Psoriasis is a skin condition that makes everyday life a scaly, painful endeavor. It is a chronic disorder, with a few synthetic and natural treatments that make it easier to live with. But the root cause of psoriasis is so complicated that most people struggle to find the one that is right for them. In the last decade or so, more data unveiling the potential of hemp oil to relieve this disorder is emerging. No, it is not a one-time magical cure for psoriasis, but hemp oil and CBD have incredible skin-healing powers that come through only after consistent use. Here’s all you need to know about the relationship between the two.
Understanding Psoriasis & Hemp Oil: Individually
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder experienced by2-4% of the population in Western regions (and around7.5 million people in the U.S. alone!). It affects parts of the body like the elbows, knees, nails, scalp, and back. The skin in these areas gets dry, scaly (plaques), inflamed, and extremely painful. It looks similar to eczema in terms of the white flaky appearance of the skin. The cause of psoriasis is multi-faceted, but some known contributors are genetics, infections, stress, and smoking.
Essentially, what happens is that the skin cells in someone with psoriasis grow at an (alarmingly) fast pace. In non-psoriatic skin, our outermost layer of skin sheds its cells once a month. In psoriatic skin, this is much faster, within two weeks. This abnormal level of growth triggers the immune system, which says, ‘Hey! Something is wrong. The skin cells are infected, ATTACK!’. When this happens, awful symptoms appear. In around30% of psoriasis, the condition can develop into psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. All in all, this makes for a very undesirable combo!
What Is Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is extracted from the Cannabis sativa (or hemp plant). The oil contains a significant amount of CBD with many capabilities, like anti-inflammation,anti-stress,immune system regulation, and skin soothing properties. There are many more fascinating secrets this plant holds - you can read all about it in our blog about cannabidiol (CBD) and how hemp oil is extracted.
CBD has a promising profile for health and equilibrium in the brain, body, and mind. It does not produce any intoxicating effects but has milder ways of healing the body from within. Let’s move on to how hemp oil benefits psoriasis.
Understanding Psoriasis & Hemp Oil: Do They Work In Combination?
Hemp oils may help you decrease psoriasis flare-ups and irritation after its onset. Here’s how!
CBD in hemp oil interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in your body (CB2) which are found on immune cells and affect pain, inflammation, and that awful itching sensation. It interacts with this endocannabinoid system (ECS) to send a green light to the immune system, saying, ‘Everything is okay’.
Adam Friedman (MD), Chair of Dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences explains this. He says that CBD recruits cells that remove dead skin cells and allows the skin to heal itself naturally.
Three prominent pros of using CBD to treat psoriasis are its ability to reduce chronic pain, alleviate stress, and reduce inflammation - all of which fuel psoriasis.
Understanding Psoriasis & Hemp Oil: What Does The Research Say?
There have been a few studies with encouraging results for psoriasis. Several anecdotal reviews praise hemp oils for their soothing effects on the skin. With that said, additional studies are crucial to further understanding the scope and limitations of using CBD for psoriasis. So far, here is what we can gauge:
- In 2019, 20 participants were given a CBD ointment to use twice for 3 months to treat their atopic dermatitis. It improved skin hydration and elasticity, thereby making it less painful. The study paved way for the interest in CBD and other full-spectrum hemp oils for psoriasis.
- In 2020, another study with 50 people affected by scalp psoriasis used a CBD-infused shampoo for 2 weeks. It reduced itching, burning, and the extent of inflammation.
- A previous small-scale study (2019) revealed the benefits of using CBD ointments to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Should You Use Hemp Oil For Psoriasis?
The main treatment options for psoriasis are medications like steroid creams, vitamin D creams, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams, UV light therapy, and immune-suppressing chemicals like cyclosporine and methotrexate. You can also spend time in the sun and overhaul your lifestyle to control the symptoms. But where hemp oil steps in are the reduced side effects compared to chemical medicines. CBD helps you help yourself. What we mean by this is that hemp oil resets your body to bring it back to balance. Therefore, it is a well-rounded way of treating your skin.
How To Use Hemp Oil For Psoriasis?
There are two ways of using hemp oils. You can apply a few drops to your sore skin and massage it once or twice a day. Another option is to ingest it by applying a few drops under your tongue and holding it there for about a minute. This treatment soothes the immune system and relaxes stress hormones. Both of these avenues can be used to support other treatments that are already benefiting your condition, with the exception of certain medications. Please note that you must consult your physician before opting for this treatment method.
At India Hemp Organics, we have a doctor who can tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for our CannaBliss oils! The dosage for pain and skincare depends on your unique body - which our expert will help you figure out. All you have to do is reach out for help atwww.indiahemporganics.com!
References:
https://www.health.com/condition/psoriasis/cbd-for-psoriasis
https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/cbd-for-psoriasis-and-psa/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7736837/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667026722000017
