A group of researchers based in Australia has found that CBD may be an effective antibiotic, as seen in mice with skin infections.
The study carried out at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience’s Centre for Superbug Solutions showed that CBD was effective against gram-positive bacteria strains, such as staph and strep. Interestingly, the cannabinoid also showed promise against certain strains of bacteria which have developed resistance against conventional antibiotics.
Mark Blaskovich, the lead author of the study, however, has asked people to hold off on celebrations until scientists and doctors are convinced of CBD’s efficacy to treat infections in humans. “We still aren’t sure how it works, and it may have a unique mechanism, provided it works against bacteria that have become resistant to other antibiotics, but we still don’t know how.”
Only recently another study had shown that CBD was an effective means to reduce the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures in rats. Furthermore, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Epidiolex, the first-ever FDA-regulated CBD drug, could be capable of reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people looking to quit opioid medications.
The results of the Australian study were presented at the American Society for Microbiology’s annual conference. During the conference, Blaskovich was asked whether people could start using CBD in place of other antibiotics. He advised people to be a little patient until research puts more light on the topic.
“Most of what we have was carried out in test tubes—it needs a lot more understanding to show if it’s equally effective in treat infections in humans… Treating a serious infection with CBD instead of one of the tried and tested antibiotics may be catastrophic.”
With the passage of time, more and more microorganisms are developing resistance to the available antibiotics, so if CBD finally finds itself as an antibiotic a few years down the line, it won’t be less than a boon for the mankind!
