CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
IMAJ | volume 27
Journal 2, February 2025
pages: 78-81
Cannabidiol and Its Effects on Patients with COVID-19 Infection
1 Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
2 Internal Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
3 Dina Recanati School of Medicine, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
4 Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Summary
Background:
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease pathway is heavily influenced by different inflammatory cytokines. There is ample evidence of cannabidiol (CBD) immunomodulation effects.
Objectives:
To investigate the effect of CBD on patients with SARS-CoV-2 and to measure the impact on inflammatory cytokines.
Methods:
A double blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the clinical outcomes and selected serum cytokine levels in patients with SARS-CoV-2 that received sublingual CBD extraction. Seven patients were randomized to the treatment arm and three to the placebo group.
Results:
Clinical outcomes were better in the patient group that received sublingual CBD vs. patients receiving placebo treatment. Serum cytokine mean concentration levels showed differences between the two groups but of mixed trends.
Conclusions:
Patients presenting with SARS-CoV-2 and receiving CBD sublingually had better outcomes than those receiving a placebo, although these results did not reflect in selected serum cytokines. Further study is needed.