Since 2020, the novel coronavirus has affected the lives of millions of people across the globe. Even today, with the vaccines being available, COVID-19 has shown no sign of slowing down. It has been a challenging and difficult year for healthcare professionals across the globe. Governments across the globe establish various covid-19 guidelines such as social distancing, masks, and so on in an attempt to stop the spread of the deadly virus. If you are in a quarantine zone, here are some COVID-19 essentials you should own which will keep you safe.
Amid the battle against the virus, researchers have consistently been looking for a cure or medical preventive treatments to have an edge over the virus. One such discovery that got the attention of scientists is the therapeutic quality of CBD or cannabidiol against COVID-19. Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome (ARDS) is one of the main causes that have led to deaths in COVID-19 cases across the globe. In a recent study, it was concluded that CBD may help treat the damage caused to the lungs by decreasing and reversing the damage caused by the infection. In this article, we will take a look at how CBD can help reduce the damage caused by the deadly coronavirus.
CBD and COVID: Can it help?
CBD has been gaining popularity in the healthcare and wellness industry for its various potential benefits. The increasing demand for CBD in the past few years has encouraged manufacturers to produce a variety of CBD products for people. Even though the legality of CBD varies from state to state, there are several communities that have widely accepted this chemical compound that is extracted from the versatile plant Cannabis Sativa. Leaf Nation’s guides will help you understand more about its potential benefits.
As you know COVID-19 has resulted in millions of deaths which has affected the whole wide world. This deadly virus will leave you fatigued, feverish, and breathless which can be fatal if not treated in time. The therapeutic effects of CBD such as pain relief, reduce anxiety, combat insomnia, and especially the anti-inflammatory properties present in CBD can help battle this contagious disease. While there are no definitive results in treating or curing COVID-19 with cannabidiol, there are several studies that have shown its effectiveness in reducing covid symptoms.
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Cytokine Storm
The most common symptom in covid cases is the cytokine storm which is acute respiratory distress. It is when your lungs begin to collapse as fluid builds up in the tiny air sacs known as alveoli in the lungs. So when any foreign or unidentified microorganisms enter your body, your immune system sends cytokines that are inflammatory cells to combat the foreign microorganisms. This fight at the site leads to inflammation due to the hyperactive property of the immune system. It is also known as a cytokines storm which can lead to organ and cell damage.
Due to the hyper response of the immune system, your lungs succumb to a serious and untreatable condition that makes it difficult for your body to breathe. When your lungs fail to remove carbon dioxide and other harmful gases it decreases the ability to provide oxygen to the body. The virus enhances this process and results in Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
CBD has been known to be effective for a variety of health benefits and scientists have used this opportunity to explore whether CBD can impact this storm and reduce its effects. In 2020, a mouse model study reduced the inflammation caused by cytokines and improved the symptoms of the mice who had similar symptoms to COVID-19. Blocking the storm meant targeting the two main cytokines that caused inflammation and that eventually led to ARDS and lung fibrosis. The study suggested that the active cannabinoid found in Cannabis Sativa may help reduce the cytokine storm, protect lung tissues and reduce inflammatory homeostasis.
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Increasing the levels of apelin
The same group of researchers in the above study discovered another reason to show the effectiveness of CBD in reducing lung damage. During the above study, they noticed that the apelin level in the body reduced drastically which increased the effect of the virus on the lungs. Apelin is a peptide that works with ACE-3 in reducing inflammation and regulating blood pressure. In the case of ARDS, the level of apelin decreased which caused high inflammation and thus interrupted the flow of oxygen and blood. After CBD was introduced to the mice, it was noted that the apelin increased 20 times its normal levels which improved the functions of the lungs and reduced the damage significantly.
Is it a Good Idea to Consume CBD Oil to Fight COVID-19?
Now CBD is available in different shapes, sizes, and so on such as oils, vaping oils, capsules, tinctures, edibles, and even CBD-infused drinks. While some people consider inhalation or smoking, there are other ways to consume CBD. With the aforementioned studies, CBD has been helpful in reducing and treating the damage caused by this contagious disease.
Even though CBD does not contain any psychoactive properties, not all governments have accepted CBD as a medicinal potential. Therefore, it makes it difficult for scientists to understand and source the potential of this versatile compound without a proper license.
However, scientists across the world are yet to discover the complete benefits of the Cannabis plant compound. Hence until further research and findings are not complete, it would be wise to consult with your doctor before consuming any CBD product.
