Fact versus Fiction: Cannabinoids can be used to prevent/treat SARS-CoV-2.
You may have seen some eye catching headlines in the news this week, regarding a study on Hemp Cannabinoids and SARS-CoV-2 prevention/treatment. I thought it would be helpful to discuss this interesting study, as this practice does certify for the use of Cannabinoids in qualifying cases. This article will aim to explain things, so that people who are not in the Medical field can understand what the study entailed and found.
Who carried out the study? The study was published in the Journal of Natural Products, and was conducted by Richard B. van Breemen et al, from Oregon State University’s Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Was the study done on human beings or animals? The study is what is called an In-Vitro study, this means it was not carried out inside a person or animal, rather it took place outside a living body, in this case it was done using human cells outside a human body.
What did the study find? The study showed that 2 precursor forms CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid) and CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid), of the well known Cannabinoids CBD (Cannabidiol) and Delta 9 THC-A (Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), compared to other Cannabinoids, bound the most effectively to the Spike Protein on various Coronavirus strains, preventing the Coronavirus from attaching to the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the human cells. In order for the Coronavirus to get into a cell and cause disease, it’s Spike protein and other potential proteins, have to be taking into the cell it is trying to infect, and presently it does so by attaching to the ACE2 receptor which is abundant on cells found in the lungs, heart, kidney, intestines and nervous system. CBDA and CBGA were the most effective Cannabinoids, at binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and other proteins, preventing the virus from infecting a human cell.
Are CBDA and CBGA in Hemp or Cannabis dispensary products? Hemp is actually a strain of Cannabis called, Cannabis Sativa L, which is bred to have high CBD levels, and in the finished processed versions, less than 0.3% THC. CBDA and CBGA are found in raw, unprocessed Cannabis. If you heat, dry or cure the plant, both CBDA and CBGA undergo chemical processes and change to other forms of Cannabinoids. CBGA is found in the early vegetative state of the Cannabis plant, and is the precursor to many Cannabinoids such as CBDA, THC-A and CBCA. The amount of CBDA and CBGA available in the Hemp and Cannabis products on sale presently, unless specifically stating otherwise, is low.
In conclusion, this study has found a potential promising use of Cannabinoids, in the prevention and treatment of SARS-Cov2 infection. More work needs to be done before a product with a dosing recommendation is available, however, this study’s findings are a positive step in the right direction.
Chinwe D. John, MD.