A January 2020 study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science is raising eyebrows over its claims that cannabis might be useful to eliminate bacteria. The study found that cannabis cleaned plaque better than over the counter hygiene products.
The paper states that, “Cannabinoids have the potential to be used as an effective antibacterial agent against dental plaque-associated bacteria. Moreover, it provides a safer alternative for synthetic antibiotics to reduce the development of drug resistance.”
The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience’s Centre for Superbug Solutions in Australia released similar research looking at the potential to not only be anti-inflammatory but that it could also find use as an antibiotic.
The research done by people like Dr. Mark Blaskovich looks at the potential that cannabis has for these uses. His team is focusing on skin conditions finding that cannabidiol, CBD, was “remarkably effective at killing a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria, including bacteria that have become resistant to other antibiotics, and did not lose effectiveness after extended treatment.”
Reed College in Portland’s Brandon Novy is a microbiology researcher who believes that more attention should be paid to these findings. He also has a cannabis-focused study that found that CBD may have the potential to fight gram-negative infections.
All of this research is especially relevant now, as the world faces an active crisis. Then there is the foreboding premonition given by the World Health Organization (WHO) stating that there could be over 50 million lives by 2050 who are lost to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Currently, there is some evidence that cannabis can help to strengthen the immune system and help people sleep. However, there is not at this time overwhelming evidence that CBD is helpful to prevent infections from a virus COVID-19. All of the promising research right now points to its potential to help stop bacteria.
