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Study Finds Cannabis Compounds Effective in Preventing COVID-19

January 18, 2022 04:06 pm ET Estimated Read Time: 2 Minutes

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.

Post Your Comments

Ami says:

January 21, 2022 at 10:02 am

YAY !!!!!!

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Michael A Minikel says:

January 21, 2022 at 5:45 pm

Don’t think the open pot smoking is really going to help the candidate much.

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Harold Baker says:

January 22, 2022 at 7:09 am

This is good news and I hope the knowledge of this becomes known to the health field in the world. Further studies should be encouraged for sure.

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Thomas M says:

January 22, 2022 at 8:32 am

So are these extracts in the weed that I buy at the local dispensaries?

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Susan C. says:

January 25, 2022 at 12:25 pm

I really think they should do more with it. People should really realize that it has more benefits then people know. It’s just not for getting high anymore. If people would just take a step back from thinking that more an more studies could be done and more advance could be made. Marijuana is not the enemy that people think. People say its the gateway to more drugs. They need to stop that thinking!!! Marijuana could help so many sick people feel and get better. People will not realize this until they need it. I hope people wake up sooner then later to marvelous research like this…

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