Can cannabis prevent COVID-19 spread?

As compared to marijuana, hemp has lower contents of tetrahydrocannabinol. This compound is responsible for the psychoactive effects in humans.

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Researches in Oregon have said that two cannabinoid acids commonly found in the hemp varieties can bind to the protein in the covid virus molecule and stop the spread.  

 
Two compounds found in the hemp form of cannabis can prevent Covid-19 infection by blocking entry of the virus into human cells, researchers in the US’ Oregon state have said in a study published this week in the peer-reviewed Journal of Natural Products

 
The study with the title “Cannabinoids blocks cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the emerging variants” talks about the the two commonly found molecules in hemp-cannabigerolic acid or CBGA and cannabidiolic acid or CBDA can bind to the spikes of the virus and stop it from binding it to the humal cells. 

 
AS compared to marijuana, hemp has lower contents of tetrahydrocannabinol. This compound is responsible for the psychoactive effects in humans.

 
The study says—" In follow-up virus neutralization assays, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid prevented infection of human epithelial cells by a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and prevented entry of live SARS-CoV-2 into cells”

 
The study was headed by Dr. Richard van Breemem a researcher at the university’s Global Hemp Innovation Center. 

 
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In an interview to Vice, he was quoted saying—" We thought we’d go about trying to find natural products that can stop the virus from infecting cells or inhibit their ability to replicate and go on to infect other individuals. We decided to attack the virus at the starting point, where it enters the cell. That’s the exact same point at which antibodies attack the virus”

 
He is also in the favour of consuming cannabis in the form of a dietary supplement like oil, pills or gummies. But he has also warned against the usage of these to treat those under hospital care. 

 
The study said—“ Importantly, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid were equally effective against the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant B.1.1.7 and the beta variant B.1.351. Orally bioavailable and with a long history of safe human use, these cannabinoids, isolated or in hemp extracts, have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2”


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