As more countries and states legalize the use of marijuana for recreational and medical purposes, most people are curious about the diseases that the drug can actually help cure. Some people believe it can help treat asthma. But can it?
Asthma is described as a lung disease that occurs when the airways become congested or inflamed. Its symptoms include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and coughing. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for asthma. The disease can only be managed or contained through the use of medicine.
Given that the marijuana plant has a number of medicinal qualities, most people believe that it can be used to manage asthma. But there’s a small problem with it: most cannabis users inhale it and this is not anywhere near an ideal method for anyone managing a condition like Asthma.
So, are there other cannabis consumption methods that can be used by asthma patients other than smoking? Read on to find out more.
Marijuana for Asthma
According to various studies, cannabis can help with managing asthma. Medical cannabis refers to some components of the cannabis plant that can be extracted and formulated into a drug. There’s a difference between medical and recreational marijuana.
While the former is used for its medicinal qualities, the later is used for its sensation of a high. Most recreational marijuana users smoke it, but people with asthma could be negatively impacted by the smoke that they have to inhale.
Smoking
When you smoke cannabis, you get similar effects as someone who smokes tobacco. Indeed, cannabis and tobacco smoke have the same impact on the lungs.
Vaping
This involves inhalation of the active ingredients of the cannabis plant, rather than the smoke itself. Few studies suggest that vaping could be less hazardous than smoking. One of these studies was conducted in 2013: it seemed to prove that vaping was less harmful than smoking. However, it was countered by another study conducted in 2015 that found no significant difference between smoking and vaping.
Non-smoking options
Other than smoking and vaping, there are many other methods of consuming cannabis that is less harmful to people with asthma. These include: cannabis edibles, cannabis topicals that are applied on the skin, and capsules that have the active ingredients of cannabis.
Benefits
The cannabis plant hosts a range of compounds, including CBD, a cannabinoid, and THC:
- THC is the compound that’s psychoactive
- CBD is not psychoactive and is used for its medicinal properties
- CBD and THC have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory qualities that make them ideal for medical uses
Most people use the cannabis plant to treat conditions that are accompanied by chronic pain and inflammation. Such conditions include multiple sclerosis and some people are starting to look into the drug’s efficiency in treating asthma.
According to a 2015 study on animals, researchers found out that CBD has anti-inflammatory qualities that make it the perfect drug for treating asthma. Despite the findings, the FDA is yet to approve the drug to manage asthma conditions. However, it’s important to note that the FDA approved a purified form of CBD in 2018.
They gave Epidiolex the green light to be used to treat rare types of epilepsy that were non-responsive to other drugs. Researchers also found out that cannabis could suppress the immune system and could be helpful in managing autoimmune diseases like asthma.
Asthma is an allergy that’s triggered by something in the environment. Other studies found out that a certain kind of THC has bronchodilatory qualities that could help asthma patients to breathe freely. However, singling out the specific compounds in the marijuana plant that are beneficial to asthma patients is not always a smooth sail. As a matter of fact, most people smoke the cannabis plant materials wholesomely, so it’s not easy to know the specific compound that was helpful.
Risks
Consuming marijuana with the aim of managing asthma comes with some risks. For starters, researchers believe that consuming cannabis could potentially trigger asthma and other allergies. Continued use of cannabis during an asthma attack worsens coughing and is a health hazard.
Like with any drug, cannabis has its fair share of side-effects, including mood swings, difficulty thinking and reasoning, and reduced coordination. When we use marijuana without seeking a doctor’s approval, we tend to increase the risk of these side effects.
Some studies have shown that people who started to consume marijuana early in life tend to suffer from asthma later in life. One review discourages asthmatic patients from using marijuana in order to treat asthma as it could lead to other respiratory problems.
Complications of smoking
Smoking triggers lung tissue. When you smoke marijuana or tobacco, you irritate the lung tissue, triggering discomfort in asthmatic patients. Smoking brings about the following effects: chronic cough, tightening in the chest, hoarse voice, increased sputum and difficulty breathing. Thus, patients with asthma should avoid smoking any substance, including cannabis.
Long-term cannabis smokers have a higher risk of getting bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). One review of several studies that were published in the journal “Nature” linked marijuana consumption to bullous lung disease. Bullaes are the largest air sacs that put pressure on the chest and lungs, making it difficult for a person to breathe. When they rapture they can lead to lung collapse. A collapsed lung is life-threatening if it’s not urgently taken care of.
Researchers have not yet linked cannabis smoking to lung cancer. However, marijuana has many carcinogenic compounds, just like tobacco, and could lead to lung cancer. According to the American Lung Association, smoking marijuana puts you at risk of obtaining lung diseases. This applies to those who smoke it directly as well as passive smokers. The study notes that habitual smoking of marijuana is harmful. While medical cannabis could ease the symptoms of asthma, smoking it could worsen the symptoms of the condition.
Legal issues and regulation
As more countries and states move to legalize marijuana, the laws governing the use of recreational and medical marijuana keeps on evolving. Some products like CBD oil might be legal in some states, but there are restrictions. Before getting yourself any marijuana product, it’s important to check if it’s legal where you live. As the FDA hasn’t approved marijuana use to treat asthma, the drug is not regulated.
Talk to a doctor
Before settling on marijuana to treat the symptoms of asthma, it’s important to talk to a doctor. It’s not a wise idea to start a new drug in order to manage a chronic disease, such as asthma, without seeking the advice of an expert.
Because of the attendant risks of consuming marijuana, a doctor is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to use this drug.
The bottom line
According to a number of animal studies, marijuana could soon become a significant ingredient in drugs treating asthma. Other studies show that some compounds found in the marijuana plant could help receive the symptoms of asthma, but smoking it could actually worsen the situation. However, more research needs to be conducted overall.
People with asthma should consider talking to a doctor before making any decisions about whether or not marijuana should be a part of their treatment regimen. Additionally, any person who has respiratory problems should not smoke marijuana. In any case, they should first talk to a doctor to find out the risks.
- Q: How should I use CBD and other forms of marijuana without having to cape or smoke?
- A: Vaping and smoking reduce the symptoms of asthma.
Mist studies touching on the anti-inflammatory aspects of marijuana have used CBD oil. CBD capsules are a worthy alternative. What’s more, it could be legally available in your state. Please contact your healthcare provider.
– Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT.