With the cooler seasons coming up, many of us are likely to suffer from one of the common winter bugs, whether that’s a cold, dry skin or even more serious conditions like bronchitis. These illnesses an take a toll on our bodies, but could using CBD help us get through these colder months?
What is CBD?
CBD is one of many compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is non psychoactive, meaning that it can give the benefits of the cannabis without the “high”. CBD works indirectly with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. The human body has an endocannabinoid system, and when natural cannabinoids are used, it helps to regulate functions such as sleep, appetite, mood, memory and fertility.
CBD and Winter illnesses
One of the most common illnesses during the winter is a sore throat. A sore throat is caused by a viral infection, allergies and often dry air. When a person suffers from a sore throat, it may be hard to swallow, eat and sometimes even talk. Many people often find that the biggest problem caused by a sore throat is swelling and inflammation in the throat. Due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, it could be an effective remedy to help soothe sore throats by bringing down the swelling, which as a result can reduce the pain associated with the sore throat. Honey is known to be a great remedy for colds and sore throats, so products such as CBD honey sticks can give the potential benefits of CBD whilst still getting the natural benefits of honey.
Norovirus is another condition that is more frequent during the winter. Norovirus a sickness and diarrhoea bug that can be passed around all year round. It is more common in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and hotels due to lots of people being in close proximity to one another. CBD has anti-nausea and anti-emetic properties which can help ease, or stop nausea caused by the illness. Due to sickness causing dehydration, using CBD products such as tinctures and teas to ease nausea could then reduce the risk of dehydration.
Although not an illness, an additional issue that people can suffer with in the winter seasons is joint pain. Many people who already have chronic conditions such as arthritis tend to struggle even more when the bad weather hits, as the joints can become stiff and difficult to move. Products such as CBD massage oils can be beneficial to the joints, especially balms and massage oils that contain ginger extract as it can penetrate deep into the tissue, easing the stiffness. CBD is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties which as a result can reduce any pain associated with swelling and inflammation.
Another common condition in the cooler seasons is dry skin. During winter, the humidity in the air is lower, meaning that colder conditions are more drying on the skin. This can make the skin sore, and irritated and areas such as lips and hands can become chapped and sore. CBD products such as CBD moisturisers and balms would be beneficial to the skin due to its anti-itch properties whilst the moisturiser can help to hydrate the skin which as a result can make it less drying.
Winter and Mental Illness
During the winter months, people can often suffer from depression. This is often known as the winter blues but medically known as seasonal affective disorder. There is scientific support to show that this could be due to how the body responds to daylight. It is thought that SAD sufferers are affected by the shorter daylight hours as they produce more melatonin, which causes lethargy and symptoms of depression. CBD products such as edibles, oils and teas may help to alleviate the symptoms of depression as CBD can help to regulate functions such as mood.
Overall, many winter illnesses can come and go on their own, but using CBD can help to ease the symptoms caused by these conditions and make them more bearable. With such a large number of people turning to natural remedies, CBD may be an option to help people alleviate their symptoms.