Compare the Best CBD Oil for the Immune System in 2022

How CBD Helps With the Immune System

Studies showed that cannabidiol (CBD) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipsychotic, antinausea, and anti-anxiety effects⁽¹⁾.

CBD engages the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the body. The ECS contains receptors responsible for regulating various body functions involved with systems like the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and immune system⁽²⁾.

The immune system provides your body with protection against foreign entities like bacteria, toxins, viruses, and fungi⁽³⁾. The immune system is a network of white blood cells, proteins, organs, and chemicals⁽⁴⁾.

A 2020 study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research stated that CBD has promising anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties⁽⁵⁾.

Immunosuppressants prevent the immune system from mistaking healthy cells and tissue for foreign entities like germs or bacteria. By holding back the immune system, immunosuppressants can help prevent inflammation and cell damage⁽⁶⁾.

Benefits of Using CBD for the Immune System

Studies showed that the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis may be beneficial under certain conditions because inflammation is considered a key event associated with various diseases⁽⁷⁾.

For example, chronic inflammation has a significant role in a person’s decreased mental function associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

CBD as an immunosuppressant may help prevent various autoimmune diseases and provide chronic pain relief. These diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis⁽⁸⁾.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help the Immune System?

Different types of CBD products may have varying onset times. Here are facts about CBD products and their onset duration⁽⁹⁾:

• CBD oil tinctures applied directly under the tongue may take about 15 minutes to an hour.

A sublingual application usually allows the dose of CBD to be absorbed immediately into the bloodstream rather than passing through the digestive system.

• CBD capsules and edibles are taken orally and pass through the digestive system and may take up to 60 minutes before the body absorbs them.
• Topicals are applied to the exterior part of the body, like the skin. CBD absorption depends on how much fat is stored under the skin and the amount of hair present on the skin’s surface.
• CBD inhalant products like vapes are absorbed through the lungs. These products usually take effect within minutes.

Many reports have associated vaping with lung disease⁽¹⁰⁾. Caution needs to be taken before using CBD oil vapes. Individuals must consult a health professional before considering vaping as an option to take CBD.

CBD Dosage Guide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to date, does not consider CBD an approved treatment method except for Epidiolex, a cannabis-based medication for epilepsy⁽¹¹⁾. To date, there is currently no generally accepted dosage for taking CBD.

Several studies have been conducted to determine accepted dosage schemes for different types of disorders. The lab test results varied because those studies employed considerable variations in dosage levels and methods of administration⁽¹²⁾.

Since CBD has not been approved as medication, doctors cannot provide prescriptions involving CBD or cannabinoids. Thus, there are no recommended CBD doses, and existing guides are for informational purposes only.

To date, clinical data is insufficient to determine a standard CBD dosage that may help benefit the immune system. However, there have been suggestions that taking small doses may be effective, especially for beginners⁽¹³⁾.

CBD Usage Guide

CBD oil products come in different types and, thus, may be taken through various methods, such as the following⁽¹⁴⁾:

• CBD oil tinctures are taken sublingually or under the tongue using a dropper. CBD is often blended with a carrier oil, like coconut or hemp seed oil. Some oil drops are flavored, like citrus or mint chocolate.
• Edibles are administered orally, and CBD effects ingested through this method may last longer than other product types. Some examples include CBD gummies, cookies, and chewable candies.
• CBD capsules are another orally administered product. Capsules usually contain medium-chain triglycerides or MCT oil to provide additional volume.

Additionally, softgel capsules may use olive oil as an ingredient for the casing.

• Topicals are applied externally to the body, usually on the affected area, such as the skin. Examples include lotions and creams. CBD is absorbed through the skin and bypasses liver metabolism. 
• Vapes are smoked and inhaled and considered the fastest method to deliver CBD into the body. CBD oil can be unflavored or added with natural ingredients and flavoring to suit a person’s preferences.

Smoking or vaping has adverse health effects associated with lung disease⁽¹⁵⁾. Professional opinion from a physician or health worker is recommended before using CBD vapes.

How Long Will CBD Help With the Immune System?

The duration of a CBD product’s effectiveness may vary depending on the product type, ingestion method, and dosage size.

Edibles and capsules have slow onset times. However, they may maintain their effectiveness for about 6 to 12 hours. Tinctures have an estimated duration of six to eight hours⁽¹⁶⁾.

The effects of topicals like lotions and creams may last for five hours or more, while transdermal patches, which have long onsets, may last for a day or two.

Vapes commonly have fast onset times. However, their effects usually last for only two to three hours.

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for the Immune System

Despite various studies suggesting CBD’s promising benefits, research on CBD’s safety and efficacy is still ongoing.

Additionally, CBD still has side effects, although most of these effects are well-tolerated⁽¹⁷⁾, even at high doses of around 1,500 mg of CBD per day⁽¹⁸⁾.

These side effects include diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dry mouth.

CBD may also react with certain medicines, such as blood thinners. These medications are broken down in the body by liver enzymes. Taking CBD together with these medications may cause the drugs to compete for these enzymes⁽¹⁹⁾.

CBD products may come with a grapefruit warning. This warning means that the effects of CBD may block certain enzymes from breaking down other medications, increasing the drugs in the body that may cause other side effects⁽²⁰⁾.

Some studies suggested that CBD use may have adverse effects on the immune status of individuals⁽²¹⁾. However, the findings are insufficient to support or refute this claim.

As stated by a 2017 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is not associated with any public health risks despite its side effects. These risks include comorbidities or driving under the influence⁽²²⁾.

In 2018, the FDA approved using CBD as a way to treat epilepsy⁽²³⁾. Other than that, the FDA has not approved the drug to help treat autoimmune diseases.

Ask for recommendations from a physician or health professional if you are considering CBD to help with wellness and manage health issues concerning the immune system.

Legality of CBD

The enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill took away hemp and hemp seeds from the Controlled Substances list of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)⁽²⁴⁾.

The Farm Bill defines hemp as a Cannabis sativa plant containing no more than 0.3% of the delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the psychoactive component that gives a high feeling.

This law allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to authorize and regulate hemp production. Under this law, hemp oil products are legal at the federal level. However, the regulation and legalization of hemp products will vary by state.

How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for the Immune System

CBD is a component of the Cannabis plant that does not have the same psychoactive properties as THC. Thus, CBD may be more appealing to use if you consider it for helping manage your immune system without altering your state of mind.

CBD is usually sourced from hemp plants because the plant only has trace amounts of THC content. Colorado is one of the U.S. states that supply most of the grown hemp required for CBD production⁽²⁵⁾.

There are several extraction methods to generate high-quality CBD from hemp. One of the most preferred methods is CO2 extraction, which uses high-pressure CO2 at fluctuating temperatures to extract CBD oil from the plant⁽²⁶⁾.

After extraction, CBD oil may be classified as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate.

Aside from CBD, full-spectrum CBD oil contains other cannabinoids and compounds like cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), THC, and terpenes. These compounds are connected with various health benefits similar to that of CBD.

CBD users may prefer full-spectrum CBD oil because of the so-called “entourage effect.” Researchers believe that CBD provides more benefits when more cannabinoids and plant derivatives are present to attain maximal pharmacological effect⁽²⁷⁾.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil also has most cannabinoids present, like in full-spectrum hemp. However, it does not have THC content.

CBD isolates are products that contain pure CBD. Aside from being THC-free, isolates also do not contain cannabinoids other than CBD only.

Some CBD products originate from organic hemp extract and are turned into non-GMO or gluten-free products.

After CBD’s extraction and classification process, reputable brands that sell CBD products must send their product samples to a third-party lab for analysis.

The purpose of this analysis is to check for the amount of CBD concentrations and other ingredients.

Another purpose of third-party tests is to ensure that the products are safe and free of contaminants like pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals.

Many companies are selling CBD products these days. However, some of these CBD companies may be more trusted than others. Anecdotal online reviews suggested that these CBD oil brands are reputable and well-known:

• cbdMD – North Carolina
• CBDistillery – Colorado
• Joy Organics – Colorado
• Charlotte’s Web – Colorado
• MedTerra – California