Can CBD help with hay fever?

While many of us are glad to see the world bloom into springtime, for others it marks the start of the dreaded hay fever season.

While the allergic reaction can occur all year round, late March (when the tree pollen season kicks in) is the most common time, leaving thousands of sufferers with streaming eyes, running noses and itchy skin.

What is hay fever?

The NHS describes hay fever as an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat.

There is no cure or treatment for hay fever, although there are a number of over-the-counter antihistamines that can help alleviate some of the symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these carry side effects – the most common of which is drowsiness – meaning that many people find them difficult to use.

Other remedies include using Vaseline round the nose to ‘trap’ pollen before it enters the airways, wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes and vacuuming regularly to remove pollen from the home.

However, there are some promising studies that cannabidiol could also be used to help hay fever sufferers, with fewer debilitating side effects.

Promising signs

While there have been no human studies so far, a number of animal studies have shown some positive signs. 

In 2013, a study gave a number of guinea pigs an antigen to stimulate a contraction in their throat muscles, which can be a common symptom of hay fever. Researchers found that “cannabidiol reduced … airway obstruction”, adding that CBD “may have beneficial effects in the treatment of obstructive airway disorders”.

Two years later, in 2015, another study looked at the link between the mediation of CB1 receptors and mast cells, which are responsible for releasing the histamines that cause the symptoms of hay fever. Although the results were inconclusive, they suggested that CB1 receptors may mediate the hypersensitivity of the immune system, which in turn could be used to lower histamine levels.

Anti-inflammatory

While the specific benefits from CBD for hay fever may need further research, one thing that is for certain is that CBD has well-known anti-inflammatory properties.

These properties can prove invaluable during an allergic reaction, working to reduce any swelling or irritation and limiting further histamine production.

In fact, CBD’s interaction with the human endocannabinoid system has been shown to reduce almost all of the most common side effects that accompany an allergic reaction, such as opening airways to make breathing easier, easing nasal pressure and relieving congestion and mucus.

While more research is needed to find a definitive answer, it appears clear that, even if CBD is not proven to prevent the symptoms of hay fever, at the very least it can ease them.

What’s more, it is a natural alternative to prescription medications, which, in the case of anti-histamines, can bring a number of unpleasant side effects, such as a dry mouth and drowsiness.

With the sniffle season fast approaching, some sufferers may be looking to try a more natural alternative – and CBD could be the perfect solution.