Compare the Best CBD for Sore Throat in 2022

How CBD May Help With Sore Throat

A sore throat refers to scratchiness of the throat that often gets worse when an individual swallows⁽¹⁾. 

Throat irritation symptoms include pain, swollen red tonsils, and a muffled voice. Infections causing a sore throat may lead to other complications, including fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting⁽²⁾. 

CBD (cannabidiol), a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, is believed to help with pain management^(3-5). 

In addition, a study showed that cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), may reduce nausea and vomiting⁽⁶⁾.  

Therefore, CBD has the potential to help manage symptoms of sore throat and other complications associated with it. 

THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis (sometimes called marijuana). Although marijuana is used as a recreational drug, THC may lead to behavioral disturbances and dependence⁽⁷⁾.

The ECS (endocannabinoid system) is present in almost every part of the body. It is composed of endocannabinoids, which appear to have a role in the function of the immune system, neurotransmitters, and mitochondria⁽⁸⁾. 

Neurotransmitters refer to chemical messengers in the body. Meanwhile, the mitochondria generate most of the chemical energy necessary to power the cell’s biochemical reactions. 

THC and CBD are plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids). They may mimic the actions of the body’s endocannabinoids, allowing them to interact with the cannabinoid receptors, namely cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2)⁽⁹⁾. 

CB1 receptors play a significant role in pain sensation, whereas CB2 receptors stimulate a response that combats inflammation⁽¹⁰⁾. 

A 2020 study from the journal Antioxidants stated that CBD may have anti-inflammatory effects⁽¹¹⁾.   

Although cannabidiol has a low binding affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, the compound may antagonize them in the presence of THC⁽¹²⁾. 

Furthermore, researchers believe that CBD may reduce the potency and efficacy of THC and modulate the perception of pain⁽¹³⁾. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Sore Throat

The benefits of CBD may include anti-inflammatory effects and pain-relieving properties^(14-15). 

In one research, researchers from Syracuse University conducted an experimental pain study of cannabidiol in humans⁽¹⁶⁾. 

The results showed that CBD pain relief is driven by pharmacological action and psychological placebo effects⁽¹⁷⁾. 

The placebo effect is when symptoms improve due to psychological factors like classical conditioning, despite using a non-active treatment. 

Individuals with sore throats can experience difficulty swallowing due to pain⁽¹⁸⁾. 

While viruses and allergies are the most common causes of sore throat, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke can also trigger the illness⁽¹⁹⁾. 

A research article in the journal Nature hypothesized that CBD may have antimicrobial potential⁽²⁰⁾.

Meanwhile, a 2020 study from the journal Antibiotics examined the antimicrobial activity of cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC⁽²¹⁾.  

The study mentioned that CBD may be a sensitizing agent with various antibiotics⁽²²⁾. 

Furthermore, CBD may strongly inhibit the release of membrane vesicles for gram-negative pathogens⁽²³⁾. 

Membrane vesicles play a significant role in inter-bacterial communication and the transfer of cargo molecules⁽²⁴⁾. 

Cargo, in biology, refers to anything carried by a specific protein and transported from one place to another.  

Meanwhile, gram-negative pathogens have strong walls that cause severe infections throughout the body⁽²⁵⁾. 

Researchers observed an enhanced antimicrobial effect when CBD was combined with some antibiotics, including erythromycin, to possibly treat E. coli VCS257⁽²⁶⁾.

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the large intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans⁽²⁷⁾. 

The results of these clinical studies may be promising. Still, a direct study examining the benefits of CBD for sore throat is warranted.  

How to Take CBD for Sore Throat

CBD comes in various forms, including CBD edibles like gummies, CBD topicals like lotions and balms, CBD vapes, and CBD tinctures. 

CBD tinctures may be administered sublingually (under the tongue) using a dropper. 

Aside from tinctures, dissolvable strips and oromucosal sprays can be taken via the sublingual route. 

Numerous tiny blood vessels under the tongue and within the mouth can absorb cannabinoids like CBD into the bloodstream before being swallowed⁽²⁸⁾.  

The sublingual delivery method provides immediate effects similar to vaporizing or smoking(29). 

When taken sublingually, the effect of CBD usually takes 15 to 30 minutes⁽³⁰⁾. Thus, taking CBD under the tongue may be good for sore throats. 

However, unlike smoking, the sublingual route does not expose the lungs to heat. Hence, you can avoid dealing with a smoky taste, dry mouth, and throat irritation⁽³¹⁾. 

CBD Dosage for Sore Throat

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recognize CBD as a treatment for sore throat. For this reason, there is no standard CBD dosage for such an illness.

However, the general rule is to start low and go slow. You may then gradually increase the dose until you observe the desired results. 

Micro doses in the range of 0.5mg to 20 mg of CBD per day may help with headaches and nausea⁽³²⁾. 

Infections causing a sore throat may lead to headaches and nausea⁽³³⁾.  

Meanwhile, doses between 10mg and 100mg of CBD per day may help with pain and inflammation⁽³⁴⁾.  

A person with a sore throat experiences pain when swallowing⁽³⁵⁾. 

Still, it is suggested that people work with a health care practitioner experienced in CBD use so that the delivery methods and dosage can be determined according to an individual’s needs. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help Sore Throat?

How long CBD takes to help with sore throat depends on the method of administration used. 

Inhaling CBD using vape pens is the quickest way to benefit from the effects of the non-psychoactive compound⁽³⁶⁾. 

However, most e-cigarette users report that they experience a dry mouth and throat following vaping⁽³⁷⁾. In addition, vaping may damage the lungs⁽³⁸⁾. 

Therefore, ingesting CBD using a vape pen may potentially cause a sore throat. 

Taking CBD sublingually also ensures prompt compound delivery into one’s system⁽³⁹⁾. 

You may feel the effects of CBD via the sublingual route within 15 to 30 minutes⁽⁴⁰⁾.   

How Long Will CBD Help With Sore Throat?

A 2018 research suggested that the half-life of CBD was between 1.4 and 10.9 hours following oromucosal spray use, two to five days following chronic oral administration, 24 hours after intravenous (within a vein) therapy, and 31 hours after smoking⁽⁴¹⁾. 

Half-life refers to the length of time necessary for a drug concentration to decrease by 50% of its starting dose in the body⁽⁴²⁾.

How to Choose the Right CBD for Sore Throat

Most CBD companies claim to have high-quality CBD products. However, choosing the right CBD for your sore throat can be challenging.

Hence, the information below can help you find the right CBD oil products:

1. Ensure that the CBD company you choose is authorized in manufacturing, distributing, and selling CBD products. Visit its official webpage and social media accounts to gather more information about the brand.

2. Opt for a CBD brand that enlists the services of a third-party laboratory to test all its products. 

Check the lab reports and certificates of analysis (COAs) to ensure that no pesticides, heavy metals, or other residual substances are left during the manufacturing process.

In addition, always compare if the figures stated in the lab reports and COAs have labeling issues and ensure to purchase quality products only.  

3. Find a CBD company that utilizes all-natural non-GMO hemp. Reputable CBD brands produce hemp plants or purchase from hemp farmers that practice sustainable farming. 

4. Learn more about the different CBD extracts and extraction methods used. 

A full-spectrum CBD oil product contains all compounds of the cannabis plant, including CBD and other cannabinoids, essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenes⁽⁴³⁾. 

Full-spectrum CBD products have less than 0.3% THC⁽⁴⁴⁾.

Flavonoids are active compounds found in cannabis that contribute to cannabis’ flavor, pigmentation, and aroma⁽⁴⁵⁾. Meanwhile, terpenes are natural oils that give cannabis its aroma, color, and flavor⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

Broad-spectrum CBD is almost similar to the full spectrum. The only difference is that broad-spectrum CBD is nearly THC-free⁽⁴⁷⁾. 

Lastly, CBD isolates are made of pure cannabidiol⁽⁴⁸⁾. 

As for cannabis plant extraction, some common methods include ethanol, solvent, and carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction techniques⁽⁴⁹⁾. 

In CO2 extraction, compressed carbon dioxide is used as the extraction solvent instead of flammable and toxic chemical solvents⁽⁵⁰⁾. 

5. Know the difference between hemp oil and hempseed oil. CBD oil is sometimes called hemp oil. It comes from the flowers and leaves of hemp plants. Meanwhile, hempseed oil is made from the pressed seeds of hemp plants. 

Although hempseed oil does not contain cannabidiol, it is rich in fatty acids and nutrients⁽⁵¹⁾. Hempseed oil is also used as a carrier oil, like coconut oil⁽⁵²⁾. 

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Sore Throat

The WHO (World Health Organization) indicates that CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁵³⁾. However, the compound still carries risks and minor side effects, such as⁽⁵⁴⁾: 

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite 
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 

Dry mouth occurs whenever your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet⁽⁵⁵⁾. 

Insufficient saliva production may cause a sore throat⁽⁵⁶⁾. 

Since a dry mouth is one of the possible side effects of CBD, it would be best if you talk to a medical professional first before using CBD products for sore throat.  

Legality of CBD

The 2018 Farm Bill indicates that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are considered legal under federal law⁽⁵⁷⁾. 

Colorado is one of the states that permit recreational and medical marijuana use. The Centennial State legalized the use of marijuana by passing Amendment 64 to the Colorado Constitution in November 2012⁽⁵⁸⁾.