Compare the best CBD Oil for COPD in 2022

How CBD Helps With COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that triggers breathing-related problems and airflow blockage. The condition includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema⁽¹⁾. 

Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the breathing tubes. This condition is common among smokers⁽²⁾. Meanwhile, emphysema is a condition wherein the alveoli or walls of the air sacs are damaged⁽³⁾.    

Studies showed that cannabidiol (CBD) may help enhance lung function, decrease inflammation, and prevent airway obstruction^(4-6). Therefore, CBD may help with symptoms of COPD, like shortness of breath. 

CBD, an active compound of cannabis and other cannabinoids, works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to maintain homeostasis⁽⁷⁾. 

Homeostasis is the process of living organisms maintaining stability⁽⁸⁾. 

The ECS regulates different bodily functions, including appetite, sleep, memory, and pain. The system comprises cannabinoid receptors, namely, CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found on cells all over the body⁽⁹⁾.  

CB1 receptors play a crucial role in pain sensation. The stimulation and binding of these receptors may alleviate pain signals throughout the brain. 

Meanwhile, CB2 receptors can regulate inflammation⁽¹⁰⁾. 

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease. Dust, vapors, and chemical fumes can irritate and inflame the lungs of people exposed to these substances long-term⁽¹¹⁾. 

Since airway inflammation is common in respiratory illnesses like COPD, CBD may provide health benefits for such a condition by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors. 

The human body naturally produces an endocannabinoid called anandamide that interacts with cannabinoid receptors⁽¹²⁾. 

If there is a deficiency of endocannabinoids in the body, phytocannabinoids such as CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) mimic endocannabinoids’ action. The effect of phytocannabinoids varies. 

THC is the primary psychotropic congener in the cannabis plant. Unlike CBD, THC is psychoactive and thus produces a euphoric high⁽¹³⁾. 

An animal study published in Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology hypothesized that cannabidiol may become a valuable therapeutic tool for the possible treatment and attenuation of inflammatory lung diseases⁽¹⁴⁾.  

Still, significant research on humans is necessary to determine the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol and its ability to help with respiratory diseases like COPD. 

Benefits of Using CBD Oil for COPD

There is no research regarding the effect of CBD on COPD. However, there are a few studies about cannabidiol’s purported therapeutic effects on other respiratory diseases like asthma.

Asthma is a chronic lung inflammation in which a person’s airway narrows. The swelling may also produce more mucus⁽¹⁵⁾. 

A 2019 study posted in the European Journal of Pain examined CBD’s purported anti-inflammatory effect on a model of allergic asthma⁽¹⁶⁾.

The researchers induced allergic asthma in a murine model. Their experiment showed that cannabidiol treatment, regardless of dosage, may decrease airway hyperresponsiveness. 

However, only high doses of CBD may alleviate static lung elastance (the pressure required to inflate one’s lungs). 

Another animal study from Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology hypothesized that CBD may improve airways in murine models with acute lung injury⁽¹⁷⁾. 

The researchers analyzed the purported therapeutic effects of CBD on mice. They administered 20 and 80mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight to the murine model 6 hours after lipopolysaccharide– or LPS-induced lung inflammation.

The researchers hypothesized that CBD when administered therapeutically may have potent anti-inflammatory properties. It may also improve lung function⁽¹⁸⁾.   

A study from Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics suggested that CBD may have beneficial effects in treating obstructive airway disorders⁽¹⁹⁾.  

Although most findings come from animal studies, the results suggest that cannabidiol may help with lung diseases like COPD and other chronic inflammatory illnesses. 

Still, more longitudinal studies are required to determine CBD’s therapeutic effects on COPD and other respiratory diseases.  

How to Take CBD Oil for COPD

There are various methods to take CBD oil for COPD. You can opt for tinctures, edibles like gummies and capsules, and vape oils. 

CBD Oil for COPD Dosage

A study from Current Drug Safety showed that doses ranging from 1mg to as high as 1,500 mg of CBD each day are well tolerated by humans⁽²⁰⁾. 

As a general rule, you should begin with low amounts of cannabidiol and then gradually adjust the dose as your system becomes used to it. 

You can also consult a medical professional with expertise in cannabis use for more accurate dosing. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With COPD?

You may take CBD tinctures sublingually (under the tongue). Most CBD oil products include a calibrated dropper that you can use to dispense the content.

The onset of CBD tinctures taken through the sublingual route is 15 to 30 minutes, lasting 2 to 4 hours⁽²¹⁾. 

You may also try edibles, such as gummies and capsules. Generally, these CBD edibles have an onset of 30 to 90 minutes, lasting from 6 to 8 hours⁽²²⁾. 

Another method to use is vaping. Inhaling CBD using vape pens is the quickest way to benefit from the effects of CBD⁽²³⁾. 

The onset of vaping CBD is usually 2 to 15 minutes, and the duration lasts for 2 to 4 hours⁽²⁴⁾. However, vaping may be detrimental to the lungs⁽²⁵⁾. 

You may also go for CBD-infused lotions or salves. These CBD topicals usually take effect within 15 to 30 minutes, lasting 2 to 4 hours⁽²⁶⁾. 

A study from Molecules indicated that topical and transdermal delivery methods of cannabinoids have various advantages for localized symptoms, including pain and inflammation⁽²⁷⁾. 

Transdermal is a drug administration method wherein active ingredients are delivered into the skin. This route can be an alternative to the oral delivery of drugs⁽²⁸⁾. 

Generally, the onset of CBD gels and patches via a transdermal route is 15 to 20 minutes, with 4 hours for gels and 8 hours or more for patches⁽²⁹⁾. 

How Long Will CBD Help With COPD?

COPD patients must consider a product’s bioavailability if they want to use CBD to help with their condition. 

Bioavailability is a measure of the drug’s absorption rate. This bioavailability gauges the amount of CBD you have taken as it ends up available for use in your body⁽³⁰⁾.  

The delivery method plays an essential role in the bioavailability of CBD. For instance, inhalation boasts of a fast onset of mere minutes and a peak effect in about 30 minutes⁽³¹⁾.

When you inhale CBD, it goes directly from the permeable lungs and into your bloodstream. Thus, inhalation is one of the best delivery methods in terms of bioavailability, clocking in at upwards of 35%⁽³²⁾. 

However, the downside to inhalation comes from the carcinogenic substances in the smoke that may cause lung irritation⁽³³⁾. 

Another factor to consider is CBD’s half-life. 

A systematic review from the Frontiers in Pharmacology stated that CBD’s half-life is between 1.4 and 10.9 hours after an oromucosal spray, two to five days after chronic oral administration, and 24 hours after intravenous medications (administered through the veins)⁽³⁴⁾. 

A half-life refers to the estimated time it takes for a substance in your body to be reduced by 50%⁽³⁵⁾.  

Choosing the Best CBD Oil for COPD

Choosing a high-quality CBD product depends on various factors, such as your personal preference, the form of cannabidiol, and the severity of your condition.

Here are the factors to consider when choosing the best CBD oil for COPD:

CBD Oil Extracts

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all extracts of the cannabis plant, including flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids. Moreover, the THC concentration is not more than 0.3%⁽³⁶⁾. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD oil is almost the same as the full-spectrum variant. However, it is nearly THC-free. CBD isolates, on the other hand, are typically harvested from Cannabis sativa. They are a pure form of cannabidiol⁽³⁷⁾. 

Research from Frontiers in Plant Science suggested that the entourage effect in full-spectrum hemp extracts may produce better health benefits than pure CBD⁽³⁸⁾. 

The entourage effect occurs when there is an integration of all the cannabis compounds, their medical effects may be enhanced. 

Source of Hemp 

For hemp-derived CBD products, it is necessary to determine the source of hemp. 

Some CBD products may have pesticides, heavy metals, fertilizers, irritants, and other contaminants that may put your health at risk.

Therefore, make sure to choose a CBD brand that is transparent with its farming practices. The company must provide sufficient information about its hemp products.

If possible, you should look for organic hemp or non-GMO CBD products. 

Extraction Methods

There are various extraction processes used to obtain cannabis oil and hemp extract. These methods include natural solvent, ethanol, steam distillation, and carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction. 

One of the most frequently used CBD extraction methods is the CO2 extraction technique. In this process, compressed CO2 is utilized as the extraction solvent⁽³⁹⁾. 

On the other hand, extraction methods using hexane or butane may leave harmful residues⁽⁴⁰⁾.  

CBD and THC Content 

Before buying any CBD product, you must first know the amount of CBD and THC it contains. The dose of most CBD products is expressed in milligrams (mg). 

Make sure to look for the certificate of analysis (CoA) to check the accuracy of CBD potency and concentration. 

Carrier Oils  

After extracting cannabidiol from the hemp plant, the non-psychoactive compound is infused into a carrier oil to enhance a product’s bioavailability.

The most frequently used carrier oils are hempseed and coconut oil. Although most people use hemp oil and hempseed oil interchangeably, they have significant variations. 

Hempseed oil does not contain cannabinoids. Still, it is rich in fatty acids and nutrients⁽⁴¹⁾.

Third-Party Lab Testing 

Another essential factor to consider when choosing the best CBD product is whether a company enlists the services of a third-party lab. 

The CBD brand you choose must provide lab reports or CoAs of their products on their official website. You can compare the values indicated on the lab results with the company’s claims about their products and the benefits of CBD. 

The CBD Brand’s Reputation

  There is an extensive range of CBD products available on the market, especially online. Thus, verifying whether a particular CBD brand is authorized to manufacture and sell CBD items is crucial.

Research the CBD company to know if it is a reputable brand. Visit its official website, social media platforms, and read customer reviews to get more insights into the brand and its products. 

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for COPD

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that CBD is relatively safe. The compound is also well tolerated by humans⁽⁴²⁾. 

Still, there are minor side effects associated with CBD, such as⁽⁴³⁾: 

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

If you consider using CBD oil for COPD, remember that CBD may also interact with other medicines you are taking, such as blood thinners (drugs used to prevent blood clots)⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

Check if your physician prescribed blood thinners for your condition. 

Remember that COPD may cause high blood pressure, known as pulmonary hypertension, and increase your risk of heart failure and blood clots⁽⁴⁵⁾. 

If you are a smoker diagnosed with COPD, you are also at risk of developing lung cancer⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

Thus, you must consult your medical provider first before using CBD products for COPD. 

Speaking with your physician is necessary, especially if you want to benefit from CBD by smoking it. Note that vaping may irritate your lungs⁽⁴⁷⁾.      

Legality of CBD

The 2018 Farm Bill permitted the commercial use of industrial hemp products on a federal level⁽⁴⁸⁾.

The bill indicated that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC are considered federally legal in the United States. 

Despite these developments, you must still familiarize yourself with various state laws regarding the use of CBD, especially when traveling.

In Colorado, the local government legalized the adult use of marijuana in November 2012⁽⁴⁹⁾. 

Still, even if you use medical marijuana, Coloradan officers can arrest you for impaired driving. By law, if you drive with five nanograms of THC per milliliter of whole blood, you can face legal charges for driving under the influence (DUI)⁽⁵⁰⁾.  

You must keep your cannabis products like CBD oil within Colorado. In addition, you cannot bring them to areas such as the Denver International Airport. 

Symptoms of COPD and Other Treatment Options 

About 16 million Americans have been affected by COPD⁽⁵¹⁾. Symptoms include⁽⁵²⁾: 

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble taking a deep breath
• Excess phlegm 
• Frequent coughing or wheezing 

If you are diagnosed with such an illness, you may want to take a few COPD treatment options aside from CBD to improve your quality of life. 

Your medical provider may consider the following treatment options⁽⁵³⁾: 

• Medicine for cough  
• Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve pulmonary function 
• Supplemental oxygen
• Prevention and treatment of lung infections 

A 2018 study from the Journal of Thoracic Disease stated that chronic tobacco smoke exposure victimized the respiratory and immune system functions⁽⁵⁴⁾.  

Hence if you are a smoker, you must quit smoking, especially if you are diagnosed with COPD⁽⁵⁵⁾. This step is probably the fastest and most important to take if you want to get rid of the illness. 

 In addition, if you are considering CBD to help with your symptoms, you may want to avoid vaping and choose other administration methods instead. Vaping may damage your lungs⁽⁵⁶⁾.