Psoriasis is a skin disease that can occur in people of different ages. It is thought that one of the factors that cause it is due to genetic background. After the increase in interest in the properties of Cannabidiol (CBD), it is known today that the use of CBD cream has excellent potential to help with this condition.
The following article describes the disease known as psoriasis, treatment with cannabinoids to alleviate the appearance of blisters on the skin caused by the disorder, and the future on the research of CBD.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is one of the most persistent and unpredictable skin irritations, considered to be an autoimmune disease based on genetic predispositions and hereditary. The condition is linked to rapid cell growth in the outer layer of the skin. These growths in the epidermis never mature. While a normal skin cell matures and goes from the lower layer of skin to the epidermis in about twenty-eight days, psoriatic cells form in approximately eight days, causing blister-like patches that lead to an excessive number of cells skin forming in a very short time. The condition is not contagious.
Psoriasis is characterised by the rapid multiplication of cells on the skin as a compensatory mechanism for attack caused by T cells.
T cells (responsible for attacking and removing external agents) are wrongly activated, causing a cascade of metabolic activity that mainly affects cells in the skin. Psoriasis is usually found as patches of skin on the legs, knees, arms, elbows, scalp, ears, and back. Toe and fingernails can also lose their shine and develop ridges and holes.
Psoriasis usually follows a pattern of periodic outbreaks that alternate with periods of remission, most commonly starting between the ages of around 18 and 30. About 75% of people with psoriasis develop it before they turn 40 years old.
Among other factors, outbreaks are triggered by nerve tension, stress, illness, injury, surgery, cuts, poisoning, and the use of drugs such as Lithium. Some people experience associated arthritis (psoriatic arthritis) that is similar to rheumatoid arthritis and challenging to treat.
The underlying cause of the malady is unknown but may be the result of poor fat utilization; Psoriasis is rare in countries where the diet is low in fat. Current research also points to the immune system playing a role.
Common psoriasis symptoms:
- Reddish areas in the skin
- Accumulation of "scales"
- Weak skin with a tendency to break and bleed
- Irritation, stinging, pain
Unfortunately, to this day, there is no known method to cure psoriasis. Treatments are based on after symptom inspection, which leads to doctors and therapists trying various therapies. These usually include steroid creams, vitamins, and immune system suppressor medications, among others. Fortunately, there is an emerging new potential ally for psoriasis patients today providing relief in a simple yet innovative way: CBD creams.
CBD Cream for Topical Treatment
The compounds obtained from sativa cannabis plants are used to treat a large number of diseases including Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, to name just a few. Among the most promising compounds of the plant is the Cannabidiol.
Cannabidiol as a topical therapy in the form of creams has the potential to reduce inflammation and cell replacement, as well as to reduce the unwanted activity of the immune system. It furthermore reduces inflamed pores and softens the skin.
As it is now known and widely accepted that one of the principal functions of CBD is to connect to the endogenous cannabinoid receptors in a human organism. After this binding, metabolic influences occur, among which there is an anti-inflammatory action of tissues. Because CBD is a molecule efficiently absorbed through the skin, and even more well-absorbed taken under the tongue as CBD oil, this molecule has shown to be a potentially effective treatment for psoriasis.
CBD does not exhibit any toxicity or possible symptoms of overdose. Furthermore, this cannabinoid has antioxidant attributes that may safeguard against UV rays, making the range of CBD benefits ideal for patients with skin conditions.
Among the most studied uses of CBD are:
- Anti-inflammatory capacity
- It helps to some degree to regulate the immune system
- Improves appetite
- It helps with lowering blood sugar
CBD, Psoriasis, and Research
Interesting approaches within research suggest that CBD could slow the growth of immature skin cells, thus avoiding overlap that leads to the formation of scales in different areas of the skin.
Within the cannabinoid research groups, we have a group led by Dr Mechoulam in Israel, whose government has released a National Plan for Medicinal Cannabis. This grand initiative has led to not only researchers and physicians to take a greater interest in these compounds, but also the general public.
As a result, countries, organizations, and study centres have followed the lead of the Israelis. One of the most recent cases comes from Colombia, which has legalized the use of cannabis for the treatment of patients and specialized research.
Within Europe, one of the most experienced and respected researchers is PhD. Manuel Guzmán, from the Complutense University of Madrid. His team conveyed the first clinical trial in patients with terminal cancer and the effect of cannabinoids, achieving auspicious results.
Summary
CBD has the potential to help not only in skin conditions such as psoriasis and decrease flakes and redness, but there is also strong evidence to believe it can aid in treating chronic and acute diseases such as cancer arthritis, and epilepsy.
