Given the severity of the situation, the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the addition of new variants emphasizes the need for new treatments. Based on a study of 85 unvaccinated COVID patients by researchers at the University of Chicago, we have learned that by using CBD for COVID-19 we can potentially address the symptoms of this viral disease and possibly even enhance prevention.
Endocannabinoid receptors
There are two main endocannabinoid receptors in the body: CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found throughout the body. Endocannabinoids bind to them to signal the endocannabinoid system to take action. Receptors CB1 are mostly located in the central nervous system, including the brain.
The CB2 receptors are found in body cells that control immune function and in the peripheral nervous system. During COVID, the lung receptors are under significant stress due to the virus. It is then desirable to strengthen the CB2 receptor. We can achieve this by taking CBD during COVID-19.
How live CBD cannabinoids function during COVID-19?
Live cannabinoids activate the CB2 receptors in the body, which actively repair the cells of the lungs and throughout the respiratory system. Consequently, they significantly increase the activation of the natural immune and endocrine systems. Thus, cannabinoids can be very effective as prevention, as an antiviral agent in the early stages of the infection, and also as a significant help in recovery after COVID.
Many current studies are looking at how cannabinoids interact with the CB2 receptor in the body. We are quoting from a new scientific study conducted on 85 unvaccinated COVID patients:
“CBD and its metabolite, 7-OH-CBD, but not congeneric cannabinoids, potently block SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. CBD acts after cellular infection, inhibiting viral gene expression and reversing many effects of SARS-CoV-2 on host gene transcription.
CBD induces interferon expression and up-regulates its antiviral signaling pathway. A cohort of human patients previously taking CBD had significantly lower SARSCoV-2 infection incidence of up to an order of magnitude relative to matched pairs or the general population. This study highlights CBD, and its active metabolite, 7-OH-CBD, as potential preventative agents and therapeutic treatments for SARS-CoV-2 at early stages of infection.”
As we already know, cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) have several properties that can be useful in treating certain health symptoms: CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, can act as a relaxant, and has the ability to reduce pain and anxiety. When cannabinoids are replenished in the body, they tend to greatly strengthen the CB2. This in turn is able to repair cells in the lungs. Of course, in this case, the chain reaction doesn’t just strengthen this receptor, but also the endocrine and immune systems.
What did the intake of CBD during COVID-19 show?
The best results in trials of CBD use in COVID-19 have been confirmed in recovery, particularly in terms of a quicker recovery, less pronounced symptoms and general physical symptoms manifesting themselves. Great results have also been shown in prevention and also in acute conditions.
“Our results suggest that CBD can block SARS-CoV-2 infection at early stages of infection, and CBD administration is associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. Furthermore, the active compound in patients is likely to be 7-OH-CBD, the same metabolite implicated in CBD treatment of epilepsy. The substantial reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk of approximately an order of magnitude in patients who took FDA-approved CBD highlights the potential efficacy of this drug in combating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, the ability of CBD to inhibit replication of MHV raises the possibility that CBD may have efficacy against new pathogenic viruses arising in the future,” as the study further elaborates in the discussion.
In any case, the purity of CBD and, in particular, the composition of materials labelled as CBD are extremely important, especially in light of findings suggesting that other cannabinoids, such as THC, may counteract the antiviral efficacy of CBD.
Although further clinical trials are still needed to determine the optimal dose and timing of CBD use in patients with COVID-19 symptoms, researchers currently believe there is a very high likelihood that CBD may have a positive contribution to curing COVID-19-related diseases. However, a rigorous randomised trial is still needed for any definitive conclusion on the use of CBD in COVID-19.
We hope that through this blog post using quotes from a new study on using CBD during COVID-19 you have gained a better picture of the effects of CBD on more than just the difficult symptoms associated with COVID-19. If you are considering a CBD therapy, we recommend that you read more about the organic CBD oils CBDium, which (among other things) support healthy sleep, an overall pH balance, balance of all internal body systems, and that also help to stabilise the central nervous system or boost your immunity.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Promotes the Host Innate Immune Response.
- Health Europa: Medicinal cannabis may play a significant role during COVID-19
- WebMD: Coronavirus: what happens when you get infected?
- C. Coetzee, R.-A. Levendal, M. van de Venter, C.L. Frost. Anticoagulant effects of a cannabis extract in an obese rat model. Phytomedicine 14 (2007) 333–337.
- Wang, B.; Kovalchuk, A.; Li, D.; Ilnytskyy, Y.; Kovalchuk, I.; Kovalchuk, O. In search of preventative strategies: novel anti-inflammatory high-CBD Cannabis Sativa extracts modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 gateway tissues. Preprints 2020, 2020040315 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202004.0315.v1).
- Mabou Tagne A, Pacchetti B, Sodergren M, et al. Cannabidiol for viral diseases: hype or hope? Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2020;5:121–131.
- InnoCan Pharma collaborates with Tel Aviv University to develop a new revolutionary approach to treat the COVID-19 coronavirus with exosomes-loaded CBD.
- Forbes: Compounds In Cannabis Show Promise As A Treatment For Coronavirus Infections.
- Startitup: Nová štúdia ukázala, že CBD môže pomôcť zmierniť zápal v pľúcach pacientov s COVID-19.