Does Cannabis Prevent COVID?
I Still Haven’t Gotten COVID. Could it be the Weed?
We’re 27 months into the COVID pandemic. I’ve been sick multiple times, and every time I start to feel achy, sniffly, sneezy, or have a tickle in my throat, I think– this is it. The ‘rona finally got me. And every time, I take a COVID test which comes out negative, and whatever little bug I’ve picked up clears out quickly.
Since I use cannabis both medicinally and recreationally, it just makes me wonder: Does cannabis prevent COVID?
As a cannabis user who has yet to contract COVID, I wonder: How does cannabis affect the novel coronavirus?
It’s not like I’ve been home in lockdown either. I spent the last year working full-time as a 4th grade teacher again so I could purchase a home post-divorce– and while masks were “required” for the first two-thirds of the school year, my students were hardly diligent about wearing them. At least their chins stayed COVID-free… 🙄
There were many, many positive cases with resulting outbreaks in my class this year both during the mask mandate and after, yet I was still able to escape getting COVID… every single time I was exposed. What’s up with that? Of course I’m vaccinated and boosted, but so is everyone I know… and almost all of them have had COVID– some of them more than once!
Could my cannabis use possibly be the missing link as to how I’ve stayed COVID-free? I decided to look into the research.
How Do You Build Immunity Against COVID-19?
Of course, a zillion factors contribute to how one’s immune system responds to COVID– or any invader. There are many ways to boost your body’s natural immune response, such as:
Get vaccinated!
Stay hydrated
Eat a healthy diet
Stay active
Get enough sleep
Avoid alcohol and smoking
How am I doing with all of these? I’ve received my full course of the Pfizer COVID vaccine and one booster (although hmmm… I’m probably due for another one).
I actually do a great job of drinking enough water. But my diet? Hey, I try. But as a single working mom with busy kids, I probably do take advantage of a fast food drive-thru more often than is considered “healthy.”
As far as activity, I don’t have any kind of intense exercise routine, but I walk my dogs twice a day and do 10-15 minutes of yoga every morning.
I definitely don’t get enough sleep! But the 6 hours I get are solid, thanks to the cannabis. :)
I drink very occasionally, and I don’t smoke (cigarettes).
I would say I do a decent job taking care of my immune system, but could definitely do better. But I’ve been sick a lot this year! As soon as masking requirements were loosened, I picked up all kinds of brief, mild illnesses. So I’m being exposed to germs and contracting viruses. But not COVID. Why?
Preliminary studies suggest that CBD may help prevent COVID, and could also assist in recovery.
CBD to Stop COVID?
Could the popular cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) help prevent contracting COVID?
Apparently, yes. An important study this past year showed that CBD inhibits replication of the COVID virus and stimulates immune response! While test subjects became infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus was unable to replicate itself and cause systemic illness.
This study was conducted after scientists noted that a cohort of patients who used CBD for epilepsy treatment contracted COVID at a far lower rate than their non-CBD taking peers.
While more studies are obviously needed, there does seem to be some correlation between cannabis (particularly CBD) use and avoiding COVID.
These studies also emphasized the use of pure, isolated CBD extract. I use full-spectrum CBD and whole cannabis, so I’m not so sure that it’s the CBD that is preventing me from contracting COVID.
Can Cannabis Treat COVID?
Maybe it’s too late for prevention because you’ve already contracted COVID. Could cannabis help you feel better, faster? Anecdotal evidence, and some initial studies, seem to suggest yes.
In a trial study conducted in Israel with a very small sample size, 11 patients who were seriously sick with COVID and other potentially lethal co-infections were given CBD, and 8 of them recovered. The 3 patients that did not receive CBD died.
Other studies showed that cannabis use can help calm COVID-induced cytokine storms, which are extreme increases in cytokines (proteins that cause inflammation). Cannabis is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, so this makes sense.
COVID can cause agonizing aches and pains, and many people report that the serotonin-boosting power of cannabis oil or edibles helps reduce their COVID-related pain.
Pain reduction is one of the main reasons I use cannabis, so I can attest to its effectiveness!
Consuming cannabis while sick with COVID may help reduce COVID-related inflammation and pain.
Cannabis for COVID? It’s Worth a Shot!
So as I often say about cannabis in regards to so many conditions– It can’t hurt! And it just might help.
However, if you are already sick with COVID, do NOT smoke or vape cannabis. COVID is a serious lung infection and smoking or vaping can cause further damage.
But if you’re considering supplementing with cannabis in other ways in order to avoid contracting COVID or getting through it faster or more easily, I say why not? It’s worth a shot!
And is it cannabis that has kept me from getting COVID? I may never know. But I’m gonna keep using it just in case. ;)
