Cannabis vs Coronavirus: News, Updates, Beneficial Properties
Cannabidiol, Respiratory System, and SARS CoV-2: News, Updates, Beneficial Properties
We already have much information about cannabis, cannabidiol, and the various industrial, recreational, and therapeutic uses. Therefore, the beneficial properties of cannabis, and precisely cannabidiol, unfold even during the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing to respiratory system protection. At the same time, we know that CBD offers a better daily lifestyle to thousands of people worldwide.
Which is this cannabinoid’s role in the main body functions? Is there a link with the SARS CoV-2? What do the studies report? Below we are going to cover these questions along with historical references.
Cannabis Historical references
Cannabis has been used as a treatment since ancient times in many civilizations. We have plenty of references for its multi-use purposes. In China, for example, for thousands of years, people had been cultivating Cannabis Sativa L. for fiber, food, or even as a treatment. In the 19th and 20th centuries in the U.S.A., physicians prescribed cannabis for several ailments. We find references about cannabis use as raw material for various purposes, food, beverages, and as part of religious rituals across the world Asia, America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.
However, despite the prohibition laws imposed worldwide in the last century, lately, there have been efforts worldwide about cannabis legalization and the promotion of its beneficial properties. Plenty of studies refers to the positive results regarding the use of cannabis in various physical and mental illnesses. Thus, this misunderstood herb proves another natural gift to humans and not a “public enemy”, as the prohibition policy claims.
Besides, knowledge leads to practical and effective use.
Coronavirus Covid-19 (SARS CoV-2)
Coronavirus SARS CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2) belongs to coronaviruses that already exist in the animal kingdom and cause respiratory infections. This coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2, while it is responsible for the pandemic of Covid-19 disease. In the last twenty years, there have been outbreaks of coronaviruses, such as SARS CoV-1 (2002-2004) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (ASMA)) with the first case reported in 2012.
Unfortunately, this SARS CoV-2, in addition to the duration and impact it has on people’s lives, counts up until now many deaths around the world, health systems that confront many difficulties day by day, while it continues to exist in the form of various variants, with the latter being the delta mutation and the omicron. Coronaviruses cause lung infections, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The symptoms caused by this particular coronavirus vary from the usual ones: fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, while they can develop into severe ones such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty in movement. In any case, it is recommended to inform either the healthcare services or a physician, following the instructions.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and the Respiratory System
The respiratory system is one of the basic functional systems of the human body. It is responsible for the lungs’ function and supplies the whole organism with oxygen through respiration. That’s why respiratory dysfunctions affect the body and the quality of human life.
Various diseases suppress the upper and lower respiratory systems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, emphysema, and several infections, including bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis. There are many causes of respiratory disorders ranging from genes to individuals’ lifestyles (from habits to environmental conditions).
What is the relation between cannabis, particularly cannabidiol, and respiratory infections?
Studies highlight the potent anti-inflammatory activity of various cannabinoids found in cannabis without side effects, such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabinoid (CBN). This time we will deal exclusively with the action of cannabidiol on the respiratory system, thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
Cannabis blocks the infection from Covid-19
A recent study published in the Journal of Natural Products (January 2022), entitled “Cannabinoids block cellular entry of SARS cov-2 and the emerging variants“, refers to the significant role that cannabidiol might have in Covid-29. It reports that two cannabinoids, cannabigerolic acid, and cannabidiolic acid,found in extracts of industrial hemp strains (Industrial Hemp Sativa L.), bind to the SARS CoV-2 spike protein blocking the entry of the COVID-19 virus into epithelial cells.
Both CBDA and CBGA inhibit coronavirus infection with SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including mutations B.1.1.7 (strain A) and B.1.351 (strain B).
The research concludes that new variants could still arise even with the widespread use of cannabinoids, but the combination of vaccination and CBDA / CBGA treatment should create a more challenging environment for the virus.
Another study published in 2021 on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website in the U.S.A. mentions that:
Cannabidiol inhibits the replication of SARS CoV-2, promoting the host innate immune response.
NCBI
The results show that CBD can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in the early stages of the disease, and CBD administration is associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.
In addition, the active compound in patients may be 7-OH-CBD, the same metabolite involved in the treatment of epilepsy with CBD. The substantial reduction of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients receiving CBD, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlights the potential effectiveness of this substance in fighting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, it is reported that these data increase the likelihood of cannabidiol being effective even against new pathogens and microorganisms that will emerge in the future.
It is worth emphasizing that smoking cannabis burdens the respiratory tract, possibly not as much as tobacco, which also contains carcinogens; however, burning is not advisable but suggests evaporating the flowers with a vaporizer. A study published in 2019 in the scientific journal “Molecules” mentions the critical role of cannabinoids in regulating the immune system and protecting against various infections and inflammations.
Another study from the Medical College of Georgia (Dental College of Georgia) published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine states that cannabidiol appears to reduce the damage caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19 ) in the respiratory tract while improving the blood oxygen level.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) seems to have opposite effect
The researchers, led by Professor Marsa Rosner of the University of Chicago Medical Center, said they observed anti-coronavirus activity only for cannabidiol and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD and not for other cannabinoids. They also found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the famous psychoactive substance in cannabis and marijuana appears to have opposite effects and to counteract the effect of cannabidiol against the coronavirus Covid-19.
Cannabidiol Uses: CBD
We can enjoy cannabidiol beneficial properties all day, every day, in various products. We start with the most common cannabidiol oils, which we find different percentages from 3% to 40% choosing the one that best suits our needs.
If we still do not like the natural taste of hemp oil, there are alternative capsules, tinctures, and chewing gums. However, the new innovative Greek product line of cannabidiol oils by Ypsilon Natural Remedies with organic mastic of Chios will make us all reconsider the taste and the beneficial combination of hemp and mastic.
Let’s take a brief look at some of the cannabidiol beneficial properties that could help strengthen and protect the body:
- Neuroprotective
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Analgesic
- Anti-asthmatic
- Anticancer
- Anxiolytic
For people trying to quit smoking, there are cannabis flowers rich in cannabidiol and cannabis concentrates, such as jelly CBD, CBD wax crumble, which can be used in a vaporizer for vaporization.
Also, we can include several selected edible hemp products of premium quality to strengthen our diet, from certified organic crops.
And as the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Adopt the pace of nature. “Her secret is patience.”
At this point, we highlight that when taking any medication, it is advisable to inform the physician before the cannabidiol use. No herb is a panacea, and it is good to use it wisely and with knowledge.
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