It’s that time of year again! The sniffles, the sneezing, the itchy eyes, and the runny nose…that’s right, it’s allergy season! Allergies tend to ruin whatever good day you’re having and can severely impact your overall day-to-day enjoyment. For some people, the symptoms can even include swelling, congestion, and rashes! These symptoms can cause you to lose sleep or feel uncomfortable leaving your house. Some common relief tactics include wearing a mask, restricting your contact with the outside world, or popping allergy relief medicine every few hours (whether they be pills or eyedrops). Yet some people wonder if the hemp-derived compound cannabidiol (CBD) is effective in combating allergies, whether it be seasonal or not. Let’s first take a look at how CBD works with your body and take a closer look at how allergies interfere with your immune system.
How CBD Works With Your Endocannabinoid System
Your body contains an incredible system known as the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. This system is integrated into your immune system and your metabolism, as well as your central and peripheral nervous systems. Thanks to technology and recent discovery, we now know that the body is capable of producing cannabinoids for specific receptors that work to keep the body functioning properly. Whenever external cannabinoids are introduced into the body, they can help restore order to areas in the body that are lacking. This is why CBD is praised for its ability to help the consumer sleep better, feel more focused and alert, experience increases in appetite, battle inflammation, and much more. It’s not that CBD is a magic cure-all, because it’s not. The compound simply works to restore the body’s natural balance in areas where it’s needed.
Common Allergy Symptoms & Potential Triggers
Allergies rear their ugly head whenever your immune system incorrectly identifies a foreign substance as a threat. These can be harmless to some and life-threatening to others. Some of the most common allergens include foods (shellfish, nuts, soy), pet dander (cat/dog hair), indoor allergens (dust mites, mold, perfumes), outdoor allergens (pollen, insect bites/stings, farm animal dander, etc.). Some allergens occur in specific situations where you may not be aware you’ll come in contact with certain things, such as getting a bee sting or eating something that contains peanut butter. Other allergens are considered seasonal, especially for heavily wooded areas or tree- and plant-lined streets. Surprise allergies are when you’re not aware you’re allergic to something like cat hair or you eat tofu for the first time and realize you’re allergic to soy!
All of these triggers can range from being mildly annoying to requiring an emergency trip to the hospital. Many doctors can administer a scratch test to determine exactly what you’re allergic to. You may want to consider this option if you’re curious about adopting a pet, buying a new home, trying new foods, and anything that might potentially trigger an unwanted allergy attack. Some common symptoms of an allergy attack include difficulty breathing, excessive sneezing/coughing, itching from rashes or hives, puffy or watery eyes, runny nose, or stomach cramps/bowel discomfort. One serious side effect is anaphylaxis, a condition where your throat starts to swell or close and you have difficulty breathing. If you start to experience any of this, immediately call 911 as this dangerous side effect can be fatal.
Can CBD Be Used for Allergies?
Since allergens are technically an inflammation, many consumers wonder if CBD can be used to help with allergies. The research backing this theory is limited, mostly to small studies with animals. Yet we do know that CBD is strongly effective in battling physical discomfort and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It is possible that CBD can help you battle and lessen the effects felt with seasonal or situational allergies. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that CBD may prove effective with specific allergy symptoms.
Congestion: Grab Your Tissues!
Cannabidiol has shown promise in working within the ECS to reduce histamine production. The histamine-activating cells are what causes congestion in allergic reactions, thus causing a stuffed/runny nose and phlegm production. If you find yourself sniffling and constantly wiping your nose during an allergy attack, CBD may help to lessen these symptoms.
Skin Rashes: Uncomfortable Itchiness
Your endocannabinoid system works naturally with your immune system to regulate and control your skin health. If you find yourself breaking out into hives or scratching your skin in patches, you may be able to find relief with CBD topicals. More studies are needed to understand the full extent of which CBD can help, but many users have used topical creams and salves for rashes, eczema, and other inflammatory skin issues. You should not apply CBD directly onto broken skin and always consult your primary care physician before acquiring and using CBD topicals.
The Potential for Cannabis Allergies
Hemp is the plant from which CBD is derived from. Some users may be sensitive to plant allergens, meaning the very thing you’re using to combat your allergies might also be responsible for that very allergy. If you notice any new skin irritations (inflamed skin, rash breakouts, hives, etc.) or respiratory issues (congestion, runny nose, asthma, etc.), it’s possible you may have developed an allergy to cannabis. No matter how unlikely it may seem, you should be careful of using any CBD product if you suspect you’re allergic to the plant-derived compound.
Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?
Prior to consuming CBD, you may be concerned with any potential side effects. The majority of studies have concluded that CBD is overall safe for consistent consumption. However, you may experience some side effects: mild lethargy/drowsiness, changes in mood and irritability, decreased appetite that occasionally results in weight loss, bowel discomfort (diarrhea), and others. Since CBD affects each individual differently, you may want to keep a close eye on any changes or improvements you notice, such as keeping a journal documenting anything different in your daily activities. Future studies on CBD will help confirm how effective CBD is on allergies as well as any further side effects.
Which CBD Products To Use for Allergies
Depending on the severity of your allergies, you may want to gravitate towards a particular product type. Topical creams and salves are ideal for any rashes, skin irritants, or inflammations. For other intense symptoms like congestion and trouble sleeping due to congestion, inhalables may work quickly to sooth the inflammation and quell your frustration and not being able to clear up some symptoms. For those averse to smoking/vaping or struggling with breathing/asthmatic issues, edibles like gummies and softgels may be ideal. Whatever product type you decide to use, you should be comfortable with using it consistently to ensure it has enough time to start taking effect. CBD does not deliver instant results but works over an extended period of time to restore balance and order to your endocannabinoid system.
Final Thoughts & Where To Buy CBD
There’s so much the world is still learning about cannabidiol. What it can do versus what it shouldn’t be used for, common side effects, best product types, the list goes on and on. What we do know is that it contains several incredible properties and can help restore balance naturally to your body’s endocannabinoid system. As more research and studies are conducted, our knowledge grows and so does our appreciation. CBD is not and should not ever be viewed as “magic” or a blanket cure-all for what ails you. Rather, it is a fascinating plant compound that can provide relief to a plethora of physical discomforts and mental issues. We still have much to learn about the cannabis plant but are incredibly grateful for all we have learned about it so far.
Here at ERTH Wellness, we’re committed to helping you enjoy life to the fullest with the help of our exquisite catalog. Our collection of gummies, CBD vape juice, softgels, tinctures, and topicals are available in either full-size containers or sample sizes. Each of our products have been rigorously tested by third-party independent labs to ensure purity and potency. Those results are embedded into each product description and are also viewable by scanning the QR code printed on each product’s packaging. Not quite sure about something mentioned in this article or have questions regarding cannabis in general? No problem! Feel free to reach out to us; our team of dedicated cannabis experts look forward to chatting with you to help you navigate through the vast world of CBD. In our next article, we’ll be going over some of the most frequently asked questions about CBD and allergies that may not have been mentioned in this article. We look forward to seeing you there!
