Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with CBD

CBD’s ability to treat the symptoms of COPD is linked with its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which regulates the main functions of the different body organs. That said, the endocannabinoid system is made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors and once CBD is delivered into the body, these receptors are activated in a manner that they improve many conditions, including alleviating airway inflammation in patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It’s a dangerous condition which is reported to be the third leading cause of death in the United States of America. COPD is more of an umbrella term for what encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The most common cause of this condition is cigarette smoke however, not everyone suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was once a smoker as exposure to second-hand smoke also increases the chances of developing the condition. Other causes of COPD include long term exposure to pollution and fumes. Family genetics could also be a deciding factor for whether or not an individual will develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

People who are diagnosed with COPD have damaged air sacs in their lungs that are unable to function properly. The walls that separate the alveoli break down, thereby causing the airways to become swollen and clogged with thick and sticky mucus. This makes it increasingly harder for the lungs to push out air. Some of the most common symptoms of COPD include wheezing while breathing, frequent cough, coughing up phlegm, shortness of breath, especially during physical exertion, chest tightness, fatigue, as well as blue lips or fingernails. The standard treatments for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease include medications, vaccines, oxygen therapy as well as surgery.

CBD has however been linked to the treatment of COPD. One of the most known benefits of CBD is its anti-inflammatory properties. On the other hand, one of the leading symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is breathlessness which is caused by inflammation of the airways. Based on this hypothesis, some scientists have argued that CBD could potentially treat some of the symptoms of COPD, including inflammation of the airways. As a matter of fact, a few studies have shown that CBD is effective in alleviating the worsening symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

CBD can also help improve the quality of sleep in people suffering from Compulsory Obstructive Pulmonary Syndrome. According to a 2006 study, the administration of CBD may have a positive impact on the sleep mechanism (including sleep-wake cycles) of rats. According to another study that was conducted in 2013, the routine administration of CBD in rats increased alpha brain waves and suppressed delta waves, appearing to increase total sleep time. In addition, a 2017 preliminary research on CBD and insomnia also suggested that CBD possibly has therapeutic effects for the treatment of insomnia. Based on these shards of evidences, many scientists have argued that CBD could also improve the quality of sleep in patients suffering from COPD.

Smoking is a trigger for COPD exacerbations that can lead to worsening symptoms. Thus, instead of smoking CBD in a bid to alleviate the symptoms of COPD, it is preferable to ingest or consume it in other forms such as CBD edibles, tinctures, inhalers, and capsules. That said, it is first and foremost imperative to consult with your doctor before embarking on self-medicating with CBD.

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