CBD oil is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from hemp or cannabis. It has a range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, it is thought to be neuroprotective, such as in epilepsy, and can modulate the immune response.
With severe Covid, CBD was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory roles. Essentially in the severe respiratory symptoms of the initial strain of covid, the body’s immune response was overwhelming the respiratory system.
A 2021 study showed that CBD oil could “was able to reduce all the analyzed proinflammatory markers triggered by” the spike protein. CBD oil reduced IL-1BB, IL-5, and TNF-alpha, along with decreasing TLR-4 activation.
The study concluded, “Our data indicate, in conclusion, that CBD is a powerful inhibitor of SP protein enterotoxicity in vitro.”
Another study found that inhaled doses of CBD reduced the generation of inflammatory cytokines in lungs exposed to spike protein.
Additionally, research points to CBD and a metabolite of CBD as inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication.
References:
Corpetti, Chiara, et al. “Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS‐Cov‐2 Spike (S) Protein‐induced Cytotoxicity and Inflammation through a PPARγ‐dependent TLR4/NLRP3/Caspase‐1 Signaling Suppression in Caco‐2 Cell Line.” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 35, no. 12, Dec. 2021, pp. 6893–903. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7302.
Srichana, Teerapol, et al. “Oral Inhalation of Cannabidiol Delivered from a Metered Dose Inhaler to Alleviate Cytokine Production Induced by SARS-CoV-2 and Pollutants.” Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, vol. 76, Oct. 2022, p. 103805. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103805.
Nguyen, Long Chi, et al. “Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication through Induction of the Host ER Stress and Innate Immune Responses.” Science Advances, vol. 8, no. 8, Feb. 2022, p. eabi6110. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abi6110.