Potential Impact of Smoking Marijuana While Sick: Weighing the Pros and Cons
In recent years, the legal landscape for cannabis-derived products has shifted significantly, with the 2018 Farm Bill making some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, when it comes to smoking cannabis while suffering from a cold, there is no strong scientific consensus on its effects.
Cannabis, a psychoactive drug, contains compounds like cannabinoids and terpenoids, which may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Yet, there is no evidence that these compounds directly reduce the symptoms of viral upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold.
Smoking cannabis can potentially irritate the respiratory tract, which may exacerbate a sore throat, cough, or other cold symptoms. This is similar to the irritation caused by smoking tobacco. Furthermore, the smoke can be hot, which may further aggravate throat symptoms.
Other methods of cannabis smoking, such as using a water pipe that contains ice, may help cool the smoke slightly but may still be irritating. There is no guarantee that the compounds in cannabis will ease cold symptoms through ingestion methods other than smoking.
Cannabis use, especially when smoked, can cause side effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, changes in appetite, or nausea. These side effects are generally unrelated to treating cold symptoms and could make the patient feel worse.
It's important to note that there is no evidence suggesting that smoking cannabis specifically helps or worsens cold symptoms. However, the general recommendation from the medical community is that smoking cannabis when you have a cold is **not advised**.
A 2018 review linked cannabis smoking to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and mucus production. A 2023 study on mice with influenza A found that cannabis smoke exposure increased virus levels in the lungs and decreased white blood cell levels, but these findings may not apply to humans with the common cold.
Some research suggests that smoking weed may aggravate certain cold symptoms, but there is no evidence relating specifically to cold symptoms that suggests smoking weed makes a cold last longer or suppresses the body's ability to fight a cold.
In conclusion, smoking cannabis while you have a cold is unlikely to help and may make some symptoms, such as coughing or throat irritation, worse. The scientific consensus aligns with broader recommendations to avoid inhaling smoke of any kind when the respiratory tract is inflamed due to illness. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.
- Remedy for a cold may not be found in cannabis, as its compounds like cannabinoids and terpenoids do not directly reduce the symptoms of viral upper respiratory infections.
- Bipolar individuals might find potential relief from their chronic-diseases' symptoms through CBD supplements, given their anti-inflammatory properties, but it's important to consult a medical professional first.
- When suffering from HIV, therapies and treatments often involve strong medications, but incorporating NSCLC or breast cancer fight conditions like cannabis might conflict with ongoing treatments and should be discussed with a doctor.
- Marijuanause, a condition characterized by the nausea caused by smoking marijuana, could negatively impact nutritional intake for an individual already dealing with a cold.
- Eczema, a skin condition characterized by inflammation, may benefit from cannabinoids' anti-inflammatory properties, but direct research on using cannabis to treat eczema is limited.
- Migraine patients might experience some relief through the use of pharmaceutical cannabis, but smoking it might exacerbate respiratory symptoms and should not be attempted during a cold.
- Predictive science suggests that CBD, a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, could help manage depression symptoms, but like other mental-health treatments, should be combined with therapy and other interventions.
- While sports-betting is an industry able to generate revenue in the billions, it's essential to focus on health-and-wellness as well, such as using cannabis as a supplement to support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
- Asthma patients should be cautious with cannabis use, as the potential respiratory-conditions it triggers could constrict airways and worsen symptoms.
- Although searches for cannabis as a remedy for migraine sometimes yield positive stories, the scientific evidence available is not strong enough to provide definitive conclusions.
- Cannabis use, while federally legal to an extent for some CBD products, should not be confused with the consumption of medical-conditions for other chronic-diseases like HIV or cancer.
- The science behind using cannabis as a cure for a common cold remains controversial, as direct evidence is lacking, and caution is advised when considering its usage during such an illness.
- Science-backed therapies like nutrition and exercise play a vital role in maintaining overall wellness, whereas betting on sports carries its own set of risks, making wise choices crucial.
- CBD-infused supplements, derived from hemp, have gained popularity for their potential health benefits, including mental-health support and alleviating symptoms of conditions like depression and anxiety, but it's important to consult a healthcare professional for accurate dosage and potential interactions.
