What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

First off, we need to know exactly what Chronic Kidney Disease is, and how it affects the kidneys.

The kidney's are a small bean shapes organ, located at the lower back, on either side of the spine. The kidney's job is to clean blood, and extra fluids from the body, call it our filtration system. 

CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) means the kidney's are damaged, and unable to flush blood, or any other excess fluid from the body. As kidney disease worsens, it becomes harder for the kidneys to filter out the necessary fluids from the body, which may have some people feeling onset symptoms of this disease. 

Symptoms of CKD

1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Weakness and fatigue
3. Trouble sleeping
4. Reduced appetite
5. Changes in urine volume
6. Swollen feet, and or ankles
7. Twitching or cramped muscles 
8. Itchy skin
9. Mental fogginess
10. Chest pain
11. Hypertension also known as high blood pressure
12. Difficulties breathing 

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease

Two major causes of CKD are High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes.

High Blood Pressure: A common condition in which long-term force of blood against the artery wall can lead to heart disease, and or heart attack.

Diabetes: A chronic(long lasting) condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. Also controlling the body's insulin levels, which are correlated by the pancreas. 

How CBD may be beneficial for CKD?

CBD is very versatile, which is why we hear feedback from people using it for so many different symptoms and conditions. It has a very wide variety of actions in our bodies. A 2017 study finds that there are CB1 and CB2 receptors in the kidney's , meaning these receptors can be activated by cannabis ingredients. Depending on the type of kidney disease, and how far it's progressed, studies suggest that CBD may be very beneficial for the kidney's . 

Pain medications such as NSAIDS and Acetaminophen are metabolized by the liver, and eliminated through the kidney’s. CBD, on the other hand, is metabolized by the liver, but eliminated through fecal matter. This means that CBD isn’t being processed through the kidney's. Studies show that because of this, there is no known additional damage to the kidney’s from CBD. Researchers are suggesting that CBD may be helpful in aiding in certain side effects of CKD. Those symptoms may include chronic pain, nausea, emesis, anemia, itching, insomnia, and overall good health. Chronic pain, and neuropathic pain are common with kidney disease. Studies have shown many potential benefits from CBD for chronic pain. CBD has also been shown to be a great anti-inflammatory. Most types of kidney disease are inflammatory by nature.

CBD for Chronic Pain

CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system, therefore relieving some symptoms caused by CKD. CBD helps the body manage pain without the toxic effects of painkillers. Consumption of cannabis and other various cannabinoids, taken for illness, pain management, or just for recreational use, is gaining popularity. 

What is an endocannabinoid system, and what does it do?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates and controls many of our most critical body functions, such as , learning, memory, emotional processing, sleep, body temperature, pain control, inflammatory responses , and immune responses. Here is an an excellent article published by Harvard Health Publishing with more information on the ECS.

 CBD for High Blood Pressure

2009 study done by the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics discovered the CBD might be helpful in alleviating inflammation, stress, and cell destruction, therefore reducing nephrotoxicity. Research of CBD oil for people with chronic kidney disease is leaning towards promising outcomes. Although a lot more studies and tests still need to be conducted to know for sure. 

Key Takeaways

 Although there is still a lot of research that needs to be done on CBD’s potential benefits on symptoms of CKD, it may possess immense health benefits , and has become part of the daily routine for many people struggling with this disease. Cannabinoids, such as CBD, work within our body, and may aid in healing. It has a very unique interaction with our bodies natural endocannabinoid system, and could actually enhance it.