Dr. Ethan Russo returns to the podcast to help us make sense of the slew of studies and articles claiming cannabis can treat and/or prevent COVID-19 infection.

Dr. Russo is a board-certified neurologist, a psychopharmacology researcher, an author, a lecturer, and a consultant. He is a CannMed 2022 Keynote Presenter, where he will present on Cannabis and Psychiatry. Although Dr. Russo is not a virologist, he is a very accomplished medical cannabis researcher, and he is well-qualified to help us find the signal in all the noise. During the conversation, we discuss:

- What role the endocannabinoid system plays in preventing and clearing a viral infection
- The different levels of clinical research
- The importance of peer review process
- The University of Chicago study that claims CBD inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication
- The Oregon University Study that claims cannabinoid acids can prevent covid infection
- Animal models showing CBD can calm the cytokine storm
- A preprint study claiming CBD primes the innate immune system
- Claims that cannabis smokers have a greater risk for COVID-19 infection

Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Project CBD

Founded in 2010, Project CBD is the first and longest-running website dedicated to research and education on the benefits of CBD, and the premier destination for both curious and committed CBD consumers. Often the first to report on cutting-edge health issues, Project CBD reporting reflects a deeper understanding of developments in cannabinoid science and therapeutics.

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Additional Resources

Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication through induction of the host ER stress and innate immune responses - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abi6110?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D62271879864990804500162662509247930228%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1642785566
Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35007072/
Evaluation of Serum Cytokines Levels and the Role of Cannabidiol Treatment in Animal Model of Asthma - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4458548/
In search of preventive strategies: novel high-CBD Cannabis sativa extracts modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 gateway tissues - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7746344/
CannMed Archive - https://cannmedevents.com/cannmed-video-archives/
CannMed Community Board [Facebook Group] - https://www.facebook.com/groups/cannmedcommunity
Healthcare Provider Medical Cannabis Research Study - https://www.cannacenterofexcellence.org/hcpmedcannstudy.html