Cannabis Against Herpes Virus
- Studies Confirm Potential Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis Against the Notorious Herpes Virus
The use of Medical Cannabis ointments for skin infections like eczema, psoriasis, and common abrasions is well-documented and widely used. This time, however, surprising evidence emerges about the effectiveness of this versatile plant against the notorious herpes virus.
What is Herpes?
Herpes belongs to a family of viruses responsible for various human body diseases, including chickenpox, shingles, common cold sores, genital herpes, or the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis. In those already infected, the virus remains present permanently.
However, virus symptoms only manifest when the immune system's activity is suppressed. This is the primary reason why symptoms like common cold sores emerge during periods of stress. Stress triggers cortisol hormone release, which ultimately reduces immune system function.
"The herpes virus family is very large, but most commonly occurs as herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2."
Herpes simplex 1 is a virus causing common cold sores and transmitted through bodily contact. Herpes simplex 2 is a sexually transmitted infection causing sores and lesions in the genital area. Not only are cold sores extremely unpleasant, but we're usually embarrassed by them and they're highly inconvenient in daily life.
Chickenpox and Epstein-Barr virus are typically treated with standardized methods, but for herpes affecting genitals and upper body parts, medications like Acyclovir are still prescribed, which can cause mental changes and hallucinations. Interesting for some, but extremely unwanted for most. Common, equally unpleasant side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, or diarrhea.
Does Medical Marijuana Help Against Herpes Virus?
Due to the numerous and harmful side effects of current treatments, many patients are seeking alternatives. Fortunately, Medical Cannabis has proven very promising in preclinical studies.
Medical cannabis was first considered as a potential treatment for herpes by scientists in 1980, who promptly conducted numerous in vitro experiments. Researchers chose THC cannabinoid as their primary weapon against herpes simplex 1 and 2.
"After THC administration, replication of both herpes virus types was successfully suppressed, which was repeated and confirmed in newer studies from 1991 and 2004."
In the 1991 study, researchers further observed that THC can suppress the infectivity of the genital herpes virus form.
The subsequent 2004 study again confirmed THC's functionality as a "suppressor" of both virus types' replication abilities.
Finally, a clinical research in 2010 demonstrated the effectiveness of synthetic cannabinoids applied through a facial cream used against postherpetic neuralgia - pain occurring with shingles. Cannabinoid therapy was a huge success, reducing patients' pain sensations by an average of 87%, which is certainly remarkable.
Moreover, the cannabis cream was excellently tolerated by study participants and caused no negative side effects.
So, can medical cannabis cure herpes virus symptoms? Unfortunately, it's currently impossible to answer with 100% certainty. However, past and ongoing research suggests that cannabis might offer an excellent weapon against this extremely unwelcome virus in the future. May the research continue.
Author: Delilah Butterfield
Translation: Filip Maral
Source: herb.co
Images: medicalmarijuanainc