Image via Rolling Stone //

Two compounds found in cannabis are able to attach themselves to the covid spike protein and prevent it from entering cells, a study has found.

Possible side-effects of weed: paranoia, munchies, red eyes and… covid prevention? That’s what a study done by a research group affiliated with ​​Oregon State University is claiming. Their “Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants” report which was just published in the Journal of Natural Products, states that two cannabinoid acids, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), can latch onto SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes covid) and stop infection.

“Orally bioavailable and with a long history of safe human use, these cannabinoids, isolated or in hemp extracts, have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2,” says the study, which was led by Richard van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center in the College of Pharmacy and Linus Pauling Institute.

“These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts,” van Breemen said. “They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans,” which basically means you don’t have to get high to enjoy the health benefits of the cannabinoid acids… but, it probably couldn’t hurt, right?*

Van Breemen also suggests that, after further research and testing is conducted, these cannabinoids could be developed into drugs that treat or completely prevent covid-19. “Our data show CBDA and CBGA are effective against the two variants we looked at [South African and UK variants], and we hope that trend will extend to other existing and future variants.”

Like we needed any further proof that weed is the miracle substance of our lifetime. Let’s just hope that our government can get behind the benefits of this wonderplant!

*This was not suggested in the research. For info on cannabis, please consult your dealer.