We find ourselves in difficult times, with no clear answers or end in sight. At Ananda Hemp, we understand the gravity and seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people remain sick and some have lost their lives. It remains to be seen how much worse the spread will become, and what measures our government will take to ease the immeasurable strain placed on so many Americans.
While the consequences of this global situation in the long-run will unfold in time, we also see an opportunity for humans to realize one massive truth about life. In essence, we are all connected, and we are all in this together. United we stand, divided we fall.
We all know the rules: stay at home if you can (especially if with fever), wash your hands, and all the other good-hygiene we probably should have been practicing all along anyway. These precautions are undoubtedly essential.
However, we have other valuable insight regarding what experts know so far about COVID-19.
What We Know in the Fight Against COVID-19
While there is a lot that we don’t know about this virus, doctors and scientists all over the world are currently investigating what works and what doesn’t. Here are a couple of tidbits about fighting COVID-19 that seem to be the first real useful information, and what the evidence suggests thus far.
- Vitamin C is your ally – early research shows that Vitamin C infusions may effectively combat the novel coronavirus.
- Avoid Ibuprofen – While not technically backed up by research, many organizations and governments report that ibuprofen worsens symptoms in those with COVID-19. Experts recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) as an alternative. Viruses like COVID-19 cause an overactive immune response, and thus a substance like ibuprofen, which increases cytokine (immune cell) release, could make a bad situation much worse.
- Avoid elderberry – While we love taking elderberry for daily immune support and do recommend moderate amounts as such, the reasons behind this advice are similar to that of ibuprofen, as elderberry also increases immune cell activity.
Can CBD help?
Currently there is no link between CBD and any support it may offer for COVID-19 – more clearly, CBD WILL NOT TREAT, PREVENT, OR CURE COVID-19. However, we’d like to share some exciting research regarding the activity of cannabinoids and terpenes against various pathogenic microbes.
CBD, Viruses, and Bacteria
The research on the effects of cannabinoids concerning the human immune system has been ongoing for many years, and the beliefs surrounding this topic have been steadily evolving.
What we know for sure is that one of our main cannabinoid receptors (CB2) is widely expressed in the immune system, such as in the spleen, tonsils, and thymus gland. Also, CB2 receptors are present on B and T cells, monocytes, and macrophages.
Initially, researchers believed that cannabinoids suppressed the immune system, due to their effectiveness in conditions involving hyperactive immunity.
However, exciting new research is demonstrating just the opposite.
Many scientists believe that cannabinoids may exert a balancing effect on the immune system, calming hyperactivity, and stimulating lower than normal immune system function.
Many experts also think that CBD is not likely to cause drug-resistant superbugs, due to the selectiveness of what it kills. CBD appears to disrupt the biofilms surrounding these microbes – a vital component of the germ used to attach to the host.
Besides any potential effects regarding CBD and the immune system, CBD could also be helpful right about now by helping us to deal with the increased stress, restlessness, and sleeping difficulties that have no doubt surged in the last couple weeks.
CBD is most popularly taken for its reported usefulness with relieving tension, assisting with sleep, and imparting a sense of calm and relaxation – sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
Cannabis Terpenes and the Immune System
Cannabis and hemp are theorized to produce cannabinoids and terpenes to defend themselves against pests, predators, and other environmental stressors.
This could hint at a possible link regarding the supposed immune-enhancing properties of CBD in humans. Cannabis creates terpenes with resin glands inside the trichomes – tiny mushroom shaped structures on the flower of the plant.
They say everything has a purpose – so what is the deeper meaning of the pungent, fruity, piney scents associated with the Cannabis (hemp) plant?
Well, a growing body of exciting research is finding that these delightful scents may have therapeutic potential after all. We encourage doing your own research as there are such a long list of terpenes to learn about.
Hemp Protein for Immune Support
What’s great is that CBD and its cannabinoids and terpenes aren’t the only components of hemp with implications in the immune system. Hemp protein is the result of pressing, gently milling, and sieving our house-grown hemp seeds.
Hemp protein is an important source of a broad-spectrum of essential nutrition, not least of which is globular edestin protein. Globular edestin protein acts as a direct fuel source for the body’s production of antibodies, enzymes, and many hormones – all central to our immune response.
Hemp is the exclusive food source for edestin, making it a prime and unique choice for an immune supporting diet.
While we are all getting through this together, one day at a time, here’s Ananda Hemp’s two cents on staying solid and keeping your head up,
Keep a Routine
Another recipe for success amidst this crisis is remembering not to neglect our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While we’re socially distancing and ‘sheltering in place,’ it’s healthy to keep parts of your routine intact (if possible!).
If you’re an early riser, keep waking up early, make a healthy breakfast, take a shower. It can be tempting to let our routine slide when we’re cooped up inside all day but keeping some of these healthy habits can go a long way towards helping us keep our sanity.
Do Your Best to Get Moving
Exercise relieves stress and other negative emotions while helping to release endorphins – feel good, pain-killing molecules naturally produced in our bodies. Daily push-ups, squats, short-walks, workout videos, or the myriad of other workout-at-home options will keep you motivated and feeling good.
Pull out a yoga mat and try some stretching, maybe experiment with a breathing practice to cleanse, relax, and rejuvenate the body.
Bask in the Sunlight
Try and get as much sunlight as you can everyday.
Not only does our star’s sunlight directly kill viruses, it boosts your bodies levels of Vitamin D (our immune cells have receptors for Vitamin D, underlining its importance).
Make the Most of Extra Time with Family and Housemates
Remember to be extra patient and kind with your loved ones, as the sudden increase in time spent together will no doubt result in some butting heads.
Everyone is normally so busy, rushing places and doing things, we rarely get an opportunity to spend quality time with our families for an extended amount of time. Take advantage while you can.
Read a Book, Play a Game, or Work on the Next Big Thing
There’s endless books available online (or maybe you’ve got a nice collection you’ve been saving for when you had time). Board games are great and help bond with your family and kids.
Maybe you can be like Sir Isaac Newton, who developed calculus in response to a hiatus in activity resulting from the Black Plague.
Meditate and Practice Mindfulness
While beginning a meditation practice could be a little intense in the midst of a pandemic, you may still be pleasantly surprised at how powerfully relaxing a few deep, slow, focused breaths can be.
You don’t have to be a guru or a hippie – check out this Skeptic’s Guide to Meditation to get started. Many feel that CBD and meditation have synergistic effects when it comes to stress reduction, overall health, and wellness.
Keep Your Chin Up!
Don’t let the day-to-day news affect your mental strength. It’s best to keep a positive outlook even though inside, we may all be a bit anxious. We enjoy Elon Musk’s approach; he says, “I’d rather be optimistic and wrong than pessimistic and right.”
Staying positive in difficult times is contagious in and of itself. There’s no need to keep our heads in the sand about the unfortunate reality we find ourselves in, but staying grounded and sharing some extra kindness goes a long way in days like these.
We sincerely hope you can use this break from our normal ways of being to reassess, rebalance, and rethink your life. Humans have made it through so much in all our years of inhabiting this Earth, and we will make it through the COVID-19 outbreak, too.
May we forever be humble and retain these difficult life lessons we are learning. Let us not go back to all our old craziness the moment this all blows over – let’s become a little better, a little more efficient, and a lot cleaner and healthier.
Eat your protein, take your CBD, have a meditation sesh. This too shall pass, and we’ll be more resilient on the other side.
Article Courtesy of Ananda Hemp
Original Article: https://anandahemp.com/blogs/news/covid-19
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