Compare the best CBD for Psoriasis in 2022

How CBD Helps With Psoriasis 

A 2020 meta-analysis hypothesized that CBD may help relieve psoriasis symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties that may inhibit the hyper-proliferation of keratinocytes (skin cells)⁽¹⁾.   

However, the researchers recommended that additional research is needed on the use of CBD for psoriasis lesions.  

CBD is among the naturally occurring chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in cannabis plants⁽²⁾.   

Cannabis plants also contain antioxidant molecules that help neutralize free radicals in the human body. Free radicals have an unstable molecular structure and attack cells, which can cause illness and aging⁽³⁾.   

CBD does not produce the mind-altering psychoactive effects of another cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In recent years, medical researchers have investigated CBD’s medicinal potential. 

Studies indicated that CBD may help reduce inflammation through the endocannabinoid system (ECS)⁽⁴⁾. This lipid signaling system contains cannabis plant-like molecules, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors.

The two primary receptors contained in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) include the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors interact with human-produced endocannabinoids, plant-based phytocannabinoids, and lab-derived cannabinoids⁽⁵⁾.

A study published in the journal Trends in Pharmacological Sciences noted the ECS maintains the production and survival of skin cells⁽⁶⁾. 

The disruption in the balance may lead to skin conditions and disorders, including cancer, psoriasis, and hair growth disorders. 

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes⁽⁷⁾. Keratinocytes are the primary skin cells found in the protective organ’s outermost layer.

The following are among the common symptoms of psoriasis⁽⁸⁾:

• Red patches on the skin
• Dryness of skin
• Itchiness of skin
• Thickened nails
• Swollen joints 

An article about psoriasis, posted by Harvard Health Publishing, explained that overactive white blood cells, known as T-helper lymphocytes, cause the immune system disorder psoriasis⁽⁹⁾.

Overactive white blood cells manufacture excess cytokines that may result in inflammation in organs such as the skin⁽¹⁰⁾. 

Cytokines are cell-signaling molecules involved in immune response and cell movement. They can impact the hyper-proliferation of skin keratinocytes, leading to psoriasis⁽¹¹⁾.   

A study published by the journal Future Medicinal Chemistry noted that cannabinoids may suppress the body’s immune responses⁽¹²⁾. 

The researchers also noted that numerous cannabinoids may slow down the production of cytokines, which may decrease inflammation.

A study published in the Current Clinical Pharmacology journal noted that the interaction between the nervous system and immune system through the ECS made cannabinoids a potential treatment option for the medical condition of psoriasis⁽¹³⁾.

A 2007 study noted that cannabinoids assist in inhibiting rapid cell growth through keratinocyte production, making cannabinoids a possible option for psoriasis treatment⁽¹⁴⁾. 

Uses and Benefits of CBD for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a particular skin disease with symptoms such as red, itchy, and scaly skin patches. A 2019 study investigating topical CBD ointment applied to psoriasis lesions showed that the skin’s elasticity and hydration improved⁽¹⁵⁾. 

Meanwhile, a 2020 study noted that a CBD-infused shampoo effectively reduced the severity of scalp itching, inflammation, and burning in patients diagnosed with scalp conditions, including scalp psoriasis⁽¹⁶⁾.       

CBD may also help with the quality of life issues that individuals with psoriasis are experiencing. 

For example, a study led by Scott Shannon, MD, showed that CBD may help improve sleep quality⁽¹⁷⁾. In addition, CBD has minimal side effects, including fatigue, dry mouth, changes in appetite, and diarrhea⁽¹⁸⁾.

Other treatments on the market can help manage the disease’s symptoms. Meanwhile, you can also utilize lifestyle changes and coping mechanisms to improve your quality of life with psoriasis⁽¹⁹⁾ 

Various psoriasis treatments can help provide some health benefits, including creams and ointments for treating small areas of skin. 

However, if rashes affect a large area or are accompanied by joint pain, it may be an indicator you have arthritis⁽²⁰⁾. 

A medical practitioner may prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines based on various factors, including the⁽²¹⁾:

• Rash’s location on the body 
• Person’s age and overall health 

These products are alternatives to traditional psoriasis treatments, such as prescription drugs and phototherapy.

Steroid treatments include ones requiring oral and topical treatments, and both can produce side effects. 

Topical steroids are common in the treatment of psoriasis. However, these may cause various side effects, including redness, thinning of the skin, stretch marks, buildup of skin pigmentation, dilated blood vessels, and easy bruising⁽²²⁾.  

Meanwhile, oral steroids can produce side effects, including⁽²³⁾:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity 
• Acne 
• Bone fractures
• Increased risk of infections
• Poor healing of wounds 
• Diabetes
• Cataracts
• Heart disease

CBD may relieve psoriasis-related symptoms, including reduced skin hydration and elasticity, based on a 2019 study⁽²⁴⁾. 

The study evaluated the therapeutic benefits of a CBD-enriched ointment in individuals with the chronic skin disease psoriasis and skin disorder atopic dermatitis and their cutaneous scars. 

Researchers required participants to use CBD topical applications for skin lesions twice daily for three months⁽²⁵⁾. The ointment produced the elasticity and hydration of the participants’ skin and quality of life measures. 

Furthermore, the ointment significantly reduced the subjects’ psoriasis or eczema symptoms and triggered no reported irritants or allergic reactions⁽²⁶⁾.

CBD-enriched products may also help reduce scalp psoriasis symptoms, including inflammation, itching, and burning, according to a 2020 study⁽²⁷⁾. Tolerability was also excellent among participants.   

A recent study showed that a neurotransmitter known as anandamide prevented the production of key inflammation signals known to promote skin psoriasis⁽²⁸⁾. 

Psoriasis patients may also develop an inflammation of the joints and surrounding the tendon and ligaments. This type of inflammation is called psoriatic arthritis⁽²⁹⁾. 

Meanwhile, the purported anti-anxiety⁽³⁰⁾ properties of CBD may help reduce the psychological effects of psoriasis.   

The WHO stated in a global report that psoriasis may become a catalyst of anxiety disorders or depression in an individual⁽³¹⁾.

A study published in 2012 in the Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery reported that medical CBD contained anti-anxiety properties in animal and human subjects⁽³²⁾.

How Long After Taking CBD Will It Start to Help with Psoriasis?

No definitive study has been completed on the initiation of CBD products’ efficacy for affecting psoriasis symptoms. 

However, you may feel CBD’s localized effects within two hours⁽³³⁾ after applying topicals, such as oils, lotions, salves, and balms to affected areas.

Users of CBD topicals may experience a localized effect as skin pores begin absorbing the CBD product. The pores work collectively with the skin’s CB2 receptors, which are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties⁽³⁴⁾.  

More research is warranted to determine whether CBD products such as tinctures, oils, balms, and lotions penetrate the bloodstream via transdermal absorption⁽³⁵⁾.

After CBD Starts to Help with Psoriasis, How Long Will It Last?

No studies have been conducted on the duration of the efficacy provided by CBD products for relieving psoriasis symptoms. However, some reviewers of CBD products reported they felt the effects of the CBD  topicals for two to six hours.  

Various factors impact how long you may feel the effects of CBD products. They include the CBD’s form, the product’s quantity, and your body weight and metabolism. 

Health Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Psoriasis

More research is necessitated to investigate how CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, can have effects on psoriasis and its symptoms.

The condition may present itself in different forms, such as plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis⁽³⁶⁾.

Another potential risk factor of utilizing CBD for psoriasis is the nonexistence of standard CBD dosages. This factor is due to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not regulating cannabinoids like CBD⁽³⁷⁾. 

Epidiolex, a medication to treat some rare forms of epilepsy, is the only CBD pharmaceutical the FDA has approved.     

CBD may reduce the effectiveness of steroids through drug interactions with the liver enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP450)⁽³⁸⁾. This enzyme is responsible for metabolizing steroids and other prescription medicines. 

Another possible risk stems from CBD products being inaccurately labeled. In some cases, information, such as CBD concentration, contains discrepancies when cross-referenced with results produced by third-party lab tests.  

Thus, for your safety, purchase only high-quality CBD products offering certificates of analysis (COA).

CBD is non-addictive, which allows individuals to avoid drug dependence⁽³⁹⁾. However, CBD induces minimal side effects, including changes in appetite, changes in weight, tiredness, and diarrhea⁽⁴⁰⁾.

CBD Dosage and Methods of Consumption 

Currently, no standard CBD dosages for psoriasis exist as the cannabinoid has not been FDA-approved. 

However, you may start with a small dosage of CBD. If it is well tolerated and produces no adverse reactions, then you may increase the dosage gradually until achieving the desired effects. 

Before using products, such as CBD oil for psoriasis, individuals with psoriasis should seek help from a dermatologist or other medical practitioner before trying CBD products. 

How to Take CBD for Psoriasis

When selecting CBD administration routes, several options exist, including oral, topical, and vape. However, applying CBD topical products, such as creams, salves, gels, and balms, directly to the skin is a convenient option. 

Some companies infuse their topical CBD products with ingredients purportedly containing anti-inflammatory properties and chronic pain-relieving analgesic effects. 

These features make CBD products with ingredients like ginger and cumin good options to help treat psoriasis symptoms.

A 2011 study on ginger’s therapeutic effects noted that the herb helped reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain⁽⁴¹⁾. 

Meanwhile, in a 2019 study on cumin published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal, researchers noted that cumin had analgesic effects ideal for pain treatment⁽⁴²⁾. 

Individuals with dry skin may consider lotions, topical creams, moisturizing creams, and face masks for their hydrating properties. Hemp plants themselves may help hydrate skin due to fatty acids in essential oils⁽⁴³⁾.   

Oral administration is another convenient method of taking CBD. The options for CBD edibles include:

• Tablets
• Softgels
• Capsules
• Gummies
• Brownies 

Another option is sublingual administration, which requires individuals to use a dropper to place drops of CBD hemp extract or CBD tinctures under the tongue. 

You must retain the oil, preferably full-spectrum CBD oil, in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing it.  

A medical study published in 2002 in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology noted that CBD oil used sublingually had a bioavailability ranging from 13% to 19%⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

Bioavailability is delineated as the rate and extent to which the body can metabolize a drug⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

Meanwhile, in 2015, the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences published a drug delivery assessment⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

The researchers noted most chemical compounds’ peak blood levels via the sublingual method are reached within 10 to 15 minutes.

Vaping CBD can achieve peak plasma concentrations within three minutes⁽⁴⁷⁾, indicating CBD’s highest concentration within the body⁽⁴⁸⁾.  

Meanwhile, a 2020 study in Cureus noted that a rise in vape use in the United States increased vaping-related pulmonary disorders⁽⁴⁹⁾.

CBD Topical Creams vs. CBD Oil for Psoriasis

Psoriasis flare-ups can involve stress, illness, and allergies. When selecting between a CBD topical oil or CBD cream, you should consider various options and factors: 

Facial treatments: Consider CBD products formulated for the face since the skin is delicate and sensitive. One option is CBD face creams.  

Scalp treatments: This option is ideal for treating itchy scalps and dandruff. 

Topical CBD may include other ingredients, like camphor or salicylic acid. Camphor is known to help relieve itching or pain. Salicylic acid is helpful for breaking down thick, scaly skin.   

Stress treatments: Consider CBD products that help promote relaxation. CBD edibles and CBD oil may help reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders⁽⁵⁰⁾.  

Research shows that CBD may promote well-being among individuals with mild to severe depression⁽⁵¹⁾. However, more research is needed.  

Before selecting any CBD product, it is advisable to consult a dermatology professional or medical practitioner. It is also advisable to cross-reference product labels with third-party lab testing. 

Choosing the Right CBD Product for Psoriasis 

When choosing CBD products, such as the best CBD oil for skincare issues, here are some issues to consider: 

1. Type of CBD: The main options include CBD isolates, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD.

CBD isolates are among the pure forms of CBD. These products are ideal for people allergic to particular hemp plant ingredients. 

Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the chemical compounds in cannabis plants, including terpenes (aromatic compounds), flavonoids (plant pigments), essential oils, and fatty acids.

Broad-spectrum CBD includes a wide range of natural chemicals from the cannabis plant but typically contains no THC.

2. Extraction method: Methods include CO2 extraction, which involves separating various components of the hemp plant for a cleaner and safer product.  
3. No Genetically Modified Organisms (non-GMO): This means the living organisms’ DNA has not been genetically modified. 
4. Organic hemp: CBD products are classified as biologics as they contain components of living organisms.  However, organic CBD products are also not produced with synthetic ingredients in products such as fertilizers or pesticides.
5. Third-party lab testing: An independent company tests a company’s products to ensure safe and quality products.  

Legality of CBD

The United States legalized CBD on the federal level through the 2018  Farm Bill⁽⁵²⁾. The law legalized hemp cultivation with a THC content of less than 0.3%⁽⁵³⁾. 

The FDA also removed hemp and hemp products such as hemp oil from its list of Schedule I controlled substances. 

CBD remains illegal under particular state laws. Research your state’s laws regarding the buying and selling of hemp products.