CBD Oil Against Allergies: Does It Work?
16 August 2021Can CBD help against allergies? Lots of people are affected by some form of allergy, which can cause all kinds of unpleasant reactions. Some of us get ill after eating certain foods; others get in trouble after petting a cat or dog, and we all know someone who starts to sneeze as soon as pollen hits the air in spring. Allergic reactions can be prevented or reduced in severity by certain types of medication. However, CBD Oil is a plant-based dietary supplement that definitely has potential against allergies, too.
Typical Symptoms Of Allergic Reactions
Whereas 50 million Americans struggle with some form of allergy, 25% of all Dutch people suffer from respiratory allergies, and about 20% have hay fever. Incidence of food allergies has been on the rise for years. Traditional treatment consists of antihistamines or avoidance of the allergens involved.
Allergy revolves around hypersensitivities of the body to certain stimuli called allergens. These allergens can be anything from pollen to pet hairs, insect bites, dust, or certain types of food. Under normal circumstances, the body would not react to such basically harmless stimuli; but if you’re allergic, your immune system regards the allergen as a threat. The immune system starts to act accordingly. As a result, the following symptoms may occur:
- Teary eyes;
- Itches;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Skin rash;
- Sneezing;
- Swollen lips, tongue, or face;
- Runny nose.
Although symptoms can be mild, allergic reaction can be severe enough to prevent you from performing your job or other tasks. In rare instances, allergies can even be life-threatening. Allergies can also be chronic, as we see with eczema, asthma, or auto-immune diseases.
As mentioned, allergy is usually treated with antihistamines. Unfortunately, this type of medication produces side-effects. This explains why science is looking to CBD Oil (cannabidiol) as a natural treatment for allergies.
The Power Of Cannabidiol
CBD is derived from hemp plants. It is a cannabinoid capable of cooperating with our body by influencing our endocannabinoid system. This allows CBD to help alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
Using CBD Oil to treat allergies offers many potential benefits:
- Studies have shown how CBD can prevent mast cells from producing histamine. At the biochemical level, histamine is exactly what causes the troublesome symptoms of allergies.
- CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in reducing swelling and irritation. That is useful not only for skin inflammation, but internal allergic inflammation as well.
- It can help clear the airways;
- Has analgesic properties;
- Helps relax and calm down, which improve quality of sleep.
Studying The Effect Of CBD Oil On Allergies
Science is still exploring the potential of CBD for allergy relief. Some studies have shed light on the possibilities, however. Animals studies demonstrated, for instance, that animals showed reduced allergic reactions to stimuli after administering CBD. It appears that cannabidiol is able to suppress activity of certain immune cells involved in allergic reactions.
An animal study from 2013 demonstrated that CBD reduced respiratory inflammation in test subjects. Raw protein caused increases in histamine production, but CBD proved capable of clearing the airways and working as a muscle relaxant. The researchers concluded that this makes CBD a useful compound to use in case of food allergies and allergic respiratory symptoms.
The Journal of Allergy and Immunology reported that stimulation of CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system (which interacts with CBD) plays an important part in allergic reactions. CB1 is associated with mast cell activity.
In another study, CBD proved instrumental in prevention of inflammation and skin edema. Since CBD is capable of suppressing immune responses, it can contribute to reduction of skin rash and itch.
Using CBD Oil For Allergies
We are still waiting for further research to definitively prove that CBD Oil is useful in treating all forms of allergies. Still, studies conducted so far do position it as it a promising candidate. Just like the millions of people affected by allergies on a daily basis, we hope to clarify the full potential of CBD Oil on short notice. In the meantime, if you are dealing with allergies yourself, our CBD supplements are certainly worth a try. Hay fever, animal hair, or home dust allergies, for instance, are good candidates for treatment with CBD Oil or Tablets. In case of eczema, rashes, and skin irritation, CBD Argan Cream or Argan Salve are good options. Do keep in mind to always consult your doctor if you are already using medication, however. Our web store has many more high-quality CBD products to suit any lifestyle and personal taste.
