Autoimmune disorders were first recognized in the 1950s, and now, there are over 80 known types of autoimmune diseases that can affect various parts of the body.1 Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s natural defenses begin attacking healthy cells because they can no longer tell the difference between foreign contaminants, like bacteria, and healthy cells.
Autoimmune diseases affect roughly 5% to 8% of the population in the United States, and women are more prone to developing them than men, with approximately 80% of those diagnosed being women.
Autoimmune diseases can be classified into two types: systemic or organ-specific. Systemic autoimmune diseases can attack multiple organs and include but are not limited to arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus. Organ-specific autoimmune diseases target one organ, including conditions like Grave’s disease, vitiligo, and type 1 diabetes.
These are among the most common autoimmune diseases in addition to the ones listed above:
- Addison’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Hashimoto thyroiditis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Pernicious anemia
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune diseases do not have an exact cause, but much of the research suggests several factors, including genetic and environmental factors, are involved in their development. Different known factors characterize the various autoimmune diseases; for example, patients with rheumatoid arthritis have elevated levels of TNF-ɑ. The same is true for multiple sclerosis, which CBD, THC, and CBG have been demonstrated to reduce. Other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, are caused by the presence of autoantibodies that attack the body's immune system.
Autoimmune Diseases Signs & Symptoms
Signs of many autoimmune diseases are similar in the early stages and can include symptoms such as:
- Achy muscles
- Chronic pain
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Low-grade fever
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Skin rashes
- Swelling and redness
- Trouble concentrating
However, each individual autoimmune disease can cause unique symptoms. For example, patients with Hashimoto's may experience fatigue, muscle aches, and weight gain. However, patients with inflammatory bowel disease experience bloating, belly pain, and diarrhea. For some diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis, individuals can have periods called a “flare-up” and periods of remission where they go without symptoms.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases?
Researchers can’t say with certainty that cannabis is an effective treatment for any autoimmune disease. Still, current research does point to cannabinoids having great potential for the treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases.
CB2 endocannabinoid receptors, which the active ingredients in cannabis–called cannabinoids–interact with, exist throughout the immune system, including the spleen, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood cells. CB2 receptors are also located within microglial cells, chondrocytes, osteocytes, and fibroblasts, which all play a vital role in the inflammation brought on by autoimmune diseases.2
Cannabinoids exert their effects via the CB1 and CB2 receptors and play a role in neurotransmitter modulation and cytokine release, which is part of the body's reaction to an infection or inflammation. Research has found, in preclinical models, that cannabinoids have the ability to induce the death of T cells and reduce proinflammatory cytokines.3 All of this amounts to cannabis showing potential in reducing inflammation associated with immune system responses.
Being that multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune disease, it has been the topic of most research regarding cannabinoids as a treatment. Inflammation is a major driving factor of MS, and although there’s no cure, cannabis has shown potential in research for treating its symptoms.
CBD and delta-9 THC have been demonstrated in clinical trials to relieve certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis, such as spasticity.4 Anecdotal reports from patients with multiple sclerosis claim that cannabis also helps with pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep.
Sativex, a pharmaceutical with a 1:1 ratio of CBD and THC, was recently approved in the UK to treat spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. Beta-caryophyllene, a common terpene found in cannabis, is also a selective CB2 agonist that has been demonstrated in research to reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of certain T cells and macrophages.5
For other autoimmune diseases like lupus, inflammatory bowel diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis, cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBG may also be beneficial for treating symptoms.2
Although most researchers recommend a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC, individuals seeking to use THC should begin with no more than 2.5mg of THC at once or 30mg of THC per day. Cannabis affects everyone differently, and what may be an appropriate dose for one person may easily be too much or too little for another. Start low and work up to the correct dose for your body and needs.6
Overall, more research is needed on auto-immune diseases, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system to see which cannabinoids may benefit individuals who suffer from these common conditions.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers autoimmune diseases to be qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes autoimmune diseases or their symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the states in the U.S. We’ve connected over 2,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Can cannabis treat symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as pain and inflammation?
While there is limited clinical evidence for the treatment of autoimmune disease symptoms with cannabinoids, the current data does point to promising results for the use of cannabinoids like THC and CBD for pain and inflammation.
What strains are best for auto-immune diseases?
The approval of Sativex, a 1:1 CBD:THC approved drug for spasticity in MS patients in the UK, demonstrates that strains with a similar ratio may be helpful; these strains can include the likes of ACDC, Cannatonic, Pennywise, Shark Shock, and Sour Tsunami. Each individual experiences cannabis in a different way, so adjust dosage and ratio as needed.
What terpenes are best for auto-immune diseases?
Many of the dominant terpenes found in cannabis demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial in helping auto-immune diseases, including a-bisabolol, beta-caryophyllene, limonene, linalool, myrcene, and terpinolene.7
Which cannabis products are best to use for auto-immune diseases?
Cannabis products, like Sativex, with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, are recommended for treating symptoms associated with auto-immune diseases. For immediate relief, inhalation methods, like vaping and smoking, deliver results quickly. If you want to avoid inhalation, using edibles, sublingual cannabis tinctures, or transdermal patches may also help to provide relief for symptoms of auto-immune diseases.
Can CBD help relieve the symptoms of auto-immune diseases?
If an individual is sensitive to THC or does not want to use THC for a particular reason, CBD may provide pain relief for patients.8
Resources
- Ahsan H. Origins and history of autoimmunity—A brief review. Rheumatology & autoimmunity. 2022;3(1):9-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/rai2.12049
- Giorgi V, Marotto D, Batticciotto A, Atzeni F, Bongiovanni S, Sarzi-Puttini P. Cannabis and Autoimmunity: Possible Mechanisms of Action. Immunotargets Ther. 2021;10:261-271. Published 2021 Jul 21. doi:10.2147/ITT.S267905
- Rodríguez Mesa XM, Moreno Vergara AF, Contreras Bolaños LA, Guevara Moriones N, Mejía Piñeros AL, Santander González SP. Therapeutic Prospects of Cannabinoids in the Immunomodulation of Prevalent Autoimmune Diseases. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(3):196-210. doi:10.1089/can.2020.0183
- Giacoppo S, Bramanti P, Mazzon E. Sativex in the management of multiple sclerosis-related spasticity: An overview of the last decade of clinical evaluation. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2017;17:22-31. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2017.06.015
- Aly E, Khajah MA, Masocha W. β-Caryophyllene, a CB2-Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Antiretroviral-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Molecules. 2019;25(1):106. Published 2019 Dec 27. doi:10.3390/molecules25010106
- MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2018;49(49):12-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2018.01.004
- Downer EJ. Anti-inflammatory Potential of Terpenes Present in Cannabis sativa L. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 2020;11(5):659-662. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00075
- Peng J, Fan M, An C, Ni F, Huang W, Luo J. A narrative review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2022;130(4):439-456. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.13710
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
