Study finds cannabis compounds might prevent COVID-19 infection

Researchers in Oregon say that compounds found in cannabis could possibly prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering healthy human cells.

The study was published Jan. 10 in the Journal of Nature Products.

Researchers affiliated with Oregon State University say two compounds found in hemp, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid, had the potential to keep COVID-19 from forming.

According to the study, the compounds can prevent the virus from entering cells and causing infection by binding to spike proteins.

The researchers tested the compounds’ effects against the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant B.1.1.7 and the beta variant B.1.35.

Researchers say their study did not have human subjects.

By Sarah Dewberry, Scripps National.