Yeah, weed. Marijuana. It might just help you fend off Covid-19.
Cannabis extracts are showing potential in making people more resistant to the novel coronavirus, says an Alberta researcher leading a study.I suppose it stands to reason. You're pretty safe from infection if y0u spend all day in front of the TV with a bag of chips and a box of cookies.
After sifting through 400 cannabis strains, researchers at the University of Lethbridge are concentrating on about a dozen that show promising results in ensuring less fertile ground for the potentially lethal virus to take root, said biological scientist Dr. Igor Kovalchuk.
“A number of them have reduced the number of these (virus) receptors by 73 per cent, the chance of it getting in is much lower,” said Kovalchuk.
“If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.”
Employing cannabis sativa strains over the past three months, the researcher said the effective balance between cannabis components THC and CBD — the latter more typically associated with medical use — is still unclear in blocking the novel coronavirus.
“The extracts of our most successful and novel high CBD C sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy,” said Kovalchuk.
“Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered.”
Israeli researchers have begun clinical trials of CBD as a treatment to repair cells damaged by COVID-19 by using its anti-inflammatory abilities.
It’s thought CBD could enhance the traditional effect of steroids in such treatment of patients in life-threatening condition and also bolster the immune system.
It’s the kind of research and his own that deserves government support in Canada, whose federal government has pledged $1.1 billion in funding for COVID-19 research said the U of L scientist.
“Our work could have a huge influence — there aren’t many drugs that have the potential of reducing infection by 70 to 80 per cent,” he said.Oh, Dave's not here man.
“In summary, there are 3 phases of cannabinoid research. One of them has to do with the plants, THC, CBD and possibly other compounds. The second has to do with endocannabinoids which are involved in a large number of physiological processes, and within that there are CB2 receptors which are specific for many diseases and do not cause side effects. The third one is a huge number, almost a hundred compounds which our bodies make, and we know about the activity of only 5 or 10 of these currently,” he concluded.
ReplyDeleteRaphael Mechoulam
"After sifting through 400 cannabis strains..." Sure it wasn't 420?
ReplyDeleteCap
We are not in new territory.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525302/
TB
NPoV - Dave's not here, man.
ReplyDeleteCap - Dave's not here, man.
ReplyDeleteTB, I'm missing your point. I hope I didn't suggest that we're in new territory on pandemics.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, free enterprise.
ReplyDeleteIt's never really free until someone, with power and influence, has a monopoly on the industry,
Cannabis has many benefits and many pitfalls in that it is not the wonderdrug it announces.
I have seen CBD oil work wonders but at cost much higher than traditional drugs.
That CBD cannot be claimed on my extended medical care speaks volumes!
TB
TB
Pandemics and their consequences have been known for years.
ReplyDeleteSo have miracle drugs/cure alls.
I have seen the good use of CBD oils,; could tell you a funny about when i mistakenly brought back a bunch from Mexico!
Some worked most did not.
That the one ointment that worked is interesting in that it out performed mainstream drugs at a fraction of the price.
The production of cannabis products is still both controversial and somewhat a fringe cure.
Bluntly.
The Canadian meat supply is controlled by three major suppliers , as is the USA's.
The North Americas cannabis industry is somewhat wide open ; there are failures on a regular basis but there is competition.
Even with that competition the so called major players cannot compete with , shall we say; free enterprise!
When the cannabis supply chain is owned by a 'connected' company or two then I predict it will become mainstream..
As for pandemics, we will always pass them off!
We tend to forget ugly, hurting truths that disrupt our lives.
That said and I say again; there are those that will profit from these unfortunate times and at our, taxpayer, cost.
TB
Who in hell is Dave? This here Jack Haze made me forget. Excuse while I build a legal spliff bigger than Bill Murray's in Caddyshack. There. I have a propane torch to light it and a modified Dyson vacuum motor to maintain the draw.
ReplyDeleteHelps against coronavirus, you say? Or did Dave say that? Wait, he's not here. What day is it? Hell, I've run out of chips and Campbell's condensed chicken soup. This virus is a bitch, eh.
BM