The spring season brings many welcome changes to our lives. The warmer temperatures, the extra color from leaves and flowers finally starting to bloom, longer hours during the day, and the promise of summer a few months down the road. Yet the more pressing issue with spring weather is…allergies! In our last article, we went over exactly how CBD can be used to deal with seasonal or situational allergies. Due to the nature of the topic, there were still several unanswered questions that could use some further clarification. We’ll jump right into some of these FAQs and also mention the type of CBD along with the recommended dosage amount to start with. If you’re just now joining us, consider reading our initial article entitled “Can CBD Help With Allergies?”
Question #1 - Can CBD Be Used As A Decongestant?
One of the biggest issues with allergies is congestion. Your body works overtime to produce antihistamines in response to perceived threats from unknown “intruders.” One such response is congestion, where the body produces thick unwanted phlegm to trap the intruders and save you from its harmful attacks. This congestion can make breathing and sleeping difficult, resulting in many consumers reaching for OTC or prescribed decongestants. While CBD is not classified as a decongestant, the hemp-derived compound can help battle both congestion and inflammation. However, it should not replace any current medication you are taking (prescribed or not).
Question #2 - How Should CBD Be Used For Allergies?
CBD can be used as part of your regular routine, whether that be in the morning, frequently throughout the day, or strictly at night. If used to fight off allergy symptoms, its usage is no different than traditional allergy medication. The FDA does not acknowledge CBD as an official allergen medication, meaning you’ll need to be diligent in your research and overall reaction to the hemp-derived cannabinoid. Depending on the type of CBD product used, you may find that one product is more effective than another. Some consumers prefer to take it first thing in the morning to start their day, while others take multiple doses throughout the day as a “re-up,” and still others take at night about an hour before sleep.
Question #3 - Will CBD Worsen Pre-Existing Respiratory Problems?
If you experience asthma during an allergy attack, you may want to hold off using any inhalable CBD products. Since the cannabis smoke/vapor may irritate your lungs, you may find yourself more uncomfortable after use than you did before! Additionally, you should not use any CBD products if you have a cannabis allergy. While CBD has the potential to help the user with a variety of issues, it’s crucial that you speak with your primary care physician before consuming any CBD product. When in doubt, ask a medical professional.
Question #4 - Do Terpenes Help With Allergies?
Terpenes are the compounds found in many plants, especially cannabis, that are responsible for the plant’s scent. For example, the sweet citrus scent you smell when slicing an orange is actually terpenes! Terpenes are also heavily found in cannabis and can help you differentiate between unique strains and CBD types (both full and broad spectrum). But whether or not they can help with allergies has yet to be confirmed. One particular study found that broad- and full-spectrum CBD yielded better treatments against epilepsy as opposed to CBD isolate. This might mean that terpenes are effective in fighting allergy symptoms, but more research is needed to confirm this theory.
Question #5 - Which Products Should Beginners Start With?
Cannabidiol comes in a shocking amount of product types. Edibles, inhalables, topicals, the list goes on and on. If you’re considering taking CBD for the first time to battle your allergies, chances are high that you’ll feel overwhelmed fairly quickly. Most beginners gravitate towards products that are simplified and don’t require any additional hardware: gummies. The soft and chewy texture that comes in many flavors and shapes has a certain nostalgic draw that many consumers naturally enjoy. For those following a strict vitamin regimen, softgels are easily incorporated into your daily routine and are flavorless, odorless, and often unintelligible from other capsules/softgels. If you prefer vaping or smoking, inhalables like vape carts, pre-rolls, and vape juice may tickle your fancy (as well as the back of your throat!). Topicals like balms, lotions, and salves may provide relief in targeted areas, especially if you’re developing a rash or need moisture in an irritated part of your skin. Just make sure that the area you’re applying the topical to isn’t on broken skin.
Question #5 - Do All CBD Products Work The Same For Allergies?
We touched on an interesting topic a few articles ago on the bioavailability rate for various products. Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD your body can absorb and use. For example Inhalables bypass the digestion system completely, thus allowing a greater amount of CBD to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the lungs. In sharp contrast, edibles like gummies and softgels might be easier and more enjoyable to consume, but much of the CBD is lost in the digestion process. Your body can absorb higher quantities of CBD depending on the product type, so it’s important to choose products with high bioavailability rates.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
There is a recurring question amongst beginners of “how much CBD should I take?” Unfortunately, this seemingly simple question does not have a simple answer. The truth is that, “it depends.” If you’re consuming CBD to help you sleep, a mere 25mg may suffice, whereas those looking to quell uneasiness and extreme stress may need anywhere from 300-600mg. There’s no magic dosage that works the same with everyone. You’ll need to start off slowly and experiment with different product types and dosage ranges. Start off slowly and work your way up until you feel comfortable with the dosage amount, whether it be 30mg or 300mg.
The dosage also varies depending on the product type you choose, as the bioavailability rate varies with inhalables and edibles. You may choose to take a few tokes from a pre-roll twice a day or consume a full mL of tincture at the end of the day. Your tolerance, age, weight, metabolism, and many other factors will influence the final amount of CBD your body needs. For further information on this particular topic, check out our article entitled “How Much CBD Should I Take?” Since there’s little to no regulation on CBD dosages, you can choose to experiment in increments with your doses or speak to your primary care physician on what amount they recommend.
Final Thoughts
CBD can offer relief from a myriad of both physical and mental issues. Whether you’re struggling with congestion from your allergies, having trouble falling asleep (and staying asleep!), dealing with skin irritants and inflammation, or simply looking for a more homeopathic alternative, cannabidiol may help! It’s strongly encouraged to check with your primary care physician to ensure you aren't allergic to cannabis itself, won’t worsen any respiratory issues you currently have, and that CBD won’t interfere with medication you’re currently taking. CBD is not and should never be viewed as a magic or miracle cure-all; rather, it should be viewed as a tool to help naturally restore health and wellness to your body.
Here at ERTH Wellness, we’re confident you’ll find just what you need in your cannabidiol journey. We encourage you to browse through our selection ofgummies, CBD vape juice, softgels, tinctures, and topicalse. Not quite ready to pay full price? Check out our sample sizes! Each of our products have been rigorously tested by third-party independent labs to ensure purity and potency. You can view these results by clicking on the embedded link in the product’s description, or by scanning the QR code stamped on each product’s packaging. Join us in our next article, where we’ll be checking out The Best Non-Alcoholic CBD Drinks to get you ready for spring time parties and summer fun. We hope to see you there!
