On Tuesday, someone tries to stifle a cough in the office break room. By Friday, half the team’s Slack channel is “not feeling well, WFH today,” and everyone’s trading immune system hacks like polymarket tips. As you scan the updates, one line catches your eye: “should I be using CBD for immune support?”
After a short trip down the digital rabbit hole, the internet reveals more than the catchy headlines suggest. You learn that CBD doesn’t “boost” your immune system; it engages with it in a more nuanced way. Specifically, by calming it down. Today, we’ll explain how CBD supports immune function, who it benefits, and how to stay healthy during flu season.
CBD + your immune system
Your body has a signaling network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), made up of numerous chemical messengers and receptors. For a thorough breakdown of the ECS and what it does, check out our blog post, Endocannabinoid System for Dummies. It contains CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are expressed on a range of immune cells: T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Your ECS influences cytokine production, which controls your body’s inflammatory response.
How it works
Rather than “boosting” your immune system, CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system to suppress the inflammatory response, thereby acting as an anti-inflammatory. A study published in the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research journal found that CBD lowered various pro-inflammatory messengers, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and interferon-gamma. The same research also showed CBD encouraged cell regulation activity, keeping the immune response sharp.
Important CBD safety callouts
Many people often confuse CBD with its psychoactive counterpart, THC. When it comes to immunity, there’s another important distinction between the two. While THC tends to broadly suppress the immune system, CBD offers palpable anti-inflammatory effects without the total shutdown.
Since we’re on the topic of disclaimers, we also want to be clear that 1) Research on CBD for immune support is still in its early stages. 2) Most studies show evidence from animal cell cultures, not humans.
The most accurate way to describe CBD’s effect on the immune system is that it modulates an overactive inflammatory response, restoring balance and enhancing its performance. However, it’s not a shield against colds, flu, or infections.
Why anti-inflammatories matter for immune performance
Because inflammation is your body’s natural response to stress, injury, and illness, modulating the immune response is essential for warding them off. To that end, CBD offers a holistic, natural solution that calms and balances immune function to support peak performance. This is why so many people explore CBD as part of their wellness routine, especially during cold winter months. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects facilitate a range of benefits related to immune function: skin health, post-workout recovery, chronic pain, stress management, sleep disruption, and more.
How to super-power your immune system with CBD
On its own, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties support immune function. However, pair it with a good night’s sleep, and those immune cells super-charge like the Energizer Bunny. Studies show REM sleep is essential for your immune system to do its job, and people who get insufficient sleep catch more colds than those who do.
At its core, CBD is a staple of your wind-down routine. If you struggle to fall asleep, we encourage you to ask our budtenders about other CBD power combos, such as passion flower and L-theanine for sleep.
What CBD can’t do
Though CBD has a promising future as an official health supplement, we want to reiterate that CBD research is still underway. Importantly, CBD cannot treat, cure, or prevent any disease or infection. Besides the first FDA-approved CBD prescription, Epidiolex, CBD is not approved to treat disease or ailments.
Protecting yourself during cold and flu season still calls for the basics:
- Get your flu shot
- Wash your hands with soap and water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Quarantine when you’re sick
- Prioritize REM sleep!
CBD is not an immunity shield. Rather, it’s a supportive agent that nurtures your immune response so it can defend you from bacteria and environmental stressors. Paired with the best practices and healthy daily habits mentioned above, CBD is a no-brainer for these cold winter months. Visit Cloud City Supply in downtown Campbell or call us to consult with one of our expert budtenders for tailored advice on how CBD can help you get ahead of the seasonal shift.
