these conditions.

At the end of the day, the goal is to use cannabis to effectively alleviate your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.