Cannabis and Seasonal Allergies: Does it Help or Hurt Them?

If itchy eyes, runny noses, and coughing are typical of your life during seasonal changes, you know the frustrations of allergies and the desperate search for relief. Once you have gone through endless boxes of Kleenex and a few doses of Benadryl, you may wonder whether cannabis can help. After all, there's a long list of medicinal properties in good bud. Many find that cannabis has provided relief for other conditions, even if it is not officially prescribed as a remedy. Does the CBD within cannabis products provide any relief for allergies? Is CBD good for allergies?

Grass and Grass Allergies

All cannabis products contain chemicals known as cannabidiols. The most well-known is CBD, a compound that acts on our brain to ease pain, decrease anxiety, increase appetite, and make it easier to fall asleep. While CBD is not a guaranteed cure for every problem under the sun, especially since it does not have a strong effect on some people, it has become a big business. Everything from CBD gummies to tinctures offers the promise of relief from many health issues, and CBD and allergies are no different.

CBD, naturally, is not a good substitute for particular allergy medications, such as antihistamines. While CBD may be able to help insomniacs sleep or help chronic pain sufferers get relief, it does not affect many of the areas that allergies hit hardest. For example, there is no evidence suggesting that CBD reduces the immune system's response to allergies, meaning that factors like dust or pet dander cannot simply be "smoked away." That said, there may be some overlap between CBD and seasonal allergies treatments. For starters, CBD reduces inflammation, which can be very helpful for someone blowing their nose or coughing all day. It can also reduce the pain of an overactive nose and throat, providing valuable relief even if you still feel like a leaky faucet. 

Cannabis Concerns

Will smoking cannabis help with seasonal allergies? In some ways, yes, and in other ways, no. Some users may find that it hurts more than it helps: inhaling smoke may put stress upon an already-stressed body system, leading to much sorer throats and much greater coughing. There's not much to suggest a medicinal link between THC and seasonal allergies. While potent bud will improve your mood, it will not do much for runny noses.

CBD-heavy medicinal marijuana may be a better option than your standard recreational dispensary pot. Remember that the ratios of THC and CBD do not necessarily mean that a type of cannabis is "medicinal," but rather that some strains have demonstrated greater ability to help with health concerns. High-CBD strains will improve mood and relaxation, which might be helpful after a rough day in the hayseed. Is CBD good for your lungs? When it is not smoked, the answer is yes; however, ingesting combusted cannabis (i.e., a joint or a bowl of weed) can lead to issues like shortness of breath. 

What CBD is Best?

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There are many different CBD products on the market today, reflecting how much the industry has exploded within just a few short years. Since you can walk down a dispensary aisle and find CBD not just for yourself but also for your pets, we, as consumers, are spoiled for choice. When using CBD products, think about which one might work best for you.

• Raw CBD, such as hemp, may be the most familiar to cannabis users but may not be as strong as concentrates.
• CBD edibles, like gummies, will provide long relief during digestion but takes a while to kick in.
• Tinctures of oil can be carefully measured and applied directly to spots, like sore noses or throats, but are often the most expensive.
• Creams may offer limited relief, as these are mainly for muscle sprains or skin irritation.

All told, oils are often the best choice for medicinal patients. Can CBD oil be used for allergies? While it may not stop the sniffles like an antihistamine, this oil can be a valuable way to manage pain, redness, and trouble sleeping. You may find CBD also boosts your mood after being frustrated by ragweed and pollen. 

The Bottom Line

While cannabis has many medicinal uses, its application for allergy relief is not very extensive. Over-the-counter medication will do more to keep sinuses working and lungs functioning. However, if you find that you are having difficulties with pain, swelling, or nausea, cannabis may be a helpful option once seasonal allergies begin to take a toll. Make sure that you have an excellent CBD intensive strain capable of providing relief at strict intervals so that you can face the challenges of the changing seasons.

Do you have any seasonal allergies? How have you found that cannabis use affects, or does not affect, how your body reacts to allergens? Let us know in the comments below!