Cannabis for Sepsis

Sepsis occurs when there is a massive bacterial infection that enters the blood, resulting in a medical emergency. Sepsis is a serious condition because it can lead to organ failure, injury, or death. Sepsis affects 1 million Americans each year, leading to their hospitalization. It is also a leading cause of death in the United States, and is one of the top 10 conditions that leads to mortality.

When the bacteria septicemia enters the blood, the immune system goes into a severe inflammatory response to the poison which then results in sepsis. It can affect anyone who comes into contact with the bacteria especially those who already have a weak immune system, chronic illness (AIDS, cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease), or a large wound including extreme burns. Infections can also become complicated due to invasive procedures, organ transplants, chemotherapy treatments, and immunosuppressive drugs. Sepsis is also spreading faster due to antibiotic resistance since microbes evolve to become immune to medications that would normally be able to suppress infections.

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The symptoms of sepsis include high fevers accompanied by chills or shivering, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, and unusual levels of sweating. If you think that you might have sepsis, it’s critical to get medical assistance as soon as possible and to avoid self-diagnosis. Symptoms of late stage sepsis slurred speech, feelings of faintness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe muscle pain, and low urine output. Late stage sepsis can lead to septic shock or severe sepsis and thus medical attention is necessary, especially when the skin feels strangely cold or warm.

Very young children as well as the elderly are at risk for developing sepsis after an infection occurs, and are also prone to worsening of the condition.

How Can Cannabis Help?

The endocannabinoid system is a critical component for regulating physiological functions especially the immune system. The endocannabinoid system has shown to be promising focus in the development of therapies in treating sepsis. Scientists have found that by manipulating the endocannabinoid system in the body, the lives of patients may be saved. Additionally, it’s a known fact that cannabis is helpful in preventing and treating inflammation.

A 2013 study conducted by the Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy at Second Military Medical University in Shanghai, China showed that when the cannabinoid receptors in the body are activated by cannabis, this can protect against sepsis. The study used mice subjects, and researchers found that activating CB2 receptors can “significantly extend the survival rate and decrease serum proinflammatory cytokines” in patients of sepsis. The study also concluded that “All data together showed that CB2R provides a protection and is a potential therapeutic target for the sepsis.”

Dr. Cohen of the Holos Health Center in Boulder, Colorado, also explains that cannabis is beneficial in keeping the gut healthy to prevent inflammation in the gut and other sicknesses including sepsis. He mentions how consuming too much gluten can lead to an overproduction of zonulin in the stomach, which can eat away the tiles of the gut which will then lead to open spaces, enabling food particles to leak through. Undigested food particles can enter the bloodstream and cause infections that lead to sepsis or other forms of blood poisoning.

When this occurs, the immune system goes into overdrive and will attack the human host rather than protecting it. The overactive immune system will lead to chronic inflammation as well as autoimmune diseases throughout the different parts of the body. However, Dr. Cohen also states that consuming cannabis can get to the root of sepsis and help treat the other symptoms of leaky gut including lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, asthma, arthritis, and many more.

Have you used cannabis to help prevent or treat the symptoms of sepsis or leaky gut? Share with us in the comments below!

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