For three years now, the Corona pandemic has accompanied us in our daily lives. For some time it even brought it to a complete standstill. Even though the vaccination. Even though vaccination has been effective against fatal courses of the disease, around 4,000 people per day in Austria continue to fall ill with corona. (As of February 2023) In this article we will discuss whether and how hemp and CBD can be helpful in the treatment of corona. In doing so, we will refer to various versions and studies that have been conducted since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Important: In this article we bring together various studies and explanations, such as that of Prof. Zajicek, in connection with the coronavirus. These explanations have not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven. They are therefore in no way promises of a cure, which would also be forbidden anyway.
This article is a revised version of the Hempions article from 2020 on the start of the Corona pandemic
Overview
- Basic information on the coronavirus
- What is the cannabinoid CBD?
- What are the different types of cannabinoids?
- Studies on the use of CBD against Corona
- "Cannabis Accelerates the Cure of Coronavirus" - Prof. Zajicek
- CBD against corona-related inflammation
- Summary
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), corona virus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and transmitted via droplet infection. Worldwide, approximately 675 million people have contracted corona and 6.8 million people have died from or with corona disease. (Our World in Data, 2023) Most people affected experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without medical treatment. Nevertheless, the symptoms can be very uncomfortable, which is why the search for possible relief, such as through CBD, remains relevant even after the successful development of the vaccine.
What is the cannabinoid CBD?
CBD is one of over 100 known cannabinoids contained in the hemp plant. Cannabinoids are active substances that can affect the endocannabinoid system, a part of the nervous system, in the human body. That is why they have been used for centuries to treat pain and reduce stress.
What are the different types of cannabinoids?
There are two types of cannabinoids:
- Endocannabinoids, which are produced by our body and activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors (Pacher et al, 2008).
- Phytocannabinoids, which occur naturally in the hemp plant and can also activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors. There are more than 113 cannabinoids, including CBD and also the psychoactive THC (Aizpurua-Olaizola et al, 2016).
One of the first executions on the subject of CBD versus Corona was already published in March 2020 by Prof. Gershom Zajicek, M. D., who has been working for over 40 years at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI). Prof. Zajicek is part of the Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research at HUJI.
In his presentation, Prof. Zajicek uses an epithelial cell to explain how hemp can speed up recovery. This type of cell lines most of our airways.
The main effect of hemp is explained as follows:
- The epithelial cells have CB1 and CB2 receptors.
- When cannabidiol (CBD) docks onto these CB1 and CB2 receptors, protective measures are triggered in the cell as a result
- These protective measures slow down the death of the cells and thus inhibit the spread and reproduction of further corona viruses via dead cells.
Finally, Prof. Zajicek explains that cannabis extracts are antiviral and prevent cell proliferation. Hemp extracts with a large number of different cannabinoids have a higher efficacy than single components, such as pure THC or CBD.
In the following years, after Prof. Zajicek's first findings on the treatment of coronavirus with CBD, numerous further studies were conducted. Among other things, an in vitro study with human tissue showed a connection between CBD and reduced inflammation. In another clinical study, the test persons reported reduced fatigue, but other test persons of the same study reported the opposite effect. A reduction in asthma-related inflammation and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) symptoms could also be demonstrated.
However, a randomised-controlled trial (two test groups, one receiving drug, the other a placebo) of CBD administration to corona sufferers found no significant changes between the two groups in terms of prevention, symptom duration, lung damage and mortality. A study from 2022, on the other hand, reported an association between CBD administration during an ongoing corona infection and a lower number of positive corona tests in the test group at relapse compared to the control group.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, numerous studies have been conducted on the topic of CBD against Corona. As can be seen above, the results of these studies vary. Previous studies could not prove a clear connection between CBD and the healing of the corona virus, but the corona disease is accompanied by many symptoms whose relief could be confirmed in studies of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Among other things, symptoms relevant to corona disease such as pain and inflammation as well as the alleviation of stress and sleep disorders.
The Israeli doctor Professor Zajicek recommends products that ideally use the resin of the hemp plant. This resin forms the basis for CBD oils made from full-spectrum extract. According to him, a low TTHC content of the product is also important. The CBD products freely available in Europe contain a maximum of 0.2% THC, which therefore automatically fulfils this requirement. A psychoactive effect due to THC can thus be ruled out.
Hempions contains the highest quality CBD oil in 5% and 10% concentration as well as in organic quality.
Sources:
Prof. Zajicek, 2020: Cannabis Indica speeds up Recovery from Coronavirus, on ResearchGate
Jiang, Lu, Lanying, 2013: Development of SARS vaccines and therapeutics is still needed: on ResearchGate
Pacher, Mukhopadhyay, Moahnraj, Godlewski, Batkai, Kunos, 2008: Modulation of the endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular disease: therapeutic potential and limitations: on Pubmed
Aizpurua-Olaizola, Soydaner, Öztürk, Schibano, Simsir, Navarro, Etxebarria, Usobia, 2016: Evolution of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Content during the Growth of Cannabis sativa Plants from Different Chemotypes: on Pubmed
Holst, M. Nowak, D., & Hoch, E. (2022). Cannabidiol As a Treatment for COVID-19 Symptoms? A Critical Review. Cannabis and Cannabidiol Research.
who.int
ourworldindate.org
