According to a recent study, cannabis and its compounds have the potential to reduce “susceptibility to infection” by COVID-19. They also show promise in treating long-term COVID symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, and decreased appetite.
Researchers from Dalhousie University, Canada, conducted a thorough review of scientific literature and published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Medicine at the end of last month.
The study concluded that “cannabinoids are shown to reduce cytokine production, prevent viral entry and mitigate oxidative stresses” in early COVID-19 infection.
It said that cannabinoids showed promise in treating the symptoms of post-acute COVID-19 infection including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, pain and decreased appetite.
The research is based on a large number of studies that aim to fill in knowledge gaps about how modulation of the endocannabinoid (ECS), during the early and post-infection phases, may impact patients. Prior studies focused on marijuana treatment during the acute phase COVID-19 infection.
The authors concluded that “Cannabis, cannabinoid, and cannabinoid based drugs have shown promising results in preventing viral infection, acting as anti-inflammatory agents, and improving many of the symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 post-acute infections.”
Cannabisoids may be used to limit the severity and susceptibility of COVID-19 infection by preventing virus entry, reducing oxidative stress and reducing the associated cytokine flood.
The authors did note limitations in the study, such as the lack of standardization of cannabis products and the possible differences between how cannabinoids may affect youth and adults.
The majority of studies that support ECS modulation in a treatment strategy were conducted in contexts different from COVID-19. Therefore, extrapolating these findings to SARS/CoV-2 infections is not recommended. Further research is needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid based drugs when used in conjunction with COVID-19.
Clinical trials and well-designed research are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms and dosages. They will also investigate the safety of ECS modulation and any potential side effects. It is important to understand these factors, even though the outlook looks promising, in order to establish the therapeutic potential of ECS modulation and cannabinoids on COVID-19 onset and the symptoms that persist after COVID-19.
In a separate study, based on data from hospitals and released in October, it was found that cannabis users who contracted COVID-19 experienced lower rates of intubation (respiratory failure), death and intubation than those who did not use marijuana.
Researchers at Oregon State University conducted a 2022 lab study, and discovered certain cannabinoids could potentially prevent COVID-19 entering human cells. Nevertheless, as doctors from UCLA have pointed out this study was based on CBG-A in lab conditions only and did not evaluate marijuana use by patients.
In the early months following the COVID-19 epidemic, cannabis supporters claimed, with little evidence, that CBD or marijuana could treat, prevent or even cure the coronavirus. Many other cannabis advocates warned this claim was premature and dangerous.
In March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission warned former NFL player Kyle Turley, who claimed that medical marijuana had changed his life and that he launched his own cannabis-brand, over social media claims that cannabis products could “prevent” and cure COVID-19.
Other people used the pandemic to support marijuana legalization for different reasons. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, for example (D), said in November 2020 that legalizing marijuana would reduce travel to New Jersey and prevent the spread covid.
A study found that marijuana use before working out can enhance enjoyment and a runner’s high, but also cause more exertion
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