CBD’s Antifungal Properties | What You Need to Know

The cannabis plant is increasingly becoming popular for its medicinal value. CBD, one of the compounds in medical marijuana is known by many as the most medicinal part of the marijuana plant. One of the best medicinal properties of CBD is the fact that it is also anti-fungal. Fungus infections are a major health challenge faced by most people and it could range from annoying to deadly. Unlike bacteria that are prokaryotes with no nucleus, fungi are rather eukaryotes, with a DNA-containing nucleus, just like all plants and animals. Unlike bacteria that are easy to treat, it is hard to treat fungi without harming or killing human cells. It is also worthy to note that a compound called ergosterol is necessary for maintaining the structure of the cell membrane of fungi. This, therefore, explains why many pharmaceutical antifungal drugs work by inhibiting the production of ergosterol, which are necessary for microbes. The idea is to prevent the cell membranes of fungi from forming properly, thereby causing fungal death, without harming the human host.

There are indications that CBD has moderate anti-fungi agents and their activities are shown to be potentiated by caryophyllene oxide. The findings from one clinical study revealed that CBD could help eradicate a common fungal infection in humans known as onychomycosis, at rates comparable to cyclopiroxolamine and sulconazole, which are two common pharmaceutical antifungals. This finding, however, buttresses the antifungus claims of CBD, thereby also suggesting that it could be used as an alternative treatment of fungus infections.

So far, the effectiveness of CBD in treating fungi has not been fully understood because little or no studies have been conducted on the subject. Nonetheless, some scientists have observed similarities between the CBDs with antifungal properties and the pharmaceutical agents that are used in treating fungus infections. First of all, it has been observed that CBD has a hydroxyl group, consisting of one oxygen atom with a single hydrogen attached to it, which allows it to attract other oxygen containing molecules. It should also be noted that this antioxidant activity is possible because the hydrogen group is highly reactive. Moreover, it is presumed that the hydrogen binds with and oxidizes enzymes, in the ergosterol pathway in fungi, thereby preventing the formation of ergosterol.

CBD is also reported to contain genes that are involved in immunity and the metabolism of sterols, like cholesterol and ergosterol. This therefore explains why growing research is now focusing on the differences between cholesterol and ergosterol, and how they can be exploited by mixing active cannabinoids, including CBD to kill fungi in the human body without harming the human cells. It is thus evident that CBD has about the same efficacy as the other pharmaceutical drugs that are used in treating fungi and all that is left is fine tuning the appropriate mixture that is effective in alleviating fungi without harming the human cells.

Most scientists have equally argued that CBD is not only effective in treating fungi, but it is also a safer option since it doesn’t result in adverse side effects like the conventional medications used in treating fungi. That said, there is a need for more research to be done on this subject as there exists very little scientific evidence to back the claim that CBD could alleviate fungi. Elaborate research will also give precisions of the dosage of CBD that is required to treat fungi and whether or not there would be any long term side effects.

 

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