Study finds CBDA, CBGA May Prevent Coronavirus Infection

There has been a huge buzz in the industry regarding the study out of Oregon State. Although there is so much more to research, this information is promising.

A study out of Oregon State found some of the compounds in cannabis may prevent the entry of the coronavirus into healthy human cells, according to a study published in the Journal of Nature Products.
The study suggests two compounds found in hemp, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) prevent coronavirus from entering cells that typically line internal organs and skin in a lab setting. These acids were able to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the same target used in COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapy. Once bound, this step could block a critical step in the pathogen process used to infect the cell.

“That means cell entry inhibitors, like the acids from hemp, could be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and also to shorten infections by preventing virus particles from infecting human cells. They bind to the spike proteins so those proteins can’t bind to the ACE2 enzyme, which is abundant on the outer membrane of endothelial cells in the lungs and other organs,” said van Breemen in a statement.

“The active compounds we’ve discovered in hemp are cannabidiolic acid, CBD-A, CBG-A, and THC-A,” Van Breeman explained to the outlet. “‘A’ stands for an acid group, a carboxylic acid — this group can be removed upon treatment. So, if these hemp products containing these compounds are smoked or vaped, the heat exposure could cause the chemical decomposition or conversion of CBD-A to CBD, CBG-A to CBG, and THC-A to THC. So, we know that CBD, CBG and THC are not active against the virus.”

Finding a CBD product with CBDA as a main ingredient is rare. We are lucky enough to have two tinctures (oil) which specifically have CBDA as a main ingredient.