Compound In Hemp Shows Promise In COVID-19 Prevention
by MADELINE FERGUSON
Research regarding cannabis and COVID-19 has taken the world by storm over the last week. Researchers from Oregon State University reported that a compound found in cannabis may prevent COVID-19 infection.
Scientists reported that compounds found in hemp showed the ability to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering cells, which is where they begin to divide and cause infection. The research was published in the Journal of Natural Products.
This is welcome research as the world reels from a spike in infections due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 which is just the most recent development in a more than two-year worldwide pandemic that has altered the fabric of our lives.
How Does It Work?
According to the study, two cannabinoid acids found in the Cannabis Sativa plant bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (the virus that causes COVID-19 infection) blocking a critical step in the process of someone becoming infected because the virus is blocked from entering living cells.
The compounds of note are cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), which are precursors to CBD and CBG. The research did not look at THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana.
“These compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans,” van Breemen said. “They have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2. CBDA and CBGA are produced by the hemp plant as precursors to CBD and CBG, which are familiar to many consumers. However, they are different from the acids and are not contained in hemp products.”
Similar to the goals of vaccination, the idea is for the binding of the acids to stop the process of infection by disrupting disease progression, essentially stopping the virus before it can even get started. The research was performed on orally ingested cannabis compounds.
These two compounds are abundant in hemp and not considered controlled substances.
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“They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans. And our research showed the hemp compounds were equally effective against variants of SARS-CoV-2, including variant B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom, and variant B.1.351, first detected in South Africa,” said lead researcher Richard van Breemen in a statement regarding his newest, exciting research.
As doctors and scientists work tirelessly to find answers to stop or slow down the pandemic, a common goal is disrupting any part of the progression of the disease in order to prevent infection. They also try to discover methods of slowing or making the infection less severe. These cannabis acids work for both. They can help with prevention but they can also help if someone is already infected by preventing more cells from being infected and shortening the severity and length of sickness.
This type of research on Cannabis Sativa could be a game-changer for treatment of other viral infections including HIV-1 and Hepatitis, according to researchers. If the COVID-19 pandemic has given us anything, it is expedited research on medical conditions that affect millions and a rediscovered focus on preventing disease rather than simply treating it.