The coronavirus pandemic has affected people worldwide, with some folks recovering at home or in hospitals, while sadly, others didn’t. The hot topic right now is whether cannabis, known for its therapeutic properties, can alleviate COVID-19 symptoms or not.
Traditionally, many have advised against cannabis due to its psychoactive nature, associating its use with hippies. However, its active compounds, such as CBD and THC, have been recognized for their health benefits including pain relief, decreased anxiety, and inflammation reduction.
Now, let’s talk about how COVID-19 works. This virus, using its spike protein, latches onto the receptors of healthy cells, especially those of the lower respiratory tract. This invasion leads to inflation of the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. For roughly 80% of people, the symptoms are a fever and cough. But for others, it can progress into more severe conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after about a week.
On another note, cannabis has been used safely in the past to treat certain medical conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis compounds, particularly CBD, make it useful for managing arthritis and anxiety, besides reducing pain and improving mood.
In COVID-19, one of the main issues is the “cytokine storm”, a situation where inflammation-driving proteins flood our bloodstream. This effect can lead to lung fibrosis, an irreversible condition, making it harder for patients to breathe. Certain strains of cannabis, specifically C. sativa, demonstrated an ability to reduce these cytokines, thereby potentially alleviating the inflammatory COVID-19 symptoms.
A 2020 study showed that CBD, originating from cannabis, can reduce such inflammatory proteins and potentially improve COVID-19 symptoms. Similarly, cannabis has demonstrated its ability to provide relief from the typical body aches, sore throats, and headaches associated with COVID-19.
Anxiety is a common issue for COVID-19 patients, due to the infectious nature of the disease and isolation from loved ones. CBD has shown promise in reducing anxiety. It can enhance serotonin levels and reduce cortisol levels – neurotransmitters that are crucial for managing feelings of anxiety and stress.
However, it’s essential to clarify that smoking cannabis is not the healthiest way to consume it. There are various methods like nasal sprays, ingestion, or topically applied oils that deliver the same therapeutic compounds without the harmful effects of smoke.
In conclusion, cannabis could be a potential tool in fighting COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, more research needs to be conducted on its impact on COVID-19, and any usage should be under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
As mentioned, the text was edited for brevity, and material unnecessary for the main topic was removed.
