Can cannabinoids treat Covid-19 symptoms? A Canadian scientist wants to know

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the world, scientists and researchers are racing to find ways to slow the spread of the disease and/or treat it.

A Canadian doctor, for his part, wants to conduct clinical trials on the cannabinoids to determine whether compounds in cannabis can help patients with COVID-19 reduce inflammation and strengthen their immune systems.

«What we know about medical cannabis from the literature and our experience in Canada over the years is that cannabinoids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties,» he said explained Dr. Mohan Cooray, CEO of Cannalogue, an online medical cannabis retailer.

«In addition to that, we know from a medical standpoint that these active ingredients have immunomodulatory properties, which means they boost the immune system to make it stronger … and we’ve seen this in conditions such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis—conditions for which medical cannabis acts as a natural immunomodulator.»

Health Canada officials have not yet approved any clinical trials involving cannabinoids and COVID-19 treatment.

L’IACM also pointed out last week that that no study had yet established that cannabis-based preparations could treat COVID-19 or protect against infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The Health precautions would also require that cannabis users avoid smoking as much as possible, as it irritates the lungs and could potentially worsen symptoms caused by the coronavirus.