It is an almost comical understatement to say that the world has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of lives have been lost, economies have been transformed, and supply chain issues continue to be the hobgoblin of modern society.
Copyright © Higher Learning LV™
Along with the pandemic emerged a social media-driven bog of misinformation and urban legend. Celebrities and companies capitalized on the opportunity to satisfy the fears of consumers with sensationalistic claims that included terms such as "cure" and "prevent" in reference to their products (typically CBD or perhaps another cannabinoid).
Along with the pandemic emerged a social media-driven bog of misinformation and urban legend. Celebrities and companies capitalized on the opportunity to satisfy the fears of consumers with sensationalistic claims.
But what does the hard scientific research say? In an effort to help students and readers obtain a solid and rational mindset for the true potential benefits of cannabinoids for COVID-19, Higher Learning LV below has compiled a chronological list of our Study Summaries that tackle this thorny and controversial issue.
Copyright © Higher Learning LV™
A February 2021 study entitled "The Immunopathology of COVID-19 and the Cannabis Paradigm" that was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology explored the potential therapeutic role of cannabis in the prevention or treatment of the COVID-19 viral illness.
"Here, we explore the anti-inflammatory function of cannabinoids in relation to inflammatory events that happen during severe COVID-19 disease, and how cannabinoids might help to prevent the progression from mild to severe disease," wrote the study's authors.
On January 10, 2022, a group of researchers from Oregon State University released a study entitled "Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants" in the Journal of Natural Products.
The study's authors concluded that the marijuana-derived cannabinoids CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) and CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) "have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2."
A January 20, 2022 study entitled "Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication through Induction of the Host ER Stress and Innate Immune Responses" that was published in the journal Science Advances explored the medicinal efficacy of the hemp-derived cannabinoid cannabidiol, or CBD, for both prevention and treatment of COVID-19*.
