A team of Oregon State University-affiliated researchers has uncovered an unlikely tool in the fight against COVID-19. Their study, published in the Journal of Nature Products on Jan. 10, found that cannabis compounds can prevent the COVID-19 virus from penetrating healthy human cells.
Specifically, the team identified the cannabinoid acids cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) as the compounds that could effectively combat the virus. In a test, CBGA and CBDA showed the ability to bind to the spike protein of the COVID virus.
In doing this, the cannabis compounds prevented the virus from entering the cells and causing an infection. Most exciting of all, the two compounds even showed the potential to be effective against newer COVID variants. In the report’s abstract, the authors concluded:
“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.”
Both cannabinoid acids are safe for human consumption and can be abundantly found in hemp and its extracts. The study’s lead researcher, Richard van Breemen, noted that these compounds are not controlled like THC, the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis.
Further research is still needed before any substantial claims can be made. For now, the Oregon State University team is excited about the possibility of developing CBGA and CBDA into drugs that could be used to prevent or even treat COVID-19.
What do you think of the study’s findings? Do you think it will open the door to even more cannabis research? Let us know in the comments.
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