Is CBD an Antiviral?

While CBD is linked to many potential health benefits, some claims get more attention than others. Is CBD an antiviral? Can it be used to fight viruses? Is it effective against fungus and bacteria?

Current research shows that cannabinoids like CBD have antimicrobial properties. (1) Studies also demonstrate that it can fight fungal infections, such as Candida. (2) It may even treat serious illnesses like MRSA. (3) Still, it’s important to remember that we’re still exploring the true antibiotic potential of cannabinoids. And CBD.

Is CBD an Antiviral? Studies Involve Animals, Not Humans

Numerous studies suggest CBD could treat certain types of viruses. However, these studies use animal test subjects, not humans. As an example, one recent study found that CBD could inhibit virus replication while strengthening immune system response. (4) While these results were exciting, they involved monkeys.

In the future, it’s likely that researchers will conduct human tests. Then, if these tests also show promising results, CBD may be used to treat specific viruses. Until we conduct this research, however, we can only speculate about how effective cannabinoids are as a human antiviral.

Cannabinoids Can Be Immunosuppressive

There’s more than limited research keeping CBD from treating viruses. In fact, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can inhibit your body’s ability to fight off viruses. In fact, many viruses don’t need inflammation to invade a host. So, when that’s the case, taking an anti-inflammatory can actually weaken your immune system. (5) As a result, it’s likely that CBD may treat some viruses, but not others. That’s why it’s best to wait for more research before using CBD to fight viruses.

Is CBD an Antiviral? Research Is Still Undecided

Based on the current research, it seems likely that CBD has some antiviral properties. Scientists know that CBD could address neuroinflammation (6). And numerous studies have looked treating viral hepatitis with cannabidiol. (7) However, the current data is still too limited to make sweeping claims about CBD’s potential as an antiviral.

The current research indicates that we need further investigation on the efficacy of cannabis against viruses. Studying CBD may allow scientists to develop new antiviral medicines. Still, until we have more research, CBD should not be used as a virus treatment.

Is It Safe to Take CBD?

CBD is perfectly safe as long as it is taken at the appropriate dosage. If you have a virus, or if you are currently taking another medication, you’ll want to consult with your doctor before using any kind of CBD product. With that said, even though it’s too early to declare that CBD is an antiviral, you should be able to take CBD without any issues.

Of course, since CBD is strictly regulated, it’s important to be cautious about the types of products that you purchase. It’s best to buy products from trustworthy brands that use third-party testing. It’s also important to look at labels and check for any additional ingredients a CBD product might contain.

Can You Take CBD With Antibiotics or Antiviral Medications?

If you’re taking any kind of pharmaceutical medication, you’ll want to avoid using CBD unless you have the approval of your doctor. CBD can inhibit the function of cytochrome P450 enzymes. (8) These enzymes play a vital role in metabolizing medications. Taking CBD could limit the effectiveness of the medication you are taking.

Even if you take CBD on a daily basis, you may want to avoid it for a period of time if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or another medication to fight an illness. Once you finished the medication, you should be able to go back to taking CBD as usual. Make sure that you inform your doctor of your CBD usage and that you take the medication as directed.

What Are CBD’s Proven Health Benefits?

We don’t have enough research to show that CBD is an antiviral. But studies demonstrate its other potential health benefits. The most promising CBD research looks at its potential for people with epilepsy. (9) It’s particularly effective against treatment-resistant epilepsy. In fact, it’s an active ingredient in an FDA-approved epilepsy medication. (10)

There’s also extensive research involving CBD for chronic pain (11) and anxiety. (12) It also has promise for people with sleep disorders and insomnia. And remember: experts are just starting to explore CBD’s potential. So it’s likely they’ll prove many more health benefits as time goes on. We can’t answer questions like “Is CBD an antiviral?” just yet, but we may say that CBD can have a powerful impact on the body.

What’s the Best Way to Take CBD?

The ideal delivery method for CBD will vary based on a number of factors. If you’re looking for a discreet or convenient solution, edibles are an ideal choice. Edibles come in an array of flavors and are specifically made to conceal the taste of cannabis. However, only about 20 to 30% of the CBD in edibles will be absorbed by the body, which means a higher dose may be necessary.

The most potent delivery method is to allow CBD to be absorbed under the tongue. With this method, CBD won’t have to go through the digestive system, allowing you to feel results very quickly. Tinctures and lozenges are excellent options, but you can also place a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue.

Vaping can also be a fast and potent delivery method. With vaping, CBD can travel directly to your bloodstream. While this method is undeniably effective, it’s also associated with certain risks. Many of these products contain thinning agents that are potentially damaging to lung tissue. (13) Some experts believe that vaping may also expose you to carcinogens.

Topical CBD products are an efficient way to target specific areas of the body. Lotions and creams are designed to be absorbed by the skin. These kinds of products can effectively treat swelling as well as skin conditions, like eczema. Because skin has a low permeability, these products contain a high concentration of CBD.

With such a wide range of CBD products to choose from, you should be able to find safe and effective CBD products that are well-suited to your needs. Take the time to research products and find out more about your options. You’ll get better results from CBD if you’re able to find the right products and use them effectively.

How Can You Find the Best CBD Products?

As mentioned above, it’s best to buy CBD products from manufacturers that utilize third-party testing. You should also look for broad or full-spectrum CBD products. These products are less processed, which means that potentially beneficial terpenes are still present in the product.

It’s also important to look at where the cannabis used to produce the CBD oil was grown. You should stick to manufacturers that use U.S. grown cannabis. Cannabis grown in the U.S. is subject to strict regulations and cannot contain more than 0.3% THC. Products that use organic ingredients are also an excellent option.

Is CBD an antiviral? While it’s too soon to say if CBD can be used to fight viruses, it’s clear that it can improve your health and well-being. When used responsibly, CBD has both physical and mental health benefits.

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-01530-y
2. https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/481824
3. https://norml.org/marijuana/library/recent-medical-marijuana-research/methicillin-resistant-staphyloccus-aureus-mrsa/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7987002/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243973
6. https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/55/11/747/htm
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5330095/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
9. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2018.00759/full?
10. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
11. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00325481.2019.1685298
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28522559/