CBD to fight Psoriasis

In France, psoriasis is a pathology that affects approximately 2.5 million people. People who are not affected by this disease imagine that it is a pathology without major consequences. However, it must be understood that if this disease is neglected and lacks proper treatment, the risks for a large proportion of people who are subject to it can be great: development of rheumatism, or even irreversible joint damage.

This disease that is psoriasis is not a pathology to be neglected, it is important to treat it to prevent it from progressing on the body. Nowadays, modern medicine has not yet found a treatment capable of counteracting the effects and lastingly treating psoriasis. It is therefore normal that people affected by this pathology are increasingly turning to natural products to fight psoriasis.

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

How does CBD work on psoriasis? Let’s look at all this in more detail in this article!

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic, and autoimmune disease. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the skin in several areas of the body. Pain and itching in the areas of inflammation are common for people with psoriasis.

The parts of the body that are most affected by psoriasis are usually the legs, lower back, scalp, knees and elbows. But all areas of the body are likely to be affected by this disease.

Skin inflammations appear on the skin, its symptoms are visible in the form of plaques. The age of people affected by psoriasis is usually between ten and forty years, without difference between genders. This disease occurs in about two and four percent of the population. It should also be noted that psoriasis is not contagious. It is a chronic disease and it is not possible to cure psoriasis. Most of the time, the 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 increased reaction to attacks from outside.

Normally, the immune system takes between 28 and 30 days to renew our cells. With psoriasis, the cells take between 3 and 6 days to renew themselves, so it is extremely fast. These cells will therefore quickly proliferate on the epidermis and as a result, the skin will start to peel, then detach in patches.

Treatments for psoriasis

Ointments and creams for psoriasis

Known treatments for psoriasis can only relieve inflammation and reduce the size of the affected areas. This chronic disease cannot be cured. Products used to treat psoriasis are widely available in the form of emollient or moisturizing ointments, as well as creams and balms that reduce inflammation.

Side effects are not uncommon when taking conventional treatment, as creams and balms are often made with corticosteroids. You are then likely to lose pigmentation and see thinning of your skin. To avoid harmful effects, you should not use these treatments for a long period of time. It is also possible that prolonged use of a treatment simply makes it lose its effectiveness.

PUVA therapy and phototherapy for psoriasis

There are two types of treatments for people with more severe psoriasis. These are PUVA therapy and phototherapy.

Phototherapy is described by the use of ultraviolet rays that allow an overall slowing down of the spread of cells. This also helps to soothe the inflammation of the psoriasis areas.

PUVA therapy is the combination of phototherapy with drug treatment which allows the skin not to become 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 is a video presented by Dermato Drey :

As explained in this video, remember that the first and most important aspect will remain your lifestyle to reduce your psoriasis.

Causes of psoriasis

Several causes of psoriasis are suggested even if they are not officially recognized. Environmental and genetic factors are favored. There are about forty percent of cases for which there is a known family history. But we also find psychological or physical trauma. For psychological trauma, we can cite stress and anxiety as well as periods of depression. For physical trauma, this is often due to injuries or infections, and even sometimes because of certain surgeries.

People with psoriasis are usually prone to diseases such as: psoriatic arthritis, depression, lymphoma, Crohn's disease or even cardiovascular diseases. This disease therefore brings with it a whole bunch of other problems. But then how to cope with all this? We can say that with CBD, you will be able to considerably reduce your psoriasis.

CBD and psoriasis

Action of CBD on skin cells and endocannabinoid system

Every human being as well as animals are equipped with an endocannabinoid system. Represented in the nervous system, it has neuroreceptors as well as neurotransmitters playing an essential role and still very poorly understood. However, it is part of the physiological processes that are essential for the proper functioning of our body.

It is the CB1 and CB2 receptors that will take the information and recognize the CBD, as well as all the other cannabinoids. The ECS or endocannabinoid system plays a major role in the lifespan of cells, especially those of the skin. It also plays a role in the differentiation of cells as well as their proliferation and growth.

By taking CBD, you will activate the CB2 receptors that are found inside the cells. Scientific research has highlighted the therapeutic potential of CBD on skin diseases by targeting the endocannabinoid system.

CBD is an excellent anti-inflammatory

Several studies on CBD have emerged in recent years, as research on cannabinoids is accelerating thanks to the marketing of this product. In particular, research has been able to prove that CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory and that it also helps regulate the immune system. In addition, cannabinoids, but particularly CBD, have an effect that can stop the proliferation of keratinocytes.

Scientific studies are available online if you want to delve deeper into the subject via a more scientific approach. Here is a first study: A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars , and if you want to complete, a second study: Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders) .

Reduce cell proliferation with CBD

Another study was conducted by scientists, which showed that CBD helps to limit the uncontrolled proliferation of cells: Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis .

It is also thanks to this study that the presence of CB2 receptors could be observed.

Anxiety, psoriasis and CBD

Anxiety and depression are singled out. Indeed, scientific research ( Psoriasis, depression and anxiety ) has been able to prove that in more than sixty percent of cases, people who suffer from psoriasis are also subject to periods of depression or chronic anxiety. In today's society, social integration is directly linked to physical appearance, even if this is a more than sad observation, it is unfortunately a reality. Ultimately, a disease like psoriasis that affects the skin and therefore appearance can completely negatively affect the physical and mental well-being of those affected.

So far, CBD has been highlighted in many scientific researches. This research has focused largely on the action of CBD against anxiety and stress. All these researches arrive at the same results and corroborate several points, including the anxiolytic effect of CBD which helps regulate a well-known hormone, serotonin. It is also called the happiness hormone. In addition, CBD will help promote neurogenesis (formation of new neurons) when the receptors of the endocannabinoid system are activated, and finally, help regulate anxiety and stress.

Using CBD for Psoriasis

By activating the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, CBD can significantly reduce the signs of psoriasis, i.e. itching and red patches. It also helps to adjust the complications related to the overly rapid regeneration of cells.

Cannabidiol or CBD is very often presented in the form of CBD oil directly applicable to the areas affected by psoriasis. You can also consume CBD oil sublingually. It is best to apply the oil two to three times a day to the skin.

By consuming CBD for your psoriasis, you risk practically nothing except beneficial effects. However, from one individual to another with psoriasis, CBD will not necessarily have the same effects. Each person has a different metabolism or different forms of psoriasis. Do not hesitate to apply your cannabidiol oil to a targeted area to see the results, before being able to put it on all the other areas affected by your psoriasis.

As CBD remains a food supplement and we are not doctors, we advise you to contact a healthcare professional and ask their opinion before anything else.

Psoriasis and CBD: What to Remember

Studies conducted in recent years clearly show that CBD helps in the treatment of psoriasis by blocking the proliferation of skin cells. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD greatly relieve itching.

CBD also helps with pain management and depressive states, which makes it a powerful 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 actions and also its anti-inflammatory properties. We can give you as other examples acne or eczema, but also shingles and rosacea.

CBD is a product that can treat psoriasis, although nowadays, a majority of doctors are not yet convinced. Therefore, more research will be needed.

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

The Cali Weed team