CBD and Long Covid

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More than two years into the pandemic, it is becoming increasingly apparent how dramatic the impact of “Long Covid” will be. In whom the symptoms persist and for what reason is unclear, even experts are at a loss. Affected people, still in a fog of fatigue, breathing difficulties, headaches and various other symptoms months later, still have to wait for effective therapies. Could CBD help?

Long Covid Symptoms and CBD

The FOPH lists, among others, the following typical symptoms of “post-Covid 19 disease” [1]: excessive fatigue and exhaustion, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, cognitive impairment, headache, insomnia, muscle fatigue, and muscle pain.
For many of these symptoms, regardless of the cause, there is evidence that CBD is an effective treatment. Studies are investigating diverse uses of CBD products and many people are sharing their positive experiences on social media. With this starting point, it is obvious that CBD is increasingly being used in long covid therapy as well.

Effect of CBD against long covid

There are many testimonials on the internet from people who turn to CBD products (mainly CBD oils) to fight persistent symptoms. In the Long Covid Switzerland Facebook group there are many people who tell about an excellent effect. Sleep problems are reduced with evening use of CBD oil, but eye problems, neurological symptoms, and lung problems also seem to decrease with CBD use.

In addition to these field reports, which are based on the observations of individuals, there are also research projects on the subject. For example, Indian researchers* conducted a study that demonstrated a potential for therapeutic effects against neurological impairments caused by Corona.[2] However, so far these results are based only on laboratory data, the significance of which is difficult to translate to human application. Another study, funded by Drug Science UK, aims to further investigate the potential of CBD treatments against long covid. No results have yet been obtained.
Further, there have been several studies that have looked at CBD and covid in general. You can find a compilation in this blog post.

What does that mean for us?

It certainly seems as though medical cannabis products, as well as commercially available CBD oils, may be of relevance in the treatment of Long Covid. However, it is also clear that science has not yet reached the point where an effect can be proven with certainty. Two years is a short time in science, especially when it comes to an area like cannabis, where medical research in general is not very advanced.
For us at Herba di Berna AG, this means the following: First, we hope for the fastest possible progress in medical research on cannabis. Secondly, we are making a special offer to Long Covid sufferers so that they can at least try using CBD oils: We are currently offering 30% off our CBD oilswith the discount code “cbd-genesung”.

Sources:
– [1] Coronavirus: post-covid 19 disease (BAG).
– 2] In silico inquest reveals the efficacy of cannabis in the treatment of post-Covid-19 relate neurodegeneration (ResearchGate)
– [3] Feasibility of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Long COVID (clinicaltrials.gov).

High purity CBD effective against COVID-19?

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In January, researchers at the University of Chicago published a study that showed potential efficacy of CBD against the replication (propagation) of Sars-CoV-2. The researchers used this publication as an opportunity to call for further research on this topic. The results of the study would suggest an effect, but are still far from a confirmed medical outcome. It is also emphasized that this study refers to cells treated with high-purity CBD in the laboratory – a fundamentally different situation than taking commercially available CBD products. So the topic should be pursued, without now feeling that you can protect yourself against Corona with a CBD joint.

CBD stops the multiplication of Covid 19 viruses

The study was conducted because it was suspected that CBD might have an impact on disease progression due to anti-inflammatory properties. The hope was that CBD could mitigate the effects of a “cytokine storm” (an overreaction of the immune system). However, with an impediment to viral replication (virus replication), the researchers observed a very different effect. “No one in their right mind would have ever thought that it blocked viral replication, but that’s what it does,” commented one professor involved.

Does highly purified CBD also work in humans?

For the experiment, human lung cells were treated with highly purified CBD for two hours. These were then exposed to coronavirus and the change in viral load over time was observed. The viruses were able to enter the treated cells, but replication was severely hindered. The study results could be confirmed with similar results in animal experiments on mice. However, in order to properly assess the effective potential, further trials are needed, especially those on humans.

More research is needed!

For us, this means: We are pleased about successful research projects regarding the medical application of cannabis. However, it is also important to us that this research takes place in a serious framework. Thus, there are many reasons to be pleased with the results of the study, especially after the last two years in a state of emergency. If CBD does indeed help against covid-19, that is wonderful news that definitely needs to be followed up on. At the same time, it is imperative that we exercise restraint: this study does not demonstrate any protective effects of commercial CBD products. The effects of treating single cells with high-purity CBD are very different from the effects that a CBD joint or ingesting CBD oil has on the human body.

Sources:
– Hemp Industry Daily: Another CBD study suggests COVID-19 protection, but consumers warned not to treat themselves
– uChicago News: Researchers recommend clinical trials for CBD to prevent COVID-19 based on promising animal data
– Full study: Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication.