Yo, what’s up? It’s ya boy Dan, and today we’re talking about a topic that’s been on everyone’s mind: can you be allergic to weed? I mean, with almost 4% of the population consuming cannabis for either recreational or medical reasons, it’s a pretty important question to ask. So, let’s dive in and find out if smoking that herb can trigger an allergic reaction.
First things first, let’s talk about the science behind it. Like any other plant, weed contains allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction. In fact, a study conducted in 2018 found that people who are allergic to weed are likely to also have allergies to dust mites, plants, molds, and pet dander. Dr. Purvi Parikh, M.D., a New York City Board-Certified Allergist, also pointed out that the main risk linked to marijuana is molding.
Now, you might be wondering if it matters whether you’re smoking cannabis sativa or cannabis indica. The answer is nope – they’re both the same species and have similar protein properties, so the effects would be the same.
Okay, now that we’ve got the science out of the way, let’s talk about the symptoms of a weed allergy. Just like any other type of allergy, symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of exposure. You could experience anything from rashes and red itchy skin to dry cough and difficulty breathing. Scary stuff.
What’s worse is that marijuana allergies can be triggered in different ways. You could get a reaction from eating weed-infused edibles (yes, food allergies aren’t the only ones out there), touching the plant, smoking it, or even inhaling airborne pollen (yikes).
So what should you do if you start experiencing symptoms of a weed allergy? First things first: don’t panic! Panicking is only going to make things worse. If you’re in an area where there are cannabis plants or smoke, leave immediately. Drink plenty of water to thin the mucus in your nasal passages and relieve symptoms. And if things get really bad, inject yourself with an epinephrine injection (EpiPen is your best bet).
If you want to avoid marijuana allergies altogether, here are some preventative measures you can take:
– Get a prescription and have yourself checked
– Avoid certain foods that cross-react with marijuana
– Bring inhalers with you
– Have blood tests done
Now you might be thinking “wait a minute, what about cross-reactivity?” And yes, it’s totally possible to experience cross-reactivity when consuming foods that resemble proteins found in marijuana. So be careful when consuming tomatoes, chestnuts, apples, peaches, almonds, and eggplant.
So there you have it – everything you need to know about weed allergies. If you suspect that you might be allergic to weed, take a step back from using it and consult a healthcare professional ASAP. Stay safe out there!
