As COVID-19 sweeps the world, knowing how to increase your immunity naturally can protect you during the pandemic.

You may not consider cannabidiol (CBD) as the first step to boosting your immune system. Still, it can work with your body to reduce your susceptibility to disease when you need it most.

Studies have shown that CBD can help increase immunity, alongside other measures like a healthy diet, vitamins, and good hygiene practices.

CBD comes in many forms, from oils to capsules to topical creams. Many people use ingestible CBD to aid their immune systems in fighting illness, and control symptoms of chronic illness and autoimmune disorders.

Here are nine things you need to know about how CBD can increase your immunity.

1. Bonds with Endocannabinoid Receptors

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates many functions within the human body. You do not need to use cannabis or use CBD in any of its forms for the ECS system to work, as the body produces cannabinoids naturally.

However, CBD can enhance the functioning of the naturally occurring cannabinoids and help with the homeostasis. According to UCLA Health, the ECS plays a role in controlling homeostasis, regulating body and brain processes like:

• Sleep
• Appetite
• Reproduction
• Mood
• Metabolism
• Stress
• Pain
• Memory

Different cannabinoids produce varying effects once they bond with endocannabinoid receptors. While tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) creates the high that many people associate with cannabis, try Lazarus Naturals CBD for pain relief. 

2. Lowers Stress

Stress plays a significant role in our immune response. Research shows that killer cells fight viral infections from the flu to COVID-19. When stress reduces the number of killer cells in the body, we become more susceptible to illness. 

Because CBD lowers stress levels, it works as a crucial tool in boosting immunity. CBD can help manage anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other types of mental illness that increase stress. 

By managing your stress, you balance the link between your mind and body and strengthen your immunity.

3. Reduces Inflammation

Studies have shown that CBD can reduce inflammation, which often presents as a symptom in illness and injury. However, experts have not yet identified the precise areas that CBD affects when it comes to immune system regulation.

Reduced inflammation can help your immune system home in on microbial threats that enter your body. 

4. Aids Respiratory Function

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties extend to the lungs, which means it can improve respiratory function. Studies involving mice showed that CBD lowered lung resistance and elastance, as well as moderated cytokines and chemokines that increased inflammation.

The study shows that CBD helps with lung injuries as well as illnesses made worse by lung inflammation, which extends to respiratory ailments like COVID-19 and seasonal flu. 

5. Balances Immune System Over Time

Using CBD does not grant you instant immunity to illness or infection. When you take CBD, it works like taking vitamins in that taking them over time benefits your body, even if you don’t see a difference immediately.

CBD from reputed CBDfx UK retailers balances your immune system when it lowers inflammation, creating a more consistent response from your body against pathogens.

With a more consistent immune response, you become less susceptible to viral infections as well as flare-ups related to chronic illness.

6. Increases White Blood Cell Count

CBD can increase white blood cell count, which in turn boosts your body’s response to illness. Studies show that cannabis users have higher white blood cell counts in their bodies, regardless of the strain or cannabinoids involved.

When it comes to white blood cell count, CBD users should monitor this attribute. Certain risks accompany prolonged white blood cell count elevation, including cardiovascular issues.

7. It Binds To Different Receptors

The body produces endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoid receptors like the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and CB2 receptors in the peripheral nervous system then respond to these neurotransmitters.

When endocannabinoids bind with these receptors, they send signals throughout the body to identify and fix problems. For example, CB2 receptors connect more closely with the immune system, which can signal inflammation present in the body.

Some scientists believe that the endocannabinoid system has more receptors than CB1 and CB2 receptors, and they have not yet discovered those related to CBD. Others think that CBD works differently in that it prevents cells in the ECS from breaking down once they have fulfilled their purpose.

8. Maintains Healthy Gut Bacteria

Most of your immune system works from the gut, which means it depends on maintaining healthy gut bacteria. When you have inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, you become more vulnerable to infection.

By reducing inflammation in the gut, CBD helps maintain balanced levels of bacteria, thereby increasing the body’s immunity. The ECS also interacts with the gut to control epithelial barriers, which makes it more difficult for pathogens to invade and infect the body. 

9. Helps with Autoimmune Disorders

Because CBD reduces inflammation, pain, nausea, and many other symptoms, many people use it to control autoimmune disorders like HIV, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and others. CBD slows T-cell production, which disrupts the immune system’s memory.

This interruption in T-cell creation can lower the efficacy of the immune system. However, fewer T-cells also decreases the likelihood of autoimmune flare-ups.

CBD benefits the body by reducing stress and inflammation and increasing white blood cell count, hence, its immune benefits often outweigh the potential weakening effects.

Final Thoughts

If you want to increase your immunity, CBD may offer a solution when it comes to giving your ECS the boost it needs to fight viruses like COVID-19. Before you take supplements, including low-risk ones, talk to your doctor and ask whether they will benefit you.