As Covid-19 cases continue to surge across the country, researchers and scientists are scrambling to develop a cure or treatment that could lessen symptoms and prevent the disease altogether. Cannabis is surprisingly on the list for potential treatments.
Leading evidence suggests that cannabis derived CBD may help those suffering from severe lung inflammation from COVID-19. According to a recent study at Augusta University in Georgia, CBD may have a positive impact on ARDS or acute respiratory distress syndrome. ARDS is a dangerous symptom of COVID-19 caused by an overactive inflammatory response. This is commonly referred to as a ‘cytokine storm’. The study highlights that there are only supportive measures for ARDS and there is no definitive cure which illustrates the need for more treatment.
CBD may help treat this dangerous symptom by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, fighting off the storm. The goal is to reduce specific cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1b, and IL-17, thus bringing down inflammation and ending respiratory distress and damage. The results of the research were promising.
The research was conducted on mice who were given a treatment to artificially induce ARDS, similar to symptoms seen in patients with severe cases of Covid-19. The mice ultimately experienced a cytokines storm, reducing the blood oxygen level by 10% causing structural damage to the lungs. The mice were then given CBD treatments after coinciding respiratory distress.
Researchers on the study believe that CBD could play an immunotherapeutic role in treating severe respiratory viral infections like COVID-19.
The results showed that CBD was very beneficial and symptoms were totally or partially reversed in the mice. They returned to normal after CBD treatment according to the research study.
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