CBD News Roundup: CBD May Reduce ‘Cytokine Storm’ in COVID-19, Study Says

Here’s the latest CBD news:

• A new study shows that CBD may help treat lung inflammation in serious cases of COVID-19.
• Another study has found that CBD may be a potential treatment for cocaine dependency.
• The Department of Transportation has warned truck drivers against the use of CBD.

Table of Contents

1. Study: CBD May Help Treat Lung Inflammation In Serious Cases of COVID-19
2. CBD Shows Potential As Treatment For Cocaine Dependency
3. Truck Drivers Warned To Not Use CBD By Department Of Transportation

New Study Says CBD May Help Treat Lung Inflammation In Serious Cases of COVID-19

A new study shows that CBD may be able to help treat severe lung inflammation in more serious cases of COVID-19. 

The study comes from Augusta University in Georgia, where researchers performed tests on mice. Results from the study show that CBD may have an impact on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is a dangerous and sometimes deadly symptom of COVID-19.

ARDS is caused by an overactive inflammatory response, sometimes referred to as a “cytokine storm.” There is currently no cure for ARDS, which demonstrates the need for effective treatment of this symptom and condition. 

The study CBD shows CBD’s potential for its ability to fight ARDS and reduce inflammation. By reducing specific cytokines, CBD may help mitigate respiratory distress and damage. 

In the study, the researchers gave mice a treatment that mimicked ARDS to induce symptoms similar to severe COVID-19 cases. Once the mice began experiencing ARDS and respiratory distress, the CBD was administered.

According to the authors of the study, “These symptoms were totally or partially reversed and returned to the level and condition of the normal after treatment with CBD.” 

The study shows that CBD may be able to play a role in the treatment of severe respiratory viral infections like COVID-19.

“The current data support the notion that the anti-inflammatory function of CBD may reduce cytokine storm and mitigate the effects of exaggerated inflammation,” researchers said. 

Further research and human trials will be needed to prove that CBD can be used to fight COVID-19, ARDS, and other respiratory conditions.

CBD Shows Potential As Treatment For Cocaine Dependency

Studies conducted over the past five years have found that CBD may be a promising therapy for the treatment of cocaine dependence. 

According to a review of scientific literature published in this month’s Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior journal, “CBD promotes reduction on cocaine self-administration. Also, it interferes in cocaine induce [sic] brain reward stimulation and dopamine release. CBD promotes alteration in contextual memory associated with cocaine and in the neuroadaptations, hepatotoxicity and seizures induced by cocaine.”

Animal research has shown that CBD can reduce the self-administration of cocaine and symptoms of addiction. However, human trials are still needed.

One study in 2018 found that a daily dose of cannabidiol led to a significant difference in cocaine consumption by the 10th day, while a 2019 study showed that CBD administration 30 minutes before testing reduced the self- administration of low doses of cocaine. Another showed that CBD reduced anxiety. 

Authors of one study said that, “The evidence described in the present systematic review indicates that CBD is a promising adjunct therapy for the treatment of cocaine dependence due to its effect on cocaine consumption, brain reward, anxiety, related contextual memories, neuroadaptations and hepatic protection as well as its anticonvulsant effect and safety.”

Truck Drivers Warned To Not Use CBD By Department Of Transportation

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has told truck drivers to stop using CBD.

The warning was issued by Sue Lenhard, policy adviser at DOT’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, at a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committee, on July 13. The reason Lenhard gave for the warning is that CBD products are often mislabeled and can contain higher levels of THC than indicated on the label. 

CBD products should have less than 0.3% THC, but some have been found to have more. Those that do have a higher concentration would show up as marijuana on a drug test.

But since truck drivers are not permitted to use marijuana, Lenhard advises that drivers steer clear of CBD.

“The U.S. has been inundated with top CBD products that offer benefits from helping asthma, helping your back, making you happy or curing cancer,” said Lenhard. “But the Federal Drug Administration warns that there is limited scientific data about CBD medical claims and are of unknown quantity of CBD and THC.”

Lenhard mentioned the FDA restrictions against marketing CBD as a dietary supplement and that her office commonly receives calls from drivers who tested positive for THC after using CBD that they thought was safe. In these cases, nothing can be done, and the penalties might be severe.