Mind-altering THC chemical in cannabis could help prevent anMind-altering THC chemical in cannabis could help prevent and treat deadly COVID-19 complications by blocking harmful immune response, research shows By Megan Sheets For Dailymail.com 17:28 05 Oct 2020, updated 20:13 04 Oct 2020 University of South Carolina researchers say THC could help prevent a harmful immune response that causes Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) ARDS is a form of lung failure that can be fatal with COVID-19 patients Researchers performed three studies in which mice were given a toxin that triggers the immune response that causes ARDS All of the mice who received THC survived, while those that did not died Cannabis could be used to help treat potentially deadly complications with COVID-19, a growing body of research suggests. Researchers at the University of South Carolina performed a trio of studies on mice which found that THC - the chemical that gives cannabis its mind-altering effect - could help prevent a harmful immune response that causes Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ADVERTISEMENT ARDS is one of the most common complications for patients with severe cases of coronavirus. It can be fatal or lead to permanent pulmonary scarring. The goal of the USC study was to see if THC could block the immune response that leads to ARDS developing by introducing a toxin into the mice that triggers the response. In dozens of experiments across all three studies, all of the mice that were given THC after the toxin survived, while those that didn't get the chemical died. The researchers cautioned that their work is still far from conclusive and stressed that they are not encouraging people to use marijuana to self-medicate for COVID-19. However, they said the preliminary research showed immense promise of THC as a treatment for severe cases of the virus that has already killed more than 209,000 people in the US and more than one million around the world. Research from the University of South Carolina suggests that THC - the chemical in cannabis that creates a mind-altering effect - could be used to treat complications in COVID-19 patients Prakash Nagarkatti, who co-authored the USC studies, explained the research in an interview with The State in August. 'The underlying mechanism is your immune system goes haywire and starts destroying your lungs and all your other organs,' Nagarkatti said of ARDS. 'It's like a car where you're putting on a lot of accelerator, but the brakes aren't working. Basically what's going to happen is your car is going to crash because you can't stop it. And that's basically what's happening with ARDS.' ARDS is a form of lung failure that occurs when small blood vessels in the lungs begin to leak fluid, blocking air from the bloodstream. It's been known to strike in COVID-19 patients when their immune systems go into overdrive to fight the virus and begin attacking healthy cells. The USC studies found that THC, which stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol, helps suppress the body's immune response while also increasing healthy bacteria in the lungs. The findings were so promising that the researchers are now looking to begin human trials to further examine the potential effectiveness of the chemical in fighting coronavirus. But Nagarkatti emphasized that his team's research in no way advocates for people to use marijuana if they think they have coronavirus. 'I just want to make sure our research is not interpreted as marijuana is good for COVID 19,' Nagarkatti said. RELATED ARTICLES Misleading medical reports, backtracking doctors and a confused timeline: How a paranoid Trump's fear of leaks has left his own team in the dark about severity of his condition - and how exposed THEY are to Covid-19 'I'm starting to feel good': Trump gives video address from Walter Reed to say next two days 'will be the real test' and calls experimental drugs 'miracles from God' but his doctor warns that 'he's not out of the woods yet' 'If you start using THC early on it might worsen the effect because it suppresses the immune system.' Meanwhile other studies have found evidence of marijuana's potential effectiveness in treating the virus. ADVERTISEMENT A study by researchers in Israel found that a specific terpene compound in cannabis could also be used to prevent cytokine storm syndrome, an inflammatory response that can lead to fever, fatigue and vomiting in COVID-19 patients. Early results from that study, which was published in August, found that terpene was twice as effective in suppressing cytokine storms than Dexamethasone, a common corticosteroids treatment for inflammation. And another study published by Canadian researchers in June found that a specific strain of cannabis could help block the virus from entering the body in the first place. 'Similar to other respiratory pathogens, SARS-CoV2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, with potential for aerosol and contact spread. It uses receptor-mediated entry into the human host via angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) that is expressed in lung tissue, as well as oral and nasal mucosa, kidney, testes, and the gastrointestinal tract,' the study states. 'Modulation of ACE2 levels in these gateway tissues may prove a plausible strategy for decreasing disease susceptibility.' The researchers said that their strain of cannabis targets those ACE2 receptors, potentially blocking the virus from taking hold in the body. ADVERTISEMENT While each of the aforementioned studies are still in their early stages, together they paint a promising picture of marijuana's role in fighting the global pandemic. Share or comment on this article: THC chemical in cannabis could help prevent and treat deadly COVID-19 complications 66k shares Comments MOST READ NEWS Pictured: British man who died after travelling to Turkey for teeth whitening treatment with two... 'Sweets' that put 13 teenage girls in hospital contained CANNABIS: Police open probe into incident... Couple who attacked their rebellious 17-year-old son after he went to see his girlfriend while he... Pictured: Male bus passenger hunted by police after girl, 16, is kicked in the face and 'racially... Pictured: Newcastle University student, 18, who was one of two freshers from same halls to die... 'We're not out of the woods - but he is BACK!' Trump's doctor says he IS well enough to return to... First 'clean' count since Excel blunder was fixed reveals 12,594 new daily cases - up from 4,368 two... What COVID numbers SHOULD have said: Excel bungle masked daily cases hitting 11,000 as Boris Johnson... Tax rises ARE coming: Rishi Sunak warns he WILL need to balance the books after Covid crisis as he... Manchester is now Britain's Covid-19 capital with one in 200 people getting infected every week as... Massive coronavirus outbreak at Sheffield University as 474 students and five staff members test... Man, 47, is jailed for four years for rape for puncturing condom with a pin before having sex with... Pictured: Rugby-mad teenager, 18, nicknamed 'Golden Boy' who was found dead in lake after telling... Female farmer is sexually assaulted and strangled to death while another rural worker is tortured... 'I am learning every day!': Boris Johnson's father Stanley apologises after being spotted AGAIN not... Britain records 12,594 coronavirus cases as number of daily infections TRIPLES in a week and health... DON'T MISS What FIRST set the royal brothers at war: Years before Meghan, Prince William brought Prince Harry i... Britney Spears dons a plaid shirt for DIY project as she admits she gets 'insecure' about photos of ... Kelly Brook sends temperatures soaring in an array of VERY busty swimwear as she poses in racy snaps... PICTURED: Emily Atack, 30, packs on the PDA with her new tattooed model boyfriend Charlie Edwards, 2... Rebel Wilson's personal trainer Jono Castano reveals her surprisingly easy workout secrets - as she ... Has 2020 (and your kids!) zapped your looks? These busy mums transform... Ad Feature The ultimate Cruise control! Tom, 58, is a daredevil as he pulls off dangerous motor stunts while fi... Kim Kardashian reveals she wore a face shield and gloves while changing Kanye West's sheets as he ba... Britain's Got Talent becomes most complained about show of the DECADE after controversial acts, THAT... "I feel more energised and happy too": How the diet A-listers love is ... Ad Feature Jesy Nelson professes her love for new beau Sean Sagar... as fans get emotional seeing her discuss h... 'I couldn't watch him!': Rochelle Humes reveals she's NOT keen on husband Marvin returning to acting... George Michael's ex Kenny Goss sues star's sister and father saying he should be paid 15k A MONTH... Made In Chelsea: Zara confronts Melissa about The Voice Note Incident... as Tristan, Charlie and Hol... The new night cream dermatologists LOVE! How these EXPERT products tac... Ad Feature Rhian Sugden displays her toned curves in a tight swimsuit as she packs on the PDA with husband Oliv... Prince Louis plays in the sand while 'cheeky' Prince George and Princess Charlotte help garden in un... 'It's not an ideal bit of your family history': Jodie Whittaker discovers things she doesn't like ab... Emily Ratajkowski channels retro glamour in a sheer zebra print dress and cropped blazers as she fro... Nicola Adams channels Fred Astaire in a top hat and tails as she thanks Strictly for letting her fee... Jennifer Lawrence wears a plaid coat over a striped shirt as she and husband Cooke Maroney don match... Gigi Hadid gets introspective on soulmates, her purpose and looking back on her life in Alexander Wa... Kanye West discloses he's worth 'hundreds of millions of dollars' (not billions!) in documents filed... Bebe Rexha unveils Poison Ivy-inspired artwork for her new single Baby, I'm Jealous featuring Doja... 'It's an antidote to the bull***t from healthy living warriors': Tom Hollander's 'life in the day' a... 'I represent beautiful dark women': Serena Williams talks body confidence, BLM and why she still co... Emma Roberts cloaks her baby bump in ruffled tier dress while beating the heat with a hydrating iced... Hailey Bieber wraps her leg around shirtless husband Justin as the couple pose in steamy bedroom sna... 'I lost the most important man in my life': Westlife's Shane Filan reveals his father Peter has pass... MORE TOP STORIES Associated Newspapers Ltd Contact usMobile apps View desktop siteAdvertise with us SyndicationTerms Privacy & cookiesHow to complain Do not sell my info