Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs that is characterised by inflammation, shortness of breath and contraction of the bronchiole muscles. Worldwide, around 300 million people of all age groups suffer from varying severities of asthma which makes it all the more important to look for new treatments.
Although conventional medicine has options like inhalers and corticosteroids for short-term and long-term management of asthma, CBD oil for asthma management has been gaining traction. Recently, the effectiveness of CBD oil for asthma treatment has been explored because of its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory activities.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition of the respiratory system which is accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath, excessive mucus production and wheezing. Because of the chronic inflammation, the muscles of the bronchioles are not relaxed which affects day-to-day life by giving a feeling of tightness in the chest and making it difficult to breathe.
Although asthma is not curable, different kinds of treatments are available for symptom management. The most common are inhalers which may sometimes not deliver the required dose directly to the lungs and can also be expensive. Thus cheaper alternatives which are natural like CBD oil are required for asthma management.
Understanding CBD Oil
Medical cannabis or Vijaya plant can be used to make extracts which consist of 2 distinct compounds: CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). These interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which comprises cannabinoid (CB) receptors, CB1 and CB2. CBD majorly interacts with CB2 receptors which activates the anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory activities of ECS.
Moreover, CBD oil has been found to relieve anxiety and chest pain, which can decrease the frequency of asthma attacks, thus making it prudent to use CBD oil for asthma management.
How CBD Oil Could Help Asthma
Using CBD oil for asthma can help relieve common symptoms like chest tightness and frequency of asthma attacks by interacting with the receptors of the ECS. It has numerous properties like:
- Anti-Inflammatory: CBD interacts with CB2 receptors relieving inflammation in the airways.
- Muscle relaxant: CBD can relax the bronchial muscles which
opens up the bronchioles in the lungs making it easier to breathe and decreasing chest tightness. Wang et al. (2016) showed that CBD can interact with CB1 receptors and decrease resistance in the airway. - Immune System Modulation: CBD modulates the immune system to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Scientific Evidence and Studies
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: CBD interacts with CB2 receptors and activates the downstream anti-inflammatory pathways which relieves inflammation in the airways. Ribeiro et al. (2015) showed that CBD oil can decrease lung inflammation in mice models
- Bronchodilatory Effects: Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, CBD can relax the bronchial muscles, thus decreasing chest tightness. Wang et al. (2016) showed that CBD can interact with CB1 receptors and decrease resistance in the airway.
- Immune System Modulation: Nicholas & Kaplan (2020) found that CBD modulates the immune system to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-13, IL-5 and IL-4 which are related to asthma, thus using CBD oil for asthma stimulates the immune system to decrease production of these inflammatory markers.
Safety and Side Effects
Owing to its plant-based origin, using CBD oil for asthma is usually safe and tolerated well by most individuals. However, some mild side effects are seen in some people like:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Appetite or weight changes
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
However, these side effects are short-lived and tend to disappear within days. But in case the side effects aggravate, it is recommended to consult your doctor to adjust the dosage of your medications.
Legal and Regulatory Status
India legalised full spectrum CBD around 2018. This follows the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s decision to approve the medical use of cannabis. Although the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 has banned the use of flowering tops of cannabis, the medicinal use of its leaves and seeds is allowed and approved under AYUSH.
Cannazo India prioritizes the quality of our CBD products. Our products undergo rigorous testing by a third-party laboratory to validate their purity, potency, and the absence of impurities. By selecting Cannazo India’s lab-tested CBD products, you may be sure of the product’s quality and efficacy and use CBD oil for asthma management without worry.
Cannazo India offers CBD-rich and full-spectrum CBD products. Full spectrum CBD products like CI’s Full Spectrum Tincture consist of CBD along with THC, thus opting for them offers a synergetic effect on relieving inflammation and chest tightness in asthma.
How to Use CBD Oil for Asthma
CBD oil is available in many methods of consumption like tinctures, vapes, and even capsules. Methods of Consumption: Describe different ways to use CBD oil (e.g., tinctures, vapes) for example Cannazo India’s Vijaya Amrit Tincture which can be applied.
Cannazo India suggests that people aged between 18 and 50 should apply 4-8 drops for males and 2-6 drops of full spectrum CBD tinctures, however, starting with a low dose is recommended along with consulting a healthcare professional. For customized treatment plans, book a consultation at https://cannazoindia.com/doctor-consultation/.
Conclusion
CBD oil for asthma shows promising effectiveness due to its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects.
References
- Dharmage, S. C., Perret, J. L., & Custovic, A. (2019). Epidemiology of asthma in children and adults. Frontiers in pediatrics, 7, 246.
- Nichols, J. M., & Kaplan, B. L. (2020). Immune responses regulated by cannabidiol. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 5(1), 12-31.
- Ribeiro, A., Almeida, V. I., Costola-de-Souza, C., Ferraz-de-Paula, V., Pinheiro, M. L., Vitoretti, L. B., … & Palermo-Neto, J. (2015). Cannabidiol improves lung function and inflammation in mice submitted to LPS-induced acute lung injury. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology, 37(1), 35-41.
- Wang, L. L., Zhao, R., Li, J. Y., Li, S. S., Liu, M., Wang, M., … & Guan, D. W. (2016). Pharmacological activation of cannabinoid 2 receptor attenuates inflammation, fibrogenesis, and promotes re-epithelialization during skin wound healing. European journal of pharmacology, 786, 128-136.
