For now, CBD juul pods is best-known as the wonder compound that treats epileptic seizures but expect to hear more about its qualities as an antibiotic soon, click here to learn more. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid has proven to be effective against MRSA, along with several other cannabinoids. But fascinatingly, the cannabinoids were not tricked by the typical methods bacteria uses to try and escape death by antibiotics. This means there may be more to cannabinoid products, like those from Finest Labs, than we currently know.

Gibbons explained that CBD drinks by CBD genesis were “unaffected” by the mechanism that superbugs usually fool antibiotics with. Moreover, research into other non-psychoactive cannabinoids suggests that cannabis could be harnessed as an antibiotic without the need for the psychoactive THC compound which not everyone would be comfortable taking. CBN, CBG and CBC are all antibiotics, and none of them have psychoactive properties.

It’s possible, Gibbons adds, that hemp plants with no psychoactive potential could be cultivated solely for use as antibiotics.

Cannabinol (CBN)

The aging process of cannabis plants can lead some compounds to transform – this can sometimes happen with THC, which turns into CBN. The good news from an antimicrobial perspective, is that this compound is nice and potent.

Simon Gibbons and another researcher, Giovanni Appendino, tested several cannabinoids against MRSA in laboratory conditions back in 2008.It has become very difficult to treat MRSA infections in humans due to the resistance of pathogenic staphylococcus bacteria to traditional antibiotics. However, a quintet of cannabinoids displayed an effectiveness against MRSA, including CBN (others: CBD, CBG, CBC and THC).

Cannabichromene (CBC)

Cannabichromene is often a forgotten cannabinoid, however it should be remembered that this compound is one of the most commonly found in cannabis plants. Pakistani and Afghani strains tend to have high levels of CBC, regularly matching the concentration of CBD. It was in 2008 that Gibbons and Appendino pinned down the benefits of CBC against MRSA.

However, there have been several researchers over the years studying the antibiotic potential of cannabichromene. The compound’s potent antibacterial effects and moderate antifungal qualities were determined first in 1981. The cannabinoid was shown to be effective against Candida albicans and E. coli, among other bacteria.

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of CBC were confirmed once again by the same researchers, who experimented on the compound.

Cannabigerol (CBG)

In a way, cannabigerol (CBG) helps all other cannabinoids by acting as a stem cell. It is from CBG acid that the compounds CBC, CBD and THC emerge. During the early stages of a cannabis plant’s growth, CBG acid is the most abundant compound, and it’s only through age that other cannabinoids begin to form.

Preliminary research into CBG, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, have confirmed that the compound does indeed exhibit antifungal and antibacterial properties. More recent research has shown CBG can tackle MRSA – perhaps a super antibiotic drug, made with CBD, CBC, CBG and CBN could be used to battle MRSA going forward.

Final thoughts

The medical world needs fresh solutions in the war against bacteria, and cannabinoids have been shown time and again to be effective weapons. Hopefully, as the stigma surrounding cannabis diminishes, experts will embrace the plant.