Pandemic. That’s the word on everyone’s minds lately as the coronavirus COVID-19 sweeps across the globe and causes massive shutdowns, shortages, and general panic. When it comes to the coronavirus, can CBD help?
In most cases, COVID-19 causes only mild flu-like symptoms and is not lethal. However, it becomes deadlier as the victim’s age increases. For people under 50, the death rate is less than 1%. But for people in their 80s the death rate can be up to 14%.
The virus is also more dangerous to:
- people with autoimmune conditions
- those who are already sick
- people who have immune systems weakened from drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol
- those who have a disease like cancer or cardiovascular disease
It’s important for everyone to take precautions to protect not only themselves, but also the people around them who are more at risk. One powerful action you can take is to strengthen your immune system.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
According to the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, “Endocannabinoids are believed to control immune functions and play a role in immune homeostasis. Immune cells express both CB1 and CB2 receptors, secrete endocannabinoids and have functional cannabinoid transport and breakdown mechanisms”.
What this means is that the endocannabinoid system, which is an internal network in the body of all vertebrates, contributes to the function of your immune system. Read more about it here.
The body naturally creates cannabinoids to regulate the endocannabinoid system. These are called endocannabinoids because “endo” means “internal”. When the body cannot create enough endocannabinoids of its own, usually due to chronic stress, toxins such as alcohol or cigarettes, a sedentary lifestyle, or a poor diet, the endocannabinoid system becomes depleted. When depleted it cannot keep your body in homeostasis (harmony/balance). This makes you vulnerable to disease, infection, viruses, etc.
Fortunately, you can help your endocannabinoid system function better—and therefore keep your immune system healthy—by supplementing with external cannabinoids. CBD and CBG are perfect sources of these external cannabinoids. Because of this, we believe that taking CBD can and will help your body defend against the coronavirus.
What exactly is the immune system?
Most of us know that the immune system’s job is to help guard against and fight off illnesses, infection, and disease. But what exactly is it?
The Cancer Research Institute writes, “The immune system is the body’s natural defense system. It does not reside in one single part of the body—rather, it is made up of a network of cells, molecules, tissues, and organs working together to protect the body.” Like the ECS, the immune system is a network. It’s made of two branches, the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system, which work together to provide innate defense as well as adapt and target specific threats.
There are several different types of cells that have specific roles in the immune system. B cells release antibodies, while helper cells send signals to other cells in the immune system. Killer cells destroy cells that are infected with viruses. Amazingly, they kill thousands of these virus-infected cells every day, whether you feel sick or not. The immune system is always at work. There are also dendritic cells and microphages, which destroy foreign cells and bacteria, and regulatory cells that keep the immune system in balance.
Some of the organs that are most important to the immune system include the skin, bone marrow, lymph nodes, appendix, spleen, and thymus gland.
Why is COVID-19 such a threat?
Symptoms of coronavirus include cough, fever, and shortness of breath, ranging from mild to severe. A sudden loss of taste or smell can also be an indicator. In rare cases COVID-19 can lead to serious respiratory problems, kidney failure, and even death.
COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, and even people without symptoms can transmit it to someone else. It can take up to 2 weeks for someone exposed to the virus to start showing symptoms. This is the reason for the worldwide social distancing and lockdowns happening. It’s spreading so rapidly that it is infecting far more people than most viruses do, and thereby filling up hospital beds to the point where doctors can’t help everyone.
There is no official treatment or vaccine available for COVID-19 yet. The best we can do is help our body strengthen its natural line of defense—the immune system. You can help your body fight off and prevent the coronavirus by taking CBD or CBG oil because these cannabinoids directly help your endocannabinoid system keep your immune system in top shape.
Strengthen your immune system
There are many ways to help strengthen your immune system and give your body the best chance at defending itself from viruses and disease. Harvard Medical School has this convenient list published on their website:
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
- Try to minimize stress.
As well as all that, you can take immune support supplements in the form of tablets, capsules, or teas. You can also take a CBD or CBG tincture. Your body relies on its immune system to fight all viruses and infections, including the coronavirus, and CBD helps your body regulate its immune system.
Coronavirus, CBD, and the Immune System
The coronavirus pandemic has most of us nervous and on-edge. Some people think it’s the end of the world while others do their best to brush off the entire situation. Being told to stay indoors and practice social distancing is new to us. It’s uncomfortable. Simple tasks such as going to the grocery store have suddenly become sources of fear.
Fortunately there are steps we can take to minimize the risk of COVID-19 to ourselves and our loved ones and to help prevent its spread. Stay home, eat healthy meals, wash your hands, and avoid toxins.
We at FlowerChild are perpetual believers in the healing ability of CBD and CBG, so of course, we also recommend you take your tincture. CBG has even been shown to destroy the drug-resistant bacteria strain MRSA. Protect against coronavirus by charging your endocannabinoid system with our whole-plant, full-spectrum CBD and CBG oils. The health benefits are numerous!
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