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Does Weed Help With a Cold? Relief & Benefits

This post is part of our Best Dispensary in Los Angeles series, sponsored by Project Cannabis.

The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or another qualified health professional before making any changes to your treatment or if you have any concerns about your mental health. Do not ignore or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read here. 

Feeling under the weather? Battling a pesky cold can put a major cramp in your style, not to mention it’s a huge nuisance. Well, you may be surprised to learn that there’s a potential remedy right at your fingertips – weed. That’s right, marijuana has been gaining popularity as a natural alternative for relieving symptoms associated with the common cold. But does weed help with a cold, for real? That’s what we’re aiming to find out as we explore whether or not weed can help with a cold, and we’ll also talk about the relief and benefits it may provide.

Weed and Colds

There’s no concrete proof that smoking weed with a cold can help alleviate immediate symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and sore throat. However, the relaxing properties of certain strains may deliver temporary relief from body aches and pains.  If nothing else, the euphoria that comes with THC-dominant weed strains could definitely improve your mood if you’re cranky from a common cold.

Because most reports about efficacy come from user experience, you should understand that whether or not weed is good for a cold is largely based on you and your own response to marijuana. 

While marijuana’s mood-lifting properties are a plus, it’s not a medicine that will cure the common cold.  Moreover, if you smoke it, you should know that it could potentially worsen any existing respiratory conditions. This means that individuals with asthma or chronic bronchitis should avoid smoking weed if they have a cold (we’ll talk more about alternatives to smoking in a sec).

So, is weed good for a cold? That’s really up to your interpretation. And while it would be awesome if it could cure a cold – weed won’t.  But, it could make your cold a bit more bearable.

Is Smoking Weed The Only Way To Consume THC for Treating a Cold?

Does smoking weed help with a cold? It depends. As we briefly mentioned, smoking weed can exacerbate the respiratory system, so lighting up a joint isn’t always ideal.  Thankfully, there are loads of different formats and cannabis products you can use that don’t require smoking, and here are a few to consider:

• Incredibly Edible:  Chocolate bars, gummies, chips, popcorn – the amount of weed-infused edibles to choose from is vast.
• Sippables: We’re talking about cannabis-infused drinks.  Teas, sodas, coffees, waters – you can even add a marijuana shot to your orange juice to quell those cold symptoms.
• Suck it Up: Weed can be consumed in lozenge form, which you can suck on like a hard candy. This might be helpful for sore throats, which often accompany the common cold.
• Topicals: You can get weed-infused creams or lotions that might help with sore, achy muscles.
• Oils: Weed can be obtained in edible oil tinctures you can drop under your tongue.  There are also topical oils you can rub into your skin for relief. 

Is Sativa or Indica Better For a Cold?

If you’re not already familiar, there are two popular types of marijuana – sativa and indica. Is one better for a cold than another? Let’s discuss.

Sativa strains might help provide relief from cold symptoms like exhaustion or overall ennui by boosting energy levels and promoting mental clarity. The cerebral effects of sativa strains can also help alleviate any feelings of lethargy or brain fog that may accompany a cold.

Alternatively, indica strains may be more beneficial if your cold is causing significant discomfort or interfering with sleep. Indicas are known for their relaxing properties and can help calm the body and mind. This can be especially beneficial if you’re floundering to get adequate rest due to your cold symptoms.

Best Strains For a Cold

In our ongoing quest to answer the question, can weed help a cold – we wanted to share a few different strains that might be more impactful for annoying cold symptoms than others.

White Widow:  This hybrid strain delivers a balanced combination of relaxation and euphoria, making it effective in relieving congestion and promoting restful sleep.

Blue Dream: This is a sativa-predominant hybrid with uplifting effects. It can provide an energy boost while also easing symptoms such as headaches or body aches commonly associated with colds.

OG Kush: For those seeking more potent pain relief, OG Kush might be the ideal option. This indica-dominant strain offers powerful analgesic properties that can help soothe sore throats and reduce discomfort throughout the body.

Harlequin: If you prefer something milder but still incredibly soothing, try the high-CBD strain Harlequin. With its potential anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can aid in reducing nasal inflammation and sinus pressure.

How To Purchase Marijuana

Buying weed for a cold depends a lot upon where you live and what kind of dispensaries are in your area.  If you’re lucky enough to live in California, you can go to a licensed, reputable provider, such as a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary, that might even deliver legal marijuana right to your home!  Otherwise, you’ll have to get a medical marijuana card if you live in a state that hasn’t legalized marijuana. 

Key Takeaways On Weed and a Cold

Does weed help with a cold? Let’s put that question to bed (pun intended) by summing up what we’ve learned so far:

• Smoking might not be the best idea: While some people may find that smoking or vaping cannabis helps alleviate their cold symptoms temporarily, it is important to note that smoking can irritate the respiratory system and potentially worsen congestion.
• Try different ways to consume it: Consuming cannabis through alternative methods, such as edibles or tinctures, might be a better option for treating a cold. These methods allow you to experience the benefits of Mary Jane without exposing your lungs to smoke or vapor.
• Choosing between sativa and indica: It’s worth considering whether sativa or indica strains are more suitable for your specific cold symptoms. Sativa strains tend to provide an uplifting effect which may help combat fatigue associated with a cold. Then again, indica strains offer relaxation and sedation properties that could ease discomfort and promote sleep during illness.
• Go to a reputable dispensary: Find a licensed dispensary with knowledgeable staff who can answer questions like, does weed help with a cold.

Conclusion

While weed may offer temporary relief from certain symptoms of a cold, it does not cure the underlying viral infection causing your illness. It’s essential to prioritize rest, hydration, and proper medical care when dealing with a common cold or any other respiratory condition.  As always, when considering alternative medicine or treatment options, consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health.  All that said – using weed for a cold could potentially take the edge off the worst of your symptoms. We hope these insights were helpful and you get better soon!

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