An Alberta researcher has found that cannabis is showing promise in blocking the coronavirus infection.
The researcher has detected that cannabis extracts are showing potential in making people more resistant to the virus.
Biological scientist Dr. Igor Kovalchuk has said that researchers at the University of Lethbridge have sifted through 400 cannabis strains and are concentrating on about 12 that show promising results in ensuring less fertile ground for the coronavirus to take root.
“A number of them have reduced the number of these (virus) receptors by 73 per cent, the chance of it getting in is much lower,” said Kovalchuk.
“If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.”
According to the researcher, after employing cannabis sativa strains over the past three months, the effective balance between cannabis components THC and CBD is still unclear in blocking the novel coronavirus.
“It will take a long time to find what the active ingredient is — there may be many,” said Kovalchuk. However he said it’s generally the anti-inflammatory properties of high-CBD content that have shown most promise, he added.
“We focus more on the higher CBD because people can take higher doses and not be impaired,” said Kovalchuk.
“If successful, the work could find practical medical use in the form of mouth wash, gargle, inhalants or gel caps,” said Kovalchuk.
“It would be cheaper for people and have a lot less side-effects,” he added.
