Cannabis And Covid: Preventive And Long-Term Therapeutic Approach Revealed In New Study

In a recent study conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University in Canada, cannabis and its compounds have emerged as potential allies in the fight against COVID-19.

Published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the study explored the preventive and therapeutic capabilities of cannabinoids in both the early and post-infection stages of the disease.

Early-Stage Benefits

The research revealed that cannabinoids exhibit the ability to impede viral entry, reduce oxidative stress and alleviate the cytokine storm associated with early COVID-19 infections, which suggested a potential role for cannabis in limiting the ‘susceptibility and severity’ of the virus.

Post-Infection Promise

Beyond the acute phase, cannabinoids showed promise in treating symptoms associated with long-term COVID-19, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress injury, insomnia, pain, and decreased appetite. This indicated a broader therapeutic potential for cannabis in managing lingering symptoms post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.

See Also: Cannabis Consumers Who Had COVID-19 Experienced Better Outcomes Than Nonusers, New Study Shows

Limitations And Caution

Despite these findings, the study acknowledged certain limitations, including the lack of standardization in cannabis products and potential variations in how cannabinoids affect different age groups. The authors stressed caution, noting that while previous studies support the modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in various contexts, connecting these findings to COVID-19 requires further research.

Call For Further Investigation

The authors underscored the need for clinical trials and well-designed studies to comprehensively understand the underlying mechanisms, optimal dosages, dosing schedules, safety considerations, and potential side effects associated with ECS modulation in the context of viral infections.

This cautious approach highlighted the importance of thorough research to establish the true therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, noted Marijuana Moment, which first published these results.

“While current research primarily focuses on potential treatments for the acute phase of COVID-19, there is a gap in research addressing therapeutics for the early and post-infectious phases,” researchers concluded. “This review highlights the potential for future research to bridge this gap by investigating cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system as a potential treatment strategy for both early and post-SARS-CoV-19 infection.”

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