How do you deal with a sore throat?
Over-the-counter medications from a drug store? Tea and honey? Hope and pray?
These methods may work (with varying degrees of success), but let’s explore another: CBD oil.
TAKEAWAYS:
- CBD can help with sore throat by addressing the discomfort that comes with it. Research suggests CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Additionally, research has shown that CBD may have antibacterial properties, which means it can help if your throat soreness is caused by strep or another bacterial infection.
- CBD is not an immune booster, though, so if you’re trying to address the root cause of your sore throat, opt for remedies like lemon or elderberry.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant. It’s not an approved medical treatment for much of anything, but anecdotal evidence and preliminary research suggest that it’s effective for anxiety, sleep, pain, and more.
Research has also shown CBD to have anti-inflammatory effects — this is the basis for how it can help with throat irritation (more on how it works in a minute).
What Causes Sore Throats?
Throat soreness is a pretty distinct feeling. Symptoms of a sore throat include pain or scratchy sensations in the throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen tonsils, and hoarseness in your voice.
Common causes of sore throat include:
- Viral infections (common colds, the flu, etc.)
- Bacterial infections (strep)
- Allergies
- Dryness in the air — either due to being indoors or due to the weather
- Irritants such as tobacco smoke or chemical fumes
- Muscle strain from a lot of talking or yelling (i.e. losing your voice)
Some of these factors are more controllable than others.
Dealing with your sore throat may be as simple as resting your voice, or it may mean you need to turn to natural remedies like CBD.
Can CBD Help With Sore Throat? (Yes, Here’s How It Works)
The short answer is that yes, CBD can help with sore throat. But let’s find out how.
In this section, we’ll explain how CBD works, as well as discuss the two main ways CBD can help with sore throat.
How CBD Works In Your Body
CBD interacts with your body through your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a transmitter system responsible for regulating a large number of vital bodily functions. Specifically, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS.
The job of the ECS is to keep your body in a state of balance. Normally, the ECS produces its own endocannabinoids, but during times of sickness or other bodily stress, it can become compromised.
In these situations, introducing outside cannabinoids like CBD can aid your ECS in doing its job.
How It Helps: CBD May Help with Throat Pain and Inflammation
With the ECS in mind, let’s examine how CBD can help with sore throat.
In a few studies, CBD has exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-killing) effects. Anecdotal evidence (real people using CBD products) also supports this.
By interacting with your CB2 receptors, CBD inhibits the release of cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory proteins. Upon activation, cytokines cause redness, swelling, and pain.
By inhibiting cytokine release, CBD is thought to reduce inflammation — including inflammation in the throat.
How It Helps: CBD May Have Anti-Bacterial Properties
Though not related to the ECS or your body’s internal functions, CBD has been shown to have antibiotic effects.
Specifically, research suggests that CBD can reduce the bacteria in your mouth that contribute to strep throat, tooth pain, and related issues.
By reducing the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth, CBD may be able to help with sore throat if it’s caused by a bacterial infection.
CBD Benefits for Sore Throat: Summary
CBD is more effective at addressing the discomfort (i.e. inflammation) that stems from having a sore throat than it is at treating the root causes.
Other than the research on CBD’s antibiotic properties, there isn’t much evidence that CBD can address the root causes of sore throat. CBD doesn’t boost the immune system, and it isn’t a treatment against allergies.
So in the meantime, it’s better to think of CBD as a tool for managing sore throat, rather than treating it.
You deserve better. That's why we only carry high-strength, American-made CBD products that have been 3rd-party lab tested.
How to Use CBD for Sore Throat: Method & Dosage
If you’ve decided to use CBD for your sore throat, here’s what you need to know.
Method
There are a few different ways to take CBD for sore throat, and there is no “best” method. Keep in mind that you aren’t using CBD to soothe the inside of your throat, but rather to act on the associated inflammation and pain.
Here are your main options:
- CBD oil – CBD oil consists of hemp extract and carrier oil. It’s taken under the tongue. After taking CBD oil, you’ll feel the effects in 10-15 minutes. The only downside with oil is that it can cause dry mouth, which is counterproductive if you’re dealing with a sore throat.
- CBD edibles and CBD drinks – CBD edibles and drinks taste great, so they’re the perfect option if you don’t like the earthy flavor of CBD oil. Since edibles are digested, though, it can take up to 45 minutes to begin feeling the effects.
- CBD softgels – Softgel capsules consist of CBD oil inside a digestible gel capsule. They provide a quick, easy way to get the benefits from CBD, and you’ll feel the effects from them in 45 minutes.
We’re not listing smoking or vaping as methods of using CBD for sore throat — these products will only aggravate the problem. Instead, opt for an edible or soft gel.
One last note: if you’re taking CBD to help with the bacteria in your mouth, use CBD oil. Since you have to hold CBD oil under your tongue for a few minutes while it absorbs, this method will allow you to get CBD’s antibiotic benefits.
Dosage
To help with throat inflammation, we recommend you take a medium-strength dosage. The formula is:
(0.3) x (your body weight in pounds) = your dosage in mg
So if you weigh, for example, 140 lbs, take 42mg of CBD daily.
We use formulas, rather than set doses, because your weight determines how much CBD you’ll need — if you’re a larger person, you’ll naturally need to take more CBD in order for it to work well (and vice versa).
Side Effects of CBD
Though CBD can be beneficial for sore throat, it isn’t without its side effects.
Potential side effects of using CBD include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
Most people won’t feel all of these side effects, and some won’t feel any. To minimize the downsides of CBD, start with the recommended dose and see how you feel before taking larger amounts.
Can CBD Cause Sore Throat?
No — CBD won’t cause a sore throat, nor will it make a sore throat worse. However, CBD oil, in particular, may cause dry mouth, which isn’t exactly ideal when dealing with a sore throat.
If this is a concern for you, opt for an edible or drink.
Other Ways to Relieve Sore Throat
CBD is just one of many remedies for sore throat — and it doesn’t usually address the root causes of throat soreness.
Here are some things that will.
Gargling with Saltwater
Saltwater can kill off the soreness-causing bacterial and viral particles in your throat. To do this, mix one teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Then, gargle the mixture for 30 seconds and spit it out.
Honey
Honey can help soothe a sore throat. You can either take a spoonful of it straight, or you can mix it into warm water or tea. Do this a few times a day whenever you’re in need of relief.
Elderberry
Elderberry syrup can boost the immune system and fight off viral infections, which are one of the biggest causes of sore throat.
You can either take elderberry by itself or mix it into a warm drink.
Lemon
Lemon juice is simultaneously soothing and immune-boosting, due to its high vitamin C content. Put a few teaspoons into a warm glass of water or a cup of hot tea.
Hot Tea
Hot tea can soothe the throat and boost the immune system, and luckily, there’s a seemingly infinite variety of teas you can try. A few great blends include slippery elm, echinacea, elderberry, and chamomile.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Medications such as Ibuprofen can help you address the pain that comes with a sore throat.
Takeaway: Is CBD Any Good for a Sore Throat?
So, if you’re dealing with a sore throat, should you take CBD?
Yes and no. If you need a way to mitigate the discomfort of having a sore throat, yes, CBD can help. However, if you’re trying to speed up your recovery, immune boosters like elderberry syrup or lemon are more effective.
In other words, CBD has some benefits for sore throat, but it shouldn’t be your first line of defense.
CBD for Sore Throat: FAQs
Some questions customers frequently ask us about using CBD for sore throat.
Does CBD cream help with a sore throat?
No — CBD topicals won’t help with throat soreness. For CBD to work for inflammation, it needs to be digested.
Can I take CBD while sick?
Yes. There isn’t any research showing CBD has detrimental effects if you’re sick.
What reduces sore throat inflammation?
Research suggests CBD has some anti-inflammatory effects, so it may be beneficial for sore throat. Other remedies to consider are drinking warm or cold fluids, gargling salt water, and using over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g. ibuprofen).
Can CBD cause sore throat?
No, although using CBD oil, specifically, can cause temporary mouth dryness.
