Can cannabis help treat asthma?

L’asthma is an inflammatory lung disease that primarily affects the bronchi. During an asthma attack, the bronchi become inflamed and narrow, preventing air from flowing properly through the lungs. The immediate result is that the person has difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of asthma are as follows: difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath, a productive cough, and wheezing. An asthma attack can be triggered by an allergic reaction, tobacco smoke, excessive physical exertion, or air pollution. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder that affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and 4 million in France.

If asthma is not managed, an attack can be fatal. There is currently no cure for the disease, only treatments that can minimize complications as much as possible.

Cannabis and Asthma

The medical industry is at odds with itself on the benefits of smoking cannabis for patients with asthma. Some studies have observed individuals who had previously smoked tobacco and were then exposed to cannabis smoke.

The results have revealed that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can dilate the airways and reduce coughing. «Unlike cigarette smoke, cannabis smoke causes a bronchodilation (weakening of the muscles around the bronchi) rather than a bronchoconstriction »(bronchoconstriction in the lungs) and does not cause central respiratory depression,” the study notes.

Inhaling smoke, on the other hand, can have the opposite effect and cause throat irritation. Another study shows that smoking cannabis in moderation when you have asthma can improve lung function.

Logically, the bronchodilator and analgesic effects found in cannabis may prove useful in the treatment of asthma. They can reduce pressure in the lungs and act directly on the sensory nerve cells associated with asthma-related pain. In addition, the Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties, showing that cannabis can reduce bronchial inflammation in asthma.

A other study A study published in 2014 describes the collection of lung tissue from the bronchi of 88 patients with asthma. The scientists subjected this tissue to an electric field simulation to induce contraction. They then administered THC. The scientists concluded that THC, by stimulating the CB1 receptor, reduced muscle contractions.

Be careful, however, not to jump to conclusions: these studies are based on specific doses of THC, administered according to a specific protocol. This doesn’t mean you should smoke big joints thinking you’re treating your asthma.

Vaping Cannabis to Reduce Risks?

Smoking a spliff is ineffective against asthma, as we’ve said. Smoke from combustion is harmful to the lungs, and even more so for someone with asthma. To minimize the risks, it’s best to choose edibles or vaporizing. In small doses, of course, because taking too big of a puff—even from a vaporizer—can be bad for your lungs. The same goes for the vaporizer’s temperature: a lower temperature is more effective.

Mehdi Bautier