Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the airways become narrow due to swelling and may create excess mucus. It’s also referred to as bronchial asthma, and it affects people with varying levels of severity. Asthma often causes coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, which become worse during an asthma attack.
The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates is thought to have been the first to describe asthma as a symptom of specific environmental conditions, which we now call occupational asthma. A deeper understanding of asthma came during the 19th and 20th centuries when it was determined to be an inflammatory disorder, significantly improving how it was treated and managed.
The CDC states more than 24 million children and adults, or almost 8% of people in the United States, have asthma. It is one of the most common diseases among children in the US, affecting nearly 4.6 million children under 18. Scientists theorize that the severity of childhood asthma may play a part in how it presents in adulthood.
In 2021, two important studies were completed on two different monoclonal antibodies as a treatment for severe asthma., In the same year, Tezspire, an injection containing one of these monoclonal antibodies, was approved as the first of its kind for asthma management in people aged 12 and over.
What Causes Asthma?
The severity of asthma can change over time. Healthcare providers have labeled its types based on various causes and risk factors.
The cause of asthma can be:
- Allergic: Allergies to pollen, mold, pet dander, and other allergens can cause an asthma attack either immediately or within days of exposure.
- Non-allergic: Other factors like exercise, stress, weather, and illness can cause asthma flares.
Certain risk factors may also be responsible for asthma onset:
- Environmental factors, like exposure to secondhand smoke
- Genetics
- Respiratory infections
Asthma Signs & Symptoms
If you are experiencing asthma, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Tightness, pain, or pressure in the chest
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing when exhaling
- Disruption in sleep due to the above symptoms
- Bluish fingernails or lips (in light-skinned people) or gray/whitish lips or gums (in dark-skinned people) during an asthma attack
- Rapid breathing during an asthma attack
Asthma symptoms are easy to recognize but may vary with each flare-up. If you are experiencing more frequent symptoms or relying on a quick-relief inhaler more often, it is essential to see a doctor immediately.
Asthma can begin in childhood, often before the age of 5. Asthma can also be adult-onset, occurring at age 18 or older.
Asthma is labeled as either:
- Intermittent: Symptoms are not always present, allowing feelings of normalcy between asthma attacks.
- Persistent: Mild to severe symptoms are present a lot of the time. The frequency of symptoms determines the severity of persistent asthma.
Asthma is classified by its levels of severity, according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA):
- Severe: Uncontrolled or frequent asthma, even with optimal treatment.
- Moderate: Well-controlled asthma, with symptoms that are relieved with low to medium treatment doses.
- Mild: Well-controlled asthma with symptoms that do not happen daily or are relieved quickly.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Asthma Symptoms?
Because asthma involves inflammation of the lungs, you might wonder if medical cannabis can help asthma or its symptoms because of its reported anti-inflammatory properties.
This is a topic of debate among researchers, mainly because inhalation is a popular method of cannabis consumption, and smoking tobacco or inhaling its secondhand smoke is a risk factor for asthma.
- A 2016 review looked at 19 studies on marijuana, smoking, and pulmonary function from the late 1970s to 2015. Researchers found that while smoking cannabis does produce some negative respiratory symptoms similar to tobacco smoking, the cannabinoid THC is also a bronchodilator. This study was limited by the excess of cannabis smokers who smoked tobacco and concluded that more research involving non-smokers is needed.
- In 2012, researchers reviewed a study examining 20 years of lung function and cannabis use in over 5000 people. They found that while marijuana use in more significant amounts did lead to adverse effects on lung function, occasional use of cannabis did not cause these same adverse effects. It was still unclear whether smoking marijuana caused the same adverse effects as tobacco smoking.
- A study from Norway published in 2019 found that cannabis use was associated with an increase in the use of asthma medications in a cohort of 2602 individuals tracked over 13 years.
Though there have been no studies on relieving asthma in humans with medical marijuana, the research shows that cannabinoids may have a potential benefit for some of the symptoms. In the future, we may see the development of medications that take advantage of the anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties of cannabis. THC’s ability to relax the lungs for easier breathing and CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation may make them frontrunners in later studies.
Of course, because cannabis interacts with everybody differently, there are additional hazards besides the inherent risks of smoking marijuana with asthma. Any irritant or allergen can induce asthma, so patients must be aware that even cannabis use without smoking can still trigger a flare-up, especially if you are sensitive to it.
Asthma is a condition that individuals must manage regularly, so it is essential to be aware that the inhibition-lowering effects of marijuana could get in the way of monitoring symptoms or staying on top of a treatment plan. Make sure to consult with a healthcare provider if you are considering cannabis when experiencing asthma symptoms.
Smoking and vaporizing cannabis, or using any other inhaled method, is not recommended for anyone with asthma. Other non-inhaled products like tinctures, capsules, topicals, and edibles are most recommended. CBD-only products or CBD-heavy ratios of cannabinoids are best for someone with asthma. Products too high in THC can cause psychoactive effects and may lead to the inability to recognize escalating symptoms of an asthma attack.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers asthma to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes asthma as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to register for your state’s medical marijuana program.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 28 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Asthma
Is smoking weed with asthma beneficial?
Smoking any substance while experiencing asthma is not recommended and can lead to more severe symptoms or an asthma attack. In a 2016 scientific review, researchers found that smoking marijuana can produce adverse respiratory symptoms similar to smoking tobacco.9
Is THC or CBD better for asthma?
Researchers have looked at both cannabinoids for their possible benefits for immune-related conditions. THC has been studied for its potential ability to relax the airways, allowing more airflow. CBD has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and its immune-regulating properties. The method of consumption is essential in this case because inhaled cannabis may have more negative effects than other methods. Consult with your doctor before using THC or CBD for asthma.
Is cannabis a bronchodilator?
The cannabinoid THC has been found to be what makes cannabis a bronchodilator.6 This means it relaxes the airways, allowing more airflow. It is important to note that smoking cannabis with asthma, one of the most popular consumption methods, can produce additional negative respiratory symptoms. Non-inhaled methods of consumption are best for anyone experiencing difficulty breathing. Consult with your doctor before using cannabis while experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Can you vape if you have asthma?
Inhaling any substance with asthma is not recommended and can lead to more severe symptoms or an asthma attack. While vaporizing heats the cannabis flower or oil instead of burning it and is thought to produce less harmful smoke, it can still irritate the airways and the lungs, leading to increased asthma symptoms. More study is needed on the effects of vaporizing marijuana and how it might differ from smoking marijuana with asthma.
Resources
1. Pettigrew, Howard David, et al. The Clinical Definitions of Asthma. Springer New York, 28 July 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7121628/.
2. Sears MR, Greene JM, Willan AR, et al. A longitudinal, population-based, cohort study of childhood asthma followed to adulthood. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(15):1414-1422. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa022363
3. Menzies-Gow A, Corren J, Bourdin A, et al. Tezepelumab in Adults and Adolescents with Severe, Uncontrolled Asthma. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(19):1800-1809. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2034975
4. Kelsen SG, Agache IO, Soong W, et al. Astegolimab (anti-ST2) efficacy and safety in adults with severe asthma: A randomized clinical trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021;148(3):790-798. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2021.03.044
5. Kopustinskiene DM, Masteikova R, Lazauskas R, Bernatoniene J. Cannabis sativa L. Bioactive Compounds and Their Protective Role in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation. Antioxidants. 2022; 11(4):660. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11040660
6. Ribeiro LI, Ind PW. Effect of cannabis smoking on lung function and respiratory symptoms: a structured literature review. npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine. 2016;26(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/npjpcrm.2016.71
7. Pletcher MJ, Vittinghoff E, Kalhan R, et al. Association Between Marijuana Exposure and Pulmonary Function Over 20 Years. JAMA. 2012;307(2):173. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1961
8. Bramness JG, von Soest T. A longitudinal study of cannabis use increasing the use of asthma medication in young Norwegian adults. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 2019;19(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-019-0814-x
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
