Could Cannabis Help Prevent Covid infection?

A recent study at Oregon State University (OSU) has found that two compounds, abundant in live cannabis plants, can be used to prevent the virus that causes Covid-19 from entering human cells.

The study, published on Monday 10th of January in the peer-reviewed Journal of Natural Products, tested several plant extracts such as wild yam, hops, red clover, and licorice for potential affinity with the Covid spike protein.

According to the findings of the study, the compounds cannabidiolic acid, CBDA, and cannabigerol acid, or CBGA, were able to bind onto the SARS-Cov-2 virus' spike protein. This spike is what the coronavirus uses to hijack human cells. By binding to this spike, the same spike protein the Covid-19 vaccines and antibody therapy drugs use, these compounds block a critical step in the virus's process to infect people. 

However, before you get overly excited about sparking up a join or taking a dab, the study also revealed the two compounds probably couldn't be consumed via any of the traditional methods and have this benefit. 

The compounds would have to be harvested separately and then used to make specific medicine. 

The lead author Richard van Breemen of OSU said, "These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts."

These CBDA and CBGA compounds are not controlled substances, like the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, and they have a good safety profile in humans. The research showed these hemp acids are equally effective against variants of SARS-Cov-2.