Do you suffer from allergies? If you do, you know how uncomfortable it can be to go through an allergic reaction. Worse, some allergies can be fatal. And while there are several types of anti-allergy medications, they are usually not effective with all kinds of allergies. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many people are venturing out in search of alternative allergy treatments. One such treatment that has become popular in recent times is the use of Cannabidiol (CBD). So the question is…can CBD be used to treat allergies?
In a few years, CBD has caused a revolution in the world of healthcare. Proponents believe that CBD has a lot of health benefits. However, several CBD critics have also come out in large numbers, either questioning or downright claiming that it has no benefits. So, the question remains, “Can CBD be medically used to treat allergies?” Read on to find out.
How Do Allergies Work?
Before looking at how CBD and allergies interact, it’s important to understand what allergies are and how they occur.
An allergy is the body’s immune system’s reaction that occurs when it comes into contact with a foreign substance. The antibodies detect foreign materials and flag them as a threat even when they are not. When the immune system identifies these threats, it then initiates a pro-inflammatory response. This results in the release of the chemical histamine.
The chemical latches onto histamine receptors in the body cells. It then causes them to swell. This reaction then results in a wide range of symptoms. Some are mild such as sneezing and a runny nose while others are severe such as hives and swelling. Anaphylaxis also causes fatal symptoms.
Types of Allergies and How They Are Treated
Depending on the cause, allergies can be classified into various types. There are seasonal allergies, which are caused by pollens found in the air during certain seasons. These allergies only occur for a short time, then going away as soon as the season changes. There are also allergic reactions due to different substances, for example, food, drinks, cosmetic products, chemicals, dust, and animal hairs. These allergies can occur at any time and can be quite severe. Also, allergic reactions can occur due to external factors, for example, cold and humidity.
Let me tell you how CBD can help to treat your allergies.
1. CBD Helps To Inhibit Histamine Allergic Action
One of the many interactions cannabis has on the body is blocking the release of the histamine chemical. It does this by blocking the release of the chemical from the mast cells. CBD has also been shown to hinder the activation of T-cells. These are the cells responsible for the immune system response that releases histamine.
Both of these actions in the body help to mitigate allergic reactions by reducing the antibody response. As a result, when your body is exposed to a foreign substance, you experience fewer or no allergy symptoms.
2. CBD Helps To Treat Allergic Inflammations
Most allergens usually cause swelling and inflammation of the body. For example, pollen leads to (in allergic people) the swelling of the mucous membrane and the protective layer of the eyes. CBD being an anti-inflammatory can help to treat these symptoms, helping to relieve the body.
Researchers have found that Cannabidiol suppresses the inflammatory pathways. When this happens, classic allergy symptoms such as itchiness, running nose, hives, and others that occur due to an inflammatory response are alleviated.
3. CBD Helps To Treat Allergic Skin Reactions
One of the many immune response processes that occur during an allergic reaction is the release of cytokines. The chemical plays several roles in the allergen response process, top among them being to guide the antibodies to an irritated skin area. It is these antibodies that cause a skin rash, itchy skin, eczema, and other skin conditions.
In a research study conducted in 2007, scientists found that CBD oil could lower the levels of cytokines. This, in effect, means that it can lessen the allergic reactions in the skin.
Aside from alleviating allergic skin reactions, CBD can also help to treat some of the skin problems that arise from these reactions. For example, CBD oil is a natural moisturizer, which can help to prevent skin rashes. It is also an effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. It can be used topically to treat itchy skin. Check this bottle out to treat those rashes from allergic reactions.
4. CBD Helps To Boost The Immune System
Allergic reactions are your body’s excessive reactions to supposed contagions. As such people with a weak immune system do not suffer from this over-reaction. However, changes in the immune system could increase the risk of becoming allergic, which could explain the cause of some late-onset allergies. A weakened immune system also means that your body will have a harder time dealing with symptoms such as inflammation.
CBD helps to counteract this problem by balancing the body’s immune system. Research has shown CBD is effective in immune modulation agent. It is thus able to bring into balance your body’s immune system, therefore guaranteeing its optimal functioning. As a result, your body can respond to allergens without going into overdrive, which mitigates allergic reactions.
Be sure to also check out how CBD can help your back out in “CBD Oil & Back Pain: Here’s What You Should Know“.
5. CBD Helps To Ease Pain and Discomfort
Allergic reactions, even mild ones are anything but fun. The running nose, itchy skin, tearing eyes, sneezing, and other symptoms can be both painful and extremely uncomfortable. Cannabidiol, however, helps to relieve the pain and discomfort. Research has shown that it impacts the endocannabinoid receptor activity, which is used in the regulation of, among other things, pain. The inhibited activity reduces the pain response caused by the allergic reaction, thus helping to ease pain and discomfort.
6. CBD Helps To Improve Focus
Allergic reaction symptoms are not only painful and uncomfortable, but they can make it hard to relax and focus. If you experience prolonged reactions, this could mean hours without being able to do anything useful. CBD can, however, fix this, allowing you to enjoy your day-to-day activities with minimal or no interruptions.
To start with, by alleviating pain and easing the symptoms of an allergic reaction, CBD allows you to function at a more optimal level. It has also been found to have several mental health benefits, for example, reducing anxiety and depression and promoting a positive mood. On top of that, you get all of these benefits without any risk of side effects. It is thus a very beneficial and convenient alternative treatment for allergic attack episodes.
From the above, it is quite clear that CBD is an effective treatment for allergies. Several scientific studies have shown that CBD might be an alternative to conventional allergy treatments. However, despite these numerous benefits, there are still some valid concerns when using CBD to treat allergies.
Before trying any new treatment, make sure to consult with your doctor. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, then you can try using CBD to treat your allergies. If not, you can always try something else.
Thank you for reading! Let us know in the comments below if you’re using CBD oil for any allergies or pains. Also check out similar articles for your CBD health life, like “5 Ways CBD Oil Can Benefit Your Sex Life” or “CBD Oil & Depression: Everything You Need to Know“.
Be sure to also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more in the world of medical marijuana and CBD. see you there!
