Can I vape medical cannabis with COPD?

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term used to refer to a group of chronic lung diseases that cause restricted airflow and breathing problems. It is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide (2021) and includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These conditions are more common in middle-aged and older individuals who smoke, with symptoms worsening over time. 

What causes COPD?

COPD occurs when the lungs become inflamed or damaged, sometimes causing them to narrow or become clogged with phlegm. The main cause of COPD is smoking, with the risk of developing the condition increasing the more you smoke and the longer you have smoked; however, it can also affect people who have never smoked.

COPD can also be linked to exposure to harmful fumes or dust, and in rarer cases, a genetic problem that makes the lungs more vulnerable to damage. People with COPD are also at a higher risk of other health problems, including lung cancer, heart problems, anxiety, and depression.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

The main symptoms of COPD include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent chesty cough, often with phlegm
• Frequent chest infections
• Persistent wheezing
• Tiredness

Early diagnosis is key to effectively managing COPD symptoms and limiting lung damage. People are urged to speak to their healthcare provider as soon as they experience symptoms like those mentioned above.

While there is no cure for COPD, its symptoms can often improve by ceasing smoking and avoiding air pollution. Medicines, oxygen treatment, and pulmonary rehabilitation can also help to relieve some symptoms. 

What is COPD Awareness Month?

COPD Awareness Month is a month-long event recognised annually from the 1st to the 30th of November with World COPD also falling on the 16th of November. The event is supported by various organisations, healthcare providers, and individuals aiming to raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of COPD and fundraise for future research and education on chronic lung disease.

Medical cannabis and COPD

Medical cannabis was legalised on the first day of COPD Awareness Month (November 1st) in 2018. Since then, cannabis-based medicines have been available as a treatment option for a wide range of conditions, when conventional therapies have proved ineffective. But can doctors prescribe medical cannabis for COPD?

Well, in short - yes! Specialist doctors may consider cannabis-based medicines for patients with COPD; however, this is not to directly treat the physical symptoms of the disease. 

As our Clinical Director, Dr David Tang, explains:

“The reason we decided to add COPD to the list of conditions we can treat was actually for patients with significant, almost end-stage COPD, who were very anxious from the extent of their breathlessness. 

A large portion of that breathlessness is psychological, so the hope of treating them with medical cannabis oil is that we remove the psychological aspect of the breathlessness and all that we leave is the physical breathlessness behind and, hopefully, increase how far they can walk without getting breathless.”

Can I vape medical cannabis for COPD?

As Dr Tang alludes to above, oils are the main form of medical cannabis prescribed for patients with COPD. This allows patients to experience the potential psychological benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes - such as reducing anxiety associated with the condition - without further exacerbating their physical COPD symptoms by inhaling vapour. 

While vaping medical cannabis can offer a number of benefits, such as fast relief and higher bioavailability, it is generally not advised for patients with lung problems. The problems associated with cannabis smoking and COPD may be clear, given the connection between the diseases and smoking in general. 

However, vaping can also cause thermal damage to the lungs, so as Dr Tang concludes, “Generally it’s not recommended that patients with COPD should vape medical cannabis.”

Final thoughts

Patients in the UK may be able to access medical cannabis oil for COPD. A medical cannabis prescription may help patients with chronic lung diseases to better manage the psychological symptoms that often accompany these conditions - particularly anxiety which may exacerbate physical symptoms. 

However, given the potential lung damage associated with vaping, this method of administration should be avoided, with medical cannabis oils being the favoured approach.