Some Information to Know About Smoking Marijuana with Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions in the United States and worldwide. The condition causes swelling in the airways carrying air from the mouth and nose to the lungs. Despite the increasing number of patients and the debilitating symptoms of this condition, there is no known solution or medication to cure it.
Statistics report that more than 25 Million individuals in the United States have the condition. The numbers are scary, as approximately 8.4 % of kids and 7.7 % of adults have developed asthma-related complications in the previous years. Approximately more than 11 million patients with asthma have reported an attack yearly.
The statistics reveal that without treatment, this condition can be very deadly. The United States has reported over 3500 asthma-related mortality cases, with statistics or numbers expected to rise in the recent year. Nevertheless, with proper treatment and medication, experts reveal that patients can live healthy lives and reduce asthma-related death. Despite experts not classifying it as a debilitating condition, asthma and its symptoms can adversely affect your routine lifestyle and activities.
In recent years most researchers and scientists have tried to establish the relationship between asthma and marijuana use. However, restricting marijuana due to the federal government classifying it as an illegal substance has hindered or limited more comprehensive studies. Despite the limited study, it’s clear that smoking while having asthma may not be the best idea.
Besides smoking, there are other safe marijuana consumption methods you can consider to replace risky marijuana smoking. This article provides a comprehensive guide on whether consuming marijuana safely has positive impacts on asthma and related conditions. Furthermore, the article outlines five great cannabis strains you can enjoy while having asthma. Remember not to smoke or inhale these marijuana strains.
What is Asthma?
Experts refer to asthma as a chronic respiratory condition causing air passage inflammation. The condition affects air passages leading to temporary narrowing of the airways carrying oxygen to the lungs. Asthma is one of the most serious conditions in the United States and globally, affecting routine life activities or even leading to death. Statistics show that this condition causes approximately two million morbidity cases, increasing the number of annual hospital visits in the United States.
Let’s look at the well-known symptoms or features of this debilitating condition.
Obstruction of the airway
The band or group of muscles on the airways always relax when breathing normally. The relaxation of the muscles allows easy movement of air in the airway. Nevertheless, various factors, including cold, environmental triggers, and other allergens, may cause the band of muscles to tighten.
Tightening the band of muscles in the airway prevents the free movement of air. The poor movement of air in the airway leads to shortness of breath. Furthermore, the condition produces a wheezing sound as the air passes through the tight airway to the lungs.
Inflammation
Reports show that asthma patients usually have red bronchial and swollen tubes.
Airway irritability
When having asthma, your airways become incredibly sensitive. The sensitivity of the airways makes them narrow and overreact when you expose them to various triggers, including dust, pollen, fumes, etc.
What are the Main Symptoms of Asthma?
Asthma has a wide range of symptoms; some are mild, while others can become life-threatening. Below are some of the common symptoms of asthma:
● Tightening or feeling a sharp pain in the chest
● A constant feeling of tiredness or weakness
● Having to pause or stop your activities to catch your breath
● Less energy when performing your activities
● Frequent coughing spells, especially when exercising or laughing
Experts reveal that we’ve got many triggers for this severe and life-threatening condition. Any contact with the triggers worsens the symptoms, with the airway becoming sensitive. Below are some of the common triggers for asthma:
● Exercise
● Temperature or humidity changes
● Inhaling smoke
● Strong emotions, including crying, stress, and laughing.
● Allergic reactions to certain medications, such as aspirin
● Common infections, such as flu or cold
● Presence of allergens, including dust mites, mold spores, pollen, etc
Studies show that it is possible and common to have asthma attacks, as most of the attacks will consist of a sudden surge or worsening of the symptoms. During asthma attacks, most patients find it extremely hard to breathe as the airways become swollen, get tight, and they can fill or have high mucus levels. Below are some of the common symptoms that occur during an asthma attack:
● Wheezing
● Coughing fit
● Chest tightening, pain, and pressure
● Difficulties in breathing
What are the Available Conventional or Traditional Remedies for Asthma?
Unlike other conditions, it's unfortunate that asthma presents a long-term complication. Despite the enormous studies and scientific research, we still don’t have a permanent cure for this problem. The main aim of medical experts when dealing with this condition is to control the debilitating symptoms. Controlling these symptoms involves
● Preventing severe or chronic issues like coughing fits
● Enhancing proper relaxation or sleep throughout the night
● Maintaining your previous or existing activity level
● Reduce over-reliance on over-the-counter medication for quick relief
● Preventing recurring serious asthma attacks to reduce the need for immediate medical attention.
Asthma management doesn’t involve treating the condition but discovering the triggers and adopting mechanisms to avoid them. Furthermore, physicians may prescribe an array of medications (inhaled) to help with the management of the condition.
Medical Research on Cannabis Use for Asthma
Many ancient communities, including the Egyptians, consumed marijuana for various therapeutic benefits. For instance, these individuals took marijuana to treat multiple conditions, including asthma. Studies show that Marcel Proust, a legendary French writer used marijuana to manage asthma and related symptoms. Marijuana helped him so much that he started referring to marijuana joints as ‘anti-asthma’ cigarettes. Most physicians began prescribing marijuana concoctions to treat coughs in 1920 when weed was still legal in most states in the United States.
When the states and the federal government started prohibiting the use of marijuana, the tobacco industry took over. As the number of individuals smoking tobacco increased, there were high prevalences and incidences of lung cancer. With the confirmed association between tobacco smoking and lung cancer, experts declared that all smoking forms, including marijuana, became extremely dangerous.
With the federal government listing marijuana as a Schedule I drug, studies or research on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for patients with asthma are scarce. Despite the restrictions and limited studies, some evidence reveals that several THC molecular variations may produce bronchodilatory effects. In addition, it’s good to understand that asthma is one of the most severe inflammatory conditions. With marijuana having inflammatory effects, you can use it as the best remedy to alleviate asthma-related inflammation.
The CARDIA Research Suggests that Mild Marijuana Users Experience Improve Lung Functioning
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute supported a certain long-term study on the association between lung functioning and marijuana use. The researchers focused on approximately 5000 white and black participants, including females and males, between 18 & 30 years over a period of 29 years beginning in 1985. Individuals dubbed the research the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The CARDIA study involved testing the participant’s lung functions under various circumstances.
Many individuals, including experts and other researchers, praised the conduction of the study. In addition, the inclusion of tobacco and marijuana smokers enhances the research goals and objectives. During the study, marijuana users smoked joints on average thrice per month, while tobacco smokers had approximately eight cigarettes per day during the study duration.
The results showed an expected drop in normal lung functioning in tobacco smokers. In contrast, cannabis smokers reported unexpected positive effects on lung functioning. Nevertheless, it’s vital to understand that lung function improvement was only present in mild marijuana users, not chronic ones.
For instance, individuals who smoked marijuana joints more than twenty times reported FEV 1 levels. FEV 1 level refers to the total amount of air you take out in an initial second after taking a deeper sleeper. It’ll be wise to take the deepest breath resembling the one among non-users.
One of the study’s leads organizers suggested that most Americans consume low or occasional marijuana strains. From a medical or scientific point of view, the evaluations and data suggest that moderate and low marijuana might have therapeutic benefits. For instance, the study showed mild or moderate marijuana consumption doesn’t cause long-term lung functioning effects.
What is the Best and Safest Marijuana Consumption Way for Patients with Asthma?
Based on the study findings, there is some hope for using medical marijuana to alleviate asthma. Nonetheless, taking a hit or lighting a joint will be unwise to enjoy your marijuana while having asthma. Regardless of inhaling tobacco or marijuana, the combustion results may not be safe for your respiratory or lungs, especially when having asthma.
Besides smoking, inhaling marijuana through secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack. This reasoning makes it easy to understand why you should clear steer smoking marijuana when you have asthma. Some brands have been marketing vaporizers as the most convenient and safe of consuming marijuana. Using vaporizers may be the safest method to consider, as it results in fewer lung irritations and releases fewer carcinogens than the other consumption methods. While vaporization can be one of the safest methods to consume marijuana, there is medical evidence that it’s safe for patients with asthma.
Alternatively, you can consider medical marijuana edibles as the most suitable and safest consumption method. The human body metabolizes edibles in the digestive system, which takes approximately 30 minutes to start feeling the effects. Edibles will make you feel and enjoy stronger highs for an extended duration. Nevertheless, when using edibles, it can be very challenging to measure or gauge the expected duration and strength of the effects.
With the benefits of marijuana use in asthma patients, Scientists and researchers are working on creating a marijuana inhaler. This marijuana inhaler is an interesting product resulting from the collaboration between Panaxia and Rafa Pharmaceutical companies. The inhaler will have an attached vaporizer to add your measured and right strain of marijuana extracts.
Ensure that you load the appropriate marijuana extract on the vaporizer. The extract should include precisely and properly measured doses of active marijuana ingredients. Despite the promising results and benefits, we expect from the inhaler, it's still unclear whether it'll have any implications or adverse effects for patients with asthma or related symptoms.
Despite the outcome or the inhaler’s side effects, experts insist that smoking marijuana in asthma patients might be very dangerous. It’ll be wise to consider other options like edibles, extracts, or CBD oil when you have asthma and feel the urge to consume marijuana. It’s also vital to remember that you're usually in control of all cannabis use and consumption methods. Alternatively, you can visit a qualified medical marijuana physician for guidance on the proper choice and use of this herb.
Classic Medical Marijuana Strains for Asthma Patients
Experts recommend edibles as the best forms of cannabis consumption method you can choose when having asthma. These marijuana strains offer the best option for asthma patients, as some come in the form of edibles. Besides being in edible form, some of the strains come in the form of oil extract containing particular terpene strain profiles. Below are some of the top general classic strains safe to take when having asthma.
Afghan Kush
The seeds of this potent and pure Indica strain originate from the Netherlands, a well-known strain for its relaxing effects. Most individuals occasionally refer to it as Afghan OG. Afghan OG offers the best option or alternative due to its impressive 21% THC and 6% CBD level. The potent strain originates from the Hindu Kush Mountains, and getting the original and pure Afghan Kush guarantees the best results.
Despite the average CBD content, Afghan Kush is a potent strain that you must consume sensibly or responsibly. The strain is a perfect option to alleviate stress, as it provides a positive and good vibe. Afghan kush provides a smooth smoke that offers a gradual creep in the effects. After using it, you’ll feel relaxed and happy before you realize what’s happening.
Instead of a harsh aftertaste, the strain provides a fruity and pleasant taste. In addition, it’s the best choice for conditions that make you anxious due to the anti-anxiety effects kicking in as you get high. Lastly, the Afghan Kush will provide you with a pure blissful feeling that’ll take your mind off stressful factors or troubles. Manufacturers create this strain with popular marijuana terpenes, including caryophyllene and humulene.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte is one of the popular marijuana strains that got to the public scene helping a certain (Charlotte Figi) to alleviate Dravet’s syndrome. The strain helped the little girl to get some relief by reducing the number of seizures from hundreds to a few cases in a month. The Stanley Brothers developed this strain popular for approximately 17% CBD and less than 1% THC.
Due to being a Sativa dominant hybrid strain, it doesn’t result in psychedelic effects. Many individuals using this strain reveal that it provided them with enhanced mood improvement. Furthermore, most users have reported that Charlotte’s Web has been vital in keeping them energetic and focused.
With the high CBD levels, taking Charlotte’s web can help relieve severe pain and combat inflammation. Studies show that this strain has been popular among most patients and parents. After taking this strain, these users will enjoy a relaxing feeling and analgesic effects. Besides the analgesic and relaxation effects, many individuals are using the strain to alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety.
Amnesia Haze
It’s a common marijuana strain that many individuals love due to its pleasant and earthy citrus scent. Amnesia Haze is a cross of various marijuana strains, including Jamaican, Thai, and Cambodian genetics. Reports reveal that the strain won the Marijuana Cup in 2004 and got the top prize in the Sativa Cup of 2014.
Studies show that it’s a Sativa-dominant hybrid having a high THC content (21%) and a relatively low CBD level (1%). Most users describe it as a strain of having a fantastic happy feeling. Furthermore, it offers the users a euphoric feeling that makes it hard to contain delightfulness. Besides the euphoric feeling, the strain may also result in a fit of giggles that helps you feel relaxed or uplifted.
In addition, some users claim that taking Amnesia Haze boosts their energy and offers the best characteristics that make it the best example of a friendly strain. Taking the strain while having anxiety, mood disorder, or depression will give you energy and lift your spirits.
Cheese
The Cheese is one of the classic Indica-dominant strains, resulting from Skunk #1 and the Afghani Indica. Besides the approximately 1% CBD content, the marijuana strain has 14-20% THC. While you enjoy the potent high feeling, the cannabis strain is well-known for producing a pungent cheesy odor, completely feeling the room.
Most accounts reveal that Cheese is one of the most ancient strains, as the first manufacture dates back to the 1980s. This strain offers a relaxed and calm feeling after taking a few tokes. Besides the relaxed and calming effects, as the effects kick in, you'll find it extremely difficult to suppress the smile from the uplifting and happy feeling. You can also use it as a powerful and effective mood booster that inspires and gives you more energy.
The strain’s Indica effects usually take hold for a while after taking the strain and later provide you with a high feeling that can lead to a couch lock. Cheese could also be the best strain to soothe you when you’re having body pains. However, replacing the snacks in the food stores or cupboards with healthy foods will be good due to the possibility of strain results.
Cannatonic
It’s one of the best supreme marijuana strains with high THC and CBD content that works well together. Cannatonic is a cross of MK ultra and G13 Haze and has approximately 12% CBD, and the THC content can occasionally hit 15%. Experts refer to it as the most popular balanced hybrid strain to suit your needs.
Consuming Cannatonic results in a relaxed and mellow high. Most stressed-out individuals have praised the strain in helping them lighten the mental load. As the effects of this marijuana strain kick in, you’ll start feeling relaxed and optimistic. Despite the uplifting feelings, taking the strain doesn’t result in a sudden burst of highness or energy. Instead, it causes a soothing and calming ‘high’ that stimulates happiness and a great smile.
Cannatonic has developed into a superstar and mainstay in the medical cannabis world. The strain is vital in treating a wide range of medical conditions.
Wrapping Up on Using Medical Cannabis Treatment for Asthma
Most individuals have been arguing about the possibility of marijuana helping to alleviate asthma. The association between marijuana and treating asthma links to marijuana’s anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to open blocked bronchial tubes. Despite evidence showing that marijuana can help, there is a need for more supporting studies and research. The study finding will help to confirm that medical cannabis can improve or treat asthmatic conditions.
While marijuana can help to improve or treat asthma, experts advise that you clearly steer smoking the herb when having any form of asthma. Despite vaporizing being an effective option to prevent coughing, we still don’t have concrete evidence or data on its long-term health suitability.
Edibles and oils remain the safest ways to take marijuana when having asthma or related conditions. Although it may take longer to feel the effects, these consumption methods have fewer harmful effects on the lungs than inhalation or smoking.
Medical marijuana proves to be the most effective alternative to alleviate and manage asthma in many people. Applying for and getting a medical marijuana card helps you access or purchase the best marijuana strains for asthma. HappyMD is a reputable telehealth platform with a wide range of qualified marijuana-friendly physicians to evaluate your condition and apply for a medical marijuana card online. Apply with HappyMD to get your MMJ card in minutes to enjoy a supply of potent medical marijuana strains for asthma.
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