The list of benefits and advantages of the cannabis compound, CBD, seems to keep growing. Recently, studies suggested that cannabidiol or CBD, a compound produced by the cannabis plant has the potential to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. A survey of real-world patients taking prescribed CBD found a “significant” negative relationship between CBD consumption and COVID-19 infection.
Before you go light up your next joint, it’s necessary to clarify that smoking marijuana does not protect you from COVID-19. Sorry! However, this news is still significant in the war against the virus. Scientists and doctors are working tirelessly to find new and novel ways to combat the infection and its symptoms, and in doing so might have stumbled across a groundbreaking development.
When taken in the right way and in the right amount, the non-psychoactive compound acts as a blocker, inhibiting and reversing many effects of the COVID virus. It has also been observed that cannibidiolic acid—or CBD-A, the precursor molecule to CBD, when heated—prevented the entry of the coronavirus into isolated human cells. If that’s too technical, what it essentially means is that the molecule acts as a guard at the gate, keeping unwanted visitors (like the virus) out, thereby keeping you (the host) safe!
It may be early to fully understand and implement an effective treatment plan for COVID-19 using CBD alone, yet, these studies give us a beacon of hope. In the past, CBD has proven to provide pain relief, stress relief and as effective medicine for arthritis. Perhaps COVID-19 and its symptoms can be avoided or treated with the use of CBD oil too. Wouldn’t that be a welcome respite?
However, doctors have warned not to consider CBD or its derivatives as an alternate to vaccines and to continue following preventative measures like wearing a mask and social distancing while outside.
We’ll keep following the research and see where it takes us, remaining cautiously optimistic for our collective futures.
Article written by Renuka Vasu
