Medical marijuana is all the rage these days. People turn to CBD products to treat different health issues, including epilepsy, seizures, and insomnia. However, there are concerns whether medical marijuana can be successful in treating asthma, considering the nature of the disease. Research suggests that marijuana is an effective solution for asthma, but also warns there are some risks. To help put your mind to rest, this article will look at medical marijuana for asthma, its benefits and risks.
What Is Medical Marijuana?
As medical marijuana becomes more prevalent, it can be confusing for those with little or no knowledge about its use to understand how it can be used for medical reasons. So, let’s break it further.
Cannabis is a complex plant with more than 400 chemical compounds, each having a different effect. Of the 400 chemicals, only 80 are unique to the cannabis plant. These are referred to as cannabinoids. While cannabis has 80 different cannabinoids, most of its medicinal benefits are linked to the two most prevalent cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The chemical makeup of THC and CBD are same as the body’s endocannabinoids. This enables them to interact with cannabinoid receptors to change the production of the brain’s neurotransmitters. Despite their similarities, they interact with the endocannabinoid receptors. THC is the psychoactive compound that produces the high. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and doesn’t produce the high. CBD helps with seizures, depression, anxiety, and other health conditions.
Medical Marijuana and Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The airways narrow and swell and even produce mucus, making it hard to breathe. In severe cases, asthma can cause you to have difficulty talking or being active. Asthma is characterized by inflammation, airway irritability, and airway blockage. These problems lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness/pain, wheezing, coughing, and trouble sleeping.
Medical marijuana has compounds that help relieve most of these symptoms. Studies suggest that CBD can minimize muscle spasticity, inflammation, and anxiety. It also helps one relax and fall asleep – which is a big plus. Staying ahead of asthma complications like wheezing and sleep disturbances is no easy fit. While different prescriptions can help relieve the symptoms, there side effects.
But as we mentioned earlier, there are safety concerns for asthma treatment and for how long. It is also not clear about its interactions with other drugs. That’s why you have to talk to a medical professional before taking CBDs. Your physician will consider your type of asthma, symptoms, severity, and drugs that you might be taking, and offer a recommendation.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana Among Asthma Patients
No High For Asthma Patient
One of the main concerns that people have regarding taking CBD for asthma is the psychoactive effect. People assume that CBD will make them high. That couldn’t be further from the truth. CBD is non-psychoactive and won’t get you high.
Has Pain Relieving (analgesic) Properties
76% of asthma patients experience chest pain during an attack. Asthma-related pain is a sharp stabbing sensation or deep ache that develops slowly at the beginning of the attack and subsides as the attack lessens. Several studies on the effect of marijuana on asthma show improvements in pain. The analgesic effect indicates that certain cannabinoids can help manage asthma-related pain. They do this by:
• Minimizing constriction and pressure in the lungs
• Acting directly on pain-sensing receptors
It’s a Bronchodilatory
The bronchioles swell and narrow during an asthma attack, making it hard for oxygen to flow. A preclinical study indicated that using marijuana in various forms reduces inflammation and improves congestion both under normal circumstances and during an attack.
It’s An Antispasmodic
Marijuana’s ability to lower muscular spasms helps manage bronchoconstriction during an attack. The bronchioles have smooth muscles that contract, narrow, and become inflamed during an attack. A 2014 study revealed that certain forms of THC reduced muscle contractions.
The Risks of Medical Marijuana Among Asthma Patients
Inflammation Of The Lungs
Despite the potential benefits of marijuana, it still carries big risks if you have asthma. This is especially true if you smoke it. Smoking increases lung inflammation, which can worsen the symptoms. It also raises the risk of an asthma attack.
Increases The Risk of Developing Bullae
Bullae are large air sacs that develop in the lung when you smoke marijuana. They are common among those who smoke marijuana and are below 45 years. Bullae can put pressure on the chest and lungs, making it harder to breathe. In some cases, they can pop or rapture a lung to collapse.
Conclusion
Research and renowned medical marijuana doctors suggest that some active ingredients in marijuana can provide incredible benefits when it comes to managing asthma. However, they also indicate that smoking may make the situation worse.
