How Does CBD Treat Psoriasis?

Did you know that your skin has its own system of endocannbinoids to regulate inflammation, barrier formation and cell regeneration, and immune response to infection (1)? The natural cannabinoids in your skin interact with a whole host of ligands, cell receptors, enzymes and transport signaling systems. When the natural processes regulating skin function are out of whack, phytocannabinoids, such as CBD, can help bring these processes back into homeostasis.

Psoriasis isn’t an ordinary skin rash, but a painful, chronic inflammatory condition that appears as scaly, red lesions. The appearance of these patches on the face, hands, genitals, feet and everywhere else is not only uncomfortable, but can significantly diminish one’s quality of life. What can CBD do to help treat psoriasis?

First, let’s learn a little about the disease. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system goes into over drive and attacks skin tissue. Skin immune cells, known as Mast cells, detect dangerous pathogens and send into action mediators to fight off the pathogens and repair skin. Mediator proteins called cytokines induce inflammation. With psoriasis, the signaling between the Mast cells and keratinocytes (skin cells) gets lost in translation. The poor communication results in excessive inflammation and an overproduction of keratinocytes (skin cells) that thickens the skin, causing rough, scaly patches. Triggers such as stress, poor health, fatigue, diabetes or just simply having an off day can initiate a psoriasis outbreak.

How can CBD help? CBD’s super powers are its strong anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and immunosuppressive properties. Endocannabinoids found in keratinocytes regulate the production of inflammation-producing cytokines. CBD shifts the cell signaling from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory response. It also inhibits keratinocyte differentiation and production, preventing psoriasis lesions from forming.

So far, the research on CBD and psoriasis is limited to studies of human skin tissue and reactions of lab animals. The results are exciting and show promise.

1. Toth et al., Cannabinoid Signaling in the Skin: Therapeutic Potential of the “C(ut)annbinoid” System, Molecules, 2019, 24,918.

Contact us if you’d like to participate in an informal study on the effectiveness of our CBD cream for psoriasis.