Good news for the cannabis and CBD oil Industry
A recent study reported in the National Library of Medicine*, the US National Center for Biotechnology Information, revealing that:
CBDA (cannabidiol acid) and CBGA (cannabigerol acid), two cannabinoids found in industrial hemp flowers, block the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants.
In follow-up viral neutralisation assays, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid prevented infection of human epithelial cells (present in urine) by a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and prevented entry of live SARS-CoV-2 into the cells.
Importantly, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid were also effective against the alpha B.1.1.7 and beta B.1.351 variants of SARS-CoV-2.
In other words: the two cannabinoids in acid form (present in the raw flowers of the plant) bind to the Spike protein, thus preventing the Covid virus from entering the cells.
The news is making its way into the mainstream media, such as Forbes or Público, and reports of the benefits of cannabinoids in SARS-CoV-2 disease.
However, don't be fooled!
Both cannabinoids, CBDA and CBDG, are present in their natural state in the growing plant. However, their levels decrease during the decarboxylation process and can occur instantaneously when the product is heated.
These are the acidic precursors of "active" CBD.
Therefore, the CBD oil, which is composed of a carrier oil (Sowé's cold pressed French organic hemp oil) and cannabis sativa L. extract (Sowé's compound of many cannabinoids except THC), contains little CBDA and CBGA. (composed at SOWÉ of many cannabinoids except THC) contains only a little CBDA and CBGA.
Beware of unscrupulous fraudsters promoting the virtues of their CBD oil as a miracle prevention to COVID!
Nevertheless, we can celebrate this good news as this study reveals legitimate potential for the use of Cannabis and CBD as a cure for the now global scourge of the Coronavirus.
One more piece of the puzzle which represents the complexity of the cannabis plant is demonstrated in evidence of the multiple benefits of cannabinoid studies.
Note :
It should also be noted that neither CBD nor CBDA are psychotropic. Neither will induce euphoria for either medical or recreational use.
Most CBD oils sold in Europe (with the exception of Spain, Italy and Switzerland) contain little or no THC, the notorious psychotropic molecule that makes you "high".
CBD oils are sold legally in France, but we'll tell you more about that in another post.
This preclinical study (carried out only in the laboratory and not on humans) was carried out by researchers in Oregon and published this week by the American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy. Led by researcher Richard van Breemen.
Sources :
Study : https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00946
Publication : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35007072/
Press articles:
USA : https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2022/01/11/study-finds-cannabis-compounds-prevent-infection-by-covid-19-virus/amp/
France: http://www.slate.fr/story/222119/cannabis-cbd-pourraient-proteger-contre-covid-19-etude-scientifique
Portugal: https://wwwpublicopt.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.publico.pt/2022/01/12/ciencia/noticia/componentes-cannabis-impediram-infeccao-covid19-testes-laboratorio-1991705/amp
