Using CBD Oil for IPF

Do you know you can use CBD oil for IPF? This article explains the symptoms of IPF, cannabidiol, and IPF, how to choose CBD products, and what causes IPF when to see a doctor.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, also referred to as IPF, is a disorder in which the lungs become damaged, making it progressively difficult to breathe. They do not know what causes it, but those between the ages of 70 and 75 are mainly affected by it. People younger than 50 years old rarely have it. There are presently no treatments that will stop or cure the scarring of the lungs caused by IPF; however, some medicines can assist lessen the rate at which the condition worsens. Pulmonary fibrosis is a type of lung illness characterized by the progressive scarring and destruction of lung tissue. A person’s lungs have to work harder because of this thicker, inflexible tissue, which makes it more difficult for them to function correctly. One will experience increasing difficulty breathing as the severity of their pulmonary fibrosis continues to grow.

Cannabidiol and IPF

THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component in marijuana responsible for producing the "high” feeling and other brain responses. CBD contains only a trace amount of THC — little more than 0.03 percent — at most. One may find CBD in a wide variety of goods, including over-the-counter pills and capsules, oils and tinctures, oil for vaping, and topical forms that one can apply to the skin, nails, and even hair. It is against the law to put CBD on the market, including putting it in food or marketing it as a dietary supplement. Mantri et al. (2020) explained that one could find neither CBD nor THC in pure hemp seed oil or any other product derived from the hemp plant. Hemp seeds come from a distinct portion of the plant. The FDA has deemed them to be risk-free. Because you can derive CBD from hemp, researchers may have a more significant opportunity to investigate the substance's potential health benefits. Khaleghi (2020) explained that lung cancer and tumor could be significantly reduced after taking CBD oil drops. In the meantime, a pilot study in 2020 utilizing human cells and CBD oil to examine prospective COPD linkages validated earlier studies' findings that CBD might enhance your body's anti-inflammatory and immunological responses.

Due to the limited amount of research that has been done so far on CBD, there is currently no information regarding either its long-term effects on the body or how it interacts with other drugs. Because of this, there is reason to exercise caution when using certain medications, such as those that thin the blood.

How to Choose CBD products

It is possible for the levels of CBD included in over-the-counter products to vary from product to product and even within the same brand. Some do not even contain trace amounts of CBD and can include THC, which carries the same potential dangers and adverse effects as marijuana. In most cases, CBD won't generate a significant amount of adverse effects right away. However, you will probably experience diarrhea, a lack of appetite, tiredness, and weariness. Discuss adding CBD to your treatment with your primary care provider first. Sproll et al. (2019) said that because the quality of CBD products is unclear and the industry is not regulated, it can be challenging to determine what is legitimate. Some products have less CBD than advertised, while others claim to have more. There have also been allegations that cannabinoid products such as CBD contaminate with microorganisms, pesticides, or other unnatural chemicals. Despite this, it is still possible that they will show CBD potentiality to provide benefits verified by research for patients who suffer from lung disease.

What Causes IPF?

Maher & Strek  (2019) explained that in persons with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs in the lungs, become scarred and destroyed over time. Because of this, the lungs become rigid, making it more difficult for oxygen to enter the bloodstream. The reason behind this is not entirely understood. They associate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with exposure to specific dust types, such as metal or wood dust, which results in viral infections. History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the family — around one in every twenty persons who have IPF also have another family member who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD). It is unknown whether any of these factors directly cause IPF.

When to See a Doctor

Visit a physician if you have experienced difficulty breathing for an extended period or had a cough for more than three weeks. You cannot disregard these symptoms as they do not occur in a healthy person and should not. Suppose your primary care physician suspects you have a lung condition such as IPF; they can refer you to a hospital expert so that you can undergo diagnostic procedures such as:

• Testing of respiratory capacity (lung function)
• Blood tests
• An X-ray of the chest and a CT scan
• A process known as a lung biopsy involves removing a small sample of lung tissue via keyhole surgery so that you can examine it.

Conclusion

According to the findings that they analyze for this research, individual cannabinoids and components of cannabis extracts have the potential to interact favorably with the primary variables and pathways that contribute to fibrosis. Cannabinoids have fewer adverse effects on patients' health than most current antifibrotic drugs. Modulation of the ECS ought to utilize a contemporary technique that is the treatment of a variety of fibrotic diseases. This facet of the treatment has not been subject to an adequate amount of research. They need to conduct more in-depth analysis to discover a patient-focused treatment and improve patients' quality of life. Finding a treatment that may completely reverse the effects of this debilitating disease and bring relief to millions of people worldwide would be highly hopeful.

References

Khaleghi, M. (2020). New arthritis foundation guidelines on CBD use could be the first of many more. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 26, 8-11.

Lachenmeier, D. W., Habel, S., Fischer, B., Herbi, F., Zerbe, Y., Bock, V., ... & Sproll, C. (2019). Are adverse effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contamination? F1000Research, 8.

Maher, T. M., & Strek, M. E. (2019). Antifibrotic therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: time to treat. Respiratory Research, 20(1), 1-9.

Wolters, P. J., Blackwell, T. S., Eickelberg, O., Loyd, J. E., Kaminski, N., Jenkins, G., ... & Schwartz, D. A. (2018). Time for a change: is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis still idiopathic and only fibrotic? The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 6(2), 154-160.

Salami, S. A., Martinelli, F., Giovino, A., Bachari, A., Arad, N., & Mantri, N. (2020). It is our turn to get cannabis high: Put cannabinoids in food and health baskets. Molecules, 25(18), 4036.