As the world attempts to re-balance following the first devastating waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people are looking for ways to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.
At the start of the pandemic, scientists scrambled to create vaccines and develop new treatments. There were multiple successes, but the process was — and continues to be — fraught with challenges. New variants of the virus are emerging, and there's still much we don't understand about how the pandemic will play out over time.
Because of the gap between what's known about COVID-19 and what isn't, many are exploring alternative methods of prevention and treatment. As a result, people are turning to nature for solutions. Herbal remedies and plant medicine have been used to treat diseases for millennia, and many believe they hold the key to overcoming COVID-19.
One promising candidate is cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), a compound in hemp and cannabis plants. Studies show that cannabis compounds could thwart the actions of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Continue reading as we explore CBDa oil and other hemp compounds and their potential to optimize health and protect against COVID-19.
What are CBGa and CBDa?
The hemp variety of Cannabis sativa contains an incredible plethora of valuable compounds. The most studied are THC and CBD, while scientists are just beginning to explore others, like cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) and CBDa.
CBGa is the parent of all cannabinoids that converts to CBDa and other acidic cannabis compounds. These healing molecules are abundant in living, vital hemp. When harvested and subjected to drying and heating, they further convert to the more well-known THC, CBC, and CBD.
Both CBGa and CBDa are non-intoxicating, safe compounds that hold immense promise for health and wellness.
The anti-COVID properties of CBGa and CBDa oil
The world of cannabis research celebrated the news that earth-centered solutions like CBDa could play a role in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study published in the Journal of Natural Products earlier this year found that cannabis compounds prevented SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells.
The laboratory research focused on the effects of two cannabinoid acids — CBGa and CBDa on human epithelial cells. The results show that both hemp compounds effectively bind to the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Without viable spike proteins, the virus cannot infect human cells.
COVID-19 gains entry into cells by binding to ACE2 receptors. These special proteins are abundant on the outer membrane of cells in the lining of the lungs and other organs. The virus uses the ACE2 receptor like a key to unlock the cell so it can enter, multiply, and cause illness.
When CBDa and CBGa bind to the viral spike proteins, they prevent the spikes from binding to the ACE2 enzyme, meaning the virus cannot infect cells.
Even more encouragingly, the scientists tested the hemp compounds on the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant B.1.1.7 and beta variant B.1.351. They performed equally well against both, suggesting that they may have similar effects on future viral variants.
While research is still in its early stages, it's a promising sign that CBDa could be an effective way to protect people against COVID-19 and similar viruses.
Can CBDa oil protect against COVID-19?
CBDa oil is a powerful, plant-based elixir with a wide range of potential health benefits. While more research is needed to confirm its efficacy against COVID-19, the current evidence suggests that it could be a valuable tool in the fight against the pandemic.
So far, research has confirmed that CBDa and CBGa are effective in preventing coronavirus binding with human cells in laboratory research. But we need to invest in further research to confirm the value of CBDa oil for COVID prevention and treatment.
Other positive results with hemp compounds continue with another laboratory study using human kidney cells and CBD.
Human cells have an immune recognition process that's triggered when they encounter a virus. They self-destruct in a process called apoptosis to protect other cells from infection. However, COVID-19 proteins seem to be able to side-step this natural protection, allowing the infection to spread.
The researchers found that adding CBD to the kidney cells produces a healthy immune response, allowing the cells to recognize the invader.
Although the research focused on CBD as a parent compound, CBDa often encompasses and surpasses the effects of CBD. For example, research shows that CBDa can reduce nausea at levels 1000 less than an effective dose of CBD. Plus, your body is more able to absorb natural CBDa oil, so you'll benefit from superior effects at lower doses.
The benefits of CBDa oil
If you're looking for a natural way to support health and wellness, a high-quality CBDa oil, like Nesas Hemp CBDa oil, could be a valuable addition to your daily ritual. This hemp-derived elixir could be the key to unlocking an abundance of potential health benefits.
Studies suggest that CBDa could stop coronavirus infecting cells. Could CBDa oil be the next big thing in the fight against COVID-19? Find out more in Nesas Hemp latest blog post.
