Color treatment and marijuana – Does marijuana help with skin conditions in dermatology?
Pot, Mary Jane, weed, grass…call it what you may, but marijuana has been around since time immemorial and thanks to its medicinal uses, it has become a hot topic among doctors, dermatologists, researchers, the public, and government agencies. The latest craze is all about Weed Creams that go by various names. But, does marijuana really help with skin conditions, as some people claim? Well…
Besides being rich in a wide array of cannabinoids, hemp and marijuana plants contain several other molecules such as terpenes which produce a fragrant scent and flavonoids which contribute to making the plants’ pigment. According to research, marijuana contains relatively high concentrations of terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids, which lead to its intense coloring and scent. These elements interact with the human body via the endocannabinoid system before interacting with other physiological systems.
How does cannabis help with skin conditions?
Researchers have long-established that cannabinoids contain antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch qualities. The first-ever suggestion that cannabinoids could be used to treat skin conditions was proposed in 1910). However, it has only been recently that high-quality research has been conducted to try and understand the impact of marijuana compounds on the skin and the results are impressive. Here are some of the ways cannabis can be used to treat and prevent skin conditions.
Anti-itch properties
Many factors can contribute to an itchy skin particularly skin dryness, histamine release, and sensory nerve fibers. However, cannabinoids have been shown to contain effective anti-itch properties. To be precise, the skin contains several receptors that interact with cannabinoids to prevent, minimize, and even treat symptoms associated with AD. This occurs via a constellation of interactions between our endogenous cannabinoid and phytocannabinoids systems.
Anti-microbial properties
Cannabinoids have shown great promise in the management of Staphylococcus aureus, which is both a cause of many skin conditions and a complication. Antimicrobial properties of cannabinoids have been known since the 1980s, but were never well understood. With new technology, detailed analysis has been conducted and established that all the main cannabinoids have the potency to treat a wide array of S. aureus strains that cause most skin diseases.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Cannabinoids have also proven to contain potent anti-inflammatory properties. As a matter of fact, researchers have verified that topical THC subdues allergic contact dermatitis on the skin by interacting with CB1 receptors. Moreover, other similar compounds contained in marijuana have demonstrated to be powerful pain relievers, which often a symptom of most skin diseases.
A recent study has even demonstrated that cannabinoid compounds interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system and prevents mast cell activation. These are part of the immune system and when activated, they release histamine, which results in skin inflammation and intense itching. In human trials for people with AD, cannabinoid creams reduced the severity of inflammation and itchiness by 60 percent. 20% of the participants ceased using topical immunomodulators, 38% stopped taking oral antihistamines, while 33.6% no longer required to use topical steroid regimens.
Bottom line
Though research is in its infancy, researchers and dermatologists agree that cannabinoids have the potential to be used for treating several skin conditions. Thanks to the promising results already showed by various studies, various products are already in the market, and we should expect the future to be brighter as tests and studies intensify.