CBD for hay fever

The days are getting longer again, the temperatures are rising, the sun is shining. Spring is a wonderful time for most people. Finally no more thick jackets and gloves, nature awakens and you can do a lot again. However, there are some people for whom spring is a bad time of year as well. The reason for this: hay fever. Those who suffer from hay fever fear spring. The pollen that is now moving through the air causes watery, itchy eyes and runny noses. There is one development in this area that is quite worrying. In recent years it has been observed that allergies such as hay fever are on the rise. Residents of industrialized nations in particular have to struggle with it more and more often. This allergy can definitely ensure that those affected cannot enjoy the entire warm season at all and are almost constantly only in the house. Fortunately, there are treatment options. CBD can also help alleviate the symptoms of the condition.

Hay fever – what is it exactly?

Everyone has to sneeze once in a while. If this happens more often in spring, many immediately think of hay fever. Certainly, sneezing is a symptom of hay fever, but not everyone who sneezes suffers from this allergy right away. In general, hay fever is an allergy to pollen. The pollen from plants and trees is called pollen. This usually flies through the air and is distributed that way. People who do not suffer from allergies do not react to this pollen. In contrast, it looks completely different with those suffering from hay fever. In those affected, the body reacts very intensively to this pollen. It is very often grass and grain pollen that trigger a reaction, but pollen from trees such as the birch is also a problem for many allergy sufferers. People usually notice the first symptoms of hay fever in the spring. These can occur until the end of the warm season, depending on which pollen the person is allergic to. Usually no symptoms occur in the cold season because the polluting pollens do not fly through the air. However, since there are more and more very warm phases in the middle of winter, hay fever can also occur for a short time in the winter months.

Hay fever – this is how the body can react

Allergic reactions can be very different, so there are a number of different types. Hay fever is a type I allergy, the immediate type. This means that the allergic reaction always occurs immediately after contact with the allergen, i.e. as soon as the pollen gets into the eyes or comes into contact with the mucous membranes in the nose and mouth. Pollen are actually absolutely harmless substances. The fact that the body reacts to this is due to an overreaction of the immune system. The pollen is identified as an “enemy” and the immune system triggers defense reactions. For this, messenger substances are released, including histamine. The following symptoms can occur:

• watery, itchy and reddened eyes
• runny and / or stuffy nose
• Sneezing attacks
• bad sleep
• itching
• flu-like symptoms
• to cough
• Inflammation
• shortness of breath

CBD for hay fever – an effect is possible

The cannabinoid CBD is an active ingredient that is already used in many areas today. Some effects have already been confirmed, for others there is no corresponding evidence. CBD is already used by many allergy sufferers. The therapeutic benefits of CBD have already been confirmed for some allergies. The potential effect on hay fever appears to be due to the interaction of CBD with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is part of the nervous system and is responsible for regulating various functions in the organism. In addition to sleep, this also includes breathing, appetite and homeostasis. Ensuring homeostatic balance in the body is one of the most important functions that the endocannabinoid system has. The overreaction of the immune system brings it out of balance. The resulting increased production of histamine can damage the body. The endocannabinoid system supports the immune system in a positive way. It is believed that due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, CBD is able to help rebalance the immune system. CBD is said to be able to prevent the excessive production of histamine. bring the immune system back into balance. CBD is said to be able to prevent the excessive production of histamine. bring the immune system back into balance. CBD is said to be able to prevent the excessive production of histamine.

The endocannabinoid system has two different receptors that are distributed throughout the body. These are known as the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The body’s own cannabinoids attach to these receptors; these are known as endocannabinoids. Since CBD is also a cannabinoid, it is assumed that it is also able to dock on the receptors and trigger the effects mentioned.

Furthermore, CBD should also promote sleep. Those who constantly suffer from a runny nose and itchy eyes often find it difficult to sleep. If those affected manage to fall asleep at some point, they will be woken up again very quickly by the symptoms of hay fever. CBD is said to be able to have a relaxing effect and thus promote a good night’s sleep.

This is how CBD could work for hay fever

Antihistamines are often used to treat hay fever. These work well, but sometimes also have very significant side effects. This is the reason why not only those affected, but also researchers are increasingly concerned with the topic of CBD. The main reason for this is that CBD can help with inflammation. Inflammation is one of the main symptoms of hay fever. Therefore, CBD could be a good addition or alternative in treatment. The anti-inflammatory effect of CBD has already been proven in several studies. CBD could have these effects on hay fever:

CBD for inflammation

With hay fever, many of the mucous membranes in the body become inflamed. A study published in 2014 showed how CBD could work against inflammation. This study found that CBD is able to reduce inflammation.

A few years earlier, more precisely in 2011, a study on this topic was also carried out. The results of this study suggest that CBD may be able to lower the amount of histamine in the blood. It is believed that in this case, CBD would act as an antioxidant. With antioxidants it is possible to achieve a reduction in the secretion of mast cells. It is precisely these cells that are responsible for releasing the histamines. Correspondingly, less histamine would be produced, the inflammation in the body would decrease, and so would many symptoms of hay fever.

For many hay fever allergy sufferers, the symptoms are limited to itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose. These symptoms alone severely limit the everyday life of those affected. However, many patients also experience other symptoms. Hay fever can also cause rashes. This often manifests itself in the form of eczema or allergic dermatitis. Here, CBD could also help. In a study from 2018 it could be shown in an allergic contact dermatitis that CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect in an experimental application. ¹

CBD for itching

Itching is one of the worst symptoms for many people. CBD could help relieve this itchiness. There is a study that establishes a connection between the active ingredient CBD and the improvement of itching caused by hay fever. ² However, the study is more general about the effect of CBD on skin diseases, for which this connection was also found. However, there are simply too few studies on the subject of CBD for hay fever, so the researchers recommended researching the connections between the itching and CBD in more detail.

CBD for insomnia

Many people with hay fever suffer from a severe lack of sleep. Together with the actual symptoms, this makes normal life even more difficult. CBD is said to have a calming effect on the body, which allows the muscles to relax. While there are no studies looking at CBD and hay fever insomnia, one study looking at sleep disorder due to post-traumatic stress disorder shows that CBD can help you sleep well again. ³ This study was conducted at the University of Colorado. The patient was a 10 year old girl who found it easier to fall asleep with CBD. There was even an improvement in the quality of sleep.

The causes of hay fever

Hay fever is considered an allergy. This allergy is caused by the pollen flying through the air. This pollen enters the body through the airways. If the nasal mucous membranes become inflamed by the pollen, this is known as hay fever. In medicine, this clinical picture is known as allergic rhinitis, and doctors also speak of pollinosis. It is therefore clear that the term hay fever is actually incorrect, since it is not hay that triggers the reactions, but the plant proteins that are in the pollen. The body reacts to this. The superficial symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose are known to everyone. The swelling of the nasal mucosa occurs as a result of the expansion of the blood vessels, which is triggered by the release of histamines.

Do not treat hay fever – this can have consequences

The treatment of hay fever is in most cases with antihistamines. These are effective, but the list of side effects is long. Unfortunately, severe side effects cannot be ruled out either. This is often the reason why many sufferers fail to treat the disease. You just grapple with the symptoms every year, stay indoors, don’t go out, use nasal sprays and eye drops, and hope that the pollen count will soon be over. Unfortunately, many are not aware that there can be consequences if hay fever is not treated. The fact is that about 30 percent of patients who do not undergo treatment for 10 years develop bronchial asthma. However, allergic asthma can also develop from hay fever.

As if that weren’t bad enough, hay fever is also part of the so-called atopic group of forms. This makes it possible that this disease promotes the development of further allergies. This means that hay fever allergy sufferers are much more susceptible to new allergies than people without hay fever. Since many people affected do not see a doctor, it is difficult to determine exactly how many people in Germany are affected by hay fever. It is assumed that 12.5 to 15 million patients are treated, but the number of unreported cases is much higher. The potential consequences of not treating hay fever should by no means be taken lightly.

It is understandable that those affected do not want to expose themselves to the risks of the side effects of medication, but treatment should still be given. In addition to treatment, CBD can also be used. CBD could help keep medication dosages to a minimum. In general, however, it should be noted that CBD is not a drug. In addition, it is not a miracle cure, even if many users see it as such.

CBD for hay fever – important information

CBD, the cannabinoid from the hemp plant, has many positive properties to offer. It is very important that no side effects have been found with CBD so far. This applies to taking in a normal and not entirely excessive scope. In addition, in contrast to the well-known THC, CBD has no psychoactive effect, so it does not make you high. That is the reason why products with the active ingredient CBD are now approved for sale almost everywhere in the world. However, many CBD products also contain a small amount of THC. However, this proportion is really only negligibly small. In Germany, only CBD products with a maximum THC content of 0.2% may be freely sold and used. That means, that even with the ingestion of a few liters of CBD no intoxicating effect can occur. People who take medication should speak to their doctor first before taking CBD, as interactions are possible.

Another important point is that CBD has many effects ascribed to it, but only very few of them have been scientifically proven to date. This is mainly because CBD has not been researched for too long and simply not enough studies have been done. In addition, there is no guarantee that CBD will work. There may well be people who feel no effect at all, while others feel an improvement with just a few drops of CBD. CBD is not a drug.

Ingestion

Für die Einnahme von CBD bei Heuschnupfen empfiehlt sich CBD Öl. Bei CBD Öl handelt es sich um ein Konzentrat, das sich in einem Trägeröl befindet. CBD Öl wird tropfenweise eingenommen. Die kleinen Fläschchen sind mit einer Pipette ausgestattet, die die Dosierung erleichtern. Das Öl sollte am besten unter die Zunge geträufelt werden. Wenn möglich sollte es dort ein wenig bleiben, bevor es heruntergeschluckt wird. Der Grund dafür ist einfach, CBD kann bei dieser Art der Einnahme direkt über die Mundschleimhaut in das Blut gelangen. Somit stellt sich die Wirkung besonders schnell ein. Allerdings hat CBD Öl einen recht herben Geschmack, den nicht jeder mag. Wer sich mit dem Geschmack nicht anfreunden kann, sollte das CBD Öl einfach in Speisen oder Getränke geben. Die Wirkung wird dann allerdings erst verzögert eintreten, da das CBD länger braucht, bis es aufgenommen werden kann. Dasselbe gilt auch für CBD Kapseln, die ebenfalls eine gute Wahl bei Heuschnupfen darstellen.

dosage

There is no general dosage recommendation. Every person is different, every body reacts differently. So everyone has to find out their own individual CBD dosage by trying them out. It is always advisable to slowly approach the correct dosage. In no case should you start with a high dosage on the first day. The body always needs time to get used to the CBD. That time should be given to him. It is therefore recommended to take two drops of CBD daily for the first week of use. The dosage is increased by two drops a day for the next week if the desired effect has not yet occurred. Continue in this way until the desired effect has been achieved. The dosage should then be maintained.

CBD – hope for hay fever allergy sufferers

Hay fever severely limits the lives of those affected. The blocked or runny nose, itchy, red and watery eyes and many other symptoms make it almost impossible for many sufferers to do their daily tasks. This can have an impact on work and personal life. The fact that patients can hardly enjoy most of the warm season at all is also a major limitation. There are also possible consequences if the disease is not treated. In general, it is always advisable to see a doctor for hay fever and seek treatment. Still, CBD can be a good addition to treatment. In consultation with the doctor, it is possible to easily try out whether CBD has an effect or not.