Cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from the hemp plant is gaining popularity among consumers mainly for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Due to this, people are using it to treat ailments like muscle and joint pain, inflammation, headaches, healing wounds and burns, etc. It is also used for medical purposes in drugs like Epidiolex and Sativex due to its therapeutic and health benefits. This is also due to the fact that it has no psychotropic and negative side effects. One such use of CBD is in the treatment of asthma, read on to know more.
An Outline About Asthma
Asthma is a common respiratory disease equally affecting both adults and children, it is an inflammatory response of the respiratory system to multiple forms of stimuli. The exact cause for it is unknown, but it is understood to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, it is triggered by physical activity, allergens like dust, pollen, mold spores, due to cold air, pollutants, medications, stress, etc. It is characterised by coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing due to obstruction of airflow and chest pain or tightness. Moreover, it affects people of almost all age groups and its severity varies between individuals.
CBD Benefits For Treating Asthma
CBD is useful for treating asthma because of its effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis of the body. Because of this, it reduces inflammation and acts as a bronchodilator. Listed below are some of its benefits.
- Reduces Chest Pain: Many patients who suffer from asthma experience chest pain or tightness which can range from moderate to severe. This when combined with other symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath can be very debilitating. The analgesic or pain relieving effect of cannabidiol (CBD) helps to reduce the pain when administered orally in the form of oil.
- Reduces Inflammation: The major symptom of asthma i.e. shortness of breath is due to the chronic inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles. This reduces and in severe cases prevents airflow, resulting in muscular spasms. The inflammatory response of the immune system is due to allergens, bacterial or viral infection in the respiratory system. The anti-inflammatory effect of cannabidiol (CBD) is due to its influence on CB2 receptors of the ECS. These receptors are associated with the immune system, and consuming CBD oil helps to reduce inflammation and provide relief from asthma, as reduction in inflammation improves airflow.
- Bronchodilator: Consuming CBD oil is useful for treating asthma because of its bronchodilation effect. During an asthma attack, the bronchioles get constricted and thereby restrict the rate of oxygen flow, resulting in muscular spasms.
From the above mentioned details, it is obvious that cannabidiol (CBD) is useful for treating respiratory diseases like asthma, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.