If you have done your homework on CBD, also known as cannabidiol, then you know it has numerous potential benefits. However, what about its effectiveness against influenza or the flu? While CBD should not take the place of medical care, it may be able to help to manage the flu and its symptoms. If you are among the people having a hard time during the flu season, you may be wondering if CBD can help you get some relief and hasten the healing process. You should know that there are ways that CBD can protect you from the flu.
What You Should Know About The Flu?
Flu is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Flu is commonly called Influenza , but it’s not the same as stomach “flu” viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
For most people, the flu resolves on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly.
Symptoms Of Flu
At first, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a bother, you usually feel much worse with the flu.
Common Signs and Symptoms Of The Flu Include:
- Fever
- Aching muscles
- Chills and sweats
- Headache
- Dry, persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness and weakness
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Eye pain
- Vomiting and diarrhea, but this is more common in children than adults
Causes Of Flu
Flu viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.
People with the virus are likely contagious from about a day before symptoms appear until about five days after they start. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time.
Flu viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you’ve had Flu in the past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that specific strain of the virus. If future Flu viruses are similar to those you’ve encountered before, either by having the disease or by getting vaccinated, those antibodies may prevent infection or lessen its severity. But antibody levels may decline over time.
Also, antibodies against Flu viruses you’ve encountered in the past may not protect you from new Flu strains that can be very different viruses from what you had before.
How Does CBD Protect You From The Flu?
Before we get into how CBD oil may help address the flu, it is imperative to know what CBD will not do. Cannabidiol isn’t a medicine, and so, it will not help you diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure the flu. Using CBD oil doesn’t take the place of ideal medical care, although you may decide to use it in addition to your treatment. Thanks to the many potential benefits that come with consuming CBD, more and more people are considering it to help alleviate flu symptoms that cause the most discomfort when infected.
These Are The Ways CBD Can Help To Protect You From Symptoms Of The Flu
- Headaches
One of the worst things about having the flu is the headaches that accompany it. Headaches usually occur for an array of reasons. Inflamed sinuses result in throbbing pain in the front of the head, which makes it difficult to focus. The stress experienced during the illness can lead to stress-induced headaches that settle in the base of the skull and behind the eyes. Thanks to several studies, CBD is suggested to have an analgesic effect, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate headaches, in addition to better stress management.
- Achiness
Achiness that’s usually associated with influenza can be caused by the inflammation that comes with the immune system trying to get rid of the virus. Some studies show that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce this inflammation and thus could help reduce pain and discomfort when battling the flu.
- Lack of Sleep
Given the pain and sniffling that comes with the flu, it is hard to get a good night’s sleep. Well, consuming CBD when battling influenza may help you sleep better. The mental calmness that CBD brings may help you relax. Sleeping is important and it has numerous health benefits, and it is especially needed when you’re not feeling well.
- Nausea
It is not uncommon to have an upset stomach when you have a cold or flu. You may not have an appetite, and the thought of eating might make you sick. However, your body needs the energy to fight the culprit. Battling nausea with cannabidiol has been a tactic used by numerous CBD enthusiasts, especially those fighting nausea experienced during chemotherapy.
- Mental Wellbeing
How a severe illness makes you feel both emotionally and mentally is one of the most challenging influenza symptoms to quantify. Using cannabidiol may be a great way to support a healthy and positive outlook as you recover. CBD users report the product giving them a sense of calmness and wellbeing. Positive thoughts may not cure the condition, but they could lead to better healing outcomes.
Conclusion
CBD oil might be ideal for symptoms of the flu, but THC can suppress the immune system and so, you may want to avoid it until you feel better. You’ll also want to avoid smoking when you’re sick with a cold, as the respiratory system is already compromised by the illness. And, you don’t want to spread the flu by passing a vape pen or joint.
A cold makes you feel miserable, but the symptoms tend to pass in less than 2 weeks. So, get adequate sleep and consider trying a few supplements to see if there is something that makes you feel better.
When you decide that cannabidiol is right for you, ensure you get the highest quality possible.
