Cannabis is known to have healing effects for many sicknesses and illnesses, such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, etc. Could corona virus count as one of them?
The controversy on using the drug hydroxychloroquine as a cure for corona virus has especially intensified whenever someone died after self-medicating themselves with it, thinking it will prevent them from getting the corona virus. Since cannabis is a drug as well, some may believe it is more effective and less dangerous than hydroxychloroquine. As with any drug, the dangers are always there but looking into this matter more closely will reveal a lot of interesting aspects. Let’s take a closer look.
In Canada, in particular, researchers are keen on finding the answers to the question if cannabis can be used to treat coronavirus because if it can than this means the mortality rates can be significantly lowered.
Cytokine Reduction
Cannalogue, a medical cannabis e-commerce firm in Toronto has conducted some research in this field. One of the findings was that cannabis has the potential to reduce severe inflammation in the lungs due to its ability to energize the body’s immune cells, as stated by Dr. Mohan Cooray, CEO and president of Cannalogue. When this happens, CBD (canabidiol), the anti-inflammatory components of cannabis decreases the production of cytokine, the responsible chemical that causes the inflammation of the tissues in the lungs. Studies with sepsis patients have brought about encouraging findings because when using CBD the risk of “cytokine storms” had been reduced and the patients have started to feel relief from their pain.
Cytokine storms are indeed deadly for corona virus-affected patients because instead of fighting off the virus, the cells start attacking themselves and the tissues start to die, which leads to the small air sacs in the lungs getting filled up with fluid. With time, more fluid builds up and it becomes impossible to get enough oxygen in the body.
High CBD Potentials
In May 2020, Canadian researchers from the University of Lethbridge conducted a study that resulted in “strong strains of cannabis” having the potential to prevent or even treat those affected by the corona virus. Apparently, their study reveals that high CBD levels are 70% capable of “blocking the proteins” that allow the coronavirus to access the body when passing through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) receptor (see image below). The virus enters the body through the nose and mouth which is why masks are worn to minimize the spread. When taking CBD, there is a higher chance of not getting the virus and being able to survive it but this does not imply it being completely prevented.
With this in mind, CBD can be integrated into various therapies that aim for a successful corona virus treatment. That cannabis is able to treat the symptoms more than the virus itself has been emphasized by Dr. Peter Goodspin, a physician and instructor at Harvard Medical School who frequently blogs about cannabis and health issues.
Immune System Boost
Dr. Dani Gordon, a Canadian integrative medicine expert has been asked in March 2020 if cannabis can cure corona virus and she made it clear that there is no research that backs that up. At the same time, she does recommend boosting one’s immune system as soon as possible as a way to protect oneself from the corona virus. According to Gordon, this can be done by making sure to eat a diet that is high in vitamins, such as zinc, vitamin C and quercetin, a nutrient that can be found both in cannabis and apples. Most doctors, such as Dr. Steven Kratz from Arizona have been declaring vitamin C as the most important vitamin to combat the corona virus despite a lack of scientific evidence.
More Needed Research
In regards to cannabis research on this matter, evidently one can find more of it in Canada than in the US due to restrictions. Cannabis, especially CBD can reduce the chances of getting the corona virus to a certain point but there still needs to be more research conducted on a broader scale that includes other patients, such as medical cannabis patients (The University of Miami is currently conducting this with an electronic survey).
Any form of self-medicating against the corona virus, no matter with what medication or drug, needs to be taken with a lot of caution. It would be wiser to support, contribute and participate in cannabis research and/or to wait until more research findings emerge that can prove cannabis is the cure for the corona virus. Until then, it’s probably not a bad idea to increase one’s vitamin intake and only take as much of it as recommended.