|
|
Researchers at Oregon State University have released findings from a study which indicate that certain compounds found in marijuana may help prevent the COVID-19 virus from entering human cells.
As reported by Study Finds.org on 12 January, the compounds, a pair of cannabinoid acids, target and bind to the same Coronavirus spike proteins that are targeted and bound to by COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapies. In so doing, they inhibit the spike protein from binding with the ACE2 enzyme, which is abundant on the surface of cells in the lungs and other organs, and which is the avenue for the virus to infect human cells.
The researchers point out that virus receptor blocking compounds (unrelated to marijuana, however) have been useful in fighting HIV-1 and hepatitis.
The cannabinoid acids appear equally effective against the variants of COVID-19 that are currently known.
So, it may turn out that these compounds, which are abundant in hemp and many hemp extracts, have a profile of safe use in humans and which are unrelated to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, may do just what the COVID-19 vaccines do—stop the virus from infecting human cells and replicating—except that they can be taken orally.
The researchers are, so far, not proposing the cannabinoid acids as an alternative to COVID-19 vaccines, but in addition to the vaccines.
The researchers have been looking into other natural, botanical substances that may have similar virus receptor blocking capabilities; one of them is licorice. But further research is dependent on additional funding.
TRENDPOST: We have long maintained that research into marijuana’s enormous potential for medical benefits has, thus far, barely scratched the surface; see “AS FORECAST, POT IS ON FIRE WORLDWIDE” (31 Jan 2019), “GET HIGH, GET HEALTHY” (11 Dec 2018), and “IS POT GOOD MEDICINE?” (17 Jan 2017).
And there’s great appeal in the notion that natural remedies are out there, just waiting to be discovered. But that was then and this is now. Prior to the COVID War, plenty of people believed in natural healing as a viable alternative to the products of the pharmaceutical industry. The hippies and other natural-healing advocates loved to say “Plants feed us; they can also heal us”; see “REEFER MONEY MADNESS” (27 Feb 2017).
But now merely suggesting that there may be alternatives—natural or otherwise—to the COVID-19 vaccinations is fraught with peril.
Look what happened to those who dared to put forth the notion that ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine might be used to fight COVID-19: such people were vilified as “science deniers”—by the same people who used to say “Question Authority”!—and mercilessly ridiculed by the full force of the Ministry of Propaganda; they might as well have been pilloried in the town square and pelted with rotten vegetables.
Imagine the field day the late-night comics will have at the expense of anyone putting credence in cannabinoids as a tool against COVID-19!