Frontline health care professionals who work with patients with COVID-19 have an increased incidence of burnout symptoms. Cannabidiol (CBD) has anxiolytic and antidepressant properties and may be capable of reducing emotional exhaustion and burnout symptoms.
The rapid spread of COVID-19 underscores the need for new treatments. Here we report that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound produced by the cannabis plant, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection. CBD and its metabolite, 7-OH-CBD, but not congeneric cannabinoids, potently block SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. CBD acts after cellular infection, inhibiting viral gene expression and reversing many effects of SARS-CoV-2 on host gene transcription. CBD induces interferon expression and up-regulates its antiviral signaling pathway.
Authors: Hesam Khodadadi, Évila Lopes Salles, Abbas Jarrahi, Fairouz Chibane, Vincenzo Costigliola, Jack C Yu, Kumar Vaibhav, David C Hess, Krishnan M Dhandapani, Babak Baban Published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research September 2020 Abstract Introduction In the absence of effective antivirals and vaccination, the pandemic of COVID-19 remains the most significant challenge to our health…
Are phytocannabinoids helpful or harmful for immune competency in the context of the current coronavirus pandemic?