Can Cannabis Oils Help Your Sore Throat?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.

Cannabis has compounds that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. This makes it fit to fight off bacterial strep throat infections. Various studies have shown that cannabis products – especially cannabis oils – when used, can improve the antibacterial activity of antibiotics used to treat symptoms of strep throat.

What is strep?

A strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes pain, itching, and some other forms of irritation in the throat. All of these symptoms become more intense when you swallow.

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In contrast to sore throats, which can be caused by both viral infections and bacterial infections, a sore throat can only be induced by bacterial pathogens. The type of strep throat caused by bacteria is streptococcal pharyngitis. It’s not that common since most sore throats are caused by viral infections. Symptoms of a sore throat can be treated with antibiotics to keep the condition from getting worse.

Symptoms of strep throat

These include:

• Swollen tonsils
• Muffled voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain when speaking
• Itchy sensation in the throat
• White spots in the tonsils
• headache
• cough

Treat strep throat the normal way

As soon as symptoms of a sore throat are observed, the patient will see a health care professional to confirm whether it is a bacterial sore throat or a virus that is causing an infection. Throat swab tests are done in hospitals for more authentic results.

Sore throats can be cured with antibiotics. Most of the time, the doctor tries to prevent the case from turning into rheumatic fever.

Traditional treatments for strep throat include:

• Licking or eating lozenges that may induce saliva production.
• Gargle with warm salt water at least three times a day.
• Drink lemon tea with honey.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Use a cold mist vaporizer.

Cannabis and strep throat

People are now turning to cannabidiol (CBD) to be an effective treatment for throat infections, especially those caused by bacteria. CBD is known to be a substance extracted from cannabis plants. It’s one of the two main compounds ground in a strain of cannabis, and it has the most therapeutic benefits. This chemical has been used multiple times in clinical trials since its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties were revealed. Researchers assume that cannabidiol is responsible for the antibacterial effects of hemp plants and oils.

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One study found that CBD was highly effective against gram-positive bacteria. The experiment, based on cell and infection microbiology, described CBD as a novel modulator of bacterial membrane vesicles. According to the contents of the study, which was published in Frontiers, CBD increased the bactericidal effects of some antibiotics. The researchers then included it in a kanamycin treatment; It was also observed that the effect of the drug’s antibiotics was enhanced. This means that cannabis or its CBD extract can be added to certain antibiotic treatments that are used to treat a wide variety of infections.

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To support the results of the above study, a new study was conducted. The researchers found that cannabidiol can be an effective compound for killing Gram-positive bacteria, especially when combined with bacitracin (an antibacterial ointment used to prevent or treat skin infections).

The researchers initially hypothesized that cannabis could be used to cure sore throats, since most bacterial sore throats are caused by gram-positive bacteria. CBD is highly effective against gram-positive bacteria.

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Although people have used cannabis by-products like CBD oils to treat strep, no medical study has been conducted to guarantee that cannabis can effectively cure the infection. There is no scientific data describing how CBD works as an antibiotic for strep throat.

A brief description of how cannabis works

When ingested and absorbed into the system. CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is a system in the body whose function is to control some functions of the immune system as well as the central nervous system. Studies of the antibacterial activity of cannabis mostly focus on the attractive therapeutic target of the endocannabinoid system. The CB1 and CB2 receptors are involved in the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis compounds. Researchers believe that the therapeutic effects are induced as soon as these receptors are activated.

Pros and cons of using cannabis to treat strep

Cannabis with therapeutic benefits doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its drawbacks as well. As mentioned earlier, no direct or human studies have been conducted to test how effective cannabis compounds are against strep strep. For now it’s unproven.

advantages

Studies have shown that cannabidiol is able to increase the antibacterial activity of some antibiotics. Researchers have also found that CBD is an effective compound for getting rid of gram-positive bacteria. This means that there is a chance that it could be effective against your strep infection. Most of the states in the United States have decriminalized cannabis and allow residents to use, transport, and possess CBD. There is no risk of arrest as long as the CBD is carefully extracted from the hemp plants. There is no psychoactive effect to fear when using CBD. It is incapable of producing mind-altering effects in the user. The added benefit is that all research on hemp plants is supported by the Food and Drug Administration federations.

disadvantage

The lack of clinical information to show that the therapeutic compounds in cannabis can be used to cure strep means that it is at great risk. The FDA has only approved one cannabis drug called Epidiolex for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures. As a result, applications for CBD drugs in hospitals or health care facilities can be denied. Not to mention that the health insurance companies do not cover the use of these products.

When using cannabis to treat your strep throat, be aware that you may suffer from the side effects of the drug. Dry mouth, decreased appetite, tiredness, diarrhea, and drowsiness are some of the after-effects that can occur whether or not your strep throat is cured.

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The lack of clinical evidence to support the issue makes it difficult for some to accept that cannabis can be used to treat strep.