Does Cannabis Help With Allergies?

"Does weed help with allergies" is an interesting question for any of the millions affected worldwide by frustrating seasonal allergy symptoms. The constant search for effective relief has led to a growing interest in alternative therapies and the effectiveness of medical cannabis.

While cannabis's anti-inflammatory properties could be promising for relieving certain allergic responses, the scientific understanding of weed's impact on allergies remains complex. Always work with your doctors to identify the source of your allergy and find an effective long-term solution for your symptoms.

Can Cannabis Help with Allergy Symptoms?

There is research to suggest that full-spectrum cannabis can help with common seasonal allergic diseases like hay fever. However, allergies and their symptoms are diverse and it’s essential to find medications or supplements that address the specific cause of your allergy. 

Cannabis and Hay Fever

Various studies support the idea that cannabis could help with hay fever. Cannabis could go some way to alleviating hay fever because: 

• The endocannabinoid system plays a part in modulating allergic inflammation by inhibiting mast cell proliferation. These cells are responsible for releasing histamines and other inflammatory mediators when activated by allergens like pollen. This then leads to hay fever.

• CBD could inhibit antigen-induced airway contraction, a severe symptom of hay fever. CBD’s anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties could also help with hay fever symptoms.

Align Your Treatment Plan with Your Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms are wide-ranging and cause many more reactions than just rashes or respiratory symptoms. More severe reactions can include nausea, insomnia, and pain. Because allergies manifest themselves in so many different ways, your treatment plan must align with the symptoms you need to treat.

For example, the best weed strains for pain relief could be a great option for inflammatory allergic conditions that cause chronic pain. Alternatively, limonene- or myrcene-rich strains are preferred for patients looking for the best strain for nausea.

How to Purchase Terpene-Rich Cannabis Products

You'll find terpenes in full-spectrum CBD and cannabis products. Alternatively, ask staff in a licensed medical marijuana dispensary to help you purchase cannabis-based products that could help with your allergy. 

Tip: Purchasing products with an up-to-date medical marijuana card in Arizona allows patients to enjoy higher possession limits and to purchase cannabis products free of the state’s 16% excise tax.

How to Consume Cannabis for Allergies

The best way to consume cannabis for allergies will depend on your symptoms. Many patients prefer full-spectrum products due to their rich flavor and aroma profile and the synergistic effects only full- or broad-spectrum products can provide. That said, cannabis isolates like CBD could also be highly effective at treating the symptoms of seasonal allergies. 

CBD's Role in Allergy Treatment 

Research suggests that CBD could go some way to improving allergy symptoms. CBD is a non-psychoactive and naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It can be consumed as part of a full-spectrum cannabis product or as an isolate. 

There is some evidence to suggest CBD’s potential efficacy in treating allergy symptoms:

• A 2019 animal study researched the possible effects of CBD on allergic asthma. It was found that mice that received CBD treatment had reduced asthma symptoms, including less airway inflammation.

• CBD's anti-inflammatory effects have also been shown to help with contact dermatitis, an itchy rash caused by contact with an allergen.

CBD is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory effects that could contribute to reducing symptoms of various skin allergies and other conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and pruritus. This offers a promising alternative to traditional allergy medications.

Cannabis and Allergy-Triggered Asthma

An allergic reaction can trigger asthma symptoms, especially in people with allergy-induced asthma (AKA allergic asthma). Smoking or vaping isn't recommended for asthma sufferers as inhaled cannabis is an irritant that can lead to increased coughing, sputum, or wheezing. However, other preparations like oils, topicals, or edibles that downregulate histamine activity could be useful in reducing the danger of an allergy-triggered asthma attack.

FAQs

Can You Be Allergic to Cannabis?

Though cannabis use may help to alleviate symptoms of seasonal allergies, it can also cause an allergic response in some people. Cannabis allergy symptoms include allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, and cutaneous reactions following industrial contact. Anaphylaxis has also been recorded as a response to hemp seed.

Allergy sufferers can avoid the potential adverse effects of a reaction to cannabis by avoiding excessive contact and doing a swab test when using topical products like cannabis oils or salves. People with a known sensitivity to tomato, peach, grapefruit, apple, banana, soy, and tree nuts are more likely to also be allergic to cannabis.

Can I Take Cannabis Alongside Allergy Medication?

When considering cannabis use alongside other allergy medications, it's important to remember that each person's body will respond differently to the combination of substances.

Both cannabis and allergy medications can cause drowsiness. Consuming both together could potentially amplify the effect, leading to an impairment in your ability to perform important daily activities like driving. For that reason, it's always best to follow a treatment plan approved by a doctor with specialized knowledge of cannabis-based allergy treatment.

Can Cannabis Treat Food Allergies?

There is little research into cannabis’s potential role in food allergy relief. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties could be effective in mitigating some of the symptoms of a food allergy but are unlikely to treat the root cause. The best course of action is to avoid foods you know you are sensitive to.

Cannabis could cause cross-reactivity with certain foods (those mentioned earlier) including tomatoes, peaches, and nuts. More research is needed to more fully understand the practical and clinical implications of marijuana cross-reactivity.

Follow a Holistic Treatment Plan for Seasonal Allergies

Cannabis's role in treating allergies is promising and could offer patients a way to overcome irksome seasonal allergy symptoms. CBD, in particular, could be a useful alternative treatment for many allergy sufferers and well worth exploring.

Patients should always proceed with caution when changing or supplementing their existing treatment plan and consult with their doctor to avoid any unexpected side effects. Ask your doctor and staff in your local MMJ dispensary how cannabis-based products could help you manage your symptoms.