There is no evidence that CBD can stave off or treat COVID-19 — and for people who take certain medications, it may even cause harm.
“That’s a risky roll of the dice,” says one longtime cannabis researcher about taking CBD as protection from COVID-19.
Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that ads touting cannabidiol would spring up during the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, the cannabis derivative has been touted in recent years for its antiviral properties.
But this doesn’t mean it’s effective against the novel coronavirus. And for people who take certain medications, it may not be safe.
A Look at the Evidence (0r Lack Thereof)
CBD might one day prove to be helpful for people who have or who are recovering from a viral illness, but the current data don’t support its use with the coronavirus, says Jahan Marcu, PhD, a longtime cannabis researcher in New York City and editor in chief of the American Journal of Endocannibinoid Medicine.
“If you’re using CBD as a shield to protect yourself against the coronavirus, that’s a risky roll of the dice right now,” he says.
What Exactly Is CBD?
Cannabis plants, which include both marijuana and hemp varieties, contain hundreds of different compounds.
