Cannabidiol for mast cell activation and histamine intolerance?

Research tells us that cannabidiol found in marijuana may help prevent mast cells from releasing histamine into the blood stream as well as generally preventing inflammation. Mast cells are a component of the white blood cell (immune) system. They contain histamine and other inflammatory agents. When stimulated by stress, allergens, bacteria, viruses and others, mast cells release histamine and other inflammation into the blood stream. When this is chronic we experience symptoms of excess histamine/inflammation, allergies, and other inflammatory disorders.

This post has been a long time coming. Not a day goes by that I don’t receive an email from someone telling me that marijuana has improved their mast cell/histamine intolerance symptoms. My own experiences with it had not been so favourable and I allowed it to colour my view on the topic despite all the wonderful (some anecdotal) news on it helping treat autoimmune disorders and cancer. Being in Los Angeles for the last two months where I’m surrounded by people working in the medical marijuana industry has prompted me to finally buckle down and see what’s the deal with all this.

To be clear, I’m not interested in using it for anything other than its anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore for the purposes of this article I’m covering studies using cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) is the stuff that gets you high.

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Here’s an interesting one for you. Our brain has receptors for cannabinoids, which are found in marijuana and other non-psychoactive plants. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Immunology finds that stimulating the brain’s cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1) may be useful in managing allergies and skin diseases (meaning rashes and eczema). CB1 receptor stimulation and inhibition were directly linked to mast cell activity.

A study appearing in the journal Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics found that cannabidiol (CBD) reduced airway obstruction caused by raw egg white (in guinea pigs). Ovalbumin, as uncooked egg white is referred to in these studies, is a known mast cell trigger and histamine liberator. It’s used to cause inflammation and histamine release so that they can study how to reverse it.

Authors of a study published in the journal Biochemistry found that cannabinoid stimulation of the CB1 receptor prevented mast cell degranulation, which is the process in which they release histamine inflammation into the blood stream.

Living in a country where cannabis is illegal? A study published in the Journal of Endocrinology tells us that unnecessary activation of mast cells is a bad thing that occurs regularly in inflammatory diseases like asthma, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders (IBS) and others. Many of us with histamine intolerance and mast cell activation commonly experience symptoms associated with these disorders and others, but rarely have positive test results for them. The study authors reviewed a number of cannabinoid-like compounds (meaning similar in structure but derived from other, presumably legal, sources) and found them to be possibly useful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Wikipedia tells us that cannabinoids are found in echinacea and other plants.

There’s always a downside though and that’s the allergenicity of marijuana. It’s a pollinating plant so please exercise caution and as always, always consult with your doctor, because I’m certainly not one!

As I’m not in it for the high, my personal preference is to eliminate the psychoactive THC and go with a pure CBD oil or vapouriser. I’ve done both of those and am suitably impressed with the results and will continue looking for a customised option that’s organic, not highly refined and suitable for my needs. I’ll be sharing the info as soon as I’ve located one.

In the meantime I’d love to hear your experiences.

You’ll find recipes full of foods with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties my books Anti-Recipes and The Anti-Cookbook

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REFERENCES

Dudášová, A., S.d. Keir, M.e. Parsons, A. Molleman, and C.p. Page. “The Effects of Cannabidiol on the Antigen-induced Contraction of Airways Smooth Muscle in the Guinea-pig.” Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 26.3 (2013): 373-79. Web.

Small-Howard, Andrea L., Lori M. N. Shimoda, Chaker N. Adra, and Helen Turner. “Anti-inflammatory Potential of CB1-mediated CAMP Elevation in Mast Cells.” Biochem. J. Biochemical Journal 388.2 (2005): 465-73. Web.

Filippis, D. De, A. D’Amico, and T. Iuvone. “Cannabinomimetic Control of Mast Cell Mediator Release: New Perspective in Chronic Inflammation.” Journal of Neuroendocrinology 20.S1 (2008): 20-25. Web.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.

22 responses to “Cannabidiol for mast cell activation and histamine intolerance?”

Tracey Stirling

October 12, 2016

I have had better results using cannabis oil for asthma, allergies, anxiety and insomnia than just about any other thing and I have tried many many things including lowering histamine. After much research and now studying to become a certified medical marijuana practitioner I am convinced a combination of THC and CBD is the best way to go for medicinal benefit as they work together synergistically but because CBD counteracts the psychoactivity of THC if you get a strain that is a ratio of 1:1 CBD to THC or higher you greatly decrease your chances of having any Psychoactivity. Straight CBD oil or hemp oil doesn’t even compare and if you are only getting CBD in your oil then it is hemp and not cannabis. There are strains that have ratios of 25:1 CBD/THC or even higher that are great for beginners but some may find a more balanced ratio of CBD to THC to have more medicinal benefits. Also using CO as a suppository is becoming a very popular method as it bypasses the liver and it is the liver that converts the THC into its psychoactive form. Juicing is another option which will not get you high either. I’m also finding vaping high CBD strains such as AC/DC and Charlottes Web to be helpful as well. I feel a nice mild relaxation when vaping and it helps to clear congestion. It is also great for getting more of the terpenes as long as you vape on very low settings. Our bodies are designed for this herb and it can have miraculous results when all else has failed. It has a harmonizing effect on the mind spirit and body.
Ellen Ostrum

October 12, 2016

Total disclosure: I work in the cannabis industry in a science/research capacity in Denver. I help develop high CBD strains for patients with seizures and cancer. So I know this plant really well from both a scientific POV and from personal experience.

CBD is great. Don’t get me wrong. But CBD by itself does not work long term UNLESS there is anywhere from 1 to 3% THC in the mix. THC is necessary to push CBD into the bloodstream. I could get really technical on how that works but that’s not the point. The point is NOT to demonize THC. There’s been enough of that for too many decades. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with “getting high.” Just like a glass of wine or two beers takes the edge off, 1 hit of a low THC strain does the same thing. You’re not going “crazy” or getting violent. You’re relaxed. Period.

If that low THC strain has 1-3% of CBD in it, ALL THE BETTER. The CBD “cushions” the THC (basically modulates it) and the effects on the body are total relaxation and just enough of a “head high” to take away the brain chatter that keeps us locked into that eternal loop of self-sabotage.

So, I’m ALL for CBD but don’t toss the THC out, thinking that it’s “bad”. We have to begin to have rational discussions on cannabis, away from the “fear” of “getting high.”
Grace Hebert

October 13, 2016

where can you find the CO suppositories or the strains
Tebalde0

October 13, 2016

Hello,
Just to give you some infos about my own experiences with cannabis and the mastocytosis or histamine trouble:
Smoking high THC strains is a good pain killer but have a chance to trigger a inflamatory/allergic reaction in my body, if I mix it with a strain containing CBD then no more risk of counter reaction and you lose a good part of the high that is not required for a medical use. If I eat edibles with High THC or CBD or even a mix then the effect is just amazing on my body, all the pain disappeared and my mind relax enough to avoid crisis triggering stress.

More about strain specifities, I try to avoid the ones containing limonelol since they seems (when took alone) more prone to trigger crisis. My best strains are Afghani and Cheese strains, I don’t know why but probably the terpene profiles play a role in it.
Best,
Claudio

October 13, 2016

Would CBD hemp oil count?
pheonixq

October 13, 2016

I was just about to say this!
pheonixq

October 13, 2016

I have had success with both
Vaughan

October 13, 2016

Wow what a good informative comment. I have never taken any form of cannabis – just never had much exposure to it. I get the sneezes and rhinitis in the morning mostly so I was wondering, in your opinion, do you think cannabis oil would help with that?
Ellen Ostrum

October 14, 2016

Cannabis oil or tincture is often an expectorant (makes you spit up phlegm). It’s not the same thing as being allergic to it. The only times I’ve heard of anyone being “allergic” to cannabis is when they are either trimming it on a fresh or dried plant or when they are packing exceptionally dried bud/flower into jars and the dust that has settled on it blows around.

I’d look at quercetin and maybe some systemic enzymes like Wobenzym or Zymessence. CBD oil wouldn’t hurt to add to those if you live in a state that allows it. Here in Colorado, it’s everywhere and no big deal. But not sure what state you’re in so CBD might not be easy to find in your neck of the woods.
healinghistamine

October 14, 2016

Thank you for that informative reply. Would you please email me through the website contact form? Would like to speak with you. Thanks!
healinghistamine

October 14, 2016

Thanks for sharing your experiences!
healinghistamine

October 14, 2016

Thanks so much for your comment.
Ellen Ostrum

October 14, 2016

CBD derived from the Hemp plant is useless. You’re lucky if a hemp plant has 2% CBD in it. When you take that plant and turn it into a concentrate/oil/paste, you MIGHT see 4% of CBD and that is not enough. As I said up above, I work in the industry in research/development/science and my main focus right now is developing strains that are high in CBD naturally and that also have a little THC in there to help the process along. That means that we are working with strains that have anywhere from 10 parts CBD to 1 part THC all the way up to strains that have 26 parts of CBD to 1 or 2 parts THC.

But please don’t believe the silliness about strains that are 50:1 or higher. There’s a point where you really screw up the genetics of a cannabis plant when you force it to be weird and produce these ridiculous amounts of CBD. I’ve done that so I know what I’m talking about. They just look weird and they don’t have a lot of “stable” genetics that can carry it forward into multiple generations with clones or seed.

A good “high CBD” strain that has anywhere from 15 to 25 parts of CBD to 1 or 2 parts of THC is a fine plant that will work for many ailments. But 10:1 (CBD to THC) is also a nice ratio as well. Just don’t buy into all this “hemp” crap. “CBD from Hemp” should be avoided if you are looking for a product that has lasting power and TRULY has enough CBD to be meaningful. The only reason they are making these CBD from Hemp products is because there is NO THC in the product and, thus, they can ship it worldwide. See? It’s got nothing to do with the efficacy of the product. It’s just so they can ship it around the globe and make a lot of money. I say “So what?” if you can ship it from here to India. Who cares if the product is basically gutless and doesn’t really work?
Claudio

October 14, 2016

Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful response Ellen! Turns out even the Hemp CBD is banned in Canada (where I’m from).
Lore Mayr

October 14, 2016

I have a client who creates CBD infused topicals with high-quality, organic CDB oil. I get hives and very swollen skin reactions when I’m not on a low-histamine diet. I’m thinking it may be worth it to try one of her creams. Does anyone have any references for topical use of CBD? Her products are here: http://www.lostremedy.com
Vero Tiuvero

October 14, 2016

Hi Tracey, what’s the best for asthma? I’m thinking of growing a plant right now and am pretty clueless. Should i make oil from the flowers or should i just eat the leaves? I have digestive issues, asthma and migraines.
What’s best for children? My daughter also has asthma and anxiety. Thank you!
reedeeda

October 15, 2016

I have started experimenting with it at night and have found it works incredibly well to calm inflammation, night symptoms, pain, and helps me sleep/stay asleep. My airways literally seem to open up. I will say, when I first tried it when my body was in a state of high reactivity, it didn’t help as much as when I got my symptoms more under control. As I improved, cannabis has helped propel healing further.
shumee

October 15, 2016

I’m new to this and an interested in getting a medical card in CA. I saw an online ad for this. Would it be ok to get a card this way? ‘$45 Medical Card – In -n -Out in 30 minutes‎’ Didn’t press on the link yet,
It’s not clear to me the best way to go about getting a card and starting all this.
Ellen Ostrum

October 15, 2016

I don’t live in California so I don’t know the regulations. California does have a ballot measure on November 8th to legalize cannabis in the state, giving it “recreational” status, the same way we did it here in Colorado. Well, back up…..not sure if the law they are putting forth will be exactly the same as in Colorado. We are the only state with an Amendment to our State Constitution allowing for medical cannabis. If California approves the ballot measure and cannabis becomes “legal,” getting a Medical Card would be pointless, IMO.
Sarah Levanway

October 23, 2016

Hello, mind if I jump in? I’m in CA and I have a medical cannibis card, obtained through a doctor. I’d check reviews of the place you’re looking at. My card was around $110 for the doctor visit/card. I’m wondering if that deal is too good to be true.

I also found pure organic CBD oil in a Lassen’s healthfood store! No card needed! Maybe worth a try? I bought some out of curiosity. I couldn’t believe that it was in stores. CBD is legal in CA but THC is not.
Sarah L

October 23, 2016

I’ve had tremendous benefit from using CBD oil for autoiummune condition and histamine intolerance. Thanks, Yasmina for posting this article. Controversial for sure but worth looking into!
twistedgenes

October 29, 2016

My top choice for Cannabis science is at http://www.learngreenflower.com and Healer.com THC is a must and if you use the correct ratio between THC and CBD you will not get high.

I rather enjoy the creative components myself and built a beautiful garden gate using it.

Welcome!

Yasmina was an award-winning broadcast journalist with a decade of experience covering war zones for CNN and the BBC. She devoted her journalism skills to researching and writing about histamine. Click here to learn about her. Each post is carefully and fully referenced with the latest scientific research. Not sure where to start? Here’s a four week meal plan and overall Histamine Reset.