CBD may be an effective treatment tool for COVID-19, but does it get you high?
As of August 2020, we are still living in uncertain times. Our world has been gripped by the effects of COVID-19 for over six months, and as a population, we are still struggling to understand the full properties of the disease. We learn more every day, and scientists are working tirelessly to discover a cure, but there is still much to learn when it comes to the connection between THC-free CBD oil or full-spectrum CBD oil and coronavirus. If you are wondering does CBD makes you high, and how does THC-free CBD oil treats COVID-19, read on to learn more about the link between the two.
Much of what scientists are saying about the link between CBD and COVID-19 is based on evidence from past studies on hemp and CBD in conjunction with new information learned about the coronavirus. Formal studies take years to complete, and there has not been enough time for any health or science organization to make definitive claims.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 was discovered in 2019 in China, and has since spread throughout the entire world. As of the writing of this article, governments and their populations are still struggling to contain the outbreak as cases continue to rise. COVID-19 is short for coronavirus disease, and alludes to the fact that it was identified in 2019. Not all coronaviruses are COVID-19, and the 19 in the name does not mean this is the nineteenth time the world has seen it. According to the CDC:
“There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.”
How does coronavirus affect the body?
COVID-19 is an upper respiratory illness that can be fatal. COVID-19 is a virus, called a coronavirus, is spread through contact with the viruses on surfaces, and can also be airborne. COVID-19 affects people in different ways, depending on a variety of factors still to be determined by scientists and doctors. Infected people may have a wide range of reactions, from mild symptoms to severe illness. It is also possible to be an asymptomatic carrier.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
New information has been connected between CBD’s beneficial properties and the effects of coronavirus on the body. Scientists are currently investigating the effects of CBD on patients afflicted with coronavirus, but are also proposing untested theories based on knowledge of cannabinoid properties and COVID-19’s effects.
What is CBD?
CBD is derived from cannabis, a beneficial plant containing cannabinoids that have been used medicinally for several millennia. Cannabinoids are beneficial molecules and oils that bind with the body to promote certain biological responses and to reduce others, such as pain. Cannabinol, or CBD for short, is contained within the cannabis plant and has many potential positive benefits for your body, without the intoxicating effects of THC. THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol and is recognized as the psychoactive component of cannabis. THC also presents medicinal benefits, but CBD is recognized as cannabis’s primary medicinal molecule. There are currently over 150 studies looking into the benefits and effects of CBD, and new information frequently becomes available.
CBD and Treatment of COVID-19
Not only are scientists currently beginning research that looks into treating coronavirus using THC-free CBD oil and full-spectrum CBD oil, but organizations such as the FDA are also revisiting previous studies and drawing connections from the data. Formal studies proving CBD’s effectiveness against coronavirus will take months, if not years, to publish. Therefore, it is impossible to say for certain if CBD can treat coronavirus. However, CBD’s ability to bind with receptors in the body’s endocrine system to promote or prevent certain biological functions may have diminishing effects against coronavirus. Does CBD make you high? No. Will CBD treat coronavirus? Short answer, maybe.
The variety of beneficial effects that CBD can have on the body are of great importance and interest to many researchers, especially as the use of cannabis becomes more widespread and recognized. The plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years, but it isn’t until the last few decades that formal studies into its properties have been conducted. Since industrial hemp’s decriminalization in 2018 may other studies have started, but have not been completed or widely adopted by the scientific community.
Coronavirus works by attacking the upper respiratory system, causing inflammation, pain, fever, and respiratory failure. CBD has many studied properties that may be beneficial in treating COVID-19, such as:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Neuroprotective
- Sleep aid
- Treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD
CBD may protect the brain from damage done by a high fever caused by a coronavirus, reduce the inflammation in the lungs, offer pain relief, and help sufferers get some rest and relief. It also may help treat the mental and emotional effects of contracting coronavirus, losing loved ones to the disease, and living during/through a pandemic.
CBD and Prevention of COVID-19
Does CBD make you high? No, but it might help you prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect you from contracting the disease. Even less is known about this claim from a scientific standpoint, but many experts are drawing similar conclusions to this question as with treatment. CBD may have antiviral properties, but it is not a strong enough antiviral to fight coronavirus on its own. However, CBD may boost your overall health when taken orally and can be combined with social distancing and recommended sanitary practices. It is important to not share any smoking devices with others, and do not smoke in public places. Purchase your CBD from an online reputable source, and always check quality reports of any product before you buy it.
