You know by now how invaluable CBD is in the world of medicine. It is equally a powerful tool in the fight against infectious diseases.
Researchers have found that synthetic cannabidiol can kill bacteria responsible for gonorrhea, meningitis, and other diseases caused by bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance.
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens, these are foreign microorganisms, which damage our bodies. The infections can be due to bacteria, fungi, protists that have nuclei and organelles – something between bacteria and fungi but do not belong to any of the groups, viruses (viruses), and virus-like (viroid). There is hardly a person who has not had a mild infection, the symptom that most of us are familiar with is an inflammation that develops as a result of the infection. If left untreated the infection may also develop necrosis, the infected organ may be severely damaged, and in severe cases, it may end in death.
A study published in January 2021 in the Communications Biology journal checked the effect of CBD on diseases caused by bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance. The researchers noted that the resistance of bacteria to existing treatments threatens modern medicine and today there are only a few new treatments in the clinical tube. The study performed a detailed evaluation of the antibacterial activity of cannabidiol.
The researchers tested effects on Gram-positive bacteria and included in the test pathogens such as resistant Staphylococcus aureus (golden Staphylococcus aureus), Streptococcus pneumonia (Pneumococcus), and Clostridium. The results demonstrated that cannabidiol has excellent activity against a group of cells glued to each other on a surface, had little tendency to induce resistance, and was found to be effective in laboratory studies. The researchers noted CBD can selectively kill a subgroup of Gram-negative bacteria that include the pathogen that causes gonorrhea. According to the researchers, the results demonstrate the potential for CBD as an antibiotic.
The use of CBD against infections and bacteria is considered a breakthrough after about 60 years in which no new level of antibiotic for resistant bacteria has been developed. How is the CBD doing so? According to Dr. Belskowitz, the study’s author, CBD is particularly good at breaking down bacterial buildup like plaque on the teeth, a buildup that helps bacteria survive antibiotic treatments. And why is it so important that researchers have been able to show the killing of Gram-negative bacteria? Because they have an extra outer membrane that forms an additional line of defense that makes it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate. Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and there is currently no single effective antibiotic to treat it. If in the past it was possible to take pills, today additional treatments are needed such as a combination of pills and injections because the bacterium is particularly good at developing resistance.
Dr. Belskowitz’s team conducted a laboratory study that simulated the treatment of a two-week-old patient in laboratory models to see how quickly the bacteria mutated, that is, how the bacteria try to outwit the lethal force of the CBD and develop resistance to it as they developed resistance to antibiotics. CBD showed a low tendency to cause bacteria to develop resistance even when concentrations were raised. It is not yet known what exactly causes this and more research is needed, but the results already show how much CBD can be an effective treatment tool for infectious diseases and bacteria.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resistance to antibiotics is one of the most pressing threats to public health. According to the CDC, every year in the United States more than two million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and at least 23,000 die from it.
A recent study found evidence to suggest that antibiotics were better at fighting staphylococcal bacteria when enriched in CBD. One of the reports discussing the study noted that alternative strategies are being tested and non-antibiotic compounds with the potential to improve antibiotic efficacy. According to the study, the resistance of staphylococcal bacteria to existing treatments is a problem that will grow and worsen in the future and become a global problem. The combination of antibiotics with CBD could be the drug we’re looking for.
A report by the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that with CBD there is great potential to fight infections. In addition, it has been linked to improvement in a variety of health problems including pain, anxiety, depression, cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetic complications, and more. In addition, the World Health Organization notes that CBD does not show any signs of addiction.
A review published in PubMed examines existing materials – studies, articles, and reviews regarding the possibility of CBD being used as an antiviral drug or to treat viral diseases. The authors of the report conclude that preclinical studies indicate the potential of CBD in various viral diseases. On one hand, scientific research is still in its infancy, but on the other hand, more and more reports are coming in with the personal experiences of many consumers who talk about the efficiency of CBD against viral infections. The review authors concluded that these reports are very significant and may provide suggestions for future research directions related to the effect of fibrosis on infections.
Cannabidiol has been known for many years as a substance with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The whole field of research regarding CBD is still in its infancy, but existing results show high-efficiency potential.
To reduce the possibility of infectious disease it is advisable to strengthen the body systems preventively. It means going beyond a healthy diet, changing unhealthy habits, and at the same time regular and long-term use of CBD products, like CBD oil or fortified gummy candies, which may improve the quality of life. In cases of local infections, they can also be treated with a cream enriched with CBD. Consumers who regularly use CBD oil may experience decreased stress levels and improved sleep.
As soon as an infectious disease breaks out, consult the attending physician regarding the combination of CBD products with conventional treatment. In cases where CBD can not replace the existing treatment, it can certainly be a supportive and complementary treatment to the traditional treatment.
