Back in 2020, if someone were to tell us that our lives would be turned upside down because of a flu virus, we’d probably brush it off.
That was four years ago.
With over 103 million confirmed cases and 1.1 million deaths in the US, no one’s looking past just the flu now.
But wait, why are we talking about COVID today? And what does that have to do with Beta-caryophyllene (BCP)? Glad you asked, because we have some interesting news.
Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) might just be a possible intervention option for managing COVID-19 symptoms. That’s right. It’s a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting powers. And we want to review a study that explored how it could help tackle COVID-19 symptoms and open up some exciting treatment possibilities for both viral and inflammation-related symptoms.
COVID-19 Symptoms & Beta-Caryophyllene
So we know that COVID comes with many symptoms—fever, sore throat, dry cough, fatigue, diarrhea, weird rashes on your skin or toes, and even trouble breathing. It’s like your body’s playing host to various unwelcome visitors.
But what happens inside your body when you contract this virus? First, the virus hops into your bloodstream and sets off your immune system and inflammatory reactions. The immune responses become unbalanced, significantly increasing pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels.
The over-production of pro-inflammatory molecules triggers a cytokine storm, which can cause serious trouble like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and affect your organs. Since it’s all largely due to an immune-inflammatory reaction, BCP could potentially decrease inflammation and modulate the immune response.
The Healing Nature of Natural Cannabinoids
Throughout the pandemic, researchers showed interest in natural remedies to manage COVID-19 symptoms because of their distinct properties that can:
● Boost immunity
● Fight the virus
● Reduce inflammation
Researchers have looked into phytochemicals like terpenes, compounds found in essential oil, as potential COVID-19 therapies. Some of these compounds target the endocannabinoid system—your body’s internal control center for dealing with immunity and inflammation.
Selected phytochemicals, like cannabinoids, have the ability to activate CB2R, a receptor that regulates your immunity, pain, and inflammation—you guessed it—all essential to managing COVID-19.
Beta-caryophyllene, a natural terpene, has received a lot of attention for tackling COVID-19 symptoms. What makes it so special? It’s a full functional agonist on CB2R, meaning it offers anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting benefits.
Plus, BCP stands out as the first dietary cannabinoid found naturally in various spice blends and citrus flavors. Its uniqueness lies in its worldwide availability in the plant world, making it super accessible.
Beta-Caryophyllene as a Potential Treatment for Managing COVID-19 Symptoms
Researchers investigated beta-caryophyllene to see if it can help with COVID-19. They believe that BCP might be able to reduce the severity of the infection by decreasing inflammation and boosting the immune system.
BCP seems to have strong anti-inflammatory properties that could help prevent the dangerous inflammation that occurs in severe cases of COVID-19. It might also mitigate the virus’s harmful effects on different organs.
Beta-Caryophyllene & CB2R Activation
Gertsch and his team were the ones who first figured out that beta-caryophyllene activates CB2R, helping ease inflammation and manage the immune system. When BCP gets CB2R going, it dials down inflammation and ramps up immune responses for all sorts of health concerns.
BCP also kicks off PPAR-α action, keeping tabs on how the body deals with fats, and fires up SIRT1, which slows down virus reproduction. That could result in better liver function and less inflammation in the lungs.
In labs, BCP puts the brakes on pro-inflammatory substances and interacts with PPARs, which regulate inflammation and body functions. BCP could help combat severe inflammation in conditions like COVID-19 by reducing cytokine production in the lungs.
Beta Caryophyllene’s Impact on the Immune System
When you have COVID, it activates your immune system’s defense team. It releases chemicals to fight the virus and creates a hostile environment for it.
However, infections like COVID-19 can stir up too much trouble and send your immune system into overdrive. Certain cells, like monocytes, tissue macrophages, and resident dendritic cells, can produce too many inflammatory chemicals. This creates a cytokine storm, which can mess up the lining of our respiratory tract.
It’s where CB2R enters the picture. This special receptor found in different immune cells all over our bodies, like in our liver, spleen, and lungs, helps keep our immune system in check and controls how it reacts to viruses.
Beta-caryophyllene can activate CB2R and help tone down the inflammation caused by viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus and HIV. It can bring balance to our immune system by regulating the production of certain immune chemicals.
Since research around COVID-19 looked for treatments that can ease our immune response, BCP might prove to be effective in this department. It slows down certain enzymes that the virus uses to invade our cells.
Beta Caryophyllene’s Role in Fighting Inflammation
So, how does BCP fight inflammation in our bodies? Cytokines are messengers that regulate inflammation, especially when dealing with viruses like COVID.
Sometimes, though, too many of these cytokines can cause a cytokine storm, which can lead to some serious health issues like respiratory problems and organ failure.
This is where beta-caryophyllene takes over. It fights inflammation by halting the production of proinflammatory cytokines in special immune cells called macrophages. It also disrupts certain signaling pathways that promote inflammation. BCP’s activation of CB2R is the key to its anti-inflammatory power.
Researchers have uncovered different ways BCP tames inflammation in macrophages. It shuts down pathways like Ras-MAPK and JNK and even stops the production of TNF-α, a big player in inflammation.
Moreover, BCP seems to soothe inflammation in different parts of our body, from our heart and liver to our joints.
Beta Caryophyllene’s Potential For Fighting Viruses
Beta-caryophyllene is a potential player in the fight against viruses. It’s traditionally used in herbal medicine for its antiviral properties, particularly against Coxsackie 4, a virus known for causing heart and central nervous system problems.
In lab experiments, BCP has shown significant activity against herpes simplex viruses, including strains that are resistant to standard antiviral medications. It can reduce viral infection by up to 98%, rivaling the effectiveness of well-known antiviral drugs. Its anti-inflammatory effects can also be crucial in combating infections.
COVID-19 is a complex infection that involves multiple pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. Thanks to its dual antiviral and antibacterial effects, BCP is a promising candidate for addressing secondary inflammatory infections in addition to viral ones.
Beta-Caryophyllene – The Trifecta Effect in Managing COVID-19 Symptoms
Beta-caryophyllene seems to be an interesting and promising intervention option to manage COVID symptoms. With its trifecta of reducing inflammation, regulating the immune system, and managing infections, with further studies, BCP may emerge as a promising candidate in the fight against COVID-19.
As research progresses and our understanding of how BCP interacts with the body grows, there’s real hope for effective approaches to COVID-19 symptom management.