According to a recent article on drugscience.org.uk, there is a growing body of evidence that cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) can be used to treat symptoms including pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep, headaches, and cognitive dysfunction, which are commonly reported in Long COVID. The article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of Long COVID and discusses preliminary pre-clinical, clinical trials, and real-world evidence (RWE) for CBMPs in the context of Long COVID. The current evidence provides a rationale to further explore CBMPs as a treatment for Long COVID symptoms. In addition to further randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the increasing availability of CBMPs globally, coupled with the continued prevalence of Long COVID in the population, also highlights the value of real-world data in the research of CBMPs in Long COVID. Critically, there is an evident need for multidisciplinary approaches of CBMPs and Long COVID in real-world clinical practice settings.

Another article on vice.com reports that some people have been treating Long COVID with cannabis-based products. The article features interviews with people who have used cannabis-based products to alleviate their Long COVID symptoms. One interviewee, Andrew Vass, had been suffering from Long COVID for about a year before his doctor gave him some oil-form of medicinal cannabis containing 5% THC and 5% CBD. He reported that the cannabis oil helped him to sleep better and reduced his anxiety levels.

Finally, a feasibility trial is being conducted to investigate the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of Long COVID ¹. The trial will involve 30 people who will take CBD dominant medical cannabis daily for five months. The trial aims to determine whether CBD can be an effective treatment for people diagnosed with Long COVID.

It is important to note that the use of cannabis-based products for medicinal purposes is still a controversial topic and should only be considered after consulting with a medical professional.

Learn more:

1. hra.nhs.uk2. drugscience.org.uk3. vice.com

According to the National Health Service (NHS), Long COVID is a condition where people experience symptoms of COVID-19 that last for several weeks or months beyond the initial illness. Most people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. However, for some people, symptoms can last longer. The most common symptoms of Long COVID are extreme tiredness (fatigue), feeling short of breath, loss of smell, and muscle aches. However, there are many other symptoms that can occur after a COVID-19 infection, including problems with memory and concentration (“brain fog”), chest pain or tightness, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), heart palpitations, dizziness, pins and needles, joint pain, depression and anxiety, tinnitus, earaches, feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite, a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste, and rashes. If you have had symptoms of COVID-19 for 4 weeks or more and are worried, you should contact your GP.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) defines Long COVID as symptoms that start (usually) within three months of having COVID-19, last for at least two months, and can’t be explained by another condition.

Long COVID or long-haul COVID is a group of health problems persisting or developing after an initial COVID-19 infection. Symptoms can last weeks, months or years and are often debilitating ¹.

If you are interested in learning more about Long COVID, the NHS has created a website called Your COVID Recovery which provides information and support for people recovering from the long-term effects of COVID-19.

It is important to note that the information provided here is not exhaustive and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID, please consult your doctor.

Learn more:

1. nhs.uk2. bhf.org.uk3. en.wikipedia.org4. cks.nice.org.uk5. bbc.co.uk