CBD oil may be just the thing to help keep a pesky cold from keeping you down.
The cold is one of the most common illnesses worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the CDC reports that, on average, adults experience two to three colds per year. No matter the season, the flow of life often leads us into crowded public spaces that expose us to air-born viruses. And it’s safe to say that the chances of catching some cold-like symptoms may be nearly inevitable.
When staving off an illness, it’s important to prioritize yourself and your wellness. That said, you might be looking to CBD as an option to ease symptoms, help your body relax as it recovers or simply regulate your mood while you recoup.
It’s no secret that your body is at its peak performance when you are relaxed and well-rested. CBD vitamins may be just the trick to allowing your body to do its job.
But is CBD oil good for colds? Review this guide to better understand the relationship between CBD hemp oil and colds as you embark on your recovery.
Know Your Cold
More than one virus can cause cold symptoms. Boston Children’s Hospital indicates that there are over 200 virus variants that can cause sickness. However, cold symptoms are often similar, and may include a few or all of the following:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Sneezing or coughing
- Headaches
- Congestion
- Difficulty Breathing
- Tiredness
Colds are often self-diagnosed and typically don’t necessitate a doctor’s visit for adults, unless they are paired with more severe complications. Often the above symptoms, however lousy, are a good sign that your immune system — your body’s defense mechanism against illness — is working in overdrive to fight a virus.
Note that a high fever (above 100 degrees) or a persistent headache may point to a more severe illness.
4 Stages of a Cold
The CDC reports that it takes seven to 10 days on average for a person to recover from the common cold; although, symptoms may linger for up to two weeks.
Your body often experiences a cold in four stages:
- Incubation period – When the virus enters your body, it begins to multiply. This process can take up to three days. You may experience some throat soreness or body fatigue.
- Symptomatic – Symptoms become more intense over the next two to seven days and your body’s immune system kicks in, which can lead to additional symptoms like a fever.
- Remission – The cold’s effects often taper off after three to 10 days, although it’s common for a couple of symptoms to linger, such as congestion or a persistent cough.
- Recovery – Recovering from a cold can look different depending on your age and overall health. A study by the University of Georgia indicates that in some cases, respiratory irritation or a cough can last up to 18 days after cold symptoms dissipate.
If you’re in need of an energy boost, consider taking CBD gummies for energy to help get you through the day, whether it’s at the office or on the couch.
How to Care For a Cold
The short answer is that there is no cure-all for the common cold. Getting colds is just a part of what it means to live on a social planet. Once you feel something tingling in your throat or recognize that familiar fatigue, the odds that a virus is geared up to stick around are high.
That’s not to say that over the generations of virus sharing we haven’t developed methods to significantly mitigate and manage cold symptoms. The top recommendations for caring for the common cold include:
- Rest – Sleep experts confirm that rest patterns can directly impact your immune system and response. When you’re down with a cold, not only is it important to give in to the impulse to rest, but it’s also necessary to maintain healthy sleep habits. Experts recommend at least seven hours a day.
- Hydration – Cold symptoms like a running nose or a fever can often lead to dehydration. Experts recommend increasing your daily water intake to at least 8 cups of 250 mL of water a day to help replenish your body’s water and relieve congestion.
- Increased vitamin intake – Adding Vitamin C and zinc to your diet may help bolster your immune response. If you don’t have supplements on hand, add some orange juice to your hydration regime for some added Vitamin C, and consider adding seafood to your dinner plate for a natural source of zinc.
There are a variety of over-the-counter remedies and medications that work to support your body’s recovery or target particular symptoms. A big part of getting through a cold is allowing your immune system to do its job as smoothly as possible.
Your Immune System and CBD
The link between CBD and the immune system comes down to a molecule called cannabidiol. CBD contains cannabidiols called phytocannabinoids. Your body also naturally produces another type of cannabidiol — endocannabinoid — which interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and concurrently with your immune system cells.
The immune system is your body’s built-in defense against illness. Think of the immune system as nature’s 911 speed dial. When a virus attacks the body, your immune system sends signals to its cells to surround and attack infectious virus cells. Immune cells also produce powerful cells called antibodies that help fight off invaders.
That said, the ECS can impact the immune system and works to maintain your body’s homeostasis. Endocannabinoids produced by the ECS bind with two different kinds of cannabinoid receptors (the CB1 and CB2 receptor types). These are found in two main areas of the body:
- The central nervous system – This includes the brain and the spinal cord.
- The peripheral nervous system – This system includes the nerves that connect your brain to your body. It is largely made up of the immune system cells that help combat illnesses.
CBD and Colds
So, can CBD help with cold symptoms? It’s no secret that your body is at its peak performance when you are relaxed and well-rested. CBD may be just the trick to allowing your body to do its job.
CBD is often touted as a relaxant and stress-combatant — two processes controlled by the nervous system. CBD can help promote the homeostasis your body needs when fending off a cold by potentially:
- Reducing stress – Unfortunately, the world doesn’t stop when we get sick. As important as it is to take that sick day, you might not have the leisure to let some responsibilities slide. If your schedule demands a lot of your body, CBD may help manage stress levels and keep your body balanced under pressure.
- Supporting regular sleep – Sleep and immunity have a bidirectional relationship, which means consistent sleep can strengthen the immune system, and vice versa. Many use CBD and melatonin products as a way to get to sleep by mitigating restlessness, which is often the root of sleep problems. Healthy sleep practices are also a good preventative measure against the everyday virus.
- Improving mood – Battling a runny nose and feeling like crawling under the covers forever? Colds can be frustrating. Plan simple mood-boosting activities into your day– like sipping hot tea from a favorite mug or commiserating with a fluffy pet. Adding some CBD hemp oil to the mix may help relax the nervous system and allow for an optimal mood boost.
- Providing anti-inflammatory properties – Body aches are common cold symptoms. Scientists theorize that the CBD compound has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Cannabinoid research has suggested that CBD decreases joint and limb-related discomfort in animals when applied to the skin. While further human studies are necessary, CBD may offer some symptom relief to allow for a more comfortable recovery.
When you have a cold, you usually don't have much of an appetite. That’s where CBD can help. Use CBD for appetite stimulation when you experience appetite loss. CBD's anti inflammatory properties can also be beneficial for other issues. If you’re feeling groggy after a night out, you can use CBD for hangover support and help get your body back in balance.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD can enter the body in multiple forms, including as a digestive or inhalant, but CBD oil is also growing in popularity as a topical option for CBD absorption.
CBD oil is made by extracting pure CBD from the flowers and seeds of the cannabis plant, locales that typically contain higher concentrations of CBD. The extract is then mixed with natural oil that’s safe for body use, such as hemp seed oil.
Mix CBD oil into your latte, rub it on your shoulders or place a drop under your tongue. CBD topicals can help you target more localized sites on the body when applied to the skin.
Set a Course to Wellness With Zebra CBD
Whether you’re looking to maintain your day-to-day or ease the recovery process, CBD may be the go-to method to help support your body during a cold. At all stages, the life of a cold disrupts your body’s functions. By fending off stress and helping you relax, CBD may assist you in prioritizing your body’s natural rhythm. From CBD tablets to CBD topicals, you can’t go wrong with giving CBD a try when the tissues have run out.
Our plant-based natural CBD oil extracts result in products designed to work with your body’s natural processes. Let Zebra CBD help your body do what your body does best, and shop our CBD collection today.
Source:
Hopkins Medicine. The Immune System. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/the-immune-system
Boston Children’s Hospital. Cold. https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/cold
Healthline. CBD and the Immune System. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-immune-system#how-cbd-works
Sleep Foundation. Is Cannabidiol a Safe and Effective Sleep Aid? https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/cbd-for-sleep
Healthline. 6 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
Harvard Health. Cannabidiol: What we know and what we don’t. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
New York Times. What Are the Benefits of CBD? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html
