How Researchers Are Exploring CBD As A Potential Treatment For COVID -19

Posted on: September 4, 2020

How Researchers Are Exploring CBD As A Potential Treatment For COVID -19

As the world continues to implement safety protocols to combat COVID 19 and anxiously awaits a vaccine that’s months away, researchers are working diligently to prove how CBD could help treat and possibly prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory illness.

A study conducted at the​ University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada​, has a hypothesis that the extracts in CBD can be leveraged to fight COVID-19 infections by modulating levels of the ACE2(angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor in specific gateway tissues. These tissues include lung, oral, nasal mucus, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and testes. Modulating ACE2 levels in area swith CBD could help to decrease people’s susceptibility in COVID-19.

Usually, the ACE2 receptor chops up two forms of angiotensin to keep blood pressure stable inmost healthy people; however, researchers have noticed that COVID-19 uses the ACE2 receptor to infiltrate cells. ​The virus can attach to ACE2 and pull it into the human cell, similar to a doorway. Implementing CBD will decrease the number of doors in the body by 70%.​ Since the level of entry will be restricted, the chance to fight the virus becomes greater.

It is theorized that ​CBD can also help reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production, acting as a potential antiviral to fight lung inflammation. ​The overall goal of implementing CBD would be to bring down inflammation and end respiratory distress and damage, essentially creating an alternative for patients depending on ​mechanical ventilation​ to produce healthy oxygen.Researchers at Augusta University are actively conducting laboratory studies to prove CBD can help protect the lungs and create a healthier airflow for patients suffering from COVID-19.

Dr. Babak Baban and ​Dr. Jack Yu​ of Augusta University and authors of the study journal ​Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research​ have built an inexpensive model to duplicate the effects of ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) linked with COVID-19 and the virus that causes the coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ). This model allows researchers to test the positive impact of CBD for patients in need of healthy oxygen and is currently being conducted on mice. Mice treated with CBD show oxygen levels increasing while cytokine levels decrease once CBD therapy is implemented.

At least one way CBD is thought to calm the immune response is because it looks similar to endocannabinoids, a natural cell signaling system in our bodies believed to be involved in a wide variety of functions from sleep to inflammation and immune response. By allowing CBD to imitate endocannabinoids within the body, patients can fight ARDS associated with COVID-19.

While scientists work to prove CBD as a potential treatment for COVID-19, many find that CBD helps them manage the pain and inflammation every day. CBD products like those made by SacredCBD are available without a prescription and can help produce a healthier lifestyle for those looking for a better alternative.

Sacred® is sourced from natural ingredients, including hemp-derived CBD. Contact us today to learn more about our products.