Healthcare providers all across the world are looking forward to any means that can help them treat masses, gain widespread accessibility, and hinder the spread of COVID-19.
This has led researchers to venture to some unconventional means that are no secret to anyone. We’re talking about the usage of the cannabis plant for the possible treatment of lung inflammation.
Cannabis consists of active compounds that have a variety of properties that enable them to be utilized as a treatment for deadly infections like coronavirus.
Researchers and scientists are paying close attention to them to find out any plausible evidence that can identify their use as an antiviral medication.
Let’s take a look at how researchers got to this conclusion and how marijuana and COVID recovery can be related.
Initial Attempts at Finding the Best Medication
A couple of researchers from the University of Nebraska and Texas recommended conducting research to gauge the efficacy of cannabis-derived CBD for the treatment of dangerous lung inflation caused by a coronavirus. In addition, they explained how the anti-inflammatory powers might help in lessening the inflammation.
The study said that as per the data, the acute infection is due to the cytokine storm, a common complication of respiratory diseases. As such, the infected person suffers from muscle pain, dry cough, and flu. These instances then become the reason for inflammation which may escalate the issue at hand.
As a result, pneumonia clogs the lungs and makes it hard for the person to breathe easily. Therefore, it is necessary that the inflammation is minimized at the very beginning so as to prevent the condition from worsening.
The researchers are particularly looking forward to medications that can reduce the activity of cytokine storms to a minimal amount.
In another research, a medication named Tocilizumab proved to be successful in clearing out the lungs of COVID patients and has accounted for 90% of the recovery. However, it also produced some dire negative side effects such as the inflammation of the pancreases and causing hypertriglyceridemia- an abnormal amount of triglyceride in blood.
Observing the negative impact of such medication, scientists made it their mission to find a solution that won’t have such harsh repercussions on the patient.
Research Regarding Marijuana and COVID Recovery
Researchers from the department of pathology, microbiology, and immunology from the University of South Carolina gathered to observe the effect of cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant and their inflammatory properties in detail.
The researchers mainly examined CBD as it was the best possible option for treating COVID-19-related issues. This is due to the fact that CBD has a track record of showing great anti-inflammatory properties in the studies conducted previously.
CBD does not have any psychoactive effects on the user. Furthermore, the FDA has already approved the usage of CBD for intractable epilepsy which has made cannabidiol a potentially appropriate medication for COVID-19 patients.
How can CBD help with COVID-19?
The best thing about CBD that the researchers emphasized was the fact that it has the ability to reduce a large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL 6, which was reduced by other drugs being studied for COVID-19.
Moreover, CBD was also observed to have reduced interleukin-2, interleukin one alpha and beta, interferon-gamma, inducible protein 10, monocyte chemoattractant, protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein one alpha, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. All of these inflammatory cytokines are directly associated with the severe cases of the COVID-19.
Surprisingly, CBD was also found to improve the production of interferons, which are basically proteins that activate the immune cells in our body and prevent the virus from replicating.
Cannabidiol Reducing Inflammation Due To Allergic Asthma
Asthma is still a prevailing health issue that is characterized by severe lung inflammation. To know whether the administration of CBD could mitigate this inflammation, a study was conducted in January 2019, which was then published in the European Journal of pharmacology.
The study was conducted on a hundred and forty-seven mice that were given two different doses of cannabidiol three times with intervals of three days. They were examined on the basis of airway responsiveness, lung mechanics, and pro-inflammatory mediators.
As a result of the study, it was found that CBD was effective in reducing the inflammation in the lungs as well as minimizing the structural changes associated with asthma. Furthermore, the study also observed that CBD reduced the damaging, scarring, and thickening of the lung tissue that can account for the difficulty in breathing.
It was deduced that CBD is a better and safer option and can be consumed at a dosage as high as 1500mg per day for at most two weeks.
Side Effects
The positives of CBD undoubtedly outweigh its side effects, the research emphasizes that CBD greatly benefits patients suffering from anxiety.
It was stated that there are many uncertainties associated with COVID-19, such as economic, financial, and social implications due to the pandemic. These issues give rise to depression, fear, and anxiety.
Therefore, to minimize anxiety levels, CBD can be utilized to help people manage stress as well as depression.
The research conducted does not concretely state how CBD can help with COVID-19 healthcare issues, but upon further investigation, the results could be made much clearer. Furthermore, it was suggested to investigate the uses of CBD for minimizing anxiety as well as inflammation with the different dosages of CBD to be taken along with antiviral medications.
Again, the study does not suggest that CBD is a cure for COVID-19, but it does have the potential to reduce inflammation.
Some Uses of Cannabis for Therapeutic Treatment
Treating Epileptic Seizures
In 2018, FDA allowed the usage of Epidiolex, cannabidiol for treating some of the rarest forms of epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or the Dravet syndrome. There were several kinds of research conducted to find out the effects of CBD on epileptic patients.
The studies concluded that CBD was successful in reducing the frequency of seizures by a significant number.
Easing Chronic Pain
People suffering from any neuropathic pain or chronic pain can opt for CBD as a therapeutic treatment.
A study examining the effectiveness of CBD oil for providing symptomatic relief for chronic pain stated that CBD oil significantly reduced the pain level to a minimum.
The study comprised twenty-nine patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy, where 15 were CBD and 14 were given the placebo. After a month of observation, the patients treated with CBD oil had a lot of improvement in the lessening of pain as compared to those who received the placebo.
Protection against Neurological Disease
CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid in providing neuroprotection- protection against psychological disorders. In addition, several studies have indicated that there is a possibility of CBD improving the quality of sleep for people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease.
However, the limited regulation of cannabis hinders the scope and extent of research.
A Natural Treatment for Diabetes
Complications that arise from higher levels of glucose can be treated by CBD.
Research which comprised 13 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups where one group would receive CBD, and the other would receive placebo.
These patients were not to take any insulin during the study to more effectively record the efficacy of CBD for treating diabetes.
It was found out that the group of patients who were given the CBD had a lower level of resistin- a hormone that accounts for obesity in diabetes-2 patients. At the same time, the people who were given a placebo did not have any effect on their condition.
The study suggested that CBD might help with the complication that arises with diabetes, and further studies should be conducted to examine this hypothesis.
Alleviating Arthritis Pain
Arthritis causes our bones and joints to deteriorate, and thus people suffering from it face severe joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
To find out a way to reduce this pain, a study was conducted where patients were to be administered 250 to 500 milligrams of Sativex. As a result of the study, it was discovered that patients receiving 250 milligrams of CBD had improved sleep quality and lesser pain levels.
CBD has been getting the spotlight for some time now due to its ability to minimize pain, inflammation, and anxiety levels. Many dispensaries offer a wide range of product forms of cannabis, which is why cannabis edibles are easily accessible these days.
You can also consume cannabis in several other ways like vaping, smoking, and dabbing, etc. All you have to do is go to your nearby cannabis dispensary and talk to a budtender about your preferences. Professional budtenders will be able to recommend a strain and dosage that will work perfectly for you. You can also consult professionals like a cannabis doctor in your locality, who may advise you further about your usage.
