Could CBD Help The Treatment of COVID-19?

Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound of the Cannabis Sativa plant, has gained significant prominence in the last few years due to its health and therapeutic benefits. A recent Forbes Health Survey revealed that 60% of American adults use CBD products. Reputable CBD from this site may help to alleviate anxiety, treat epileptic seizures, manage chronic pain, and reduce inflammation. Recently, CBD has been proposed as a potential treatment for devastating COVID-19, two years after its debate without a cure. CBD has a drug status following the approval of Epidiolex, a CBD-infused drug for treating seizures. This article examines current research on CBD in treating COVID-19 and its possible implications.

Research on CBD and COVID-19

So far, 630 million people have contracted COVID-19, and more than 6 million have succumbed. While a wide range of vaccines is available for COVID-19, the virus is still spreading and wreaking havoc on nations, businesses, and communities worldwide, especially third-world countries with low access to vaccines. As a result, the need for alternative treatment is at an all-time high.

Various studies supported by reputable research bodies like the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences have assessed the effect of CBD on COVID-19, especially SARS-CoV-2. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is among the coronavirus species infecting people, causing mild to severe symptoms. Both human and animal trials have been evaluated to determine the interactions of CBD with Covid-19.

Laboratory studies and health record analysis have revealed promising results, affirming that CBD has protective properties against SARS-CoV-2. An article published in Science Advances confirmed that CBD lowers the risk for SARS-CoV-2 in humans. CBD is an antiviral during the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection and protects against an overactive immune system.

In another study, CBD impedes SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and mice. It does so by hindering SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells and reversing the impact of the virus on gene transcription. Typically, when you introduce the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the lung cells, they replicate, increasing the severity of the disease. However, when you treat lung cells with CBD before presenting the virus, it does not multiply. Mice given CBD doses before exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus had a lower likelihood of getting COVID-19 than those in the control group.

A review article published in the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research examined the effectiveness of CBD in managing inflammatory-related COVID-19 symptoms. It analyzed preclinical and clinical trials in PubMed, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Leveraging CBD’s anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive elements, the survey showed that administering 300mg of CBD to COVID-19 patients averted the development of severe infection and lowered parenchymal lung damage, lessening patient hospitalization chances. Although researchers are optimistic about CBD’s ability to treat the inflammatory symptoms of COVID-19 patients, more clinical studies are warranted.

Studies on the use of CBD for COVID-19 also assessed the efficacy of other compounds of cannabis. Out of more than 100 compounds, only CBD portrayed a protective effect. CBD combined with THC lowers the defensive ability substantially.

Implications of Research

Early research indicates that CBD can be used to prevent COVID-19 in the future. However, more research and clinical studies are necessary to prove its efficacy. Additionally, future studies should determine the best CBD delivery methods for optimal outcomes. The need for more clinical trials, instead of preclinical trials on animals, is increasing daily.

CBD as a potential preventative agent against SARS-CoV-2 has several advantages;

●        Wide availability in online and offline stores

●        Nonpsychoactive properties –CBD does not produce a high feeling like other cannabis components like THC.

●        Numerous means of digestion, including oral, nasal, and inhalation. You can take it in the form of oil, tinctures, capsules, and gummies.

●        It does not require administration in hospital settings –many people have hospital phobias and are more likely to embrace a treatment option outside this setting.

●        It has minor side effects –CBD is majorly well tolerated; it can cause dry mouth, reduced appetite, and drowsiness.

CBD has two main limitations as a prophylactic for COVID-19. First, numerous CBD formulations are available in the market with varying quality, amounts of CBD, and pharmacokinetic properties. It can be challenging to establish the best CBD with optimal outcomes for COVID-19. CBD’s purity and composition are vital since other CBD components like THC reduce CBD antiviral efficacy. Second, although CBD offers multiple administration forms, vaping and smoking evoke concerns about potential lung damage.

It is fundamental to note that there’s no scientific evidence proving that over-the-counter CBD products effectively prevent and treat COVID-19. Also, CBD should never replace the current safety measures for protecting against COVID-19, such as vaccination and masking. If CBD is approved in the future, it will be used with the current safety measures to prevent infections.

Conclusion