Researchers are following up on initial studies which indicate that Cannabidiol or CBD might help in the fight against Covid-19. Initial studies done on mice have found that CBD which is one of the active compounds in cannabis can help mice block infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Further studies on humans have also shown that CBD inhibits the replication of the Covid-19 virus in the lungs meaning it can limit the severity of infection.
Therapeutic Effects of CBD
CBD is one of the main compounds that occur naturally in the Cannabis plant. However, unlike THC which is also a Cannabis derivative, CBD does not have a psychoactive effect when consumed so it does not give the high effect that marijuana is known for. This means that CBD products can be consumed safely without side effects to treat various conditions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of CBD as a therapy in certain types of epilepsy.
CBC oils, like CBD, show promise in treating stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. As studies on COVID-19 continue, these natural remedies remain potent tools to combat the rising mental health issues caused by the pandemic. CBC activates serotonin receptors similarly to antidepressants but without negative side effects, making it an appealing option for managing chronic stress naturally With more and more people embracing natural therapies there is an ever-increasing demand for popular CBD strains like the white widow strain seeds in UK.
CBD in the Fight Against Covid-19
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are widely known and this is one of the reasons that researchers started to test the possible impact of CBD as a therapy against Covid-19. In a January 2022 study published in Science Advances, preliminary research showed that CBD has a significant negative association with the SARS-Covid 19 virus.
Marsha Rosner, Ph.D., a professor in the Ben May Department of Cancer Research and a senior author of the study noted that CBD was found to directly inhibit viral replication in lung cells. This indicates that CBD may have potential benefits in limiting the severity of Covid-19 infection in the lungs.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus typically replicates by hijacking the gene expression machinery of its host and producing copies of itself. The study on the effect of CBD on the virus found that high concentrations of CBD effectively blocked the replication process. This means that while CBD has not shown the ability to stop infection it may have a significant impact on the severity of Covid-19 infection by blocking the virus from multiplying in the lungs.
Scientists are optimistic that CBD may be a breakthrough treatment in the fight against Covid-19 and clinical trials are currently underway. However, so far, studies have found that the efficacy of CBD in blocking viral replication is only found in high purity and high concentrations of CBD. This means that taking CBD products like edibles, tinctures or vapes will not have the same viral blocking effect that high concentrations of CBD have.
Outlook
Ultimately, CBD shows great promise as a potential therapy in the treatment of Covid-19. However, before conclusive studies are released, getting fully vaccinated and going for booster shots remains the best way to prevent severe Covid-19 infection. It is important to note that vaccines help in reducing the risk of infection and in reducing the severity of the disease. This means staying safe by masking up, social distancing, and vaccinations are currently still the safest bets against covid-19.
