In a study published in study published in the Journal of Nature Products, Oregon State researchers found two cannabis compounds, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid, could prevent SARS-CoV-2 from infecting human cells.
The study found that two compounds found in commonly found in hemp, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), prevent coronavirus from entering cells that typically line internal organs and skin in a lab setting.
In the study, these acids were able to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the same target used in COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapy. Once bound, this step could block a critical step in the pathogen process used to infect the cell.
“That means cell entry inhibitors, like the acids from hemp, could be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and also to shorten infections by preventing virus particles from infecting human cells” said Richard van Breemen, a scientist with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy, and Linus Pauling Institute.
Both cannabis compounds were found equally effective against the SARS-CoV-2 alpha and beta variants. Van Breemen hopes this trend seen in his findings will apply to other existing and future COVID-19 variants.
Van Breemen states these compounds can be taken orally. To him, they have the potential to prevent and treat infection by SARS-CoV-2. The researchers did not study THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, due to campus rules prohibiting research using controlled substances. Van Breeman sought to temper public perception that recreational marijuana would have the same effect on preventing a COVID-19 infection as ingesting an oral supplement, noting in an interview with Vice News published Thursday that, when heated, the chemical profile and properties of the compound change.
The bottom line is that smoking weed will not cure COVID-19.