A particular strain of cannabis may help in the fight against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), two Canadian researchers speculate. Olga and Igor Kovalchuck, the two Canadian researchers, have been cultivating and testing a novel cannabis strain for years, but with the goal of developing a strain that helps to fight against cancer and inflammation. However due to the outbreak, the two researchers shifted the focus of their efforts upon the cannabis strain to prevent COVID-19.
Their work was published in an April issue of the online medical journal Pre-prints.
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The research claims that SARS-CoV2 may spread through respiratory droplets just like other respiratory pathogens, further expounding upon how it enters the human body.
Similar to other respiratory pathogens, SARS-CoV2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, with potential for aerosol and contact spread. It uses receptor-mediated entry into the human host via angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) that is expressed in lung tissue, as well as oral and nasal mucosa, kidney, testes, and the gastrointestinal tract.”
In addition to that, these can lead to possible scenarios that would decrease the susceptibility of catching this diseases.
Modulation of ACE2 levels in these gateway tissues may prove a plausible strategy for decreasing disease susceptibility.”
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Body receptors
Other research done by various scientists upon the study of COVID and cannabis, the two deduced that it may be possible for cannabis to prevent COVID-19 from entering a human body. This goes hand in hand with the body’s ACE2 receptors as the study previously noted.
The ACE2 receptors act like a doorway into our bodies for the virus. In the case of the Kovalchuck’s work, cannabis would be used to decrease the level of ACE2 gene expression, essentially temporarily closing the doors to the virus.
The special strain of cannabis may also potentially prevent the virus from being able to thrive once it has entered the human host.
Moreover, the study also reports that cannabis sativa may modulate gene expression and inflammation and may even possess anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cannabis sativa, especially one high in the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), has been proposed to modulate gene expression and inflammation and harbour anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Working under the Health Canada research license, we have developed over 800 new Cannabis sativa lines and extracts and hypothesized that high-CBD C. sativa extracts may be used to modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 target tissues.”
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Cannabis to prevent COVID-19 still a theory
However, it is still a theory and research for cannabis to prevent COVID-19 is still being further studied. But once they are able to prove the theory, the next step would be to manufacture the successful strain into medical formations that could be used for prevention and treatment by the medical field.
The couple made sure to point out that each strain of cannabis differs from one another. While there are ones that may help to fight against the COVID-19, there are also ones which may worsen the case.
The study likewise states that the study is important for the future analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19.
Crucial for future analysis
While our most effective extracts require further large-scale validation, our study is crucial for the future analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19. The extracts of our most successful and novel high CBD C. sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy.
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Moreover, the study said that these can be used to prevent the disease — as some form or type of treatment in the form of a mouthwash.
They can be used to develop easy-to-use preventative treatments in the form of mouthwash and throat gargle products for both clinical and at-home use. Such products ought to be tested for their potential to decrease viral entry via the oral mucosa. Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered.”
Cannabis to reduce COVID-19 lung inflammation
Researchers from the University of Nebraska and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute are calling for more research to be done regarding as to how cannabis-derived CBD might help treat dangerous lung inflammation from the novel coronavirus. The researchers cited proof upon the ability of cannabis’ anti-inflammatory powers in a peer reviewed article in this month’s issue of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
In the article, researchers explain that “recent reports have suggested that acute infection is associated with a cytokine super storm, which contributes to the symptoms of fever, cough, muscle pain.”
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These extreme instances of inflammation can lead to severe pneumonia which clog up the lungs, make breathing difficult or impossible. So, one of the important strategies that scientists are studying in the fight against COVID-19 is reducing inflammation.
However just like all else, the study remains to be in theory.
Do you support the idea of cannabis to prevent COVID-19? Will the research upon the special strain help against the fight of the deadly virus?
