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The weather is turning cold, wet and soon snowy – it is the winter cold season – does marijuana or booze help or hurt?
October is when the weather turns and head colds appear in force. There are reasons for it, more time indoors during the colder months, which makes it easier for viruses to spread is a key reason. Also, cold, dry air can make nasal passages more vulnerable to infection. It is heard to avoid, but there are some thing you can do to avoid them and still have fun! Washing your hands, keep work and home surfaces clean, get enough sleep and eat healthy are all helpful. But can cannabis or alcohol help with colds?
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While both marijuana and booze are seen as “bad” and “vices”, there are reasons to consider them as a helpmate during cold season. The average adult will get 2 to 4 colds a year, mainly in the fall and winter months. The symptoms including a stuffy runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, fever and a cough…it makes it miserable. But beyond a bracing hot toddy…can a couple of vices help?
Alcohol does not make it easier to catch a cold. In fact, there is some evidence moderate alcohol consumption may actually reduce the frequency of colds. However, excessive alcohol use can negatively impact the immune system and potentially increase susceptibility to infections.
Some studies suggest moderate alcohol intake may decrease the number of colds people get overall. For example, one study found that participants who consumed 11.5 to 35.8 grams of alcohol per day (equivalent to about 1-3 standard drinks) experienced fewer episodes of the common cold compared to non-drinkers.
The potential protective effect may be due to alcohol’s influence on certain aspects of the immune response, such as the release of inflammatory cytokines, which could be beneficial for fighting infections in the short term/
Occasional or moderate drinking may have some benefits but excessive or frequent alcohol use can negatively impact the immune system and overall health. Alcohol can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. It can alter gut flora, damage the intestinal lining, and impair immune cell function in the respiratory tract, increasing vulnerability to infections. And it can lead you to dehydration if you are not careful.
The biggest thing is alcohol may help before you catch a cold, but not after you catch one.
Marijuana can’t help you avoid a cold, but it can help you manage the symptoms. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce inflammation associated with colds. THC and CBD may help relieve body aches and headaches that often accompany colds. Cannabis can promote sleep, which is important for recovery when sick
And THC can help stimulate appetite, which may be beneficial when feeling unwell
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A cold can be caused by a number of different viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses. There is no cure for the common cold, but there are ways to treat symptoms and feel better while your body fights it off. Get plenty of rest, hydrate, use humidifiers or team to help the throat and eat well.
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Amy Hansen
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