Addison’s disease is an incurable chronic illness that can last someone’s lifetime. This disease is when your body doesn’t produce enough hormones because your adrenal gland, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland has been injured. These parts of your brain can be damaged by an autoimmune disease, infection, medication, genetics, or cancer. Because of the endocannabinoid system’s substantial role in the endocrine system, many are turning to CBD oil to help with the symptoms of Addison’s Disease.
The endocannabinoid system makes sure everything in the body, including the endocrine system, is working correctly through a process called homeostasis. Cannabidiol works so well because it influences the productivity of the endocannabinoid system. By stimulating receptors, opening pathways, and elevating chemicals, CBD oil can help mediate the functions of the endocannabinoid system. Considering Addison’s disease is caused by a malfunctioning endocrine system, hemp oil has shown that it can be a viable option for treatment.
How Addison’s Disease Affects You
When your adrenal gland is damaged, it doesn’t provide hormones that instruct almost every organ and tissue in your body. The outer part of the adrenal glands produce a group of hormones called corticosteroids where many of the symptoms of Addison’s disease may be derived.
The glucocorticoids influence the body’s ability to convert food to fuel and play a role in the inflammatory response of the immune system. The mineralocorticoids balance your sodium, potassium, and keep your blood pressure healthy. And the androgens are the male sex hormone produced by both men and women that influence sexual development in men and influence muscle mass, libido, and sense of well being in both men and women.
Symptoms Of Addison’s Disease
- Extreme Fatigue
- Weight loss and a decrease in appetite
- Darkening of your skin
- Low blood pressure and fainting
- Low sodium and high potassium
- Low Blood Sugar Levels
- Nausea, Diarrhea, vomiting causing dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle and joint pain
- Irritability
- Depression
- Body hair loss
- Sexual dysfunction in women
How CBD Helps
Inflammation
If you have autoimmune Addison’s disease, cannabidiol can help by regulating the immune functions in your body. CBD oil enhances the endocannabinoid 2-AG which binds to the CB2 receptor. The CB2 cannabinoid receptor mediates the immune functions, one of its jobs being to make sure that there isn’t chronic inflammation that may be inhibiting cell repair.
Depression
Addison’s disease can cause irritability and depression which hemp oil can help alleviate. By enhancing the endocannabinoid anandamide, CBD oil can elevate your mood and reduce the overactivity causing irritability. Anandamide binds to the CB1 receptor in control of your neurological functions, which is why it can help with your mood.
Pain
Addison’s disease can cause a lot of pain. The elevation of anandamide can also help with this symptom. Because the CB1 receptor mediates your neurological system, CBD can help reduce your sensitivity to pain making the disease more bearable.
