CBD and Immunosuppression
Patients on CBD should have maximum protection in relation to infection with COVID-19 as it may be immunosuppressed.
Cannabinoids, which include Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are the main constituents of Cannabis sativa and interact with CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
THC, the main psychotropic constituent of this plant, is a partial agonist of CB1 and CB2 receptors and has a strong influence on the level of expression and signaling of cannabinoid receptors and on the continuous release of endogenous cannabinoids.
With regard to CBD, it has a high potency as an antagonist of the CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists in cells or tissues where they are expressed. For this reason, it interacts with the CB2 receptor having the ability to inhibit the migration of evoked immune cells.
These compounds have other effects on the body:
- Ability to modulate the function of T and B lymphocytes, NK cells and macrophages.
- Decrease / Modulate host resistance to various infectious agents, such as herpes simplex viruses and bacterial agents such as Staphylococcus, Listeria, Treponema and Legionella.
- Modulate the production and function of immune and acute-phase cytokines.