CBD to fight Psoriasis

In France, psoriasis affects approximately 2.5 million people. People who don't suffer from psoriasis think it's a condition with no major consequences. However, it's important to understand that if this disease is neglected and lacks proper treatment, the risks for a large proportion of sufferers can be great: the development of rheumatism, and even irreversible joint damage.

Psoriasis is not a disease to be neglected, and it's important to treat it to prevent it from progressing on the body. Today, modern medicine has yet to find a treatment capable of countering the effects of psoriasis and curing it in the long term. So it's only natural that sufferers are increasingly turning to natural products to combat psoriasis.

CBD has been recognized as one of the natural treatments that can significantly reduce the effects of psoriasis on the body. It also soothes the itching and reduces the anxiety that psoriasis causes sufferers on a day-to-day basis.

How does CBD work on psoriasis? Let's take a closer look in this article!

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic and autoimmune disease. The disease is described by inflammation of the skin in several areas of the body. Pain and itching in areas of inflammation are commonplace for psoriasis sufferers.

The parts of the body most affected by psoriasis are usually the legs, lower back, scalp, knees and elbows. But psoriasis can affect any part of the body.

Inflammations appear on the skin, and symptoms are visible in the form of plaques. People affected by psoriasis are generally between ten and forty years of age, with no gender difference. The disease occurs in between two and four percent of the population. Psoriasis is not contagious. It is a chronic disease, and there is no cure for psoriasis. Most of the time, symptoms fade and then return.

How does psoriasis appear?

Areas of inflammation are the cause of accelerated renewal of skin cells, which is due to an accentuated reaction to attacks from the outside.

Normally, the immune system takes between 28 and 30 days to renew our cells. With psoriasis, it takes between 3 and 6 days for cells to renew themselves, so it's extremely rapid. These cells will rapidly proliferate on the epidermis, causing the skin to peel and then flake off in patches.

Treatments for psoriasis

Ointments and creams for psoriasis

Known treatments for psoriasis can only relieve inflammation and reduce the size of affected areas. There is no cure for this chronic disease. Products used to treat psoriasis are widely available in the form of emollient or moisturizing ointments, as well as creams and balms to reduce inflammation.

Side effects are not uncommon when taking conventional treatments, as creams and balms are often corticoid-based. You may experience a loss of pigmentation and thinning of the skin. To avoid adverse effects, these treatments should not be used over a long period. It is also possible that prolonged use of a treatment may simply cause it to lose its effectiveness.

Puvatherapy and phototherapy for psoriasis

There are two types of treatment for people with more severe forms of psoriasis. These are puvatherapy and phototherapy.

Phototherapy is the use of ultraviolet rays to slow down the overall spread of cells. It also soothes inflammation in psoriasis areas.

Puvatherapy combines phototherapy with a medicated treatment to prevent the skin from becoming too sensitive to the effects of ultraviolet rays.

Over a long period of time, with skin exposed to ultraviolet rays, the risks of developing cancer are unfortunately very high.

Psoriasis video

To give you an overview of the causes of psoriasis, here's a video presented by Dermato Drey:

As explained in this video, don't forget that the first and most important aspect of reducing psoriasis is a healthy lifestyle.

Causes of psoriasis

Several causes of psoriasis have been suggested, even if they are not officially recognized. Environmental and genetic factors are the most popular. About forty percent of cases have a known family history. But there are also psychological and physical traumas. For psychological trauma, we can cite stress and anxiety, as well as periods of depression. In the case of physical trauma, this is often due to injury or infection, and sometimes even surgery.

People with psoriasis are generally prone to illnesses such as psoriatic arthritis, depression, lymphoma, Crohn's disease and cardiovascular disease. The disease brings with it a whole host of other problems. So how do you cope with it all? With CBD, you can considerably reduce your psoriasis.

CBD and psoriasis

CBD's action on skin cells and the endocannabinoid system

All humans and animals have an endocannabinoid system. Represented in the nervous system, its neuroreceptors and neurotransmitters play an essential role that is still poorly understood. However, it is one of the physiological processes that are essential to the proper functioning of our bodies.

It is the CB1 and CB2 receptors that take the information and recognize CBD, as well as all the other cannabinoids. The SEC or endocannabinoid system plays a key role in cell lifespan, especially in skin cells. It also plays a role in cell differentiation, proliferation and growth.

By taking CBD, you activate the CB2 receptors found inside cells. Scientific research has highlighted CBD's therapeutic potential for skin diseases, targeting the endocannabinoid system.

CBD is an excellent anti-inflammatory

A number of studies on CBD have been carried out in recent years, as research into cannabinoids has accelerated thanks to the availability of this product. In particular, research has shown that CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory and also helps regulate the immune system. What's more, cannabinoids, and CBD in particular, have the ability to halt the proliferation of keratinocytes.

Scientific studies are available online if you'd like to take a more scientific approach to the subject. Here's a first study: A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars, and if you'd like to add to it, a second study: Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders).

Reducing cell proliferation with CBD

Another study by scientists shows that CBD helps limit uncontrolled cell proliferation: Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis.

It was also thanks to this study that the presence of CB2 receptors was observed.

Anxiety, psoriasis and CBD

Anxiety and depression are also on the agenda. In fact, scientific research(Psoriasis, depression and anxiety) has shown that in over sixty percent of cases, people suffering from psoriasis are also subject to periods of chronic depression or anxiety. In today's society, social integration is directly linked to physical appearance, and although this is a distressing fact, it is unfortunately a reality. Ultimately, a disease like psoriasis, which affects the skin and therefore appearance, can have a totally negative impact on the physical and mental well-being of those affected.

To date, CBD has been the focus of a great deal of scientific research. Much of this research has focused on CBD's action against anxiety and stress. All this research has come to the same conclusions, corroborating several points, including the anxiolytic effect of CBD, which regulates the well-known hormone serotonin. Serotonin is also known as the happiness hormone. What's more, CBD promotes neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) when the receptors of the endocannabinoid system are activated, helping to regulate anxiety and stress.

Using CBD for psoriasis

By activating the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, CBD significantly reduces the signs of psoriasis, i.e. itching and red patches. It also reduces the complications associated with rapid cell regeneration.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is often presented in the form ofCBD oil, which can be applied directly to psoriasis-prone areas. CBD oil can also be taken sublingually. It's best to apply the oil to the skin two or three times a day.

By consuming CBD for your psoriasis, you risk virtually nothing apart from the beneficial effects. However, CBD will not necessarily have the same effects for every psoriasis sufferer. Each person has a different metabolism or different forms of psoriasis. Don't hesitate to apply your cannabidiol oil to a targeted area to see the results, before applying it to all the other areas affected by your psoriasis.

As CBD remains a dietary supplement and we are not doctors, we advise you to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before taking any action.

Psoriasis and CBD: What you need to know

Studies carried out in recent years clearly show that CBD helps in the treatment of psoriasis by blocking the proliferation of skin cells. What's more, CBD's anti-inflammatory properties provide great relief from itching.

CBD also helps with pain management and depression, making it an important ally in the fight against psoriasis and its indirect consequences.

Psoriasis is not the only skin disease that CBD can combat, thanks to its cell non-proliferation and anti-inflammatory properties. Other examples include acne and eczema, as well as shingles and rosacea.

CBD is a product capable of treating psoriasis, even if a majority of doctors are not yet convinced. More research is needed.

This article on psoriasis will have enabled us to highlight key points about CBD that can help in other areas of health, in addition to this disease. We invite you to contact us if you have any questions, doubts or simply want to share your experience on the subject.

The Cali Weed team