New Study Finds that CBD Prevents COVID-19 Replication

New research performed by the University of Chicago and University of Louisville suggest that cannabidiol inhibits COVID-19 replication in human lung epithelial cells.

In recent exciting news, a team of 33 researchers surveying a group of 1,212 US patients ingesting 100mg oral doses of high-quality CBD found that positive COVID-19 results were reported at considerably much lower rates than the control groups who did not use CBD. The study suggests that "CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD can block SARS-CoV-2 infection at early and even later stages of infection"

The US FDA-approved form of CBD used to treat epilepsy, Epidiolex was the CBD used by the patients in the study, which is a highly-concentrated form of CBD not available to most consumers, so don't rely on your local dispensaries CBD in replacement of a vaccine just yet; as the study states "several issues require close examination before CBD can be considered further or even explored as a therapeutic lead for COVID-19 (12). Although many CBD and CBD-containing products are available on the market, they vary vastly in quality, CBD content, and their pharmacokinetic properties after oral administration, which are mostly unknown."

While many health experts agree that this research is promising and provides pathways for new ways to treat COVID-19, there is still much more to understand about cannabidiols effects on the growth of COVID. Another interesting part of the study shows that there were “Limited or no inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by Cannabinoids other than CBD” showing THC has little to no effect in comparison to CBD. It might be time for CBD to shine ;)