CBD And The Immune System

At ICE Headshop we’ve been watching the situation with coronavirus closely. As of early March the virus has been declared a pandemic and governments are taking measures to slow the spread, as well as people self isolating and essential stock at supermarkets seeing an increase in demand. Below we cover the following: Coronavirus

• What are coronaviruses?
• Coronavirus Covid-19
• How do you know if you have it?
• Protecting yourself from coronavirus

CBD and the immune system

• What is the endocannabinoid system?
• Does CBD react with our endocannabinoid system?
• What types of CBD products are available?
• Oils, tinctures, edibles and teas
• Speak with our team

Disclaimer: There are no government studies to backup CBD medicinal claims. The benefits of CBD are based on opinion and not scientific fact. Please note that you must be 18 years or older to purchase CBD products. All claims and effects of CBD have been regulated by the MHRA since 2016 and distributors require a license from the MHRA to make any medical claims.

What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses, which include the current COVID-19 outbreak, are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS CoV). The Coronavirus that is currently sweeping the globe is called a novel coronavirus; meaning that before now, it has not been identified in humans. Coronaviruses can be transmitted between animals and humans. For example, the MERS-CoV was transmitted from camels to humans and the SARS-CoV from civet cats. It is rumoured that the novel coronavirus has been transmitted to humans via bats, although at this stage it can not be confirmed.

Coronavirus Covid-19

The coronavirus strain Covid-19 is thought to have originated in Wuhan, Hubei province in China. There was an ‘ongoing common source’ of the outbreak in December 2019, which implies that animal-to-human (zoonotic) events happened at Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. As of March 2020, the primary source of infection is human-to-human transmission. The WHO (World Health Organisation) and other health organisations have offered basic advice for lowering the risk of getting infected. Recommended measures include:

• Washing your hands properly
• Avoiding unnecessary travel
• Not touching your face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears
• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue
• Avoiding sharing intimate household items

When we read and listen to the seriousness of this potentially fatal virus, we wonder what we can also do to keep ourselves safe. We need to take into account psychological and social effects, in addition to the physical ones. Although potentially fatal, Covid-19 only has between 2-4% mortality rate from current data. The people at greatest risk of the virus developing into a severe respiratory issue are the elderly or those with existing immunity or respiratory problems. Numerous studies and live coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak have revealed widespread distress, as people fear the infection spreading and the negative implications in their lives. The risk of being infected, travel restrictions (for both business and personal travel), concerns about the possibility of being required to quarantine or cope with dependent family who are subsequently infected are amongst the reasons discussed as being cause for concern.

How do you know if you have it?

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms:

• Shortness of Breath
• Fever
• Cough
• Breathing difficulties

In severe cases infection can cause:

• Pneumonia
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• Kidney failure
• Death

If you have any doubts, the NHS have recently updated their advice on the NHS 111 online website about coronavirus (COVID-19), including what to do if you think you have symptoms.

Protecting yourself from coronavirus

There are many things we can do as an individual and as a community to help protect ourselves, our loved ones, pets and our surrounding communities. Firstly we should look after ourselves by:

• Washing our hands often and thoroughly
• Avoiding unnecessary travel
• Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow
• Avoid touching your face (nose, eyes, ears, mouth)
• Self isolating if we show any symptoms (coughing, fever and breathing difficulties)

Anyone worried about coronavirus can also find information via the WHO (World Health Organisation) website here.

CBD and the immune system

The human body’s immune system is a complex ‘host defense system’. Made up of a network of tissues, cells and organs, it protects the body from illness and disease, including viruses. The immune system is generally able to identify foreign bodies that are harmful and then take action to fight them off. We have an innate immune system and an adaptive immune system, the latter of which involves systemic cells that eliminate and prevent the growth of pathogens.

What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system in humans is again a complex part of the body and is a cell-signalling system. Discovered in the early 1990s, it plays a role in regulating our sleep, appetite, mood, memory and even fertility. Made up of cannabinoids, it exists in us whether we use or don’t use products made from hemp or cannabis plants. The endocannabinoid system is primarily made up of three parts:

• Cannabinoids
• Receptors
• Enzymes

Endocannabinoids are made by the body, with the main two being anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG) which help maintain internal functions. Endocannabinoids will then bind to receptors to tell the endocannabinoid system in the body to take action. There are both CB1 and CB2 receptors, found respectively in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Once the endocannabinoids have completed their actions, enzymes then break them down.

What types of CBD products are available?

As the CBD market is gaining momentum and reputation, product variety and quality is increasing tenfold. CBD is becoming ever more popular. The spectrum of products that are readily available to us is outstanding:

• CBD oils and tinctures (full spectrum, isolate and water soluble)
• Edibles (chews, biscuits, sweets)
• CBD vape oils (for vaping and smoking)
• Herbal teas
• Herbs and solids (buds and resin for smoking or eating)
• Balms and lotions (for topical application)

Choosing the right CBD for you can be tricky given that, as we can see above, there are so many factors to consider. If you want something easy to add to your daily life, CBD oils in pipette bottles are simple to use and let you accurately dose, whilst edibles are fantastic on the go and can be taken discreetly. CBD vape oils are really popular and come in an impressive range of flavours where you pick the concentration of CBD that’s right for you. However, if you have any respiratory issues or conditions, they should be avoided. Balms and lotions can be the perfect choice for sufferers of chronic pain, the effects of arthritis or even migraines and sport injury. Available in many forms and for many illnesses (for general or chronic pains, through to muscle pain due to injury), when applied directly, the CBD can alleviate your symptoms and provide you with much needed relief.

70% Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Gel

IN STOCK

We have an impressive alcohol hand sanitiser that’s 70% alcohol and kills up to 99.9% of germs and viruses. Available in 50ml bottles, they’re great for on the go so you’re always ready to apply as needed, no water required.

We’ve stocked up on this Safe Bac alcohol gel as they are far more effective than non-alcohol versions at destroying bacteria cells and viruses. We only have a limited supply and are one of the few stores to have stock in the UK, so order now - we’ve got multibuy offers and offer free delivery on orders over £25.

We're also selling these alongside ply face masks. Just select from the dropdown to add to your order.

Oils, tinctures, edibles and teas

These products are the stand-out products for ingesting CBD. The beauty of CBD is being able to choose the method with which you are most comfortable and find easiest to control your dosage. Each product contains different amounts of CBD measured in percentage of CBD content and mg. Oils are available as full spectrum, which means that they contain not just CBD but other cannabinoids and terpenes, or as an isolate where the CBD has been extracted, meaning it is a pure product with no additional cannabinoids or terpenes. You can also choose CBD that is mixed with other supplements for example turmeric for an additional health boost. Nature's Oil CBD Mouth Spray Mouth spray CBD removes the need for vaping or dropping under the tongue. This is a great way to get your CBD as and when you need it, therefore making it easier to control your dose and top up. Nature's Oil mouth spray is identical to the pipette version, except there is no need to vape, thus removing the element of inhaling vapour unnecessarily. It has no flavour and controlling your dose is made easy by being able to simply spray into your mouth. It is possible to select your strength as they are available from 150mg to 5000mg of 25% CBD. This product contains cannabidiol and MCT oil. Canabidol CBD Health Cannabis Tea A very easy and delicious way to get your dose of full spectrum CBD, this high quality cannabis tea from popular brand CBD Health lets you brew to perfection. Each pack has 20 infusers, each of which are enriched with vitamin B1, and are infused with raspberry and terpenes. Settle down with a good book and enjoy a delicious tea that’s certified by the European Food Safety Authority. Edibles For people who don't vape or smoke and perhaps aren't a big fan of the traditional ‘oil under the tongue’ method, then edibles provide a tasty, easy and fun way to get your CBD dose. These include: Medigums Vegan Jelly Domes There is something satisfying and indulgent about eating sweets. Boasting a variety of fruit flavours, being a vegan product and also knowing that each jelly contains 10mg of CBD there is no wonder that this is a popular product. Sit back, relax and enjoy a tasty chewy treat with all of the benefits of CBD. Somnio CBD Fresh Coffee Beans 35mg Many of us wake up to enjoy a cup of coffee to get the day off to a great start. Why not combine this daily ritual with taking CBD by using Somnio CBD fresh coffee beans? The beans provide a full-bodied and invigorating cup of coffee, with sweet tones and a smooth dark chocolate aftertaste. These beans originate from the highlands of Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific, Columbia, Huila and Guatemala Antigua and are grown in volcanic soils that are rich with minerals. CBD FX Full Spectrum Turmeric Gummy Bears CBD gummies are incredibly popular as they’re a tasty, easy and fun way to take in high quality CBD. This full spectrum pot from CBD FX also includes the natural immune booster turmeric, and spirulina. These both have antioxidant properties and can be used as part of a healthy diet. Each pot contains 60 gummies, each with 5MG of full spectrum CBD . They’re also gluten free and non-GMO.

Speak with our team

If you have any further questions or queries please don’t hesitate to contact our expert team or visit our website, we will be happy to help. Email: [email protected] (24/7/365) Phone: Mon-Fri, 10am - 4.00pm Phone orders: 01626 903101 General enquiries: 01626 903102