Cannabinoid acids CBGa and CBDa are the precursors to the cannabinoids CBG and CBD. Researchers working with the Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center recently published the results of their study “Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variations” in the Journal of Natural Products. These researchers suggest that these cannabinoid acids have the ability to stop Covid-19. CBGa, and CBDa bind to the virus’s spike proteins preventing them from entering endothelial cells, which are abundant throughout the bodily organs including the lungs. Richard van Breeman, the head of this study, states that these cannabinoid acids ” have shown effectiveness against two variants of SARS-CoV-2 ” and that ” these compounds can be taken orally and have a long history in safety of use in humans.”
Just last week I attended a healer.com webinar where Dr. Dustin Sulak takes a more in depth look at the research about cannabinoid acids, as published in the Journal of Natural Products, cannabinoids and covid-19. Dr. Sulak explains how the cannabinoid acids CBDa, CBGa, and the cannabinoid CBD interfere with the covid’s virus binding and replication. Both mechanisms of action may reduce the viral load and spread of Covid- 19 throughout the body.
When the SARs-COV-2 virus meets the cell. It needs to insert itself into a cellular gate that allows it to pass into the intracellular RNA. The cannabinoids acids were shown to have most effectiveness in covering the host cellular gate blocking the SARs-COV-2 spike protein from inserting itself. CBGa which is allosteric binder works to confuse the virus that the host cell gate is an ortho steric binding gate. While the CBGa blocks’ the host cell allosteric gate.
Another study reviewed in the webinar, “Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication…,“ looks at a national sample of patients who are treated with, Epidiolex, an FDA approved medication commonly used to treat epilepsy. The analysis found a high rate of negative Covid-19 test results in this population. CBD blocks the replication of SARs-COV-2early after it has already entered the host cellular gate and was shown most effective at doing so at 2 and 6 hours after entry. CBD acts on SARs-COV-2 in a way to reduces inflammation by reversing pro- inflammatory cytokines. This action of CBD may prevent a cytokine storm which reduces excessive inflammatory symptoms and severity of illness.