by Anna Mouzenian

Graphic design by Anaiah Reyes

Inflammation is a hallmark of numerous chronic diseases, from arthritis to neurodegenerative conditions. As traditional anti-inflammatory treatments often come with significant side effects, the search for safer, natural alternatives has brought cannabidiol (CBD) into the spotlight. Could this naturally derived cannabis compound be the solution we have been seeking? Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two main compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use. According to Harvard Health, CBD can be administered in various forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, patches, and topical creams, making it versatile for different therapeutic needs. For inflammation, CBD-infused lotions or transdermal patches may offer targeted relief by delivering the compound directly to affected areas.¹

CBD’s therapeutic potential has been recognized in multiple domains. Most notably, it is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating rare childhood epilepsy syndromes such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, where it has been shown to reduce or even eliminate seizures.² Beyond epilepsy, research suggests CBD’s potential for anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, and addiction management. While human studies are emerging, much of the existing evidence comes from preclinical and animal research, indicating CBD’s potential to reduce anxiety, alleviate pain, improve sleep, and reduce cravings for addictive substances.¹

CBD is not entirely without risk but is generally well tolerated, with relatively mild side effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential… there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” However, some users have reported side effects such as fatigue, nausea, irritability, and changes in appetite. Additionally, CBD can interact with medications metabolized by liver enzymes—such as blood thinners and immunosuppressants—potentially altering their effectiveness. As a result, consulting a health care provider before use is essential, especially for individuals taking prescription medications.^1,3

CBD has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects across various preclinical and clinical studies.^3,4,5 From a clinical standpoint, its potential for reducing inflammation has been observed in several diseases where inflammation plays a central role. For instance, in Alzheimer’s disease models, CBD has been shown to mitigate neuroinflammation associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, a hallmark of the disease, and reduce interleukin-6 levels, suggesting a neuroprotective effect against disease progression.³ Similarly, in rodent models of multiple sclerosis, CBD exerts multi-target anti-inflammatory effects, which may contribute to disease modulation.⁴ Additionally, preclinical studies in rheumatoid arthritis have demonstrated that CBD not only reduces inflammation, but also provides analgesic effects without impairing daily functioning, reinforcing its therapeutic potential in inflammatory joint diseases.⁵

Beyond disease-specific applications, research suggests that CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are largely mediated through its impact on immune signaling. Studies highlight CBD’s ability to suppress key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are critical mediators of the inflammatory response by initiating the inflammatory cascade, amplifying the response and driving the acute-phase reaction, respectively.⁶ Further preclinical research has identified additional mechanisms, such as reduced immune activation in rodent models of pneumococcal meningitis (bacterial infection of brain and spinal cord), inhibition of Aβ-induced neuroinflammation in cultured astrocytes, and suppression of neutrophil chemotaxis in human neutrophil migration, underscoring CBD’s broad potential in controlling immune-driven inflammation.⁷

Despite the promising research on CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects, several limitations must be considered before it can be widely adopted as a reliable treatment. While preclinical studies provide promising evidence for CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, further human research is necessary. Challenges in conducting studies, for example inconsistencies of doses in animals which can range from 0.5 to 80 mg/kg, have made it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about CBD’s effectiveness in treating inflammatory conditions.⁶ Additionally, the lack of regulation in the CBD market poses significant challenges. Without standardized formulations, patients may receive inconsistent dosages, potentially leading to variable clinical outcomes and unreliable user experiences.¹ Moreover, global accessibility is further hindered by differing levels of CBD legalisation, which restrict availability and create disparities in its therapeutic use across regions.

CBD holds promise as a potential treatment for inflammation due to its non-psychoactive nature and relatively mild side effect profile. Preclinical studies have consistently demonstrated its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, supporting its use as a valuable therapeutic tool. However, the lack of standardized human trials and concerns over product quality highlight the need for further research and caution in its use. While more robust clinical data is needed, CBD remains an intriguing alternative for those exploring options beyond traditional anti-inflammatory treatments.

References

1. MD PG. Harvard Health. 2018 [cited 2025 Jan 29]. Cannabidiol (Cbd): What we know and what we don’t. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476

2. Abu-Sawwa R, Scutt B, Park Y. Emerging use of epidiolex (Cannabidiol) in epilepsy. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 Feb 3];25(6):485–99. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7439947/

3. Iffland K, Grotenhermen F. An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res [Internet]. 2017 Jun 1 [cited 2025 Jan 29];2(1):139–54. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/

4. Cristino L, Bisogno T, Di Marzo V. Cannabinoids and the expanded endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol [Internet]. 2020 Jan [cited 2025 Jan 29];16(1):9–29. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-019-0284-z

5. Lowin T, Tingting R, Zurmahr J, et al. Cannabidiol (Cbd): a killer for inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. Cell Death Dis [Internet]. 2020 Sep 1 [cited 2025 Jan 29];11(8):1–11. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-020-02892-1

6. Henshaw FR, Dewsbury LS, Lim CK, et al. The effects of cannabinoids on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines: a systematic review of in vivo studies. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res [Internet]. 2021 Jun 10 [cited 2025 Jan 29];6(3):177–95. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8266561/

7. Burstein S. Cannabidiol (Cbd) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry [Internet]. 2015 Apr 1 [cited 2025 Jan 29];23(7):1377–85. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968089615000838