CBD & COVID-19

 It hasn’t seemed like there’s been much good news lately, but for many Americans there is one secret ingredient that can help you mix up a bit of calm, confidence and boosted immunity.  COVID-19 is a very serious ailment for far too many people, but CBD can help you maintain a healthy immune system, reduce stress & anxiety, and help you get the rest you need to stay in good health during these tough times of sickness.

Does CBD Help Your Immune System?

There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people, and in varying degrees of seriousness.  For some, the virus makes it difficult to breathe, causes intense flu-like symptoms such as fever, dehydration, hallucinations and crippling fatigue.  The number of different symptoms associated with Coronavirus is staggering and seemingly limitless – it can infect both healthy and those who suffer from weakened immune systems.  Because it spreads so quickly and without any immediate signs of infection, the virus has gone from just your average flu to being a super-virus, capable of closing the curtains of the entire world stage.  Economically, medically, and socially, we will likely never be the same after this never before seen kind of outbreak.

Even though the future seems bleak, or at the very best uncertain, there’s definitely a lot you can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep yourself hale & healthy. To improve your chances of not contracting the virus you need to take care of a few things.  We’ve all lived through the drama of “should you” or “why you don’t have to” wear masks – we’re all for doing anything we can to help limit this virus’ influences! – and there’s no arguing with being extra vigilant about washing our hands, sanitizing and staying clean.  You can also social distance, stay home as much as possible, shop online only, and commit to many other principles for limiting your chances of contracting this virus.  These are all solid plans for “flattening the curve”, but what many people forget about is something you can’t put a mask over, or scrub clean or keep distant: your immune system.

Keeping yourself healthy, fit, and of sound mind & body should be a crucial part of everyone’s day-to-day, but unfortunately these simple fundamentals are often overlooked in favor of the on-demand nature of medications.  There’s no denying that modern medicine has had a profoundly positive impact on humankind, but we’ve grown accustomed to having instant relief from pain, lethargy or cold symptoms. With so many remedies, treatments and supplements available to the public, many people ignore their body’s warning signs and continue with bad habits & behaviors that aren’t conducive to staying healthy.  Health, especially mental health, has seemingly become something we only consider when it’s under threat from sickness, trauma, or a combination of the two.

One of the best approaches to health is the ‘3 P’s’: be protective of yours and others’ wellbeing, try to be preventative and avoid issues before they take root, and stay proactive and ever vigilant against injuries and illnesses.  COVID-19 can be very serious and difficult to prevent or treat, but you can lower your risks of contracting this virus by keeping yourself healthy, fit and well fed/hydrated.  Our immune systems have the capacities to deal with almost anything this world can throw our way – it’s our job to give our bodies what they need to fend off harmful bacteria, viruses or prevent injuries.  Simply by staying active as best you can, eating a balanced diet, drinking enough fluids, sleeping consistently and maintaining a positive attitude you will be poised for success.  These suggestions might sound gimmicky and obvious to some, but with a little dedication to these fundamental practices you’ll give your body the head start it might need to overcome a detrimental illness like COVID-19.

If you’re struggling to keep a healthy immune system, or if you deal with constant sleep deprivation or anxiety issues, it can be an uphill battle when trying to maintain a strong body & mind.  If this is the case for you, there’s no need to fret and add to the daunting level of stress these days – hemp-derived CBD can alleviate dozens of symptoms from a growing number of ailments.  Although Cannabidiol has no known applications as a direct treatment for COVID-19, it has the potential to reduce your chances of contracting the virus.  Does CBD help your immune system? Does CBD oil kill viruses? How can COVID-19 be impacted by hemp CBD? Let’s review the symptoms, health risks and circumstances of Coronavirus and determine how CBD & COVID-19 can be impacted by one another.

CBD For Immune Support

CBD is relatively new to the scene of medical science because for decades cannabis & hemp were strictly prohibited in most capacities.  While cannabis remains a controlled substance at the Federal level in the United States, many States have legalized its use in some form or another.  On top of these developments, hemp was made legal across the country in December 2018 with the ratification of the Farm Bill.  Since winter 2018, Americans have been avidly consuming hemp-derived CBD in their coffee, smoothies, snacks, rubbing it on their skin, giving it to their pets, and putting this wonderful plant compound into just about every product imaginable.  Cannabidiol’s applications seem to be endless, as more and more of its benefits are researched by the medical community and put to the test by the millions of Americans who rely on it for health & wellness.

COVID-19 has had some definitely negative impacts on the CBD market, but Cannabidiol derived from hemp can have a positive impact on the virus in turn.  Below is a list of the known symptoms of COVID-19, which we will follow up with the subsequent benefits of hemp CBD:

General malaise, feeling unwell or off

Maintaining a strong immunity is obviously key to how you feel, but sometimes you can do everything right and still fall ill.  One of the most prominent symptoms of COVID-19 and many other illnesses is the anxiety or fear of becoming ill.  Believe it or not anxiety, stress and lack of sleep are all major contributors to your overall immunity.  When you’re worried about a serious pandemic on the rise it’s no wonder that your chances of getting sick increase alongside your growing anxieties.  Whether it’s a fear of germs, anxiety about the uncontrollable state of the world, or stress brought on by forced measures like social distancing or having to wear masks, there’s no shortage of things on our minds these days. CBD is a very prominent stress-reducer, and it has been shown to calm the mind, alleviate your frantic nerves and ease both your mind & body into relaxation without any sedation.  In short, hemp CBD is a great remedy for the everyday stressors of life, but it’s especially effective at instilling calm when you need it most – such as during a global pandemic!

Consistent, worsening cough, sore throat

Although CBD is not known to have many practical applications for coughing or asthma-related symptoms, hemp Cannabidiol does have a knack for reducing inflammation or relieving soreness.  Sore throats, barking coughs and itchiness or irritation to the the respiratory system are sure signs of COVID-19, but they’re also associated with everyday allergies and breathing problems.  Many people have been relying on hemp CBD oral sprays and CBD oil tinctures to reduce the pain or swelling in their throats, so it’s only natural that CBD can help to alleviate some of the pain & inflammation associated with the overwhelming coughing symptoms of Coronavirus.  CBD and other cannabinoids have been known to exhibit some anti-fungal properties, even showing some promise as a natural anti-viral, but this will require a lot more research before any definitive applications for hemp CBD can be reported.

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

Similar to the case with coughing and sore throat symptoms, CBD does not directly counteract shortness of breath associated with COVID-19.  Nevertheless, hemp CBD can have a positive influence on many of your body’s supporting functions, such as immunity, sleep, calm, and appetite.  The Coronavirus embeds itself in the lungs and attacks the body through the respiratory system, so relying on CBD in a supplemental role is best in this situation.  Cannabidiol is very effective at reducing anxiety, easing nausea, providing relief from pain and decreasing inflammation which contribute to a stronger body that is more capable of dealing with the strain of a respiratory illness.

Fever, chills

Sensory loss – smell, taste, touch

Fatigue, lethargy

Fever and congestion are typically leading signs of COVID-19 infection, and they are also symptoms with which CBD is not known to have much effects.  However, when it comes to the chronic fatigue and lethargy associated with Coronavirus hemp-derived CBD has a lot to offer.  It might sound counter-intuitive, but Cannabidiol has the dual proficiency to ease anxiety and make a person feel calm while also energizing them and enhancing focus.  CBD is great for immune support, which contributes to wakefulness and energy, and its great for taking the edge off whenever tiredness strikes.  Everyone knows the key to overcoming any illness is a good night’s (or day’s) rest, so CBD’s importance is compounded by its ability to help you fall asleep quicker and improve the overall quality of your shuteye.

Soreness, aches, stiffness in muscles

Headaches, migraines, throbbing pain in neck chest or head

Gastrointestinal pain, inflammation

Vomiting, diarrhea

This is a big group of symptoms, to be sure, but these also happen to fall into the “bread and butter” category for CBD.  Pain & inflammation are two of the leading ailments for which hemp Cannabidiol is used today.  From muscle & joint pain of arthritis, to nausea and swelling in the gastrointestinal system, CBD has become one of the most popular remedies for these kinds of symptoms.  One of the biggest advantages that CBD has over pain medications and other natural treatments like THC from cannabis is that there are very little-to-no known side effects of ingesting Cannabidiol.  Unlike its cannabinoid cousin THC, CBD has zero psychoactive effects – meaning it does not cause a “high” when consumed or applied topically.  On the other hand, many medications have laundry lists of negative side effects that range from dry-mouth to heart failure and death.  When you rely on CBD, you’re simply getting the potent healing powers of hemp without the nasty residuals of some conventional treatments.

Hemp-derived CBD is also very versatile, so you can take it in pill form, under the tongue with an oil tincture, apply it topically as a cream, gel or spray, or munch on some tasty CBD edibles like the ultra-popular CBD gummies.  It’s easy to incorporate CBD into any daily routine with this wide spectrum of product offerings, and its also very safe for almost everyone.  As always, you should check with your own personal physician before taking CBD with other medications.  In addition, always follow the golden rule whenever you take something for the first time: start low and go slow.  Everyone’s CBD tolerance is different, so it can be tough to identify your ideal dose without experimenting first. Again, there are no psychoactive effects when you take hemp CBD, but certain doses will have greater or lesser effects on your symptoms when you optimize your dosage.  We recommend that you begin with the lowest recommended dose, monitor how you feel and how long you notice the positive effects, and then incrementally increase your dose until you’re satisfied with the results.

Fight Off COVID-19 With CBD