BY LAUREN E. LeBEL PHOTO ISTOCK
Fact vs. myth
Can cannabis help
ward off COVID-19?
P
erhaps if you smoke weed or are a believer in all things cannabis, you think that partaking in this act will prevent you from falling victim to the ongoing pandemic. Although there is no scientific proof that this could be true, there has been some social media “buzz” around this topic. Some of this misconception stems from a recent study showing how two cannabis compounds may have protective effects against COVID-19. According to Popular Science, “Researchers from Oregon State University isolated and identified two naturally occurring compounds found in hemp, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Using chemical screening techniques, the scientists found that these two compounds have a molecular form that can bind to SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, therefore blocking the virus from binding to cells—it’s the same basic principle that makes monoclonal antibody treatments effective.” Although CBGA and CBDA could bind to the Alpha and Beta variants of the virus, researchers have not yet looked at other variants (Popular Science). This peer-reviewed study has been brought up on television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel, when he joked, “All this time we’ve been listening to the CDC, we should’ve been eating CBD.” However, Popular Science describes 46
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these jokes as “misguided,” as the study shows no evidence that any type of cannabis consumption can protect or prevent COVID-19. Similarly, some may have heard that smoking weed will prevent you from getting the virus. Whereas Peter Grinspoon, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School stated the opposite. “We have no reason to think that smoking weed protects you… Smoking anything isn’t a good idea during a pandemic that affects the lungs,” he said. Plus, “these compounds would need to be tested in animals, then in humans, and actually demonstrated to be effective against COVID.” As the study mentioned above did not include any human trials, Grinspoon said these assumptions are a long way off from becoming facts (Popular Science). Although there could be potential for prevention in the long run, “that doesn’t mean it’s time to pack the bong and cancel your vaccine booster appointment,” said the Boston Globe. Smoking weed and cannabis use is not a substitute for getting vaccinated. Richard van Beeman, a researcher at Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center who led this study said, “this is not a replacement for the vaccine,” although they are “excited” with their current findings. “I’m con-
fident that by the fall we’ll have good data from clinical trials,” he said (The Boston Globe). While weed smoking and cannabis consumption may assist in treating other health conditions or illnesses, it doesn’t mean it can assist with all. Some examples of drugs containing cannabinoids that are used to treat health conditions include treating rare forms of epilepsy, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, loss of appetite or weight loss with HIV/ AIDS, and several others. “In addition, some evidence suggests modest benefits of cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic pain and multiple sclerosis symptoms” (NIH). For other medical conditions, cannabis treatment research is in its early stages. As misconceptions continue to linger over this heavy topic, it’s crucial to conduct proper research and know how to separate the opinions and myths from the straight facts. References https://www.popsci.com/science/marijuana-wont-protect-against-covid/ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/14/marijuana/can-cannabis-really-prevent-covid-notquite-new-study-shows-promise/ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
