Another "CBD prevents COVID" study.

  Well, it seems some guys out there are pretty brave. A new clinical study, this time of CBD oil taken orally, having a protective effect against COVID-19.(Sorry, this one was on Vice, but I'll link to the study as well.)

Cannabidiol—the non-psychoactive cannabis compound better known as CBD—is a potent blocker of SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells, new research shows. Not only that, but a survey of real-world patients taking prescribed CBD found a "significant" negative relationship between CBD consumption and COVID-19 infection. 

As detailed in a paper published Thursday in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances by a team of 33 researchers at the University of Chicago and University of Louisville, a survey of 1,212 U.S. patients taking prescribed CBD found that people taking 100 milligrams-per-milliliter oral doses of CBD returned positive COVID-19 tests at much lower rates than control groups with similar medical backgrounds who did not take CBD.

What's interesting to me here is not the actual science. But here's the abstract anyway.

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for new treatments. Here we report that cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cells and mice. CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD, but not THC or other congeneric cannabinoids tested, potently block SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. CBD acts after viral entry, inhibiting viral gene expression and reversing many effects of SARS-CoV-2 on host gene transcription. CBD inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in part by up-regulating the host IRE1 RNase endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and interferon signaling pathways. In matched groups of human patients from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative, CBD (100 mg/ml oral solution per medical records) had a significant negative association with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests. This study highlights CBD as a potential preventative agent for early-stage SARS-CoV-2 infection and merits future clinical trials. We caution against use of non-medical formula-tions including edibles, inhalants or topicals as a preventative or treatment therapy at the present time.

What's interesting is the political reception to this new research. Similar papers and also proper clinical trials were done to show positive clinical results and low risk of side effects for several other drugs, including plain old Vitamin D. The political reception for that research in Ontario is the CPSO (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) is investigating 40 (forty!) doctors for talking about it on social media. In the media, we hear stories about horse paste and fish tank cleaner.

So far, apart from the clown shows on late-night network television, we're not hearing anything from the media about "dangerous off-brand use of cannabinoids" and "Stoner dies of COVID." Almost as if there were some kind of vested interest the government has in the weed industry, and they've told the media to shut up about it.

Does CBD really prevent COVID? Eh, maybe? It seems to prevent other types of infections, if you read the literature. It certainly knocks down all sorts of inflammatory processes that don't respond well to anything else, and it does seem to be pretty safe generally speaking. If it wasn't there'd be a ton of research showing the harm, that's for sure.

Should you run out and buy CBD to prevent COVID? Maybe not? It's just another study, right? So maybe do your own research, as I keep saying.

One thing I can say for sure, don't bother asking your doctor about it. They will not tell you their opinion of CBD vs. COVID. They will tell you -nothing-. Because the CPSO is investigating 40 doctors for having an opinion in public. That's why.