Anti-inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory agents suppress cytokine release, leukocyte trafficking, or downstream inflammatory signaling. Cannabinoids exert anti-inflammatory effects primarily through CB2 receptors on macrophages, T cells, and microglia, reducing TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production; CBD additionally engages non-cannabinoid targets including TRPV1 desensitization, PPAR-γ activation, and adenosine uptake inhibition (Carrier et al. 2006, PNAS), each implicated in dampening NF-κB signaling. Despite robust preclinical data across models of colitis, arthritis, and neuroinflammation, NASEM 2017 identified insufficient or limited evidence to support cannabinoids as effective anti-inflammatory therapy for specific human diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical trials remain small and heterogeneous, and regulatory bodies (FDA, EMA) have not approved any cannabinoid for a primary inflammatory indication as of April 2026. → See also: CB2 Receptor, CBD, TRPV1, PPAR-gamma.