CBD For Asthma: Does It Help?

Asthma is considered a chronic illness, and many patients are looking for safe, natural, and efficient therapy options. Often, people diagnosed with asthma wonder if CBD can help them manage their symptoms.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is the second most common active compound in cannabis (marijuana) and one of over 500 compounds and over 60 cannabinoids. 

Unlike the most prevalent and well-known cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, CBD doesn’t get you “high,” nor does it have any intoxicating effects. While an essential component of medical marijuana, CBD can be extracted from hemp plants, which contain less than 0.3% THC.

Research has provided clinical evidence to support the use of CBD for many medical conditions due to its medicinal properties and safety profile. In addition, patients report that CBD provides symptom relief without the intoxicating adverse effects of medical marijuana.

CBD oil is the most common formulation, but the compound is also widely available as a vaporized liquid, oil-based capsule, or smokable hemp flowers. The CBD market has grown immensely over the past few years, and hemp-derived CBD is now found in a wide range of food, drinks, and beauty products.

Can CBD oil help treat asthma?

While more research is needed, there is evidence that CBD oil may have several benefits for patients with asthma.

Below are some of them:

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties

Asthma attacks are typically associated with inflammation of the airways. In some cases, the inflammation is caused by the immune system responding to irritants or allergens. 

A study¹ done on mice found that when given CBD, they had less airway inflammation when an allergen asthma attack was induced. Scientists believe that CBD’s interaction with cannabinoid receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system is responsible for the compound’s extraordinary immune-modulating effects.

CBD can reduce chest pain

Safe, effective, and natural pain relief is one of the most common reasons people turn to CBD. Chest discomfort and pain can be distressing during severe asthma attacks. CBD is a safe, natural compound that has been shown to provide analgesic effects in various animal and clinical studies.

There is growing evidence² that cannabinoids, including CBD, may exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. CBD binds to specific receptors in the endocannabinoid system, helping reduce pain. It may also lower sensitivity to asthma triggers, resulting in fewer asthma attacks.

CBD can relieve muscle spasms

The airways in the lungs become severely narrowed during an asthma attack. This results in a dangerously reduced airflow, causing coughing and shortness of breath. 

Though cannabis has bronchodilator effects, which can be beneficial in asthma, this can also let the cannabis smoke into the smaller airways more so than cigarette smoke.

CBD can reduce anxiety

Stress and anxiety can be very detrimental to asthma patients’ mental health and well-being. While some inhaled asthma treatments may be effective at opening airways, they may also induce or exacerbate anxiety.

The anti-anxiety effects of CBD are well-demonstrated in the literature. CBD may help treat anxiety as an adjunct and may enable patients to take prescription medicines without worrying about experiencing additional stress and anxiety. Research³ shows that CBD has powerful anti-anxiety effects that may possibly benefit asthma patients.

How is CBD oil used to treat asthma?

There are various ways that CBD can be delivered to the body. However, asthma patients should avoid smoking high CBD hemp flowers, as contaminants and irritants in the smoke can trigger an asthma exacerbation and make symptoms worse. 

Asthma patients should also avoid vaping as this can induce further lung injury and/or exacerbations of asthma owing to numerous liquid components such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

One of the primary keys to managing asthma is the prevention of asthma attacks by consistently reducing inflammation. CBD oil drops, capsules, and edibles taken as part of a daily supplement program are one of the best ways to achieve this goal. 

CBD oil, capsules, and edibles take longer to show their effects because they must pass through the digestive system, as well as have lower bioavailability. While it may take longer for the effects to set in, ingested CBD lasts longer, meaning you need fewer doses throughout the day. Edibles and capsules offer long-lasting benefits with a convenient and low-profile delivery method.

Best types of CBD oil for asthma

CBD oil has become widely available in stores across the country and online. However, when choosing the best CBD products for your condition, it’s essential to purchase from a reputable source. 

Manufacturers of high-quality CBD products utilize safe extraction processes and third-party testing to ensure your safety. Some of the leading manufacturers include:

• Blessed CBD

• CBDistillery

• Endoca

• Royal CBD

• Gold Bee CBD

Can CBD oil interact with medications?

Like other over-the-counter medicines and supplements, CBD has the potential to interact with your prescribed medications. While generally considered safe, it may increase the risk of unwanted symptoms when taken with over-the-counter or prescription medications and substances.

Like many drugs, CBD is broken down by enzymes in the liver. In some cases, CBD can interfere with these enzymes, altering the concentration of the medicine in your body. This interference can increase the risk of unwanted side effects or the medication not working. These drug interactions are often hard to predict but can cause unpleasant and sometimes severe complications.

When to see a doctor

Asthma is a chronic long-term condition that affects people of all ages. While there is no cure, treatment, including avoiding triggers and medications, can help you manage your symptoms. 

CBD shows promise as an effective treatment, but as with all supplements, you should consult with your doctor before beginning use. 

The lowdown

While more research is necessary, CBD shows great potential as a treatment for asthma. It can help reduce inflammation, chest pain, and anxiety, similar symptoms associated with the condition. For many patients, CBD may provide a safe, effective treatment for asthma attacks and reduce the frequency of attacks.