Over one million Canadians and 125 million people worldwide are affected by psoriasis. Symptoms of this common skin condition include pain and irritation, with many having to deal with these symptoms every day. But the good news is that medical cannabis as a psoriasis treatment has shown some promise in recent studies.

In this piece, we’ll go over some of the best CBD treatments for psoriasis, as well as explain how to use CBD oil for psoriasis.

But before we delve into all that, let’s take a deeper look into what causes psoriasis.

What Is Psoriasis?

As mentioned above, psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects millions of people across the globe. It is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body overproduces skin cells, causing an overabundance of the cells which often ends up making skin look red, irritated, enflamed, and gives it a flaky or scaly appearance.

In addition to the above common symptoms, about 15% of people will develop psoriatic arthritis in addition to the common form, which results in more painful swelling and stiffness in the joints. Worse yet, if left untreated, there is a risk for permanent joint damage.  

Causes and Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis has a genetic basis and roughly one-third of the people who have psoriasis have at least one family member who also has the condition. That said, there is also evidence that shows that environmental and immune factors can play a part in who develops psoriasis.

Symptoms include:

• Dry and/or red patches of skin
• Scaly or flaky patches of skin, often white in colour
• Rashes on the scalp, genitals, and in skin folds
• Itchiness
• Pain and irritation
• Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness
• Nail abnormalities

The above list includes the most common symptoms but is by no means exhaustive.

Types of Psoriasis     

There are multiple types of psoriasis including:

• Plaque psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis
• Guttate psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Nail psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Pustular psoriasis

Treatments for Psoriasis

Now that we better understand psoriasis, let’s explore whether medical cannabis for psoriasis is a good treatment option relative to other options.

Typically, medical professionals will prescribe treatments for psoriasis that include:

• Topical creams and ointments
• Phototherapy (exposure to light, especially sunlight)
• Prescription medications

But these treatments aren’t always effective, and in fact, many patients have found success when using CBD for psoriasis on the scalp and other areas of occurrence.

CBD cream for psoriasis is also growing in popularity.

Potential Benefits of CBD for Psoriasis Treatment

As mentioned above, many patients are finding that inflammation, pain, and irritation are reduced after the application of medical cannabis for psoriasis.

In fact, there’s a growing body of research that suggests just how effective cannabis strains for psoriasis are.

One study found that being able to regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation can be very productive for patients, especially since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition.

Another study found a similar impact showing that cannabinoids positively influence the interaction between the body’s nervous systems and its immune system.

Another aspect of psoriasis involves cell growth—one review of studies showed cannabis to be effective at helping control this symptom.

As far as pain is concerned, there is a pretty extensive body of research that shows cannabis is effective at controlling pain symptoms.

Best CBD Products and Strains for Psoriasis

If you’re looking for CBD products to help treat the symptoms of psoriasis, CDB oil is a great option not just for the skin, but also the scalp. You may also be able to find a good CBD shampoo and conditioner for psoriasis scalp care.

As far as cannabis strains for psoriasis to consider, you’ll want to look into:

• Mango Kush
• Cannatonic
• Super Sour Diesel
• Harlequin
• Skunk No. 1

Risks of Using CBD Products for Psoriasis

As with any medical treatment, CBD and medical cannabis can interfere with other medications, may not be suited for some patients, and may carry additional side effects.

Consult with a medical professional in order to better determine if medical cannabis is the appropriate treatment for your symptoms.

Medical Marijuana Consulting and Virtual Clinics

Now that we’ve covered what benefits you can reap from medical cannabis for psoriasis, get in touch with a medical professional to help you choose the right medication, get a prescription, and understand how to apply the medication.

That’s where Medical Marijuana Consulting (MMC) comes in.

From medical marijuana for chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and a variety of other ailments, we’ll ensure you get the appropriate treatment.

As a leading cannabis clinic in Canada, we’ll help you identify the right medication as well as obtain a medical marijuana prescription for your symptoms.

MMC is a premier cannabis clinic that’s committed to supporting Canadians as they connect with medical professionals with extensive medical marijuana expertise. Consult with a team of physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners that can provide prescriptions, help connect you with coverage for your prescription costs (if eligible), refer you to a licensed producer, and help you apply for the ACMPR license.