Taking Full Spectrum CBD for COVID Prevention

Information and, sadly, misinformation is prevalent when it comes to COVID-19. Though real information is constantly evolving and changing, what still holds through is that even a mild infection can cause long-term Covid symptoms, reduced cognition and even sexual disfunction. Patients with more severe cases often succumb to debilitating illness and death. Avoiding infection altogether is still the optimum choice when it comes to ‘living with Covid’.

New research from Oregon State University has found that some particular hemp compounds have the ability to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering human cells. The study has been published in the Journal of Natural Products.  The study identified several cannabinoid ligands (an ion or molecule) and ranked them by affinity to the spike protein. The two cannabinoids with the highest affinities were CBDA and CBGA. These were actually shown to block infection.

CBDA is cannabidiolic acid and it is secreted into the stems, leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. When the plant is processed (using heat), acid is removed from the CBDA which, in turn, activates the CBD. CBDA is the raw form of CBD. CBD comes from cannabis plants that are already grown and cured while CBDA compounds reside in plants that are still growing. CBDA can only come about when the raw cannabis containing CBDA is heated. This causes “decarboxylation.” Again, the main differentiator is that CBDA is a precursor to CBD. 

Since CBDA occurs in the raw hemp plant, it can also be extracted by juicing. This juice can be added to foods and drinks or infused into extracts like tinctures. 

Meanwhile, CBGA is cannabigerolic acid. Without this particular cannabinoid there is no CBDA or even CBD and THC.CBGA is nicknamed the “Mother Cannabinoid.” Though CBGA compounds are similar to other cannabinoids, there hasn’t been much research into it. 

CBGA can be thought of as the precursor to THC. Enzymes convert CBGA into THCA – which is the raw molecule that converts to THC after heating. 

CBGA has also been shown to accelerate the effects of other cannabinoids, therefore making it  important when it comes to CBD “entourage effects.”

The lab tests performed in Oregon have demonstrated that both cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid prevented infection of human epithelial cells by the coronavirus spike protein and prevented entry of SARS-CoV-2 into those  cells.

Importantly, because current vaccination strategies rely on the original spike protein strain as an antigen, the study showed that CBDA and CBGA are effective against two more recent variants we looked at, and we hope that trend will extend to other existing and future variants including B.1.1.7 (Alpha), and variant B.1.351 (Beta.) These variants are known for evading neutralizing antibodies.

Both CBDA and CBGA are not controlled substances as they do not contain THC – the psychoactive ingredient found in the marijuana plant. 

Though more research is needed and the researchers are quick to point out this was in vitro – and not in vivo – IE in live human trials, both compounds are available in Full Spectrum CBD oil. 

Full-spectrum CBD contains all the naturally occurring plant compounds residing within the plant extract including both CBDA and CBGA. Full spectrum CBD uses all of the phytochemicals found in the sativa plant – cannabidiol along with terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids including THC. However, the THC content included is usually under the 0.3 percent as guided by law.Because of this low THC content, users usually don’t feel the intoxicating effects.  

This is important as the study found that when combining THC with both CBDA and CBGA – the ability to neutralize the virus fell away. 

Though further studies are being done to facilitate the creation of CBD-centric solutions which are suitable for COVID-19 patients, the possibilities are endless given that full spectrum CBD, with over 100 phytocannabinoids found in the hemp plant, has a potential of impacting health in a number of unique ways.