The pandemic, climate change, rapid inflation and a surge in violence are contributing to a mental health crisis. Against that backdrop, demand for antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia drugs is booming. In 2021, there were more than 337 million antidepressant prescriptions in the U.S., according to data from IQVIA. In the first four months of 2022,…
Cannabinoids may protect against COVID-19 infection
U.S. researchers have found that cannabinoid acids extracted from cannabis sativa prevented infection of human epithelial cells. They conclude cannabinoids may also have the potential to treat COVID-19. Using a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the scientists found that cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) effectively blocked infection from the alpha (B.1.1.7) and beta…