The change of seasons can be a romantic transition if we take the time to notice it. However, if allergies result from such changes, it can be challenging for you to become excited about spring, summer, autumn, or winter. Different seasons can cause various forms of allergies. Spring is often the biggest culprit due to its grass pollen and blooming trees. Summer has similar causes, but you can add fungus spores to the hottest three months of the year. With their weed pollen and mold, fall and winter can also be an encumbrance for some people.
Luckily, the market is flooded with western medicine treating various allergies. Such medication can be highly effective and helpful to go about your day without any symptoms. Still, if you are looking for something more natural, the trending cannabinoid CBD has the potential to ease your seasonal allergies.
The science behind cannabidiol
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that producers derive from the cannabis Sativa plant species. The cannabis plant is known for its cannabinoids, many of which cause people to become high. What is remarkable about CBD is its lack of psychoactive intoxicating properties. Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3 percent THC cannot make you high. Moreover, there is no risk of an overdose or paranoia when taking this cannabinoid.
CBD promotes change in the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The latter is the system in the body responsible for keeping us in optimal balance (homeostasis). The ECS sends messages to its receptors found throughout the mind and body to trigger changes in temperature, appetite, mood, and sleep and keep us well balanced. Yet, sometimes the body does not produce or overproduces hormones and neurotransmitters, leaving us feeling imbalanced. For example, low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin can lead to a higher risk of anxiety. In contrast, the overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol can leave us feeling chronically tired and with a weakened immune system. The risk of weight gain is higher too.
The studies on this cannabinoid are in the early stages, and more research is needed for researchers to make bold statements about CBD’s potential to treat various physical and mental ailments. The only study that has led to concrete data is that regarding epilepsy. Indeed, the FDA has approved the only CBD-based drug called Epidiolex, which can be administered to children as young as three years old who suffer from rare forms of epilepsy.
The potential CBD shows and its lack of intoxicating properties have led to many countries legalizing this cannabinoid. As a result, finding CBD-infused products has never been a safer or more efficient process. A quick Google search such as best CBD UK will deliver thousands of results with premium products offering various ways to take CBD, from vaping to capsules, skin care products, CBD gummies, edibles, etc.
Can CBD treat seasonal allergies?
It is important to note that CBD cannot treat severe allergies, especially those that require an EpiPen, such as a nut allergy. A medical professional will tell you that even mild allergies should not be treated with CBD, as there is very little data to prove this theory. Still, preliminary studies show CBD’s potential to help with seasonal allergies.
In one animal study conducted in 2014, researchers noted how a terpene found in the cannabis plant helped rats ease their allergy symptoms. Terpenes are like the vitamins and minerals of CBD. Still, they can only be found in full-spectrum CBD products. In another animal study conducted in 2019, researchers studied the effects of CBD on allergic asthma. The mice showed a decrease in the symptoms when given a CBD dose.
Researchers believe that CBD’s potential for seasonal allergies could be because of its anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, in the 2019 study, the mice had less inflammation in the airway after taking CBD. The cannabinoid’s anti-inflammatory properties may also help people with contact dermatitis, which is a red itchy rash you get when you touch a substance and have an allergic reaction to it. Such inflammations are not life-threatening or contagious, but they can be uncomfortable, and CBD may help ease the discomfort.
Using CBD with the guidance of a medical professional
If you hope to substitute your current medication with this natural compound, you must consult your doctor. Your doctor can guide you on best practices and help you find the best brand to try. You will find thousands of different full-spectrum CBD products, but not all products are equal.
You must invest in premium products that use organic CBD and have a certificate of analysis that proves the transparency of the brand and the ingredients used. Browsing through a brand’s social media and the comments left by past shoppers is an excellent way to determine if the products they are selling are genuine and loved by many.
