CBD and COPD

CBD and COPD

First off, what is COPD?

COPD, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that is known for inflammation within the airways, irreversible lung damage, and obstructed airflow to the lungs (1).

COPD can cause an increased production in mucus (which doesn’t help the situation) and wheezing, which can increase breathing difficulty and make matters worse (1).

COPD was also known to negatively impact one’s immune system (making them more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections), lung function, and cell and tissue repair, which can make one more susceptible to pulmonary disease (bronchitis, pneumonia, viral infections ie. Influenza, covid) (1).

COPD is associated with inflammation in the lungs and we know that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties, which is why medical experts are interested in the benefits that these plant compounds have to offer, especially when it comes to a chronic inflammatory lung disease like COPD.

And as always, the results are worth hitting the front-page news! Check this out.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has two known receptors called CB1 and CB2, both which are found in the lungs and bronchial tissues, which gives medical experts hope that cannabinoids are effective for pulmonary health (3).

According to Journal of Cannabis Research, a peer reviewed journal, CBD and THC were shown to inhibit proinflammatory and Th1 cytokines, which is important because that is what initiates the inflammatory process in COPD (1).

CBD and THC were also shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, modulate Th2 immune response, restore Th1/Th2 balance (homeostasis) and shift the immune response, all of which help those that suffer from COPD (1).

Because of the immune regulating and anti-inflammatory properties of these cannabinoids (CBD & THC), medical experts are looking deeper into using cannabinoids as a form of treatment (cannabinoid therapy) for COPD (1).

They concluded that in addition to the anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties of these cannabinoids, they were also shown to regulate the genes that are associated with COPD, thus having a positive impact on this disease process (1).

Being that COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, you think they would push this amazing information out there more (1).

Imagine if we could tell all those that suffer from this chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD) that they can get help from something that is natural and health promoting like these beneficial cannabinoids. These studies were published in 2016, 2019, and 2020, this information deserves to reach those who need it most.

Cheers to these safe and effective plant compounds!

Bee-Well,

Brandon Farless

1. Mamber, S. W., Gurel, V., Lins, J., Ferri, F., Beseme, S., & McMichael, J. (2020). Effects of cannabis oil extract on immune response gene expression in human small airway epithelial cells (HSAEpC): implications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Journal of cannabis research, 2(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-019-0014-9
2. Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
3. Turcotte, C., Blanchet, M. R., Laviolette, M., & Flamand, N. (2016). Impact of Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Endocannabinoids in the Lungs. Frontiers in pharmacology, 7, 317. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.0031