Treating A Cold Or Flu With Cannabis

We are now in the thick of fall weather, and this is many people’s favorite season. Cool-weather, beautiful colors, pumpkins, and Holidays are abundant. But, this is also the start of most people’s least favorite season – cold and flu season.

While they are really just a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, cold and flu viruses knock us off our feet and derail our lives for days to weeks. As it currently stands, there is not much that can be done to quickly kill off the virus robbing us of life. Antibiotics don’t cure colds or the flu, and Dayquil and cough syrup just offer a temporary fix. 

Interestingly enough, however, some people report that cannabis alleviates many of their symptoms while sick, and get them back on their feet fast. Is there any truth to this, or is it just a case of people claiming cannabis is a “cure-all”?

Can Cannabis Treat Cold And Flu Viruses?

As far as effectively treating sickness, sufficient evidence for cannabis as a medication is lacking. But, can it treat the symptoms of these viruses? 

As you may know, cannabis contains cannabinoids, which are responsible for the effects we feel when we consume it. Certain cannabinoids have been shown to offer relief from a myriad of ailments, some of which can be experienced when you have a cold or the flu.

Because of this, we can surmise that cannabis may be able to help when you’re sick. Let’s look at a few specific examples.

When you’re sick, there is a certain level of inflammation and pain. Cannabis has been show to help with both of these! So, while cannabis won’t get rid of your cold, maybe it’ll make you feel a bit better.

How Do I Use Cannabis While Sick?

Just because cannabis may offer you relief, doesn’t mean you should grab a pre-roll or pack a bowl. Smoking anything while you have a cold or the flu is a bad idea. In general, smoke can irritate your lungs. If you have a respiratory issue, like a cold or a nasty cough, smoking will only make things worse. The smoke will not only irritate your throat and lungs further, it can make headaches worse and increase congestion.

So, stick to smokeless methods. Edibles, tinctures, balms, drinks, and more can be used to deliver the cannabinoids to your system without you having to inhale anything. You can find any of these things at a dispensary near you (and you can even grab some Elyon Cannabis for when you’re feeling better).

When it comes to the actual products, its probably a good idea to shop for higher CBD content. This specific cannabinoid is responsible for many of the effects you are seeking. It is known as the “healing cannabinoid” for a reason.

This isn’t to say THC is a bad idea when you’re sick. If you have the stomach flu or nausea, a little THC may be able to settle your stomach a bit.

But, the best approach is to prevent sickness altogether. Keep a strong immune system with plenty of sleep, a good diet, and exercise. You should also practice good hygiene, and wash your hands after touching anything public. While there’s nothing like a joint or bowl with your friends, this is also one of the easiest ways to spread germs. So, maybe stick to solo sessions as much as you can.