Cannabis Won’t Cure Coronavirus, but It Can Help Ease Certain Flu Symptoms
Worldwide, the coronavirus has caused thousands of victims. Unfortunately, the end is not yet in sight, because the coronavirus is rapidly spreading. The virus has now also arrived in Europe. According to virologists, it is likely that it will also reach the Netherlands. What can you do to minimise the chances of contracting the coronavirus? In this blog we would like to tell you what you can do and how CBD can help you with this.
The coronavirus: in short
In the Chinese city of Wuhan, an unknown virus was transmitted from animal to human at the end of 2019; the coronavirus. After this outbreak, the virus was officially named “COVID-19”. This virus was soon associated with a market in Wuhan where, among other things, live animals were traded. The virus has since changed and can also be transmitted from person to person. Due to the severity and rapid spread of the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global emergency since January 30, 2020.
How dangerous is the coronavirus?
The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms and respiratory problems. To date, it is known that about 17% of all cases are severely affected by the symptoms of the coronavirus. In about 2% of all cases, the virus is deadly. The coronavirus is especially dangerous for frail elderly people. However, a few healthy young victims have also fallen.
How can you reduce the chances of contracting the virus?
Whether or not someone gets sick from the coronavirus has a lot to do with the functioning of that person's immune system. The immune system ensures that our body is protected against bacteria, viruses and other unwanted invaders that can make us sick. There is currently no effective drug or vaccine known against the Coronavirus and CBD is certainly not, but the chance of becoming ill can therefore be reduced by ensuring that our immune system is as optimally as possible preventively.
An optimal immune system: what can CBD mean?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol and is one of the many active substances from the cannabis plant. These active substances are also known as "cannabinoids". CBD, unlike many other cannabinoids, is not psychoactive. This means that getting CBD high is absolutely not possible. CBD works closely with the body's own "endocannabinoid system". This body's own system is responsible for many important processes in our body, including the regulation of our immune system. The endocannabinoid system can therefore be seen as the control system of our body.
The endocannabinoid system consists of two different types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. These receptors are produced by our body as needed. The CB1 receptors are mainly present in the brain, the CB2 receptors are spread throughout our body and are mainly found in our immune cells. To ensure that our endocannabinoid system, and therefore our immune system, remains optimally balanced, the intake of CBD is absolutely recommended.
What influence does CBD have on the endocannabinoid system?
The receptors mentioned above (CB1 and CB2) are very similar to cannabinoid receptors. In fact, the substances are so similar that our body is unable to distinguish these substances from each other. This means that the human body sees cannabinoids from CBD products as the body's own CB1 and CB2 receptors. When the endocannabinoid system is out of balance because too few receptors are produced, this deficiency can therefore be supplemented with receptors from CBD products.
I want to start using CBD. Which product is right for me?
Many different CBD products are available. Which CBD product is most suitable depends on your personal preferences. CBD can be taken in the form of, among other things, oil, capsules and plasters. Each way of intake has its own advantages.
In general, we recommend the following:
For adults
CBD oil - We recommend a 10% (= 1000mg CBD per 10ml) CBD oil. Start with a dose of about 2 x 2 drops per day. Take this dose for about 14 days and increase the dose by one drop every day if necessary. You can increase to a dose that you feel comfortable with.
CBD Capsules - We recommend 5% CBD capsules (= 25mg CBD per capsule). Start with a dose of 2 capsules per day. Take this dose for about 14 days and increase the dose, if necessary, with one extra capsule per day. You can also increase this until you feel comfortable with the dose.
CBD Patches - We recommend starting with one patch per day (= 16 mg CBD). The CBD will be evenly absorbed by the body within 10 hours. Do you feel that you can use more CBD? It is no problem to apply multiple patches at the same time.
For children
CBD oil - We recommend a 5% (= 500mg CBD per 10ml) CBD oil. Start with a dose of about 2 x 2 drops per day. Take this dose for about 14 days and increase the dose by one drop every day if necessary. You can increase to a dose that the child is comfortable with.
Capsules - Choose the 2.5% CBD capsules (= 10mg per capsule). Start with a dose of 1 capsule per day. Take this dose for about 14 days and increase the dose, if necessary, with one extra capsule per day. You can also increase this until the child feels comfortable with the dose.
Plasters - We recommend starting with half a plaster per day (= 8mg CBD). The CBD will be evenly absorbed by the body within 10 hours. Do you feel that your child can use more CBD? It is no problem to apply a whole patch.
In general, CBD has a build-up period of about 14 days. For that reason, we recommend that you start taking CBD as soon as possible.
Is there anything you can do to prevent the spread of the coronavirus?
Of course we hope that the spread of the coronavirus will remain limited. To ensure that the Coronavirus is not spread further, you can take a number of simple measures yourself:
- Wash your hands regularly or use disinfectant.
- Cough and sneeze on the inside of the elbow.
- Use tissue paper and throw it away immediately after use.
The use of a mouth mask offers practically no protection against the spread of the virus according to the RIVM.
More information? Would you like more information about our CBD products? Of course we are happy to help you choose the right CBD product. Do not hesitate to contact us.
