Could cannabis be the secret to stopping Coronavirus? According to researchers from the University of Lethbridge, it’s possible, but not confirmed…yet.
Carried out in Alberta, Canada, the study examined whether the compounds in cannabis could help stop a person from becoming infected with Covid-19. They were looking at extracts of Cannabidiol, known as CBD. CBD is the main non-psychoactive component of cannabis.
As of May 2020, it is believed that Covid-19 infects a person by attaching itself to Angio-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor cells in the human body. Throughout the University of Lethbridge experiment, researchers were testing CBD’s effect on human receptor cells.
Researchers studied over 400 strands of cannabis in total, but extensive research was carried out on around a dozen strands. As a result of the experiment, it was found that CBD lowers the number of receptors available for coronavirus to infect, by 73%.
The research was carried out by the University of Lethbridge in partnership with two cannabis research groups – Pathway Rx and Swysh Inc. Researchers used 3D artificial human models of airway, oral and intestinal tissue throughout the experiment, which was peer-reviewed and printed in PrePrints.
Lead Researcher and CEO of Pathway Rx, Dr Igor Kolvachuk gave this statement about the results:
A number of them (the cannabis strands) have reduced the number of receptors by 73 percent. If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.
When describing the research to the media, Dr Kolvachuk gave this example:
Imagine a cell being in a large building. Cannabinoids (CBD) decrease the number of doors in the building by, say, 70 percent, so it means the level of entry will be restricted. So, therefore, you have more chance to fight it.
However, Dr Kolvachuk was careful to note that this research does not mean that smoking cannabis will help prevent coronavirus. The experiment only tested the CBD compound in isolation, and not when combined with other elements of cannabis, like THC.
Instead, Dr Kolvachuk notes that further clinical trials will be needed before a coronavirus treatment is recommended. While smoking weed is a personal choice, don’t do it in the name of coronavirus.
You can read our previous coverage of cannabis and coronavirus here.