New study finds cannabis could reduce chances of COVID-19 infection

By Jerilyn Jordan

While it’s proven that cannabis can be effective in treating things like cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, as well as making watching the Catsmovie more bearable, researchers are toying with another use for the Devil’s lettuce: defeating COVID-19.

Well, almost.

As reported by Interest Engineering, researchers at the University of Lethbridge in Canada have found that certain cannabis strains may reduce COVID-19’s ability to infect the lungs, as well as other susceptible tissues along the intestines and oral cavity.

The coronavirus is a respiratory disease that can be transmitted through airborne droplets that attach to the lungs and airways. The virus hijacks a healthy cell to multiply itself and, well, you know the rest.

Scientists first created some new Sativa strains and extracts — 400, in fact — and narrowed them down to a dozen that showed promise in reducing the coronavirus’ infection rate. The final strains were high in CBD, a natural non-psychoactive chemical compound found in cannabis, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Though scientists didn’t test these strains or treatments on humans, they did the next best thing: made artificial human 3-D tissue models. From there, they were able to identify how each strain interacts with a COVID-19 infection as well as how it interacts with ACE2, a cellular enzyme receptor.

The result? Well, according to biological scientist and the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Igor Kovalchuk, some strains reduced virus receptors by 73% — in turn, dramatically lowering the chance of getting the virus at all.

This isn’t the only study connecting cannabis and COVID-19.

In Israel, medical researchers are also looking into cannabis’ anti-inflammatory properties, but for treatment of coronavirus patients, rather than prevention, High Times reports.

Read full article at metrotimes