The reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that asthma affects 339 million people worldwide. It has definitely earned a spot as one of the chronic ailments that could use an effective, natural treatment.
With 嫩草影院 becoming more and more popular, some asthmatics have decided to give it a leap of faith. Many people, however, are concerned whether 嫩草影院 and asthma are actually a good match.
嫩草影院 (cannabidiol) is the non-intoxicating compound of hemp or marijuana plants. It has created the latest gold-rush in the wellness industry thanks to its versatility and an excellent safety profile.
Hemp-derived 嫩草影院 is legal in all 50 states under the 2018 Farm Bill. You can find it over the counter in health retail outlets, dispensaries, and vape shops. It comes in tinctures, capsules, edibles, topicals, vapes, and even pet products.
But can 嫩草影院 actually help asthma sufferers reduce the symptoms of their illness?
Let鈥檚 dive into this!
Understanding Asthma
Asthma is a common chronic disorder of the lungs that starts in the respiratory airways due to inflammation and swelling. The lung airways become narrowed, constricted, and filled with mucus, enabling the person to breathe properly.
There are several types of asthma. Allergic asthma, which is the overreaction of the immune system when allergens appear, is the most common one. Allergens that may cause asthma include pollen, dust mite excrements, mold spores, cold, germ-ridden dirt, and pet dander.
Asthmatics accounts for about 8% of the U.S. general population. 10 Americans are diagnosed with the condition every day, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?
Whether your asthma is chronic or induced by allergy, people with the condition typically experience a similar range of symptoms, including:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Coughing
- Chest pain and/or tightness
The above symptoms usually vary between individuals, as they often become noticeable at certain times, such as when exercising, during cold weather, or when exposed to allergens.
For some patients, asthma is a mild ailment. However, others may experience serious health issues, such as severe asthma attacks which can put a person鈥檚 life at risk.
An asthma attack refers to an episode that involves a sudden worsening of symptoms. These flare-ups, as people usually call them, contribute to roughly 2 million emergency room visits every year and can seriously deteriorate the patient鈥檚 quality of life. Without proper treatment and immediate medical care, an asthma attack can lead to death.
How is Asthma Diagnosed?
Physicians usually check for symptoms as well as order a few simple tests to diagnose asthma. You鈥檙e not likely to see a respiratory specialist unless your doctor deems it necessary due to a supposedly another underlying disorder.
Physical examination is the most common method to check if a person has asthma. Your doctor may ask you the following questions:
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- When and how often do these symptoms occur?
- What else might be triggering them?
- Do any of your close relatives have asthma?
- Are you allergic or have conditions like eczema or COPD?
Another way to diagnose asthma is to run a lung function test, such as the peak flow test or spirometry.
The peak flow will measure the force with which you can exhale air from the lungs. If you score below normal readings, it鈥檚 often an indicator that your lungs aren鈥檛 functioning properly. It can also mean that you have asthma.
Spirometry requires you to blow into a gadget that will measure how much air you can both inhale and the force and speed with which you can expel the air. This test provides an overall image of how your lungs function.
Other asthma tests include:
- FeNO Test: it measures the nitric oxide levels of your breath (a common marker of lung inflammation).
- Allergy Test: these are done to establish if your asthma is caused by allergies.
- Imaging Tests: you may be asked to take a CT scan or a chest X-ray scan to take any infections out of the equation.
- Sputum Eosinophils: it checks for the presence of specific white blood cells that amplify asthma symptoms.
- Methacholine Challenge: this test checks for signs of hidden or asymptomatic asthma.
- Provocative Testing: provocative tests allow a physician to check for airway constriction or obstruction before and after you have been exposed to physical activity or cold temperatures.
Why Are Some People Turning to 嫩草影院 for Asthma?
Managing the symptoms of asthma isn鈥檛 a walk in the park. It requires you to take an all-around approach to your lungs鈥� health. While there are certain prescription medications that you can take to keep asthma attacks at bay and ease symptoms, many of them have dangerous side effects that can be discouraging.
Regular use of preventive inhalers can leave you with a sore throat, tatty voice, and oral fungal infections. Substances like zileuton, which are leukotriene modifiers, may sometimes increase the risk of depression or cause hallucinations and even suicidal thoughts.
Could 嫩草影院 be the proverbial miracle in the bottle for asthmatics?
There鈥檚 an emerging body of research targeting 嫩草影院鈥檚 potential as an alternative treatment for asthma symptoms. Some studies have actually suggested that 嫩草影院 may benefit asthmatics.
The attention of the medical community stems from their curiosity about whether 嫩草影院 can offer relief for the symptoms of asthma rather than curing it.
How 嫩草影院 Can Help with Asthma
While cannabis as the whole plant has been on the radar of medical researchers for quite some time now, it鈥檚 嫩草影院 that has recently become the apple in their eye 鈥� and for good reasons.
Here鈥檚 how taking 嫩草影院 can help with your asthma symptoms.
嫩草影院 Oil Is an Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation in the lungs is the major contributor to asthma attacks. When an asthma sufferer gets exposed to allergens or other irritants, the immune system sends out an inflammatory response.
Inflamed airways may lead to muscle spasms and secretion of too much mucus. The outcome is dangerous because clogged, narrowed airways filled with mucus make breathing in and out extremely difficult.
This is where 嫩草影院 may shine.
Scientists have attributed 嫩草影院鈥檚 anti-inflammatory properties to its interaction with the endocannabinoid receptor CB2, which helps reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cells such as C fibers or mast cells.
A published in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that 嫩草影院 use may reduce inflammatory reactions and promote the recovery of lung function in patients with allergy-induced asthma (1).
Similar findings were reported a few years earlier in a (2), in which the research team concluded that 嫩草影院 and other cannabinoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents that can help people with respiratory disorders, inflammatory pain, and ischemic stroke.
嫩草影院 Oil Is an Antispasmodic
During an asthma attack, individuals experience spasms that affect the bronchi and bronchioles due to contracting the muscles in the lungs, which makes breathing difficult and causes wheezing.
Recent research has shown that 嫩草影院 may help relieve muscle spasticity. By reducing muscle spasms, it helps open the airways, easing asthma symptoms. This trait has also been proven in the studies aimed at determining the therapeutic potential of 嫩草影院 for epilepsy.
In a (3) testing the efficacy of Sativex 鈥� an oral spray containing THC and 嫩草影院 in 50:50 ratio 鈥� on multiple sclerosis patients, researchers reported considerable improvements in both muscle spasticity and mobility.
Although more large-scale clinical trials are needed to establish 嫩草影院鈥檚 efficacy for asthma, the cannabinoid offers potential benefits for MS patients who experience muscle spasms. It鈥檚 possible that 嫩草影院 may also help relax the muscles in the lungs and allow asthma sufferers to breathe easily as a result. Still, we suggest that you consult a doctor before taking 嫩草影院 oil for asthma.
嫩草影院 Oil May Reduce Asthma Drug-Induced Anxiety
Anxiety can seriously impair one鈥檚 quality of life by taking a toll on your mental health and well-being. The majority of asthma medications like traditional inhalers are infused with stimulants. These compounds, although they are effective bronchodilators, can cause or exacerbate anxiety.
嫩草影院 has been recognized by its remarkable anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties in several experimental models, so there鈥檚 a chance that you can benefit from it in conjunction with conventional treatments to prevent anxious episodes (4).
嫩草影院 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:
- Rescue inhalers
- Nebulizers
- Anti-inflammatories
- Corticosteroids
While rescue inhalers and nebulizers are relatively safe, regular use of anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids can have adverse side effects, and as such, they should be used on a short-term basis.
The above short-term solutions are often taken in conjunction with some of the following long-term medications:
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)
- Long-acting beta-agonists
- Theophylline
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Combined inhalers
- Allergy medications
- Injections (for severe asthma cases)
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 (as an ointment).
Is 嫩草影院 Safe for People with Asthma?
The use of 嫩草影院 for asthma brings a lot of excitement considering the anti-inflammatory and bronchodilating potential of 嫩草影院. Early studies suggest that 嫩草影院 may help reduce anxiety, inflammation, and muscle spasticity, induced by conventional medications.
嫩草影院 has a very good safety profile. It is well tolerated in humans even in doses as high as 1,500 mg daily. However, scientists haven鈥檛 investigated the safety of 嫩草影院 specifically in relation to asthma.
The biggest concern shared by doctors is about 嫩草影院鈥檚 ability to interact with other drugs. 嫩草影院 is metabolized by the same group of enzymes that process active ingredients in pharmaceutical medications. Therefore, we suggest that you consult with your doctor before adding 嫩草影院 oil to your daily routine.
Experts suggest that people with asthma choose 嫩草影院 products that don鈥檛 involve inhalation. Smoking or vaping 嫩草影院 isn鈥檛 recommended due to the risk of large air sacs growth in the airways and other lung cavities.
How Should You Take 嫩草影院 for Asthma?
This is the most challenging part of using 嫩草影院 when you have asthma. We鈥檝e already made it clear that smoking and vaping are out of the question, but what鈥檚 the best way to take 嫩草影院 for asthma?
Choosing the right dosage and form of consumption often involves several factors, such as:
- Your body weight
- Your metabolism
- The type of asthma you have
- Your previous experience with 嫩草影院
- The intensity and frequency of your asthma symptoms
- Other medications you might be taking.
Again, it鈥檚 of the utmost importance that you work with your doctor to determine which 嫩草影院 product is right for your situation.
Another thing to keep in mind is the cannabinoid spectrum. 嫩草影院 products are either full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolates. Full-spectrum 嫩草影院 is made using the entire plant and contains all the compounds you can find in hemp, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These compounds work synergistically to increase the efficacy of 嫩草影院 oil; this phenomenon is known as the entourage effect. Broad-spectrum 嫩草影院 is pretty much the same, but without any THC inside the end product. Isolate is just pure 嫩草影院 that has been separated from other compounds. Isolates are THC-free; they鈥檙e also odorless and flavorless, which makes them more versatile. However, they don鈥檛 promote the entourage effect.
All things considered, here are the most popular forms of 嫩草影院 that you can use for asthma:
嫩草影院 Oil Drops
嫩草影院 oil is the most common form of 嫩草影院. It is sold in glass bottles with a dropper attached for precise dosing. 嫩草影院 oil includes a hemp extract suspended in a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil, MCT oil, or olive oil.
嫩草影院 oil drops are available in a wide range of potency options and several different flavors. You can take them sublingually by placing a few drops under your tongue and holding them there for 60 seconds before swallowing 鈥� or add it to your food.
The area under the tongue is chock-full of tiny blood vessels which absorb 嫩草影院 rapidly into the bloodstream. When taken this way, 嫩草影院 doesn鈥檛 need to pass through the digestive system. The first effects usually come within 15鈥�30 minutes after ingestion and last up to 6 hours.
嫩草影院 Capsules and Pills
嫩草影院 is also available in standard capsule form which may be useful for consistent supplementation with pre-measured doses of 嫩草影院. However, 嫩草影院 capsules must go through the first-pass effect, which reduces their bioavailability. Only up to 20% of ingested 嫩草影院 will reach your bloodstream.
It will usually take 40鈥�90 minutes to experience the effects of 嫩草影院 capsules. But on the other hand, they will last longer than those from 嫩草影院 oil 鈥� even 10 hours.
嫩草影院 Edibles
Edibles have become extremely popular recently as a way to consume 嫩草影院. They range from gummies to cookies, chocolates, mints, truffles, or even lollipops.
嫩草影院 edibles are tasty, discreet, portable, and generally cheaper than 嫩草影院 oil. Gummies are commonly used by asthmatics because they provide a fixed-dose in each gummy. The dosage ranges from 5 mg to 50 mg of 嫩草影院 per piece.
Similar to capsules, edibles must pass through the digestive system, so you might have to wait up to 2 hours for the effects to be felt.
It goes without saying that edibles aren鈥檛 the best go-to consumption method due to the delayed onset, but if you value discretion in your 嫩草影院 routine for prevention, they are worth a try.
嫩草影院 Topicals
嫩草影院 topicals is an umbrella term for products that you apply directly to the skin. You can find 嫩草影院 in salves, creams, gels, ointments, balms, lotions, and transdermal patches.
Topical products are designed to target localized problems, such as inflammation and pain in the joints and muscles. Some of them combine 嫩草影院 with other therapeutic ingredients, such as camphor, lavender, peppermint, menthol, or eucalyptus oil.
You should use 嫩草影院 topicals directly on where you need relief. Asthma patients can benefit from topicals by rubbing a cream or salve on the chest area to help open the airways and relieve breathing difficulties.
Final Thoughts: Is 嫩草影院 Oil a Viable Option for Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that 鈥� when left untreated 鈥� can be life-threatening. Its tell-tale symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
There is currently no cure for asthma, which means a treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms and preventing attacks. With inhalers, pills, steroids, injections, and other asthma medications, it鈥檚 easy to manage the symptoms and live a normal life.
However, conventional medications have side effects, ranging from anxiety to depression and occasionally more severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts. A growing number of asthma sufferers are turning to 嫩草影院 as a safe alternative to deal with symptoms without side effects. Some of them have seen the positive effects of combining 嫩草影院 with asthma medication.
According to a recent report from the WHO, 嫩草影院 is generally safe, well-tolerated, and effective, although no studies have been conducted with regards to its efficacy in asthma patients.
Moreover, 嫩草影院 has a bronchodilatory effect, which can help reduce muscle spasms and relax the lungs. Taking full-spectrum 嫩草影院 oil may both improve lung function and make breathing easier.
If you want to start taking 嫩草影院 for asthma, we encourage you to consult your doctor in order to avoid potential drug interactions. From there, you can choose the best form of 嫩草影院 for your individual situation. However, remember that vaping and smoking 嫩草影院 aren鈥檛 recommended, as they pose a risk of exacerbating your asthma symptoms.
References:
- Vuolo, Francieli et al. 鈥淐annabidiol reduces airway inflammation and fibrosis in experimental allergic asthma.鈥� European journal of pharmacology vol. 843 (2019): 251-259. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.11.029
- Pini, Alessandro et al. 鈥淭he role of cannabinoids in inflammatory modulation of allergic respiratory disorders, inflammatory pain and ischemic stroke.鈥� Current drug targets vol. 13,7 (2012): 984-93. doi:10.2174/138945012800675786
- Russo, M., Calabro, R.S. and Bramanti, P. 鈥淪ativex in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis-Related Spasticity: Role of the Corticospinal Modulation.鈥� Neural Plast (2015).
- Shannon, S. et al. 鈥淐annabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.鈥� The Permanente Journal (2019), 23: 18鈥�041.