CBD and Acne

Studies show that CBD can help heal numerous skin problems,

Acne being one of them.

 It all started with an Article from O'Shaughnessy's Summer 2010 by Fred Gardner:

Could a cannabis-based medicine be safer and more effective in treating acne? At the 2009 ICRS meeting, Tamas Biro gave an intriguing talk entitled “Cannabidiol as a Novel Anti-Acne Agent CBD Inhibits Lipid Synthesis and induces Cell Death in Human Sebaceous Gland-Derived Sebocytes.”  Acne involves the overproduction of sebum, a lipid (oily substance) excreted by the sebaceous glands to create waterproofing of the skin. Conversely, lipid production is too low in dry-skin conditions such as seborrhea, eczema and itching (which can lead to inflammation). It has been learned in recent years that the sebaceous glands and hair follicles (which also produce oil) have endocannabinoid receptors, as do the surface keratinocytes.

At his lab at the University of Debrecen (Hungary) Department of Physiology, University of Debrecen, Biro works with a line of cells derived from human sebaceous glands. Applying endocannabinoids to the cells, he observed, results in the CB2 receptors dramatically “upregulating” lipid production.  Blocking the endocannabinoids with an antagonist drug dramatically suppresses lipid production. Biro wondered, “If the endocannabinoids are so important for the work of the sebaceous glands, how would phytocannabinoids affect that process?”

Biro and colleagues applied CBD to cells that had been treated with anandamide, expecting that CBD would further stimulate lipid synthesis. “To our surprise, Anandamide in the presence of CBD was unable to produce a lipid synthesis! CBD does exactly the opposite of the endocannabinoids. It does not stimulate but inhibits lipid synthesis, especially if the lipid synthesis was previously upregulated, as for example in acne. It was very surprising, that a phytocannabinoid could prevent the action of the endocannabinoids.”

Biro has been investigating the mechanism by which CBD works. His data show that CBD targets certain ion channels expressed on the sebocytes. When activated by CBD, these channels open and permit the influx of calcium to the cells which, in turn, inhibit lipid synthesis. We are working to elucidate the exact mechanism. Acne can also be considered as an inflammatory disease in which the skin within the zit is highly inflamed. We know from the literature that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. Biro applies CBD in a methanol-ethanol solution.

CBD is much more efficient than the Vitamin A derivatives like Accutane. Of further importance, CBD was universally inhibitive of lipid synthesis.  It was able to inhibit not only the actions of endocannabinoids but also the effects of other inflammatory mediators such as steroid hormones that stimulate fat production in these cells. “Another important result: we found that low concentrations of CBD were very effective in inhibiting lipid synthesis but did not affect the viability of cells."

Read more on the article here: 

Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Acne?

PubMed.gov published an article relating to their studies of the endocannabinoid system and health of the skin titled: The Endocannabinoid System of the Skin in Health and Disease: Novel Perspectives and Therapeutic Opportunities.

"Base (cream) plus 3% Cannabis seeds extract was found to be safe in volunteers. Measurements demonstrated that skin sebum and erythema content of base plus 3% Cannabis seeds extract treated side showed significant decrease (p<0.05) compared with base treated side. Base plus 3% Cannabis seeds extract showed safety. It was well tolerated for the reduction of skin sebum and erythema content. Its improved efficacy could be suggested for treatment of acne vulgaris, seborrhea, papules and pustules to get attractive facial appearance."

Also published on PubMed.gov in 2016 by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
Article found here

 "Our data suggest that CBG and CBGV may have potential in the treatment of dry-skin syndrome, whereas CBC, CBDV and especially THCV show promise to become highly efficient, novel anti-acne agents. Moreover, based on their remarkable anti-inflammatory actions, phytocannabinoids could be efficient, yet safe novel tools in the management of cutaneous inflammations."

For updated research and information on CBD and Acne visit ProjectCBD.org


Want to make your own Cannabis Salve?? Here is a trusted recipe from The 420 Shack

How to make your own cannabis salve step by step

What you will need: 

• 1-2 ounces of marijuana (buds, stems, trimmings, or roots)
• 16 ounces of coconut oil
• 1 ounce beeswax
• 1 tablespoon of vitamin-E oil (1 tablespoon of any other additives you'd like to include)
• 1 large pyrex baking dish
• 1 Large measuring cup
• 1 Piece of cheese cloth or a few paper coffee filters 
• A container of your choice or multiple small on the go containers

1. Measure 2 cups of coconut oil (all 16 ounces) and pour into your first saucepan, Turn the heat on very low and let it melt down. (Alternatively, you can melt the oil in the microwave first, and then pour into your pan)
2. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit 
3. Grind up your marijuana (The marijuana doesn't need to be ground down to a powder, a rough chop, or few spins in a food processor will do. You will have to strain this later.) 
4. Measure out 2 cups of your ground up marijuana and pour them into a pyrex baking dish and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.  (you want the bud to be crispy, not burnt)
5. Remove from oven and pour the marijuana contents of the pyrex dish into the saucepan that contains the melted coconut oil.
6. Allow this mixture to simmer for 1-2 hours, the longer the time the better the results. Make sure to stir the mixture every ten minutes or so, and DO NOT BOIL the mixture.
7. Strain the marijuana oil mix through your cheesecloth or paper coffee filters into a large measuring cup and clean your saucepan. (If you get chunks of weed in your oil, restrain it until the oil is chunk free) 
8. Now measure out 1oz of bees-wax and pour into your newly cleaned saucepan and begin melting on low.
9. Measure out 5oz (almost 2/3 cup) of the cannabis coconut oil and pour it into the saucepan containing the melted bees-wax. Continue to simmer not boil and mix well.
10. Remove it from heat once its mixed well, shouldn't take too long, and quickly stir in the 1 tablespoon of Vitamin-E oil.
OPTIONAL STEP 10.5. If you want to add fragrant oils, or other healing oils, now is the time, make sure to quickly stir them in along with the Vitamin-E oil.
11. Pour Your liquid cannabis salve into your storage container or containers and allow the mixture to cool and harden completely. You can place it in the refrigerator, but don't freeze it.

*** That's it! ***  Once it's hardened, you just grab a dab on your finger and rub it onto the afflicted area. You'll notice an immediate relief upon using the salve. Though the effects can be felt throughout the day, it's best to reapply every 6 hours to 8 hours if you suffer from moderate pain. Two weeks of regular daily applications is all it takes to notice a considerable difference.

You can do your own research in finding a better recipe for the face. This is a good recipe for any skin condition that cannabis can help heal, but I wonder if some acne suffers would not like to have coconut oil on their face. When I used to suffer from acne I never liked the thought of oil on my face! I guess more research is to be done.

In the meantime I did end up finding this awesome BOOK on Amazon and OMG!
I WANT IT!!!

                               

I hope this research and information has helped you understand a little bit better on how CBD and Hemp Seed play a viable role in influencing the endocannabinoid system in the skin. When I find someone who has a legit product that has been used for the specific treatment of acne I will share their story here.