A new study conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University in Canada suggests that cannabis and its compounds could play a role in limiting the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infections, as well as treating long COVID symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and decreased appetite. The study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, presents a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on marijuana as a preventive therapeutic.
The researchers found that cannabinoids have shown efficacy in preventing viral entry, mitigating oxidative stress, and alleviating the associated cytokine storm during early COVID-19 infections. Furthermore, post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, cannabinoids have demonstrated promise in treating symptoms commonly associated with long COVID-19, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress injury, insomnia, pain, and decreased appetite.
This research aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding how modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) might affect patients in both the early and post-infection stages of COVID-19. Previous studies have primarily focused on marijuana as a treatment option during the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection.
The authors concluded that “cannabinoids have the potential to be used as a preventive approach to limiting the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infections by preventing viral entry, mitigating oxidative stress, and alleviating the associated cytokine storm.”
However, it is important to note that the authors acknowledged certain limitations of their findings. These include the lack of standardization in cannabis products and potential differences in how cannabinoids affect adults compared to youth. The majority of studies supporting ECS modulation as a treatment strategy have been conducted in contexts other than COVID-19. Therefore, caution is advised when extrapolating these findings to SARS-CoV-2 infections. Further research is necessary to fully understand the efficacy and safety of cannabinoid-based drugs in the context of COVID-19.
The authors emphasized the need for clinical trials and well-designed studies to assess the underlying mechanisms, determine optimal dosages and dosing schedules, and investigate the safety and potential side effects associated with ECS modulation in the context of viral infections. While there is a promising outlook, a comprehensive understanding of these aspects is crucial for establishing the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and ECS modulation for COVID-19 onset and lingering symptoms associated with long COVID-19.
Another study based on hospital data, unveiled in October, found that cannabis consumers who contracted COVID-19 had significantly lower rates of intubation, respiratory failure, and death compared to non-users. Additionally, a laboratory study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University discovered that certain cannabinoids have the potential to prevent COVID-19 from entering human cells. However, it is important to note that this study focused on CBG-A and CBD-A under lab conditions and did not evaluate marijuana smoking by patients themselves.
It is worth mentioning that during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, some individuals claimed without sufficient evidence that marijuana or CBD could prevent, treat, or cure coronavirus infection. These claims were widely criticized as premature and potentially dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to rely on scientifically rigorous studies such as the one conducted by Dalhousie University to inform our understanding of cannabis’s potential role in combating COVID-19.
In conclusion, while promising findings suggest that cannabis and its compounds may have preventive and therapeutic applications in relation to COVID-19 infections, further research is needed to establish their efficacy and safety. It is crucial to conduct clinical trials and well-designed studies to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and determine optimal dosages. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and ECS modulation for both COVID-19 onset and long-term symptoms associated with the disease.
