Your ReThink-Rx™ Doctor Will Help
One thing is certain: the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. With new variants constantly arising, like Delta and Omicron, the devastating spread and effects of this disease continue. Prevention is difficult: not everyone is vaccinated, those that are vaccinated aren’t completely protected and new variants continually challenge the effectiveness of available vaccines. Treatment is difficult: we have learned a lot but we still lack completely effective treatments and medicine.
So, worries continue. And Omicron just adds to that.
But can cannabis help? Absolutely. Read on.
One thing is certain: the psychological effects of the pandemic are real. As the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 continue to evolve, social norms and responsibilities remain in great flux. Do I mask? If so, when? Why are others not masking? What about travel restrictions? What about Omicron?
There are no good answers.
These uncertainties are unsettling for everyone. For those with anxiety disorders, uncertainties like these can be crippling. The results are increased anxiety, depression and isolation for many people. Even the term “social distancing”, has come to be associated with fear of the invisible enemy. Social restrictions are likely to continue and, as new variants spread, very likely to increase again. These waves of disease also bring waves of despair for many.
Cannabis has proven helpful for a great many people for managing the stress, anxiety and depression associated with the pandemic. The use of Marijuana, largely to help manage the psychological fall-out, has increased dramatically in the general population over the past year and a half.
But can Cannabis actually help prevent or treat COVID-19? Read on to find out!
With new strains like Delta and Omicron identified almost daily, it is clear we need long-term strategies to help manage the spread and destruction. But can cannabis actually help? There is now some evidence that components in cannabis may help protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and may help as a therapy, especially for early disease.
The science is still very young on this and many questions remain unanswered. But the studies are underway and evidence is mounting.
A recent study by the NIH has identified that certain components of cannabis have the ability to inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and may promote the natural immune response to fight off the disease. These researchers propose that CBD, and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD, may offer protection from infection and provide therapeutic benefits in early disease. There is also theoretical evidence that these elements may help reduce the likelihood of a deadly “cytokine storm”.
Researchers in Oregon have also just published another paper in The Journal of Natural Products that further supports the fact that elements in Cannabis can be protective against infection with SARS-CoV-2. In a Q&A with Vice Magazine, the researchers went as far as promoting Cannabis as a preventative measure against infection. “We go to meet a friend and the friend tells us later they’ve tested positive for COVID. Then, we’re all worried about getting sick. That’s the time I would recommend taking a supplement that has the capability of preventing infection” says lead author Dr. Richard Van Breeman. “I envision oral administration in the form of a dietary (cannabis) supplement like a pill or an oil or a gummy” he added.
So, what does this mean? The anti-inflammatory and immune modulating effects of cannabis are being used to help many immune-based diseases like arthritis, diabetes, Lyme’s disease, and others. These same remarkable qualities of cannabis, it is now theorized, may also help reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or may offer an additional therapeutic treatment in some cases. While the gold standard for prevention is current vaccination and masking, and new and promising therapies emerge almost daily, components in cannabis are also being investigated as a possible benefit. Research is now underway to validate whether these theoretical benefits can be demonstrated in people.
Understanding therapeutic principles of cannabis and how they relate to SARS-CoV-2 infection and anxiety management, is very important. The information about COVID-19 and cannabis is constantly updating as news comes out. Your ReThink-Rx doctor will help you understand the latest information and recommendations, and will explain just how this works for you.
Together, we will help you develop a strategy that works best for your goals. Schedule your online visit today and let’s get started!
Dr. Nicholas Marsh has been a respected board-certified anesthesiologist in Northern Virginia for over 35 years. Recognized as a top doctor by FindaTopDoc.com, his vision for providing top-quality medical services is driven by his passion for patient comfort and dignity.