Scientists from Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, in collaboration with researchers from Italy, Austria, and the USA, have identified the mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis cannabinoids. Previous studies have observed the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol and other cannabis cannabinoids, but only now have researchers elucidated the precise mechanism by which these compounds affect the immune system.

Anti-inflammatory effects of CBD

W article In a paper published on August 29, 2023, in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, scientists from the University of Jena describe the results of research into the mechanism of cannabis's anti-inflammatory effects. Previous studies have already shown that cannabis cannabinoids, including CBD, exhibit this effect, but the exact cause was unclear.

CBD inhibits the pro-inflammatory response and activates the anti-inflammatory response

Scientists have been studying how various cannabinoids, including CBD and psychoactive THC, affect human immune cells. They found that all tested compounds inhibited the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances in cells while simultaneously activating the production of substances that alleviate inflammation.

CBD has been shown to induce a change in immune cells, switching from a pro-inflammatory response to an anti-inflammatory response. Scientists have determined that CBD activates the enzyme 15-lipoxygenase-1, which triggers the production of messenger substances that calm inflammation.

In the summary of the article, the scientists write that: “Switching the production of pro-inflammatory substances in cells to the production of anti-inflammatory substances is a likely mode of action of CBD and a promising strategy for treating inflammation"”.

Animal test results

The results obtained in cell cultures were confirmed in vivo in a mouse study. In the long term, these findings may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating diseases associated with inflammation, including autoimmune diseases.

Fewer side effects

Treatment with non-psychoactive CBD Additionally, it solves the problem of side effects (e.g., a daily feeling of intoxication in patients during therapy), which must be taken into account in the case of cannabis medicines containing THC.

The endocannabinoid system, cannabis and the immune system – previous research

Structure and functions of the endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex system covering the entire human body, which, generally speaking, is responsible for maintaining the body's balance (homeostasis).

It consists of three basic elements:

endocannabinoids AEA and 2-AG, i.e. substances produced by the human body that have a structure analogous to the cannabinoids found in cannabis,
scattered throughout the body CB1 and CB2 receptors, which combine with endocannabinoids and hemp cannabinoids,
enzymes (fatty acid amide hydrolase and acid monoacylglycerol lipase) responsible for the breakdown of endocannabinoids that have already done their job.

Endocannabinoid system receptors mediate cannabis's effects on the immune system. In fact, the cannabinoids THC and CBD replace endocannabinoids in activating the immune system and modulating its function.

Anti-inflammatory effects of CBD – research

One of the analyses research showed that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the process of organ regeneration, in which stem cells participate. Researchers demonstrated that CB2 endocannabinoid system receptors are involved in restoring lymphocyte levels in patients after bone marrow transplantation and in retaining B lymphocytes in the bone marrow, which are responsible for producing antibodies—for example, to fight pathogens.

The same CB2 receptor also participates in the process of mobilizing a group of white blood cells (neutrophils) to defend the body against bacteria. Another study described in the aforementioned analysis demonstrated that AEA (an endocannabinoid produced by the body) activates the immune response to pathogenic antigens appearing in cells. In turn, 2-AG (a second endocannabinoid), which has been studied in animal models, participates in the modulation of inflammation via T and B lymphocytes.

In 2020 it was published research analysis, which suggests that CBD inhibits the inflammatory response. One theory is that CBD may cause the degradation of malfunctioning immune cells to protect the body from excessive inflammatory responses. The ability of cannabis cannabinoids to halt or slow the immune response could be used to treat diseases in which the immune system is dysregulated.

This isn't the only cannabis news from across our western border. At the end of August 2023, the German federal government decided to decriminalize the purchase and possession of small amounts of cannabis. Some say this is a straight path to full legalization of the sale, purchase, and possession of recreational marijuana in Germany. As a reminder, medical marijuana has been a legal prescription drug in this country since 2017.