COVID-19 and Cannabidiol: Results from a Rapid Review

Background: SARS-CoV2 has caused over 57 million infections and over 1.3 million deaths within 11 months globally (WHO). Internationally, there is an emerging debate about potential benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD) as treatment of COVID-19. Objective: To assess the beneficial and adverse effects of CBD in the treatment of inflammation from the literature. Methods: We systematically searched Cochrane rCOVID-19 study register, CENTRAL (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) for studies testing CBD as inflammation intervention. All types of studies and populations were considered. All pre-clinical, clinical, and pharmacological outcomes were of interest. Results: Of 18 papers found, 9 were included: Five in vivo animal studies, 3 in vitro studies on human tissues and 1 ongoing randomized clinical trial. Outcomes in 4 in vivo animal studies and 3 human tissue studies were immune response markers, which decreased. In 1 in vivo study the outcome of monocytes was enhanced. One human study is ongoing. There was no information on adverse effects or drug-interaction. Conclusion: There is not enough evidence to support or refute CBD as a repurpose drug to treat inflammation and other symptoms of COVID-19. Clinical trials are needed to test its efficacy and adverse effects.