CBD and Superbugs

With all the hype around the wonderful compound called CBD, it’s quite strange to hear the acronym in conjunction with superbugs. Cleanliness is next to godliness, so goes the saying. This certainly applies to the power of plants with antimicrobial characteristics.

Thus, today we are able to look forward to the future and the understanding that such powerful compounds, when used correctly will have great benefit for mankind. 

If you're familiar with the cannabis plants cousin, hops, you know that they do have some powerful properties. The main one, being the antimicrobial benefit. 

It's not surprising that they are related to hemp and therefore have some similar characteristics. 

Thinking about these kinds of plant superpowers, we should turn our attention to the rising antibiotic-resistant strains of bugs become more and more common. The issue is that nowadays whenever someone feels even the slightest instance of a cold or fever coming on, they turn towards the urgent care and look for someone to prescribe something. 

This dangerous cycle is what creates a superbug.

What is a superbug?

The idea of superbug is that something so powerful as a virus or disease could really hurt major populations and overcome where science and medicine have taken us so far. However, the prime concern is that whatever medicinal progress we have made as a society, we are going to fully accept these kinds of bugs that are wholly resistant to the majority of antibiotics commonly used today.

Without allowing our bodies natural immune system to catch up, we're asking for trouble. 

CBD and Bacteria

CBD has been helping people return to homeostasis for some time now. What does that mean?

Homeostasis is essentially a stable equilibrium in physiological processes.

The researchers tested the CBD against some strains of Staphylococcus, which cause skin infections, and streptococcus, which causes strep throat.

They compared how effective CBD was compared to common antibiotics, such as vancomycin and daptomycin. "We looked at how quickly the CBD killed the bacteria. It's quite fast, within 3 hours, which is pretty good. Vancomycin (Vancocin) kills over 6 to 8 hours."

The CBD also disrupted the biofilm, the layer around bacteria that makes it more difficult for the antibiotic to penetrate and kill.

Mark Blaskovich, a senior research chemist at the Centre for Superbug Solutions, told Newsweek: "We still don't know how it works, and it may have a unique mechanism of action given it works against bacteria that have become resistant to other antibiotics, but we still don't know how."

"So far, we have only shown it works topically, on the skin surface. To be really useful, it would be good if we could show that it treated systemic infections e.g. pneumonia, or complicated tissue infections, where you have to give it orally or by intravenous dosing. A very preliminary study didn't show that it works in these more difficult models."

Finally, the lab studies showed that "CBD is much less likely to cause resistance than the existing antibiotics," Blaskovich says.

The CBD ''is selective for the type of bacteria," he says.

He found it effective against gram-positive bacteria but not gram-negative. Gram-positive bacteria cause serious skin infections and pneumonia, among other conditions. Gram-negative bacteria include salmonella (found in undercooked foods) and E. coli (the cause of urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and other ailments), among other bacteria.

In another study, also presented at the meeting, the researchers tested topical CBD to treat a skin infection on mice. It cut the number of bacteria after 48 hours, although it did not clear the infection. That research is ongoing and should give more insights into the holistic properties of plants. 

What are the signs and symptoms of a superbug?

• Fever
• Chills
• Sores that do not heal
• Lethargy
• Swelling, redness, or soreness under the skin

Although CBD isn't the end all be all, it is a great supplement to help your body recover. As always,s you should contact your family physician to determine how to treat all medical issues. 

In addition to medical treatment, one could consider using CBD for rest and try cooking with CBD.

Thanks for reading, happy information Friday!