Readers of these pages have learned quite a lot about the various health benefits of cannabis and CBD. Could this remarkable plant, once known only as a recreational drug, now help in the battle against COVID-19?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a recent study, researchers found that cannabis compounds prevented the coronavirus from infecting healthy cells in a lab, showing promise that the compounds might prevent COVID-19 infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers from Oregon State University discovered the two chemical compounds commonly found in hemp \u2014 cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) \u2014 both have the potential to keep COVID-19 from forming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the study, the compounds bound to the virus\u2019s spike proteins and blocked the process in the pathogen\u2019s development where it usually infects people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The researchers tested the compounds\u2019 effects against two variants in a laboratory. No human subjects were involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans,\u201d Richard van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon State\u2019s Global Hemp Innovation Center, told Bloomberg News. \u201cThey have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He then added that the two compounds could help prevent and treat COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
California\u2019s so-called \u201cweed nuns\u201d are heralding the new study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are, naturally, pleased that science is catching up with ancient wisdom,\u201d Sister Kate of the Sisters of the Valley told The NY Post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful progress to have the scientific community say \u2018we\u2019re already determined that there are compounds in hemp that can prevent infection,\u2019 so now, we can just get on to studying dosage,\u201d said the nun, whose legal name is Christine Meeusen said. \u201cThat\u2019s progress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hemp compounds have been used as a source of fiber, food for humans and animals, and hemp extract, CBD, and related cannabinoids are used in body lotions, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and other food products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n