CBD oil and asthma - will help you breathe better?
Asthma is a very common disease in adults and children. In the Czech Republic alone, it affects 8-10% of the population. The good news for asthma sufferers is that there is an easy solution – CBD drops. These can relieve asthma symptoms for many people. Due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, CBD oil can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks and help asthmatics breathe more easily. The information contained on this page is intended as an educational tool and is not a substitute for consultation with a physician. CBD oil cannot replace the current treatment of asthma, but it can be a useful tool as a preventive measure to reduce the number of attacks.
Benefits of using CBD oil for asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory disease that results in narrowing of the airways. This prevents the transfer of oxygen to the lungs. The bronchi, which allow the transfer of oxygen, become inflamed and swollen. As a result, the asthmatic may experience wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty filling the lungs properly. Asthma attacks have a variety of triggers, making it a difficult disease to manage.
Fortunately, CBD oil can help relieve asthma attacks and prevent them at the same time. It is mainly the natural anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic (muscle-relaxing and thus anti-spasm) properties that make cannabidiol (CBD) a suitable candidate for managing asthma symptoms.
CBD oil as an anti-inflammatory agent
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes persistent inflammation of the bronchial tubes in patients, even when they experience no obvious symptoms. During an attack, this inflammation worsens, leading to narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing. Cannabidiol has a number of effects on the body, the most significant of which is its effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) . The ECS contains a number of cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors . CBD most significantly affects the CB2 receptor, which plays a key role in controlling inflammation.
In 2015, a study was conducted looking at the role of CBD in the treatment of asthma. Although the study was conducted not on humans but on animals, its conclusion was nevertheless hopeful. According to him, CBD appears to be " a potential new drug to modulate the inflammatory response in asthma ". In another experimental study, CBD clearly reduced airway inflammation and fibrosis in experimental animals with an allergic asthmatic reaction. While more research is needed, CBD oil's ability to reduce inflammation specifically in asthma is very promising.
CBD oil as an anticonvulsant
During an asthma attack, the bronchi and bronchioles spasm, and the muscles of the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and abdominal muscles, which are involved in breathing, contract. At the same time, breathing becomes difficult. CBD has been shown to provide relief from muscle spasms , as evidenced by its use in the treatment of epilepsy and many other conditions that involve spasms or tremors, including Parkinson's disease , multiple sclerosis (MS) , and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, whether the anticonvulsant effect of CBD could help with lung spasms is highly speculative. The mechanism is probably very different.
Effectiveness of using CBD drops to treat asthma symptoms
The effectiveness of using CBD oil in the treatment of asthma is currently being researched. The laboratory studies mentioned above indicate great potential. In addition to these studies, research was conducted that looked at the role of cytokines in the development of asthma. Cytokines are small proteins released by immune cells that influence inflammatory responses. A 2015 study found that when asthma was induced in experimental rats, the level of six cytokines increased.
These proteins were divided into two different response profiles, Th1 and Th2. After the introduction of CBD, the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines decreased. This led not only to a reduction in inflammation, but also to a reduction in mucus production, which is a major factor in worsening asthma. The conclusion of the study sounds very promising again. It says that due to its beneficial effects in several pathological conditions and low toxicity to humans and other animal species, CBD represents a promising candidate for the treatment of asthma . Unfortunately, there is still a limited amount of scientific research into the use of CBD oil in the treatment of asthma in humans. That's why biotech company CIITECH funded human studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research. This study, the first of its kind, aims to determine whether CBD oil can serve as an effective treatment for people with asthma.
How to use CBD oil to treat asthma
Before using CBD oil to manage asthma symptoms, there are a few things to consider. If you are currently treating your asthma with corticosteroids , it is worth noting that CBD oil can affect the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system , causing a potential drug interaction. CBD oil inhibits the P-450 pathway, which could increase the processing time of some drugs, such as steroids, which are also broken down by the CYP-450 system.
The presence of the active substance of corticosteroids in the body for a longer period of time increases the likelihood that side effects of the drug will occur. Therefore, before starting any CBD oil treatment, consult your doctor to make sure that the supplement is safe for you to use. You can also talk to a naturopathic doctor who specializes in using CBD to treat medical conditions.
Choosing how to take CBD
When you are certain that CBD oil will not negatively interact with your current asthma medications, the next thing you will need to consider is the form of administration. For people with asthma, smoking high-CBD cannabis flower can actually make the problem worse. Smoking can trigger an allergic asthmatic reaction, cause inflammation and possibly an asthma attack.
Considering this, products containing CBD oil intended for vaporization are more suitable. They are effective due to the speed of onset of action. Of all the ways to administer cannabidiol, CBD vaping produces the fastest results. By vaping CBD oil , CBD goes directly to the lungs without having to pass through the digestive system, providing anti-inflammatory effects within minutes. Speed is of course crucial when breathing is difficult.
However, one of the most important keys to managing asthma is prevention. To prevent asthma attacks, it is important to consistently reduce inflammation. Using drops, capsules or edibles containing CBD oil , such as CBD gummy bears or other gelatin candies, can help with this . These products can easily be incorporated into your daily supplement regimen, making them one of the best ways to get a regular dose of CBD.
Unlike vaping oils, CBD oil capsules and edibles can take some time to take effect. They have to pass through the digestive system, so their timing can be affected by both your metabolism and the amount of food you already have in your stomach. It may take longer for their effects to kick in, but you'll likely feel their effects for the longest time. This means that you will probably be fine with one or two doses throughout the day. If you are looking for a convenient and discreet way to take CBD , edibles or capsules are the right choice.
CBD drops or tinctures work faster, but not as fast as vaporizing oils . The biggest advantage of CBD oil is the ability to control and adjust the dosage. If symptoms occur or the individual suspects breathing problems caused by external factors, such as extreme heat or smog, it may be helpful to temporarily increase the dose. Oils and tinctures are a nice middle ground between preventative and acute care when it comes to managing asthma symptoms.
Dosage of CBD oil
When it comes to finding the best dose of CBD oil for asthma, some experimentation may be required. The effects of CBD oil can be affected by age, weight and metabolism. Simply put, there is no one-size-fits-all recommended dose for CBD oil. With minimal side effects and no risk of overdose, trial and error can be used without too many risks. Read more about CBD oil dosage here .
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it's best to start with the lowest recommended dose of any CBD oil product. If this dose is not enough to achieve the desired results, it can be slowly increased over time.
Best CBD Oils for Asthma
Choosing and purchasing the best CBD oil for asthma is easier than you might imagine. Once you have decided on the chosen form of use (e.g. capsules, CBD gummies , drops , or products for vaporization), you can choose from which brand of CBD product you will buy. The key to buying quality CBD oil is knowing what's in it. Reputable and trusted brands use organically grown hemp and their product is independently lab tested to ensure purity and potency.
Track certificates of analysis. These certificates tell you exactly what is in the product and show you the content of cannabinoids and possible contaminants. From this analysis you will also know how much THC is in the product. If the manufacturer does not post certificates of analysis online, contact them and ask to see them before you buy. If they don't provide it, you know to shop elsewhere.
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