Latest Study: Cannabinoids Block the Cellular Entry of SARS

A new study from Oregon State University has found a pair of cannabinoid acids can stop the SARS virus from entering human cells.

Study Overview

Led by a researcher with Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy, and Linus Pauling Institute, Richard van Breemen, the study found cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. When this binding occurs, an essential part of the infection process is disrupted, leaving the virus unable to infect the cells.

This is not the first study to use compounds to block virus-receptors; HIV-1 and hepatitis have also been tried with this method.

The cannabinoid acids were equally effective against variants first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, B.11.7 and B.1351, respectively. 

Looking Forward

This is an incredible breakthrough in the two-year fight against the coronavirus. A significant concern with the pandemic is the variants. Van Breeman says the problem with the variants is they “are well known for evading antibodies against early lineage SARS-CoV-2, which is obviously concerning given that current vaccination strategies rely on the early lineage spike protein as an antigen.” 

And since CBDA and CBGA proved effective against the two most widespread variants, the researchers feel confident this means the cannabinoid compounds will prove successful in blocking other stains of the coronavirus as well.

Looking More at CBDA and CBGA

Although CBD is more well known, CBDA is where CBD comes from. CBDA and CBGA are the acidic forms of the cannabinoid compounds. And as van Breemen states, ‘These cannabinoid acids are abundant in hemp and in many hemp extracts. They are not controlled substances like THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and have a good safety profile in humans.”

Because CBDA and CBGA lack the psychoactive properties of THC, they will not get you high. It is important to note that smoking these cannabinoids would alter their chemical properties. The compounds must be taken in pure form such as tinctures, raw cannabis leaves, or teas. 

If, after learning about this study, you are looking for a CBDA tincture, try our trusted brand Alta Hemp Botanicals.

Final Thoughts

The cannabis plant continues to prove itself as a powerhouse plant, and Oregon State’s study is just another example. Advocates for cannabis and hemp call out once again, hoping that this latest breakthrough will open up policy to further cannabis research. Until then, we can take the recent findings and use CBDA and CBGA to protect ourselves against coronavirus.