Most people still think “CBD is the anti-inflammatory part of cannabis.” And while that’s not entirely wrong, it’s a wildly incomplete picture. A recent study in Pharmaceuticals takes this idea to task by showing how the entire cannabis plant, not just CBD, plays a meaningful role in reducing inflammation—especially when it comes to skin health.

Researchers in this study zoomed in on human keratinocytes—those are the cells that make up most of your outer skin layer—and subjected them to inflammatory triggers. Then they tested how CBD alone compared to a full-spectrum Cannabis sativa extract. The verdict? CBD did reduce inflammatory markers like IL-6 and IL-8, but the full plant extract worked even better. In other words, the entourage effect strikes again.

This is a big deal because skin inflammation is tied into a wide range of conditions—from acne and eczema to psoriasis and even aging itself. And while topicals are the most obvious application here, the implications stretch way beyond skincare.

Cannabinoids vs. Inflammation: More Than a Trend

If you’ve been paying attention to cannabis science over the last decade, you know this isn’t an isolated finding. Study after study has shown that cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBC reduce key inflammatory cytokines across all kinds of cells and tissues. That includes not just IL-6 and IL-8, but TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and even markers like COX-2 that NSAIDs like ibuprofen are known to target.

Here’s what’s even more interesting: compounds like CBG and CBC don’t just suppress inflammation—they seem to modulate it intelligently. Instead of just slamming the immune system with a broad shutdown (the way steroids do), these cannabinoids nudge things back toward balance, calming overreactions without wiping out the body’s natural defenses.

And then there are the terpenes and flavonoids—the forgotten players in this plant’s therapeutic symphony. Cannflavins A and B, for instance, are cannabis-derived flavonoids that have shown more potent anti-inflammatory activity than aspirin in some in-vitro studies. Meanwhile, terpenes like alpha-pinene and beta-caryophyllene don’t just smell good—they directly interact with immune pathways to calm the storm.

Skin Deep and Systemic: It’s All Connected

The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis aren’t limited to skin cells. Studies have found similar benefits in models of arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, neuroinflammation, and even respiratory conditions. CBD has been shown to downregulate the NLRP3 inflammasome—a key driver of chronic inflammation and autoimmune dysfunction. And when paired with THC or other cannabinoids in a balanced ratio, its effects are amplified.

This brings us back to the point: it’s not just one cannabinoid doing all the work. It’s the whole damn plant. Isolated CBD is helpful—but full-spectrum formulations seem to consistently perform better. That’s what the study in Pharmaceuticals makes clear, and it’s a pattern we keep seeing echoed across the research landscape.

Final Word

If you’re looking at cannabis as an anti-inflammatory tool, the science is clear: don’t just chase one compound. Go full-spectrum. Use quality, whole-plant formulations that preserve the diversity of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Because when they work together, they don’t just manage symptoms—they help restore balance at the root.

Inflammation is at the core of nearly every chronic illness we face today. Cannabis isn’t a cure-all—but when used intelligently, it’s one of the most promising allies we’ve got in fighting back.