Cannabidiol (CBD) is a well-known natural ingredient, found in Cannabis plants and has grown in popularity due to its many health benefits. It can treat anxiety symptoms, bipolar disorder, chronic pain syndrome, and asthma.
Asthma is a respiratory disorder caused by chronic inflammation of the lungs and hypersensitivity in the airways. According to World Health Organization (WHO) reports, over 339 million people are suffering from asthma, globally.
There’s no medical treatment to cure asthma. Fortunately, Smoked cannabis is a bronchodilator and can be helpful in treating asthma. People with respiratory disorders are turning to new alternatives i.e. Cannabidiol.
Can CBD oil actually help asthma? Or how CBD can relieve asthma?
Read on to know about what the research says about CBD and Asthma.
Can CBD Oil Help with Asthma?
For asthmatic patients, managing symptoms associated with asthma attacks can be difficult. Providers may recommend a variety of prescription medications to treat patients with respiratory disorders and asthma attacks. These medications are also known as rescue drugs.
Fortunately, CBD is gaining popularity due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. According to studies, it may deliver higher neuroprotective advantages than vitamins C and E. Cannabidiol has the ability to reduce airway inflammation and its anti-inflammatory properties can help to alleviate asthma symptoms.
If you take CBD oil to reduce hyper-responsiveness in your airways, your lungs become less sensitive to asthma triggers, which means there will be lower flare-ups and symptoms such as coughing.
Research on CBD and Asthma
A growing number of studies is showing that CBD is effective in treating respiratory disorders like asthma. According to preclinical research, CBD may help asthmatic patients feel better, and lessen the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
What’s the science behind this fact?
Let’s have a look at the benefits of CBD for asthma.
CBD Oil and Inflammation
When a patient is exposed to allergens or other irritants, the immune system triggers inflammation, and asthma attacks are mostly caused by lung inflammation.
Inflamed airways cause muscle spasms and excessive mucus production in the lungs, which clogs respiratory airways. Therefore, breathing becomes difficult due to blocked respiratory airways.
This is where CBD oil could be beneficial.
According to researchers, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and activates CB2 cannabinoid receptors, and produces remarkable anti-inflammatory effects. The activation of CB2 receptors helps in the lowering of pro-inflammatory cells like C fibers.
In a 2019 study, researchers found that CBD helps asthma patients by lowering inflammatory responses and speeding up lung function recovery. They also concluded that CBD can improve respiratory conditions, inflammatory pain, and ischemic stroke.
CBD Oil and Spasms
In an asthma attack, the muscles in the lungs contract, which results in spasms that can affect the bronchi and bronchioles, which causes wheezing and breathing problems.
CBD has antispasmodic properties that reduce muscle spasm and open up the clogged airways in the respiratory tract.
CBD alleviates asthma symptoms and can be beneficial for patients who suffer from muscle spasm. It can also help relax the muscles in the lungs, making it easier for asthma patients to breathe. However, more studies are required to confirm the benefits of CBD for asthma.
If you think CBD could help to treat your asthma symptoms, consult a doctor for professional advice before making a purchase.
Risks and Side Effects of Taking CBD Oil for Asthma
Despite the potential benefits of Cannabidiol for treating asthma, the negative effects of CBD have also been reported in studies.
Some adverse effects are:
- Reduced appetite
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Abnormal liver function
There are few studies on CBD's ability to treat asthma. However, long-term trials are required to determine whether CBD is safe for asthma and whether it has any negative effects.
How to Take CBD for Asthma?
CBD is available in a variety of forms for asthma, including oils, capsules, gummies, edibles, and topical.
The most common CBD products are discussed below, along with their benefits.
CBD Oil for Asthma
CBD oil is a popular way to consume CBD, it contains hemp extracts infused with MCT oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil. You can take it by placing the recommended quantity or drops under the tongue for fast absorption. CBD oil can be mixed with meals and drinks to mask the strong taste of oil (when you consume full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil).
The effects of CBD oil are noticeable within 15 minutes after consumption. To get the maximum benefits, it is important to take high-quality CBD oil.
It comes in a wide range of concentrations and flavors.
Here are two popular types of CBD oil.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
It contains all-natural ingredients and compounds of cannabis plants, as well as traces of THC, which might make you feel high. On a federal level, full-spectrum CBD oil must contain 0.3% (or less) THC.
CBD, when combined with all-natural compounds of hemp plants, such as THC and terpenes, produces entourage effects and reduces inflammatory response among asthmatic patients.
Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
It contains all naturally occurring compounds of cannabis plants and has a similar composition to full-spectrum CBD oil with very little to no THC quantity.
CBD Edibles for Asthma
Consuming CBD in edible form is the newest trend in the CBD market. They provide a tasty and convenient way to take Cannabidiol throughout the day. CBD gummies, cookies, and chocolates are a few examples of CBD edibles.
CBD Capsules
The standard form of consuming CBD is capsules, just like other health supplements. If you want to take consistent supplements with exact dosage sizes, you should consider CBD capsules. However, these capsules can take a longer time to provide relief because capsules must need to be processed in the liver, which lowers their bioavailability. You can feel the effects of CBD capsules after 60 to 90 minutes of consumption but these effects have a longer duration than CBD oil.
CBD Gummies
CBD Gummies are commonly popular and effective in edible form. They look and taste like normal gummy bears but they contain 5 mg to 50 mg of CBD per piece. Just like capsules and edibles, gummies must pass through the liver before entering the bloodstream, thus the effects may take some time to appear.
CBD capsules, gummies and edibles are effective if you want to prevent disease. However, if you want immediate relief, then these aren’t the best option.
For immediate pain relief, you should try CBD oil & tinctures.
FAQs
Can I use CBD if I have asthma?
Although further research is needed, CBD appears to have a strong potential as an asthma medication. It can help reduce inflammation, chest pain, and anxiety. CBD may be a safe and effective treatment for asthma attacks and lower the frequency of attacks.
How can CBD help the lungs?
According to a recent study, Cannabidiol (CBD) may improve lung structure and provide a significant anti-inflammatory impact by regulating apelin, a natural peptide. Some researchers believe CBD could help patients with COPD breathe easier while also keeping blood oxygen levels stable.
Does CBD help asthma and COPD?
CBD has been proven in animal trials to reduce lung inflammation and boost function, but human research is needed to determine safety and efficacy. For COPD, there is insufficient research to suggest a specific CBD type or dosage. Although CBD oil is generally thought to be safe, it may not be suitable for everyone.
CBD can treat asthma symptoms, on the other hand, COPD patients should not use CBD or THC products without consulting a doctor.
Can you take CBD oil with inhalers?
For asthma patients, CBD vapes may work as asthma inhalers. Vaping CBD oil is a great option for immediate symptom relief but there is currently a lot of conflicting research about its safety. The studies found a relationship between CBD vaping and pulmonary damage and suggested avoiding vaping CBD oil.
Does CBD oil make asthma worse?
CBD oil doesn’t make asthma worse. If you take CBD oil to reduce hyper-responsiveness in your airways, your lungs may become less sensitive to asthma attacks. As a result, there will be fewer flare-ups and symptoms such as coughing.
Could CBD Cure Asthma?
CBD isn’t a medicine but it has provided various health benefits to asthmatic patients. CBD oil or cannabis flower is the natural alternative to their respiratory disorders. Although there is no permanent medical treatment for asthma, CBD can help to ease asthma symptoms and lower the severity of asthma attacks.
Final Thoughts
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder, if left untreated, it can risk one's life. Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Regular usage of traditional medication causes anxiety, depression, and sore throat. Asthma patients are increasingly turning to CBD as a safe and effective option for managing symptoms without side effects. Some people have reported great outcomes when mixing CBD oil with asthma medicines.
Despite the fact that no research has been particularly conducted on the use of CBD for asthma. However, CBD has a bronchodilator effect, which can help relax the lungs and reduce muscular spasms. Consuming full-spectrum CBD oil may improve lung function and make breathing easier.
Remember that smoking or vaping CBD is not recommended for asthma patients because these methods can worsen their asthma symptoms.
