Each year, about 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Allergies are the sixth greatest cause of chronic illness, which is perhaps even more unexpected.
Is it any surprise, then, that the pharmaceutical industry profits handsomely from prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications? Unfortunately, allergies do not have a miracle remedy. Some people are born with them, while others are not. However, whether you suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or have food, drink, or topical sensitivities, allergy symptoms can quickly destroy your day.
CBD for allergies isn’t a new concept, but it hasn’t gotten much attention in the public. The secret to CBD’s anti-allergic advantages (if any) may, however, be found in its other properties.
Can CBD products, on the other hand, help to alleviate allergy symptoms caused by seasonal allergies, contact allergies, particular foods, and other triggers?
Existing evidence implies it’s achievable in a roundabout way.
How Does CBD Work?
A phytocannabinoid, or cannabinoid found in cannabis Sativa plants, CBD is a cannabinoid present outside of the human body.
Endocannabinoids, on the other hand, are chemicals that our bodies manufacture on their own. Maintaining mental and physical homeostasis is a critical condition of equilibrium that these help to maintain.
The CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptors, which are largely found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, are required for us to take advantage of these critical advantages and functions. Our endocannabinoid system is propelled by these forces (ECS).
THC, for example, interacts with both CB1 and CB2, while other cannabinoids just interact with CB1. There are some phytocannabinoids that do not bind to either the endocannabinoid system (ECS) or the cannabinoid system (CBD).
CBD, on the other hand, affects endocannabinoid receptors in a different way, resulting in a change in how they respond to cannabinoids. It is because of this function that CBD is able to alter or even prevent the effects of other cannabinoids on the body.
What Are the Possible Allergy Relief Benefits of CBD?
The evidence that cannabidiol (CBD) has therapeutic benefits keeps piling up. CBD products produced from “hemp” or “marijuana” have a long list of claimed health benefits.
While we’re still trying to separate reality from myth, rising interest in CBD and cannabinoid medication has shown some potentially good news for allergy patients.
Despite the fact that it isn’t clear if CBD has an effect on allergies, many allergic reactions cause symptoms that CBD is strongly believed to address.
Inflammation
CBD appears to have anti-inflammatory qualities, according to a growing body of research. Swelling caused by chronic conditions like arthritis or traumas like sprains may be reduced by taking this supplement.
Seasonal allergies and other sensitivities can cause a variety of symptoms, including skin irritations.
Allergens can cause rashes, hives, swollen cheeks, and puffy eyes in people who are exposed to them. What about allergic reactions? Is CBD effective? CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties have considerable (but not conclusive) scientific backing, which lends credence to the theory.
According to a review published in the Journal of Pain Research in 2018, CBD reduced chronic pain-related inflammation. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties haven’t been well studied in the context of allergic reactions. However, it is possible that allergic reactions could benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD products if they help lower chronic pain inflammation.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Some allergic reactions might lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Some foods, such as milk, might cause major problems for those who are lactose intolerant. Food sensitivity can manifest itself in a variety of ways, the most common of which are nausea, vomiting, and gas. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is not included in this.
It doesn’t matter if a person is allergic or not if they have a bad gut.
Those who suffer from food allergies or other sensitivities can benefit greatly from CBD’s various digestive health advantages.
Digestive health is one of CBD’s many advantages, as the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation points out. Preliminary research suggests that CBD may be beneficial for people suffering from colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Inflammation in the intestines is the root cause of both of these conditions.
Irritability is a common immunological reaction that affects the digestive tract in exactly this way. So, may CBD have the same effect on allergies as it does on IBS and colitis-induced inflammatory responses? Yet another large “maybe,” but one that shows promise nonetheless.
Immune System Balance
Allergies are the result of overreacting to harmless stimuli that your body sees as dangerous. Inflammation, gastrointestinal issues, and other unpleasant symptoms are all caused by this immunological response.
People who suffer from allergies may find relief if CBD’s immune-suppressing properties can be harnessed. CBD appears to play an important role in the body’s natural defences.
In order to combat an overactive immune system, researchers in the Journal of Immunology found that CBD and THC may both help reduce the immunological response that causes an allergic reaction.
Related: How to Use CBD in Acne Treatment
Allergies: Is CBD Oil an Allergy Treatment?
CBD oil’s immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory characteristics may help lessen allergy symptoms as a side effect of its possible therapeutic effects. The majority of studies use ingestible CBD, which supports the use of oral CBD products such as oil.
Hay fever symptoms aren’t dangerous, but a severe allergic reaction isn’t suitable for CBD. If you have anaphylaxis or any other severe immune system reaction, seek medical help right once.
Depending on the issue, studies on CBD and allergies have proven both hopeful and frightening. “Several studies have demonstrated the participation of the ECS in the development and maintenance of allergic diseases,” according to a review of existing literature published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology in 2020. “However, the data related to the actual role of cannabinoids in allergy are still controversial.”
“In contrast, some investigations have indicated that CBR-2 (CB2)-mediated signalling contributes to the aggravation of asthma,” they add.
On the one hand, CBD may help ease some allergy symptoms while also posing a risk to others. Because of this unpredictability, you must exercise extreme caution while experimenting with supplements.
What Does CBD Have in Common With Other Allergy Treatments?
CBD does not inhibit histamine to reduce allergy symptoms, as far as we know. It’s not the same as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Claritin (phenylephrine) (loratadine).
According to reports, CBD’s adverse effects (if any) are far less severe than those of several over-the-counter medications. The sedative qualities of Benadryl, for example, are well-known. CBD may induce relaxation, but it will not put you to sleep in the midst of the day.
Is CBD as effective as over-the-counter allergy medicines? Experts are still stumped on the answer.
Is It Safe to Try CBD for Allergies?
CBD is thought to be relatively safe, with no risk of addiction or abuse. However, if you use certain prescription medications, there may be complications. Don’t try CBD oil without first consulting your doctor.
How Much CBD to Take for Allergies?
There are no dose instructions for CBD products other than the FDA-approved epileptic medicine Epidiolex.
“Start low and go gently” is the golden guideline when it comes to cannabis dose. Begin with a modest dose and gradually increase it. If you’re not sure where to start, use our CBD dosage calculator.
How Long Does CBD Oil Keep Allergies at Bay?
As previously stated, CBD oil (or any other ingestible CBD) can last up to eight hours. However, you may notice the effects fading over time. This is a sign that you’ve developed a CBD tolerance, which will necessitate a progressive dosage increase.
Final Words
The use of CBD oil treating allergies is a novel concept. Immune system suppression and anti-inflammatory actions of cannabinoids are well-documented, although mostly anecdotal evidence.
People may still use CBD oils as a substitute for over-the-counter or prescription medication. Despite the fact that CBD for allergies appears to be a decent notion, cannabis plant medicine still has a long way to go. Don’t attempt CBD without first consulting a doctor.
