Yo, even though people often say “cannabinoids are anti-inflammatory”, the truth is that THC probably isn’t a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. CBD, on the other hand actually has some evidence suggesting it might be quite anti-inflammatory (but don’t come at me asking for the mechanisms, because as I mentioned in earlier posts we still don’t really know)! The image below shows a few of the proposed anti-inflammatory pathways for CBD -- including TRPV1 activation, NADPH oxidase modulation, and the NRF2 axis. If you're like me and thinking "wtf is that" i do a quick description below - TRPV1 (aka the “hot chili pepper” receptor) detects heat and chemical irritants. When activated by CBD, it may reduce the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides and shift pain signaling. NADPH oxidase is an enzyme complex that produces reactive oxygen species (i.e ROS). CBD appears to dampen this enzyme’s activity, limiting oxidative stress, which is a key driver of inflammation. NRF2 is a transcription factor that turns on the body’s antioxidant defense genes. CBD may enhance this pathway, neutralizing ROS and restoring the redox balance during inflammation. SOURCE: Urlić H, Kumrić M, Pavlović N, Dujić G, Dujić Ž, Božić J. Cardiovascular Effects of Cannabidiol: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Implementation. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(19):9610. Published 2025 Oct 1. doi:10.3390/ijms26199610