Study Finds That Compounds In Cannabis Could Prevent Covid-19 Infection

A laboratory study from Oregon State University showed that compounds found in cannabis helped prevent the Covid-19 virus from entering human cells.

Stoners shouldn’t get too excited, however. The two compounds– cannabigerolic acid or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid or CBDA– were the ones identified in the study and are found in hemp, which is a class of cannabis grown for non-recreational use. Hemp is used as a fiber for clothes, food and animal feed, and is a key ingredient in many cosmetic and nutritional products.

CBGA and CBDA apparently bound to the virus’ spike proteins in the studies, and spike proteins are instrumental in how the virus spreads infection. This process was tested on two variants of Covid-19, and this study did not involve human trials.

The study, which was led by Richard van Breemen of the Oregon State Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy and Linus Pauling Institute, was published in the Journal of Natural Products.

Van Breeman said in a statement that “these compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans. They have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2.”