Can Cbd Oil Also Help Asthma Patients
CBD is known as the non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is often used for medicinal purposes. Even though its not FDA-approved, CBD oil is commonly used for the management of different conditions.
CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which can have a beneficial effect as an asthma treatment. It can help the muscles around the respiratory system to relax and allow for better airflow. In fact, many people use CBD oil to self-medicate and find relief from their symptoms.
CBD oil can be taken sublingually for faster absorption, but it can also be vaped if you can tolerate the vapor. Its also considered safe and well-tolerated, with minimal chances of side effects.
What Is Asthma And What Causes It
You know that asthma causes difficulty in breathing and that whistling, wheezing sound every time you inhale. But what exactly happens during an attack?
Heres an overview, and its not pretty.
To start, the airways in your lungs narrow and swell. In some cases, mucus may develop in your respiratory system as well. Some people may deal with it fine and deem it as a minor nuisance. For others, however, a worst-case scenario can often turn fatal.
The next logical question to ask would be, Am I at risk for asthma?Part of it is hereditary, and if you have close kin who are asthmatic, theres a good chance that you are, too. Another key marker, of course, would be if you happen to suffer from allergies, as theyâre often comorbid with asthma.
Then you should also note certain lifestyle factors like being overweight, chain-smoking cigarettes, as well as exposure to pollutants like second-hand cigarette smoke and other hazardous chemicals.
Now, what are the causes of asthma? Several external factors can trigger an attack, like airborne allergens, certain food additives, even the cold air. You also have medical conditions that are simple as the common cold, to something as complex as Gastroesophageal reflux disease where your stomach acids travel up to your throat.
Medications like beta-blockers, ibuprofen, and aspirin may also cause asthma. Along with that, experiencing stress and other strong negative emotions are known precursors to asthma attacks.
Does Cannabis Smoke Affect Other People Breathing It In
There is little research available yet on the impact of cannabis smoke on other people. However, given cannabis smoke contains higher levels of harmful chemicals than tobacco smoke, it is recommended that precautions be taken, particularly around children and people with asthma, lung and heart issues.
Also Check: What To Do If You Have Asthma And No Inhaler
What Kind Of Condition Is Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease thats characterized by long-term inflammation of the respiratory system, or more specifically, constriction of the airways and lungs. As a result of this, asthmatic patients have breathing difficulties, most notably wheezing or producing a squealing sound when they breathe.;
Other common symptoms of asthma are chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue, as well as coughing especially at night, during physical exertion, or when laughing.
How Does Marijuana Affect Lung Function
As the early studies showed, marijuana opens up the airways.4 This effect lasts for about one hour.8
Another study showed that people who smoke marijuana have more lung capacity.2 This study included people with and without asthma. One theory to explain this is that people smoke marijuana differently than cigarettes. They tend to inhale marijuana more deeply and hold their breath longer.1 This action might stretch the lungs or strengthen the chest wall muscles.8 These changes may affect the results of lung function tests. However, it is not clear how such changes might affect lung function in daily life.8
One study included more than 5000 people with and without asthma.8 Information about tobacco use, marijuana smoking, and lung function was collected for 20 years. People who used tobacco had less lung function. On the other hand, low-level marijuana was not linked to lower lung function. Low-level marijuana use was defined as 7 joint-years or less. This study did suggest that heavy marijuana use might reduce lung function.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without An Inhaler
How Is Smoking Related To Asthma
If you have asthma, an asthma attack can occur when something irritates your airways and triggers an attack. Your triggers might be different from other peoples triggers.3
Tobacco smoke is a common trigger for asthma. Tobacco smokeincluding secondhand smokeis unhealthy for everyone, especially people with asthma.3,6 Secondhand smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles that includes:4,5
- Smoke from burning tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes
- Smoke that has been exhaled by someone who smokes
Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer.6
If you have asthma, its important that you avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.3
If you are among the 21% of U.S. adults who have asthma and smoke, get help to quit smoking; talk to your doctor about treatments that can help you, or call . 7
Use A Bowl To Smoke Shatter
You can also smoke shatter by adding to your bong bowl, which is appealing for those whove been smoking flower for a while and want to try smoking shatter without buying a whole new rig.
Start by filling up your bowl half-way with weed and then take your dab and drop it onto the weed. Then pack the rest of the bowl and light it up.
Don’t Miss: Is Eczema Related To Asthma
Cbd Vs Conventional Asthma Treatments
There are two types of medications for asthma sufferers depending on your individual situation: short-term medications and long-term treatments.
Short-term medications include:
- Allergy medications
- Injections
If nothing else seems to help, a doctor may recommend bronchial thermoplasty as a last-resort option. This special procedure is rare but effective and relatively safe.
Home remedies are often used in tandem with conventional asthma treatments to prevent intensification of symptoms and flare-ups. Common home remedies include essential oils from herbs,;caffeinated drinks, and mustard oil .
Dont Use Cannabis Dabs
Dabs are becoming increasingly popular. Medicinal cannabis dabs are also gaining ground, but in the context of asthma, they simply dont fit the bill. Dabbing does not equate vaporizing, as it can potentially expose your lungs to an overwhelming experience. Besides, the potency of most dabs can be a hazard, especially if you are already in a state of major stress and/or anxiety.
Read Also: Is Asthma And Copd The Same Thing
So Why Do People With Respiratory Issues Use Weed
It may seem far-fetched to imagine a doctor telling their asthmatic patients to use weed, but thats exactly what Janice Knox does. She’s spent 32 years working as a board-certified anesthesiologist before she began studying the impact of cannabis on illness, and now, she incorporates cannabis into her consultations with patients at her familys American Cannabinoid Clinics in Oregon, where her husband and two daughters all physicians also practice.
Knox says endocannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2 work in the lungs to modulate immune responses to inflammation. People have been treating the symptoms of asthma for years, but in the case of cannabis in the lungs, its a CB1, CB2 receptor on those bronchioles, Knox tells Allure. And if we know its chronic inflammation, we know which part of the cannabis is going to work best on those receptors its going to be the THC and the CBD as an anti-inflammatory.
Can Marijuana Help Asthma
THC can suppress the immune system. Asthma is an allergic reaction that your lungs have, the immune system overreacts to something in the environment, and that is the reason for the asthma attack. In this instance, THC can aid in calming the immune system since it is an anti-inflammatory.
But the main method of consuming marijuana is smoking it. And for those with asthma that choose to smoke despite their condition, there are likely to be more complications. So, if cannabis can help with calming the immune system, but smoking it causes complications, how can one with asthma benefit from marijuana?
Recommended Reading: Does A Chihuahua Take Away Asthma
Benefits Of Marijuana For Asthma
Asthma starts with the inflammation of the airway, which leads to spasms in the respiratory system.;
Cannabis asthma management is possible because marijuana is an anti-inflammation and an anti-spasmodic agent that provides some comfort from asthma.; The cannabinoids in marijuana connect with cannabinoid receptors in a sufferers immune system. Once marijuana and CB2 connect, they send signals to cells in the affected airway leading to the reduction of the inflammation.;
Potential Benefits Of Marijuana For Asthma
A growing body of research is focusing on marijuanas effects on asthma and whether cannabis plants can offer some relief for the condition. The focus isnt so much on smoking marijuana joints, but rather on taking cannabinoids instead.
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring substances in marijuana plants. They are sometimes used to treat chronic pain and neurological conditions, such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This is due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Since asthma is caused by a chronic inflammation of the lungs, researchers are trying to find out whether cannabinoids can have similar effects for this condition. Research is especially promising for people who have allergic asthma.
Cannabinoids may be available in the form of supplements. These substances may also be derived from smoking marijuana in nontraditional forms. A 2013 study in the journal Substance Abuse found that people who smoke marijuana using vaporizers gained more benefits from the plant with less lung-irritating smoke.
Still, there are some limits to these potential benefits. One study published in Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine contends that short-term medicinal uses of marijuana may not harm the lungs. This is compared to recreational or heavy smoking. However, its not clear just how much is safe or for exactly how long.
Don’t Miss: How Do You Know If You Have Asthma
What Are The Natural Compounds Found In Cannabis
- THC tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the compound in cannabis that is psychoactive and gives the high sensation. Its consumed by smoking and in oils, edibles, tinctures and capsules.
- CBD cannabidiol. CBD is the cannabinoid that is associated with anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties, and is not psychoactive, so it does not typically provide a high sensation. Its sold as gels, gummies, oils, supplements and extracts.
What Are The Risks Associated With Asthma And Marijuana Use
The American Thoracic Society points out that we know full well what the effects of cigarette smoke are on the lungs, but we are still unsure what the effects of marijuana are on the lungs. They state, few research studies have been done since marijuana remains illegal in most countries, and since marijuana can be inhaled in many ways . It is likely that in frequent users , marijuana harms the lungs, and that there is not a safe way to smoke marijuana.
Harmful Chemical Compounds of Smoking
Cigarette smoking can cause bronchitis and COPD. Theoretically, heavy marijuana smoking may cause similar effects as cigarette smoking. Why? Because marijuana smoke contains some of the same harmful compounds as cigarette smoke. In addition, experts believe that even light marijuana smoking will irritate the lungs of those with breathing problems.
Asthma Exacerbation
Studies indicate that smoking marijuana can increase the likelihood of an asthma attack in those who have asthma. It can also worsen asthma if smoked during an asthma attack, causing further irritation to the lungs and a worsening cough.
Bullae
Carcinogens and Lung Cancer Risk
Furthermore, smoking marijuana may increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Marijuana smoke contains over 450 various chemicals, some of which are carcinogens.
Dont Have Asthma?
Recommended Reading: What Does A Nebulizer Do For Asthma
What Are The Asthma
Marijuana smoke is generally unfiltered. Smokers inhale marijuana more deeply than tobacco smoke. As a result, more tar ends up in the lungs.1 Marijuana smoke damages the lining of the airway and increases airway inflammation, which can trigger asthma symptoms.8
Compared with nonsmokers, marijuana smokers are more likely to have bronchitis, cough on most days, phlegm, wheezing, and chest sounds.1 Their breathing symptoms are very similar to tobacco smokers.
Best Methods Of Marijuana Treatment To Use To Treat Asthma
Cannabis for asthma has the potential to ease many symptoms patients experience, regardless of which method they use. However, this doesnt mean all the methods of consumption are equal in efficiency. Furthermore, it doesnt mean theyre all entirely harmless either. Important things to consider when deciding on your;method of marijuana treatment;use for your asthma are:
- Potential for immediate relief
- Optimal safety
- Controllable efficiency and dosage
While smoking medical weed is still an option, it does depend on how severe your asthma is, since smoking could trigger an asthma attack or escalate one. Because of this, you may want to consider other methods of use.
For instance,;you can consume edibles, also called medibles, for long-term asthma treatment since they have certain variables, like the time they take to produce effects. They may not be appropriate for providing instant relief during an attack. A good option for emergency treatments could be vaporizing. Vaporizing releases cannabinoids in your body quickly while reducing any risk to your lungs.
To the healthy human body, smoking medical marijuana isnt harmful. But when suffering from asthma, you have to watch out for anything that can compromise your respiratory system.
Also Check: Can You Buy Asthma Inhalers Over The Counter
It Does Not Make It Easier To Breathe
Contrary to the myth, smoking or vaping pot does not relax the airways. Thats what a 2018 study, published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society, found.
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasean illness that is different from asthma but also reduces lung functionshowed no improvement in breathlessness after inhaling marijuana.
What Are The Different Ways People Can Consume Cannabis As A Medical Treatment
Joanna Zeiger: The most common: smoking, vaping, tinctures, oils, topicals and edibles. How you take cannabis can have a different impact. The amount of time until you feel effects of the cannabis can also differ depending on how you administer cannabis.
Smoking and vaping are not recommended for lung health due to reported adverse effects. Inhaling does lead to very fast onset of action, which may be beneficial for people who have severe acute pain but should be avoided in those with asthma.
Edibles take much longer to work up to 45-70 minutes but the lasting effects are much longer than inhalation and can last for hours. This is ideal to aid sleep.
Topicals work differently altogether and their effectiveness depends on the type of injury or pain you are trying to treat. Thats why defining your goal for cannabis use will help dictate your treatment options.
Read Also: How To Get Diagnosed With Asthma
Is It Safe For People With Asthma To Smoke Cannabis
Many people with asthma are smoking or vaping cannabis. This could be harmful to their lungs and airways, especially in adolescents.
In the PEACE survey, 53.4% of cannabis users with asthma smoked it, while 35.2% vaped cannabis. Further, about half of the cannabis smokers with asthma reported uncontrolled asthma symptoms.
It surprised me that over half of the cannabis users in the study who have asthma were smoking it, says Joanna Zeiger, PhD, principal investigator of the PEACE survey.
Its not recommended that people with asthma smoke or vape cannabis. Smoking or vaping cannabis can cause increased cough, wheezing and shortness of breath. It can increase risk of an asthma attack or asthma flare. In the PEACE survey, nearly one-third of those who smoked cannabis reported cough.
Customize Your Vaporizer With A Water Pipe
Many vaporizers, especially home vaporizers, have the necessary connections allowing them to be hooked to an additional device. Connect a water pipe to your vaporizer, and vaporize through the warm water. This will help you inhale when your lungs are already in a bad shape.
However, ensure that the water does not get too hot as it could have the opposite effect. If you feel like your lungs are filled with mucus, opt for a dry vaporizing session instead. Warm, dry air is good for the lungs.
Read Also: Does Asthma Cause Throat Clearing
How Can Asthma Attacks Be Prevented
If you or a family member has asthma, you can manage it with the help of your health care provider and by avoiding your; triggers. Try to avoid asthma attacks by staying far away from tobacco smoke. Some other helpful tips are:
Jamason C. has had asthma attacks triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke.
I was 16. People were smoking near me. My chest got really tight. I was trying to breathe, trying to get air into my lungs. I couldnt bear it!
Real stories about asthma:
- Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in your home or car. Opening a window does not protect you from smoke.8
- If your state still allows smoking in public areas, look for restaurants and other places that do not allow smoking. No-smoking sections in the same restaurant with smoking sections do not protect adequately from secondhand smoke8even if there is a filter or ventilation system.9
- Make sure your childrens day care centers and schools are tobacco-free. For schools, a tobacco-free campus policy means no tobacco use or advertising on school property is allowed by anyone at any time. This includes off-campus school events.8
- Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke. Be a good role model by not smoking.8
There is no cure for asthma. However, to help control your asthma and avoid attacks:2
- Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Stay away from things that can trigger an attack.
- Quick-relief
- Long-term control