Allergic to Weed - Myth or Real Diagnosis?

Is it possible to be allergic to cannabis?

https://wtop.com/news/2019/10/can-you-be-allergic-to-marijuana-2/

With cannabis seemingly everywhere, there is one thing that I believe to be of vital importance for consumers to know. This relates to whether or not a person can be allergic to cannabis. While there isn’t a lot of information on the subject, there are some logical conclusions we can make.

So, can you be allergic to cannabis?
Short Answer: Yes (sort of)

Now for the longer answer.

Cannabis and Allergy Explanation

It’s a tricky situation, because technically you can’t be allergic to cannabis but rather things associated with cannabis. Probably the biggest culprit to these allergic reaction is pollen. The cannabis plant, which we smoke, typically has very little pollen on it due to the fact that most growers kill off male plants in order to increase the THC production.

Male plants are the ones that have pollen sacks and female plants can’t produce pollen at all. This means, you might be allergic to the “male cannabis plant” when full maturity is reached, however if the cannabis plant is female and properly grown, odds diminish quite significantly.

However, it’s not necessarily the pollen that can be the factor of flaring up your allergies. There are certain proteins that can also cause allergic reactions, however the people affected by this is far smaller than with pollen.

These proteins are similar to what is found in grass and trees, and those who are allergic to those could potentially be allergic to cannabis as well.

Other than that, we still don’t know enough about the cannabis genome to decipher all of the things that could potentially cause allergic reaction with consumers.

Nonetheless, the vast majority of people have absolutely no problem with cannabis at all.

What if I’m allergic? Can I still consume cannabis?

Yes, if you are either allergic to pollen or proteins within the plant, there are work-arounds. For example, it would be in your best interest to consume oils or extracts which contain 0% pollen and typically changes the protein consistency when extracted.

This is because heat is applied to activate the THC in the extractions. For example, Rosin is a high-pressure, solvent-less extraction method that will activate the cannabinoids in the process and alter the protein profile due to the application of heat.

For the most part, people allergic to cannabis are allergic to the “plant” and not what’s inside the plant. You would be able to use CBD without a problem and in fact, it could even help you fight off other allergies in the process.

CBD helps balance your immune system. Allergies typically don’t just “appear” but rather take time to alter your immune system to develop an allergic response. CBD and THC both regulate and balance your immune system. This means that cannabis could even help you get rid of other allergies along the way. Obviously, there’s a lot more research required on this topic.

How do I know if I’m allergic?

A quick test – albeit not a 100% fool-proof test – would be to rub a bit of cannabis on your skin. Simply take a small bud and rub it on a small piece of your skin. If it becomes itchy, red or develop spots…you might be allergic to a few things in cannabis.

However, as mentioned, the vast majority of people will have absolutely no reaction.

Cannabis is rigged for human consumption

One of the main reasons why most people would never have an allergic reaction to cannabis is because it’s literally rigged for human consumption. The cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant are virtually identical to the endocannabinoids produced in the body.

What’s more, with the endocannabinoid system primed for accepting cannabinoids, it also helps balance the immune system, reduces inflammation and helps with other symptoms of allergies. Additionally, prolonged exposure to small quantities of cannabis could prime your system to “not be allergic” to cannabis anymore.

This is similar to how people with pet-allergies overcome it by exposing themselves to pets in small doses. However, it’s also important to take into consideration the severity of the allergic reaction. For instance, people allergic to nuts can die due to anaphylactic shock.

If you have a severe reaction to cannabis, having an Epi-pen might not be a bad idea – especially if you are not aware of a potential allergic reaction. The other route would simply be to avoid cannabis altogether or to simply stick to oils and extracts.

As mentioned, most people who are “allergic” to cannabis are allergic to pollen or certain proteins found in grass and trees. They aren’t directly allergic to cannabis, but rather these side-elements which might prompt an allergic reaction.

For the most part, consumers don’t have to worry about cannabis allergies, however this article is dedicated to those who have to walk on eggshells throughout life due to a host of other allergies they suffer from.

It’s best to be safe than sorry.