CBD and COVID19
CBD AND COVID19 White Paper
Back in the 1990’s a Virologist named Stephen Morse coined the term “emerging viruses”. He and other scientists were pointing out that the conditions for potential epidemics and pandemics were growing exponentially. Citing climate change, massive urbanization, mass migration of populations from third world regions, the growing proximity of urban populations to forest and farm animals which were viral reservoirs were all poised to make a viral jump to human populations. This along with global trade, transportation of food products, global tourism and recreational travel gave those viral jumps the means to become ubiquitous. Epidemics would no longer be small and localized and the conditions for pandemics were growing exponentially.
They were right: SARS. MIRS, The Swine flu, CORONA’s etc. would pop up every few years and were for the most part contained regionally before they could extend worldwide. The specter of a potential pandemic was still prevalent amongst scientists and governments on a global scale. COVID 19 has become the first pandemic to emerge from these conditions but it will not be the last.
While our present day scientists of all callings are focused on a prevention, treatment, cure or vaccine for COVID 19 the fact remains that all of the conditions that brought it to life still exist. Yes we need any palliative means available to deal with the present pandemic, but we also need a concerted global effort to deal with the conditions that allow these to happen.
When COVID 19 triggered shut downs and stay at home edicts, businesses across the globe had to deal with the new reality. Governments were looking to support them with business loans and grants to keep them afloat. Hammer Enterprises Integrated Solutions made the choice to become a part of the solution as opposed to waiting around for things to become normal again. They were aware that their line of business in producing high quality Hemp Based CBD products were known to have palliative properties as being antiviral and immuno-modulators. But due to a lack of clinical studies and government authorities such as the FDA not having made determinations as to its safe use decided to form a research organization and begin to delve into the facts. Hammer put together a group including a scientist who was one of the founders of Chaos Theory, a member of the Stanford University Physics Department, a visiting professor to Scripps Institute who had a second field of study into the coronary system and EKG technology. The research group is known as Hamminh Research, LLC.
After months of research the results of present and past studies are documented in this White Paper and prove to support the theory that CBD can be effective in the prevention and later treatment of Viral infections. As to its effectiveness in treating COVID19 and any subsequent viral infections that remains to be discovered in the next phase of double-blind clinical studies in populations sufficient to prove mathematical validity. Hamminh Research, LLC and Hammer Enterprises, LLC, are now reaching out to potential medical partners and research facilities to partner in conducting such studies and is proud to share the information gathered to date in the presentation.
CBD & Vitamin D - a Therapeutic Option for COVID-19 Patients
The pharmacological importance of cannabidiol (CBD) has been in study for over a decade. Research suggests that it has no addictive effects, a good safety profile and has exhibited powerful therapeutic potential in several vital areas. Specifically, CBD is emerging as a therapeutic agent in numerous pathological inflammatory conditions since it is devoid of the psychoactive side effects exhibited instead by Δ9-THC.
Several human and animal clinical trials have shown CBD to be an immunomodulator [1] [2] [3]. Stated in a recently published NCBI article, the data overwhelmingly supports the notion that CBD is immune suppressive and that the mechanisms involve direct suppression of activation of various immune cell types [4] [5].
Once such study in particular supports the use of CBD as an anti-inflammatory treatment for childhood epilepsy. In 2018, a breakthrough in CBD research resulted in the FDA approving the CBD-based drug Epidiolex as a drug for childhood epileptic conditions [6]. In a substantial policy shift, Epidiolex was designated as Schedule V, which is the least restrictive drug schedule and indicates little potential for abuse [7]. The following statement was released by the FDA encouraging clinical CBD research, “This approval serves as a reminder that advancing sound development programs that properly evaluate active ingredients contained in marijuana can lead to important medical therapies”[8].
While researchers have successfully shown CBD to be an effective immunomodulator, the scientific and cannabis community are calling for additional clinically proven data. We believe further research will show CBD to be an effective treatment in inflammatory diseases such as acute respiratory disorders, specifically COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2.
We propose supplementary evidence is required to consider using cannabinoids as pharmacotherapy for viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and the perpetual high level of interest in CBD as medicine, presents an important opportunity for researchers and investors alike.
Inflammation is the body's first line of defense against infection or injury, responding to challenges by activating innate and adaptive responses. Some pathogens, such as the influenza virus and the coronavirus trigger life-threatening “cytokine storms” in the host which can result in significant pathology and ultimately death. For these diseases, it has been proposed that downregulating inflammatory immune responses may improve outcome [9] [10]. A new study out of University of Southern California suggests that temporarily suppressing the body’s immune system during early stages of COVID-19 could help a patient avoid severe symptoms. Prolonged infection can induce overactive immune responses, secondary complications, and sometimes fatal outcomes. "Based on the results of the mathematical modeling, we proposed a counterintuitive idea that a short regimen of a proper immunosuppressant drug applied early in the disease process may improve a patient's outcome," said Du. "With the right suppressive agent, we may be able to delay the adaptive immune response and prevent it from interfering with the innate immune response, which enables faster elimination of the virus and the infected cells" [11].
CBD has shown to downregulate the overactive immune response, decreasing the cytokine storms and we believe it could have a profound effect on reducing the duration and severity of symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
We are not alone in our drive to show CBD as an effective treatment, currently three clinical trials are studying the effects of cannabis on COVID-19 patients. These studies suggest that CBD is a reasonable candidate to be studied in preclinical coronavirus models. These exist outside of the United States.
● In a study produced this past April, Canadian researchers from the University of Lethbridge, showed hemp extracts high in CBD may help block proteins that provide a “gateway” for COVID-19 to enter host cells. Suggesting, that cannabis could reduce the virus’ entry points by up to 70 percent [12].
● A research group in China is administering cannabis in conjunction with two additional medications with the aim to regulate intestinal metabolic disorders and immunologic function, enhance disease resistance, and promote earlier physical rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 [13].
● Stero Biotechs, an Israel based company has launched a clinical trial using the combined treatment of steroids and CBD to determine the tolerability, safety and efficacy on COVID-19 infected patients [14].
It must be noted that the US has a rich history of global leadership in science and technology. Much of this success is due to the unique partnership between the federal government, universities and private industry.
This innovation ecosystem has allowed for the generation of new knowledge and foundational ideas, helping make the US the world leader in many scientific and technological fields. It has also helped to attract the best and brightest students and scholars from around the world to come to the US to study, work and contribute to advancing US scientific research and our economy.
A 2019 report by the Task Force on American Innovation, warns that while the US continues to be the world’s leader in science research funding, several global competitors are on course to catch and eventually pass the US, especially China.The report proposes an increase in federal investments in scientific research and human capital are needed if the United States is to maintain its position as world leader in science [15].
In addition to the potential treatment of COVID-19 symptoms, A basic literature search displays numerous articles published in the last 25 years that propose a potential benefit of CBD as a medication for many purposes.
Three preclinical studies have examined a possible role for CBD as an antiviral agent. One study demonstrated a direct antiviral effect against hepatitis C virus (HCV) but not hepatitis B virus in cell lines cultured to produce these viruses [16]. CBD concentration-dependently inhibited HCV replication by up to 86.4% (EC50=3.2 μM), which is comparable with interferon alpha at 10 IU/mL. Another investigation showed an indirect viral action of CBD against Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in a model of KSHV-infected human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) [17]. CBD up to 10 μM did not affect the ability of KSHV to infect HMVECs after 48 h of pretreatment, but it reduced KSHV-infected cells proliferation (IC50=2 μM) and enhanced apoptosis (EC50=1 μM). CBD treatment also prevented the transformation of normal cells into KSHV-associated cancers. A final study illustrated that CBD mitigated effects of neuroinflammation induced by Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). CBD treatment (5 mg/kg) reduced leukocyte infiltration and microglia activation in the brain of TMEV-infected mice, improving motor symptomatology and neuroinflammation in the chronic phase of the infection [18]. Further research into the findings derived from the University of Lethbridge, may be the fourth study to present CBD as an effective antiviral.
Researchers are turning towards CBD as a treatment to decrease the duration and severity in a range of ailments caused by inflammation by combining CBD with an additional treatment such as steroids [14]. To advance our research, we propose a dual approach to reducing inflammation by adding Vitamin D to the treatment schedule.
Vitamin D is necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system, effecting key cells. This vitamin plays a critical role in promoting immune response. It has both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties and is crucial for the activation of immune system defenses. Vitamin D enhances the pathogen-fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages — white blood cells that are important parts of the immune defense — and decreases inflammation, which helps promote immune response [19].
Vitamin D and CBD are both known to enhance the function of immune cells, including T-cells and macrophages, that protect the body against pathogens [20] [5]. Hence, CBD and Vitamin D are a promising substance for the development of new drug. Further research and clinical studies are required to explore its complete potential.
In summation; the inflammatory diseases such as COVID-19 are producing a cytokine storm response, leading to damaged organs, tissue and often death. Currently the world is suffering from a severe COVID-19 pandemic claiming over 500,00 deaths. Now more than ever, the scientific community is driving towards a treatment to suppress an overactive immune system- CBD and Vitamin D have set precedence as an immunomodulator and should be further explored.
We propose supplementary evidence is required to consider using cannabinoids as pharmacotherapy for viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and the perpetual high level of interest in CBD as medicine, presents an important opportunity for researchers and investors alike.
If the links in this article do not direct you to the studies I am more than happy to send you the CITATIONS [email protected]
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● 16. Lowe HIC, Toyang NJ, McLaughlin W. Potential of cannabidiol for the treatment of viral hepatitis. Pharmacognosy Res. 2017;9:116–118.
● 17. Maor Y, Yu J, Kuzontowski PM, et al. Cannabidiol inhibits growth and induces programmed cell death in Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-infected endothelium. Genes Cancer. 2012;3:512–520.
● 18. Mecha M, Feliu A, Inigo PM, et al. Cannabidiol provides long-lasting protection against the deleterious effects of inflammation in a viral model of multiple sclerosis: a role for A2A receptors. Neurobiol Dis. 2013;59:141–150
● Contact; Christopher Hammer [email protected] Walter Marcinowski [email protected] or Kevin Alexander [email protected]