Can CBD prevent or treat coronavirus?

As drug companies around the world race to create a vaccine for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2—more commonly known as COVID-19—there is no known preventative measure other than avoiding infection in the first place. For those who have contracted the virus, treatment includes the intake of fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration and medication to reduce fever. In more severe cases, supplemental oxygen might be indicated.

A few advocates of CBD have claimed that the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis can help prevent or fight coronavirus infection. Mona Lisa Healing, a Vancouver-based CBD-oil brand, has sent out promotional emails suggesting that its products can “help your body defend against COVID-19 coronavirus”.

Is there any truth to such claims? Dani Gordon is a Canadian doctor and researcher living in the U.K. She is also the author of The CBD Bible. On March 19, Gordon posted an article with the headline “Can Cannabis & CBD Affect Corona Virus”? In the article, Gordon states succinctly, “As for CBD and cannabis, we don’t have any studies showing it has any effect on the coronavirus.”

Gordon cautions against putting too much emphasis on claims that cannabis and CBD can be used to boost one’s immunity to viruses. “For me, as both a cannabis specialist and doctor trained in natural medicine and western medicine it’s important to let people know the facts and be totally honest about what we don’t know,” she writes. “It’s also critical not to make false claims when we are all understandably a bit scared and of course want to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

“Plant medicines like CBD and medical cannabis do so many amazing things that there is no need to stretch the truth or make claims that cannot be backed up, at least not currently,” Gordon concludes.

With the novel coronavirus causing distress around world, we feel it is wrong for CBD companies to make claims about the benefits of using CBD to prevent or cure coronavirus infection. Currently is no scientific evidence to back this claim.

CBD has been well documented for having many health benefits which have been backed up by research and studies. We would advise our readers to do their own research about the benefits of using CBD for general well-being– but ignore outlandish claims that CBD can prevent or cure coronavirus infections.

For information on what you can do if you contract the coronavirus,  see advice from the NHS Website.