For countless years the studies revolving around the flu, the immunity system of our bodies, and its response to various infections. Alongside these studies, so have the relationship between CBD and the bodies immune system towards the flu, been thoroughly looked at, as well as all the other cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, visit this website to find out about the others present in the Hemp plant and the products they are made into.
The study has been finding out that incorporating this natural element into the body in a continuous holistic way, may help people feel better during a bout of the flu, and also, lessen the symptoms of it in the case you do catch it.
The Research Surrounding CBDs Effects on The Flu
Medical experts have concluded that Cannabinoids, present in the hemp plant, once extracted and introduced to the body, minimizes the production of compounds known as ‘Cytokines’, in the body.
These are chemicals present in the body that turn up when you are ill and suffering from a virus. They are the ‘bad guys’ that are responsible for body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and headaches associated with a severe cold. They make you feel terrible.
When the lab tests were done on mice, two groups were formed i.e. ones that were pretreated with CBD and the other were left without it. Both groups were then injected with the flu virus and found that their immune responses were reduced by up to 87% which meant the amount of those ‘bad guys’ i.e. Cytokines, were also significantly reduced. These ‘CBD mice’ did not feel as terrible as their counterparts.
Inconclusion, the results showed that the response to the virus was less when cannabinoids were introduced beforehand.
The Results Reflected on People
The above experiment then shows how we as humans can avoid getting or feeling sick, and by using the compounds in the plant extract, how it minimizes the side-effects of illnesses such as the cold or flu virus.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between the two respiratory illnesses, as their symptoms do seem similar, however, the CDC has a page of information for the public where you can get some further information: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm. The simplest way to tell is that one is abrupt (flu) and the other is a gradual (cold) one with the onset of fever and chills.
These results have yet to be shifted and trialed on humans, however, the evidence speaks for itself. Perhaps in the future CBD will be added to our list of prescriptions for this type of thing. However, having said that, there are a few hemp-related drugs that have already been approved by the FDA (Food and Drugs Authority), which we look at below.
Drugs Approved by the FDA Under Regulation
Epidiolex is the first of, hopefully many, drugs that the FDA has approved under regulations and prescription for human consumption. However, this particular drug has been derived as the oral solution for the treatment of conditions like epilepsy and seizures in humans.
Also, being used as a treatment for a condition called the ‘Dravet syndrome’, it contains CBD from the Cannabis Sativa plant or marijuana known to most. However, this medication does not cause a euphoric feeling or make you high.
It is a purified form of the substance in pill form and has been tested as safe and has been significantly effective to treat these conditions mentioned above. in the united states, they have also approved two other drugs of similar components, namely Syndros and Marinol, which are aimed at treating the side-effects of patients with AIDS, specifically with loss of appetite.
The last one that is also FDA approved, Cesamet, has the same chemical structure of THC delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol. All these drugs are the only ones that have been approved by the authority and through one process of the New Drug Application (NDA), which needs to be scrutinized before anything can be labeled as a ‘treatment for any sicknesses.
According to the Farm Bill, which has come up numerous times in discussions related to this natural compound, under the FD&C Act, these products that claim to have pure cannabis in them, are subject to the same scrutiny as any other product on the consumer market.
The Take-Home Message
To sum up, if you see any other drugs on store shelves that claim to have CBD or THC in them, and will help to treat your flu, be very aware of this. Those companies who put claims on their products should not be doing so, and have received warning letters from the relevant authorities.
This also goes for other consumer products that claim to treat an array of other items such as skin conditions or hair loss, or even enhance your libido. They do not have approval from the FDA, and the easiest way to tell is by the ‘stamp’ of approval that is always included on the packaging of most products.
There are many household ingredients that you can try before jumping in on the CBD bandwagon, and natural derivatives such as garlic, echinacea, and lemon with ginger teas have all been a favorite of lots of people, perhaps even some chicken soup will heal the soul.
However, if you do opt for the green stuff, make sure your aware of what’s inside that bottle you buy and do some research about it beforehand, so when you do buy it you know exactly what your getting.