Research published last week has found that CBD might lessen the severity of COVID-19 infection and even prevent the virus’s spread. While this is huge news for the CBD – and global- community, it is important to understand the specifics of this research and what it means for next steps:

The Study

As detailed in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, a survey of 1,212 U.S. patients taking prescribed CBD found that people taking CBD returned positive COVID-19 tests at much lower rates than control groups with similar medical backgrounds who did not take CBD.

The Patients:

According to the study, all of the patients were people who had seizure-related conditions, which CBD is often prescribed to treat. Of this group, 6.2 percent returned positive COVID-19 tests or a diagnosis, compared to 8.9 percent in the control group. Among a smaller subset of patients who were likely taking CBD on the dates of their first COVID-19 test, the effect was even more pronounced: Only 4.9 percent of people taking CBD became infected with COVID-19, compared to 9 percent in the control group.

What It Means

The authors of the study were careful to note that this does not mean that CBD is in any way a substitute for vaccines. However, it could end up becoming a much-needed supplement used in tandem with vaccines and boosters.

Next Steps

While these are encouraging findings, more research and clinical trials are needed to know what CBD dosage and formula will be most effective at treating COVID-19 infection. For now, we can remain hopeful that CBD can continue to prevent more serious infection and will await further trials and research.