CBD oil in kidney disease: benefits, side effects and dosage
The use of CBD for kidney disease
Cannabis can be a useful aid in treating some of the symptoms of kidney disease, which often include chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, anemia, itching, insomnia, and general discomfort.
There is evidence that CBD and other cannabinoids can support kidney health in mice during acute and chronic kidney disease - although this has yet to be confirmed in human studies.
One of the main advantages of taking CBD over other painkillers is that it does not cause further damage to the kidneys.
Other painkillers - such as acetaminophen or opiates - are metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. These drugs have been shown to cause damage to the sensitive cells that make up the kidneys, which can lead to poor health.
CBD is also metabolized in the liver, but has been shown to cause no further damage to the kidneys - making it a non-toxic alternative for treating kidney-related pain.
Benefits of CBD for kidney disease:
- Potentially reduces pain associated with common side effects of kidney disease
- May slow the progression of kidney disease
- Studies suggest it may reduce kidney inflammation
- Helps protect the kidneys from oxidative damage
What is the right dosage of CBD oil?
Kidney disease is serious, so any treatment options available to you should consult your doctor. This disease can quickly lead to serious consequences.
With this in mind, many people with kidney disease turn to CBD as a complementary treatment option along with other medications and diet/lifestyle modifications. Finding the right dose of CBD can be a real challenge, as the compound works differently for everyone.
Unfortunately, there aren't enough studies highlighting the effective dose of CBD for kidney disease – most studies conducted so far have looked at the safety of taking CBD for kidney disease (which is positive) and animal tests to see how it works.
We can use the dosage information for similar ailments, such as liver disease or cardiovascular disease, which have similar mechanisms of action. These conditions typically require higher doses of CBD to achieve the necessary effects.
Therefore, it is likely that the CBD dosage should be on the upper end of the spectrum to be effective for kidney disease.
When using CBD (or any other supplement) for the first time, it's important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it as you learn about its impact. We recommend starting with a low dose and gradually increasing to a medium or high dose.
Calculating CBD dosage by weight
|
Low strength |
The centre of power |
High strength |
|
1 mg for every 1.5 kg |
3 mg for every 4.5 kg |
6 mg for every 4.5 kg |
Using this information, you can calculate what your low, medium, or high dose of CBD might look like.
A Guide to Using CBD for Kidney Disease
While there are no clinical trials investigating the specific role of CBD and other cannabinoids in kidney disease, there is evidence that CBD may be able to protect the kidneys from damage or slow the progression of kidney disease in animal models.
The endocannabinoid system is found throughout the body. Almost every organ in the body has either CB1 or CB2 receptors – many of which even have both.
The kidneys have both receptors, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in the functioning of this vital organ. What exactly this feature is is still debatable.
Cannabinoid receptors are thought to be more involved in the control of organ damage than in their specific function. This is how the endocannabinoid system functions in the liver. It turns out that the endocannabinoid system is not active until the organ itself is damaged.
The endocannabinoid system is thought to play a supportive or defensive role in this organ as the disease begins to develop.
What the research says: CBD for kidney disease
In one study, mice were given a toxic dose of cisplatin (a compound known to cause irreversible kidney damage) and CBD to see if the cannabinoid would protect the kidneys from damage.
Three days after treatment, researchers noted that the mice given CBD had significantly less inflammation, tissue death, and decreased kidney function.
What is kidney disease?
The kidneys are responsible for filtering compounds from our bloodstream. They are constantly filtering water and compounds from the blood – deciding how much of these filtered compounds should return to the bloodstream.
This whole process works to maintain balance in the blood. Everything from blood pH to blood pressure depends on healthy kidney function to keep levels within the optimal range. The kidneys are also involved in maintaining homeostasis through the release of hormones such as erythropoietin, calcitriol, and renin.
Kidney disease can be acute or chronic (>3 months) and proceeds in progressive stages depending on the cause. Damage to the kidneys can lead to loss of normal kidney structure and/or function, such as filtration.
Any kidney problems can quickly cause widespread problems throughout the body. Toxic compounds can build up in the blood, the pH of the blood can change (which can be fatal), and blood pressure can start to get out of control.
Symptoms of kidney disease
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling of the legs and ankles
- Chronic pain
- Tiredness
- Swelling of the face, wrists, or abdomen
- Foamy urine
- Dark urine
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Decreased urinary frequency
- Pain in the middle of the back
- Hypertension
- Itch
- Poor concentration
- Darkened skin
- Uremia
- Nausea/vomiting
- Osteopathy
- Lowered immune function
Dangers of kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Hyperkalemia
- Diabetes insipidus
- Anemia
- Hemorrhagic diseases
- Acidosis
- Anemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperparathyroid
- Skin diseases
- Lowering of immune function
- Sexual disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Death
How is kidney disease diagnosed?
Kidney disease is diagnosed through a series of tests and scans, taking into account family history and manifestation of symptoms.
A characteristic feature of reduced kidney function is the assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This metric refers to the amount of fluid that can pass through the kidneys. If the GFR is low, it means that the kidneys are not functioning at full capacity.
Interpretation of GFR in kidney disease:
- GFR over 90 - optimal kidney function
- GFR between 60 and 89 - mild kidney dysfunction
- GFR between 30 and 59 - moderate kidney dysfunction
- GFR between 15 and 29 - severe renal dysfunction
- GFR below 15 - renal failure
Other symptoms of kidney failure
- Low urate levels
- Low creatinine levels
- Low urea:creatinine ratio
- High levels of calcium in the urine
- Low levels of phosphate in the urine
What are the causes of kidney disease?
The kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure and filtering waste products from the bloodstream. The kidneys, as a filter, are extremely precise - they filter compounds at the microscopic level. The functional unit that performs filtration is called the nephron.
Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons, whose task is to draw chemical compounds out of the blood as it flows through the kidneys. In one day, the kidneys filter about 180 liters of blood. The nephrons in the kidneys are very sensitive and are easily damaged in the presence of toxic compounds in the blood.
For example, one of the two most common causes of kidney disease is diabetes. The high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage tissues throughout the body — including the kidneys' sensitive nephrons.
Hypertension is the next most common cause of kidney disease – it works by reducing blood flow to the kidneys and making them sensitive to self-regulation. As the nephrons become damaged, this increases the pressure on the remaining nephrons, which further increases the likelihood of further damage.
Common causes of kidney disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Lupus
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Latrogenic damage
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Excessive use of non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs
- Use of nephrotoxic drugs or compounds
How is kidney disease treated?
The goal of kidney disease treatment is to prevent the disease from progressing to its final stage. This can be slowed down or prevented by treating underlying conditions such as diabetes or HIV, as well as controlling blood pressure with several medications.
As kidney damage progresses, patients may need to undergo regular dialysis sessions to ensure that the blood is artificially filtered. Kidney transplants are also used for advanced kidney disease and produce the best long-term results.
Popular treatments for kidney disease
- Opiates - for pain management
- Antihypertensive agents – to control high blood pressure and prevent further damage to blood vessels
- Diuretics – to lower blood pressure and prevent fluid overload
Conclusion: CBD for kidney disease
Kidney disease is a serious, life-threatening condition in which kidney function is lost.
Because of the critical role that the kidneys play in regulating homeostasis and filtering toxic metabolic byproducts from the bloodstream, kidney failure can quickly lead to serious side effects and even death.
While CBD has been shown to be safe for kidney disease and may even have a beneficial effect on disease progression, it is important to consult with your doctor before using CBD or any supplement.
Do not stop taking your prescribed medication until your doctor has told you.
There is evidence that CBD can be used to treat pain associated with kidney disease, as well as having a direct protective effect on the kidneys themselves. More research is needed to determine the ideal dosage for this disease. However, preliminary research suggests that higher doses are required in this condition.
Author: Canatura
PHOTO: Shutterstock
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