Mediame.guru

Testset May 23 2020

There is some real science here but smoking blunts does not serve as a prophylactic against catching Covid-19. 

By David Icke Turner

A Canadian team of research scientists believes they may have found particular Cannabis Sativa strains that could help prevent or treat coronavirus infections, according to a recently published study.

Scientists from the University of Lethbridge claim a study last April demonstrated 13 marijuana plants, that are particularly high in CBD, appeared to disrupt the ACE2 pathways that the virus uses to enter. Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments. It is one of over 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. It has no psychoactive effects but is an effective anti-inflammatory. The basic science behind the theory is enough enough for your average collegiate level stoner to wrap their head around.

“Modulation of ACE2 levels in these gateway tissues may prove a plausible strategy for decreasing disease susceptibility. Cannabis sativa, especially one high in the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), has been proposed to modulate gene expression and inflammation and harbour anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. “

“We were totally stunned at first, and then we were really happy,” researcher Olga Kovalchuk, told CTV News. The findings, printed in online journal Preprints, show weed extracts high in CBD may help block proteins that create a “gateway” for Coronavirus to take over healthy human cells. 

Kovalchuk’s husband, fellow researcher Igor, said cannabis may mitigate the virus’ entry by up to 70 percent. “Therefore, you have more chance to fight it,” he told CTV.

Studies like this are few and far between in the United States. Research will likely be stymied unless we see federal legalization. But the Canadian research team sees promise in the future use of cannabis against Covid-19.

“Our work could have a huge influence — there aren’t many drugs that have the potential of reducing infection by 70 to 80 percent,” Igor told the Calgary Herald.

Though further study is necessary to achieve conclusive findings, cannabis extracts “may prove a plausible strategy for decreasing disease susceptibility.” CBD based products could be used in tandem with other treatments and “become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy.”

Mitigating viral entry into the body at vulnerable points such as throat and mouth may be a great use for cannabis products. The hemp industry would need to “develop easy-to-use preventative treatments in the form of mouthwash and throat gargle products” said the study. These products could have the “potential to decrease viral entry” through the mouth. To put it simply, smoking blunts does not serve as a prophylactic against catching Covid-19. 

“The key thing is not that any cannabis you would pick up at the store will do the trick,” Olga told CTV, with the study suggesting just a handful of more than 800 varieties of sativa seemed to help. All were high in anti-inflammatory CBD yet low in THC; the component in cannabis that makes mediocre music/food/comedy seem amazing.

The study has yet to be peer-reviewed. Making us skeptical about the whole study is the fact that it was carried out in partnership with Pathway Rx, a cannabis therapy research company, and Swysh Inc., a cannabinoid-based research company. That is a little bit like Coors Light claiming they have the cure for coronavirus. To be clear, they don’t. At least not yet. 

“While our most effective extracts require further large-scale validation, our study is crucial for the future analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19,” the study claimed.

“Given the current dire and rapidly evolving epidemiological situation, every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue must be considered.” 

The researchers are seeking funding to continue their efforts to support scientific initiatives to address COVID-19. Naturally, Big Pharma’s worst nightmare might be a natural remedy to what otherwise might be an enormous profit center. Not to mention their established collaboration with the FDA and DEA to put up roadblocks in front of any large-scale, efficacious cannabis research.