A series of recent studies have shown that cannabis compounds including CBD can help prevent infection by the COVID-19 virus.
The research, led by academics at the University of Chicago, found that CBD appeared to help curb SARS-CoV-2 infection at early and even later stages of infection.
In the study, human subjects prescribed regular doses of quality CBD were found to be less likely to contract COVID than participants not taking CBD. In the tests, CBD blocked the virus from replicating, and pretreatment with CBD lowered the amount of the virus in the lungs and nasal passages.
A similar study conducted by researchers in Oregon delivered analogous results, also showing that hemp compounds like CBD can help prevent COVID infection. The scientists at Oregon Health & Science University found that a pair of cannabinoid acids bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking a critical step in the process the virus uses to infect people. The compounds are cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid, CBDA, and the spike protein is the same drug target used in COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapy. A drug target is any molecule critical to the process a disease follows, meaning its disruption can thwart infection or disease progression.
What does this mean?
This means that CBD has the potential to prevent infections and could be used as supplementary to existing vaccines, however it doesn’t mean that CBD can cure COVID. This initial research has shown that cannabis products can help cells respond to viral infection, including COVID-19. Clinical trials are still ongoing, but these initial results are extremely promising for CBD fans worldwide.