The news is saturated with stories of COVID-19. It’s still affecting the whole world several months after it first arose. Most recently, the UK started administering Pfizer vaccines to its people with the first wave approved. Unfortunately, not much research done on those who recover from COVID-19. No one knows what can help ease their pain to bring them to some sense of normalcy. One study shows that CBD oil could help reduce lung damage and repair some lingering health issues that COVID-19 caused. How is this possible?
CBD
A commonly found cannabinoid is CBD. It has non-psychoactive properties,meaning it doesn’t get its users high. Research shows that CBD has several other positive properties as well. Most commonly, CBD is used as an antidepressant, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pain supplement. Because of these properties, scientists were curious if CBD would help recovering patients with any sort of lung incapacitation.
Research
This study, recently published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, wanted to find ways to help patients recovering from COVID-19. The study also looked into reducing the amount of patients hospitalized in an effort to help curb the stress and exhaustion health care systems are feeling.
The infectious agent responsible for the pandemic is SARS-CoV-2. This agent is also responsible for the million plus deaths around the world. It also causes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This decreases lung capacity and increases inflammation in the lungs and the trachea, the pathway leading to the lungs.
ARDS is a leading factor in slowed recovery and continued respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients. This aspect is what scientists were looking to help with. 12 week old male mice received nasal sprays to see how their lung capacity would increase or decrease. One group received a saline spray as the control group. The other two groups received a compound that created the ARDS effect in the lungs. Group two didn’t receive any treatment for their lungs. Group three received three doses over 72 hours of a pure CBD mixture. After a trial period of nine days, the cardiovascular system (heart and lungs) in the body was examined.
The results showed positive improvement in lung capacity and a moderate amount of decreased inflammation after continued CBD treatment. The report states, “Our data demonstrate that CBD improves lung structure and exerts a potent anti‐inflammatory effect following experimental ARDS.”
The study still has a long way to go such further testing on different test subjects, before getting to humans. It is comfortable knowing there is hope of further recovery for those who have beaten COVID-19. Stay tuned for more cannabinoid news.