As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases continue to rise, researchers have already started looking for other solutions like the cannabis plant, which has the potential to be used in the treatment of the virus.
In July this year, experts from the University of Nebraska and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute are recommending more research into the anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabis-derived cannabidiol (CBD) that might help treat dangerous lung inflammation caused by COVID-19.
Emily Earlenbaugh, a Forbes contributor and co-founder of Mindful Cannabis Consulting, released an article in the same month discussing the potential of the cannabis plant in treating a severe risk brought by the virus.
According to Earlenbaugh, researchers explain in a peer-reviewed article, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, that recent reports have suggested that the body's immune system releases too many cytokines, a phenomenon called "cytokine storm," which, in return, contribute to the symptoms of fever, cough, muscle pain in severe cases of COVID-19.
When extreme inflammation occurs, it can lead to severe pneumonia, which clogs up the lungs, making breathing difficult or impossible. So, it is said to be important for scientists to study further on how to reduce inflammation to fight COVID-19.
In particular, researchers are looking at drugs that reduce IL-6 cytokine activity. From previous research, CBD is known as an IL-6 cytokine inhibitor, which helps reduce the production of cytokines.
One drug, Tocilizumab, resulted in the recovery for 90% of the patients as the drug was able to clear out the lungs based on a recent study. The drug, however, produced adverse side effects like pancreas inflammation and hypertriglyceridemia, a risk factor for coronary artery disease.
Researchers then turned to cannabis, specifically CBD. The article’s authors explain that several cannabinoids in the cannabis plant have anti-inflammatory properties, noting that CBD has shown beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in previous studies.
CBD also doesn't create the disorienting psychotropic effects associated with cannabis’ most common chemical, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and has already been approved by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) as safe for children to treat certain forms of epilepsy.
In addition to reducing cytokines, CBD has also been shown to increase the production of interferons, a protein that activates immune cells and helps the body fight viruses.
While there are a few side effects with CBD, the authors point out that it can also help reduce anxiety caused by several uncertainties brought by COVID-19, such as the status of the economy, employment, and loss of connection that can fuel depression, fear, and anxiety in patients with the virus.
They also mentioned that increased inflammation may trigger rising levels of anxiety, but CBD has shown serious promise for anxiety management and help reduce these challenging levels of stress.
There is still no scientific evidence that cannabis or its compounds may be able to specifically help treat COVID-19, but the authors of the article believe that this study is worth further researching.
They recommend scientists begin studies on whether CBD can be used to reduce inflammation and anxiety in COVID-19 cases, in addition to antiviral medications.
In conclusion, cannabis may have the potential treatment to help bring down inflammation and reduce anxiety from COVID-19 patients. However, more studies are needed to be done to completely prove and support this theory.