A lot of people have allergies, about 50 million Americans do! Though, these allergies can impede our day to day lives and become very disruptive, causing symptoms like sneezing, congestion, rash, and swelling. These symptoms can disrupt your daily life, resulting in discomfort, sleep loss, and lower productivity at work. If you experience any or all of these symptoms, it is essential to seek relief. In this article, we will discuss some allergy types, and what CBD can do to help your symptoms.

What Are Allergies?

By definition, allergies are described as “exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual”

It’s an overreaction in the immune system to certain foreign substances, some of these stimulants being more common than others. According to research that has been done, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness. Common Allergies include; specific foods (peanuts and pineapples being examples), pets (this usually includes their fur), pollen/plants, mold, dust mites, specific medications, latex, insects, perfumes/chemical smells.

What is CBD and the Endocannabinoid system?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants. Early research is promising regarding the ability of CBD oil to help relieve anxiety. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another type of cannabinoid, CBD doesn’t cause any feelings of intoxication or the “high” you may associate with cannabis. CBD is also known for its ability to relieve stress and anxiety in the brain.

CBD is thought to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the human body. These receptors are most commonly found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. These receptors are part of our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for so many of our daily functions. Many of these functions include mood, sleep, appetite, memory, etc. To this day, there is still a lot of information that is being discovered about this system in our bodies. All living beings have this ECS in our body, even if you haven’t had any form of cannabis in your system. When we are born, this system in our brains is a form of homeostasis, however, it can become unbalanced as we age and go through life. That’s where CBD can be utilized to help. The endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor, the effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. The CB1 receptors are located in the brain and throughout the body, while CB2 receptors are found mostly in the immune and gastrointestinal system; although CB2 receptors are also found in the brain, they are not expressed quite as densely as CB1 receptors. Cannabinoids can help regulate the immune system by reducing inflammation in the body. When the body’s cannabinoid system is not functioning properly, inflammation and immune-related disorders, such as allergies, can occur. CBD helps your body through allergies by reducing the inflammation in your body. CBD comes in topical and ingestible forms. Depending on your specific allergy type, and how much it affects you, CBD can be a useful and healthier alternative for your body. Though, we always recommend speaking with a health care professional if your symptoms are severe or seem to worsen.