CANNABIS & COVID-19
“TODAY in #AmJGastro:
48% of patients w. #COVID19 presented w. #GI symptoms first.
They did worse/had delayed admission (⬆️ community transmission?). Do we need broader testing criteria. #GITwitter remember to keep in mind when seeing new-onset GI symptoms”
“TODAY in #AmJGastro:
48% of patients w. #COVID19 presented w. #GI symptoms first.
They did worse/had delayed admission (⬆️ community transmission?). Do we need broader testing criteria. #GITwitter remember to keep in mind when seeing new-onset GI symptoms”
Dr. Badgley, M.D. Response:
GI SYMPTOMS IN COVID-19 INFECTION: the described symptoms suggest that parasympathetic dysautonomia might be result of the coronavirus pathophysiology.
GI SYMPTOMS IN COVID-19 INFECTION: the described symptoms suggest that parasympathetic dysautonomia might be result of the coronavirus pathophysiology.
Anosmia and headache are also reported as common premonitory symptoms, and these bespeak of central neurological dysfunction; perhaps at brainstem level.
The endocannabinoid system is intimately involved in neural synaptic neurotransmitter functions. Based on symptom pattern of COVID-19, Cannabis Sativa, which imparts sympathomimetic effects (as opposed to Indica, which is parasympathomimetic) might ameliorate COVID-19 symptoms.
An effective preparation might be a butter or coconut oil eluted concoction rendered at less than 180 degrees so as to avoid decarboxylation and conversion of THC-A to THC; thereby avoiding much of the psychotropic effects; then ingesting the medicinal or taking as suppository.
Within body, cannabinoids functions at neurotransmitter levels & cross neural synaptic junctions at warp speed (fat soluble instead of water soluble) in retrograde direction (unlike other neurotransmitters).
Being fat soluble, cannabinoids enter cells via rapid & direct fat solubilization & membrane penetration; absent need for a transporter system. This occurs at presynaptic membrane absent the slower pinocytotic process.
These characteristics suggest that endocannabinoids (assisted by exocannabonoid supplementation) are super-controllers of the autonomic nervous system, which maintains homeostasis in the body.
A characteristic of cannabinoid supplementation is seeming inducement of the body systems toward homeostasis. Smoked cannabis is known to dramatically reduce asthmatic bronchiolar constriction and wheezing.
Cannabis is known to reduce pain due to inflammation, which is often exacerbated by free radicles & reactive chemical species, the same processes that occur within the failing COVID-19 infected lung.
Perhaps a study protocol should be to spray a gentle cannabis mist into the lungs of patients on ventilators and monitor ventilator functions to see if they detect positive pulmonary changes associated with cannabinoid mist applications.
What do we have to lose?
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