Study Finds Cannabis Consumers Experienced Less Severe COVID-19 Symptoms

of cannabis research journal We recently published a new study that claims cannabis can help reduce symptoms of COVID-19. the study, “Cannabis consumption is associated with reduced COVID-19 severity in hospitalized patients: a retrospective cohort analysisused data collected from two Los Angeles hospitals: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. A retrospective analysis found reduced symptom severity and improved clinical outcomes associated with COVID-19 patients.

The researchers explained the importance of studying the relationship between cannabis and COVID-19. “In the United States in 2020, an estimated 17.9% of the population (49.6 million people) used cannabis in the past year,” the researchers wrote. “Given the scale of COVID-19 and the prevalence of cannabis use in the United States, it is important to assess how active cannabis use affects clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19.”

Of the 1,831 patients whose cases were analyzed, all were 18 years of age or older. The age of active cannabis consumers was a notable consideration, as symptom severity differs between younger and older patients. “Consistent with known trends, active cannabis users were younger overall than non-users,” the researchers wrote. Furthermore, after adjusting for comorbidities, demographics, and smoking history, we found that cannabis users had less severe disease progression than non-users.”

Cannabis’ unique properties warranted further investigation by researchers. “Consistent with our understanding of how cannabis plays a role as an immunomodulator, we found that non-cannabis users had greater elevations of inflammatory biomarkers at and during hospitalization. ,” the researchers wrote in their discussion. National Cancer Instituteimmunomodulators are known to suppress the immune system and help the body fight cancer, infections, and other diseases.

Ultimately, researchers found that cannabis consumption was beneficial for some patients, but more research is needed to support that conclusion. In this retrospective review of patients, current cannabis use was associated with lower disease severity, which was associated with lower NIH severity scores and lower need for supplemental oxygen, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation. demonstrated by,” they wrote. “There was a trend towards improved survival among cannabis users, but this was not statistically significant. This is the first study, and further studies, including prospective analyses, will help us better understand the relationship between cannabis and COVID-19 outcomes.”

There have been many studies in the past that have examined the role of cannabis as an immunomodulator, and this study provides more evidence to support that claim.

high times I recently interviewed Professor of Pharmacy, Richard Van Breemen. Oregon State University School of Pharmacy,and Linus Pauling Institute Global Hemp Innovation Center in Corvallis, Oregon. SARS-CoV-2 was the cause of his COVID-19, and Breemen spoke of his team’s findings. “Our team found that cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. We also found that 2 can be used to block cell entry,” Breemen said. “This means that cell entry inhibitors like cannabis acid can be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and shorten infection by preventing viral particles from infecting human cells. ”

Breeman and his team’s findings were originally published earlier this year in the Journal of Natural Products.

At the time, this information was featured on late-night TV shows such as: jimmy kimmel livewhere Kimmel said, “This would be funny. We’ve been listening to the CDC all along, but we should have eaten CBD.” Late Show with Stephen Colbert I was also bitten by the news. “Great news for all teenagers whose parents have found weeds in their room. ‘Mom, looks like I’ve found a Covid-stopping compound I’ve been hiding in my sock drawer. They’re not mine. No, No. They’re not mine, I just have them for my friend Tony Fauci,” Colbert explained.