Good news! Cannabis can protect you from Covid (apparently)
A study Oregon State University proves that weed can prevent two variants of Covid-19 from affecting you. Here is what they discovered
The medicinal properties of cannabis can't seem to end (need a stress relief?). A recent study by Oregon State University showed that hemp compounds prevent coronavirus from entering human cells!
OSU's researchers were able to identify a pair of cannabinoid acids- cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid, or CBDA - that bind to the Covid-19 spike protein. This prevents the spike protein to bind itself to the ACE2 enzyme, abundantly found on the outer membrane of endothelial cells in the lungs and other organs.
This blocks a critical step in the virus infecting the host body. The spike protein is the same drug target currently being used in Covid-19 vaccines and antibody therapy.
The compounds, abundantly found in cannabis, blocked the Alpha and Beta variants of Covid-19 from infecting human cells. Although the Oregon State University team notes that these are the only two Covid-19 variants studied in this research.
This means that there is a possibilty that the compounds could prove successful in blocking other coronavirus strains too.
Talking about the compounds, researcher Richard Van Breemen said, "They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans. And our research showed the hemp compounds were equally effective against variants of SARS-CoV-2, including variant B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom (Alpha variant), and variant B.1.351, first detected in South Africa (Beta variant)."
He further confirmed that the compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans. They also have the potential to not only prevent but also treat Covid-19.
Hemp, popularly known as weed, has a long history of being a source of fibre, food and animal feed. Multiple hemp extracts and compounds are also added to cosmetics, body lotions, dietary supplements.
After hearing this, here's what you might see a lot of people doing (don't go looking for weed on Amazon though):