Study: Cannabis users less prone to sinus problems

Tired of a stuffy nose and messy sinuses? Good news, there may be a solution!

The results of a new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery suggest that people who use cannabis may experience fewer episodes of congestion, sneezing and sinus pain than those who have never used cannabis.

«The regular cannabis use was associated with a lower prevalence of nasal cavity symptoms, while non-regular cannabis use was not associated with nasal cavity symptoms,» says the study.

More details on the study

2,269 Americans aged 20 to 69 participated in this study. The data analyzed came from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Some 45 % of regular cannabis users said they frequently suffered from nasal congestion, sneezing or sinus pain. In comparison, 65 % of those who had never used cannabis felt the same way.

However, Kevin Hur, ear, nose and throat specialist at the Keck School of Medicine from the University of Southern California, hypothesizes an inverse relationship, namely that people who already have nasal or sinus symptoms would voluntarily avoid cannabis.

In addition, the researcher and his team hypothesized that certain cannabinoids could have beneficial effects. Indeed, other research has shown that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects and could reduce mucosal swelling, which, in theory, could help combat chronic nose and sinus symptoms.

The study also showed that tobacco smokers were more likely to experience sinus symptoms than cannabis users.

Further research is certainly needed to determine why people who use cannabis are less likely to experience symptoms.