Mis-Perceptions About Treating Coronavirus With CBD Oil — Let’s Share To Aware.
Amidst the uncontrollable rise in infected cases and deaths, there was an overnight boom on the number of google searches on ways to prevent and cure Coronavirus.
Guess what?
On the one hand, where virtually no sector is spared, there is just one industry that is thriving. Or, rather, flourishing.
Yup, the Pharmaceutical Industry who views Covid-19 as “once-in-a-lifetime business” has handsome profits flocking in.
No wonder, countless companies turned the tables to their favour by promising treatments, therapies and medicines.
Unfortunately, a substantial number of these treatments and medications are fake, hoax, scams or even unlicensed.
One such claim, making rounds on the media, is that CBD (aka Cannabidiol) can completely cure Coronavirus.
For instance, a viral screenshot tweet by filmmaker and cannabis activist Vivek Agnihotri in February 2020 (where the image counterfeited as a News Broadcast said ‘Breaking News: Weed kills coronavirus’), a message by a CBD Retailer based in Idaho on e-commerce website (taken down after directions by US federal regulators) and a statement by an unlicensed CBD brand in Canada quickly caught the public attention.
We know, by now your mind must be wandering on the CBD’s efficacy to fight Coronavirus, the clinical evidence, and the success rate…
So, let’s get it down without further ado.
The Truth About CBD Coronavirus
Cannabidiol (CBD) has garnered unprecedented popularity in the health and wellness world. It is nick-named as a miraculous plant promising nearly a “cure-all.”
This is because it has soared to become a commonly prescribed remedy for all sorts of disorders and diseases from chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, sleep issues to neurological disorders and cancer.
The plant has to its credit a wealth of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. All this made it easier for people to believe the hoax and fall in the trap.
An official statement made by the World Health Organization claims that: “To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the novel Coronavirus. However, those infected with 2019-nCoV should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to coordinate efforts to develop medicines to treat nCoV with a range of partners”.
There is no research on humans so far than can conclusively establish CBD oil as a potent cannabinoid to cure the devastating virus.
Having said that, experts hold on to the belief that the miraculous healing powers of CBD can address a few of the critical elements felt by individuals after contracting the illness.
For instance, being a painkilling, anti-viral and anti-nausea agent, it can ease the symptoms of inflammation, chronic pain and the spread of bacteria.
It also strengthens the immune system and acts as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting (induced by the Coronavirus). Lastly, it can also curb our rising anxiety and stress levels- as typical in any pandemic.
Summary: Unfortunately, CBD CAN NOT Ward Off Coronavirus in Humans!
Who Is Behind The Misinformation Campaigns And Hoaxes About CBD’s Use To Treat Coronavirus?
There is no denying the fact that often a piece of false information is passed with the best of intentions and not necessarily driven by an evil motivation behind.
In times of rampant chaos, panic, and fear, it is a natural human tendency to prioritize the safety of our loved ones above all else.
Blinded by the love, we unwittingly and unknowingly spread false rumors that end up harming them than doing good.
While this can be a scary nightmare, to say the least, at times conspiracy theories, misleading health campaigns, and bogus knowledge are disseminated under a meticulous, pre-planned agenda. Have you ever given much thought to the actors behind and their vile intentions of doing so?
Not really?
Well, it is always a good idea to learn about them:
1) CBD Companies
In their quest to generate more sales and make the business lucrative, some notorious CBD brands try to exploit the high market demand for coronavirus therapy- with no regard for our health whatsoever.
By playing with the public’s helplessness they make false claims and promises of providing cent-per cent relief from the disease.
2) Media Outlets
You might have studied at some point in your life that media business models are based on attention economics, i.e. the higher the number of visitors and viewers of their content, the higher the revenue.
This compels them to formulate cunning strategies and create mal-information and fake news about coronavirus therapy to attract traffic to their site or channel. Needless to say, this is a brutal violation of the law that must be gravely punished.
3) Partisans
The dirtier the world politics has become, the deeper we have got caught into the mysterious trap of partisans.
They are the anti-state, hostile, political opponents who spread conspiracy theories to blame and portray the failure of those in authority.
In so doing, they attempt to deliberately instill confusion, disruption, and fear in the already panicked public to turn them against the government.
How To Stop The Spread Of Mal-information About CBD And Coronavirus?
Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, we are determinedly combatting a similar tide of false treatments, fake claims, and exaggerated solutions.
This ultimately calls for the government institutions, media outlets and the users to all join hands and act together.
Not only will this strengthen our global human interconnectedness and the responsibilities we have to one another but also help prevail the apt knowledge.
1) Government
Of course, the immediate solution will be bred by none other than those in the highest authority. A smart solution to refute all the falsehood is initiating a nation-wide campaign to circulate public services messages on all platforms.
Moreover, the government can seek to leverage their digital channels by creating and displaying easy-to-understand educational content (in the form of attractive infographics or catchy videos) about the prevention, risks, and treatment of Coronavirus.
The health institutions can also play their role to avoid any further spread of misleading information by sharing a running list of debunked hoaxes and shams.
2) Media Platform
All media sources must equally volunteer to bring people a trusted source of unbiased information and raise awareness. Remember, inaccurate information does more harm than good.
Therefore, news companies must opt for the “Check First and Publish Later” approach. All misleading content must be removed and replaced by authentic news to dispel the waves of rumor.
This can be achieved by running consistent 24/7 slides on all local and national tv channels and including warning messages on the front page of every newspaper.
3) General Public
In times of such a global health crisis, it is our duty to act as responsible citizens by strengthening our global empathy, cooperation, and community building.
Following are a set of incredible Do’s and Don’ts that one can implement to curtail the inadvertent spread of false information:
a) DON’T Believe Everything You Read!
In times of a scary situation, it is human instinct to blindly trust everything we come across and fall in the prey.
Remember, videos and images regardless of how credible they may seem, always have a chance of being edited or digitally manipulated to mislead us.
So, it is in the best of our interest to verify with an authoritative source or a health professional.
b) Do Your Research!
Do you know it hardly takes 20 seconds to do a quick search on Google or any online platform?
Yep!
20 seconds only!
So, (considering it a job that you simply CAN NOT shirk) the next time, you receive any piece of information, make sure to verify it on Google or from fact-checking organizations for any forgery or fabrication before passing it on.
c) Don’t Spread Misinformation About CBD Prevention or Cures!
As bogus cures and tips on CBD’s efficiency to kill Corona spawn on social media, one can smartly debunk them after checking from a trustworthy source.
Even though some cures involving a natural ingredient appear harmless (like drinking hot water, eating garlic, etc. and including the one suggesting the use of CBD), it can still turn out to be dangerously wrong if an adverse reaction is triggered or simply if the ingredient interacts with other medications consumed.
d) Don’t Join The Crowd!
As in the case of any pre-planned conspiracy, the larger the crowd falls victim, the better!
Similarly, to inflame turmoil and tensions from the misinformation campaign, anti-state agents cunningly use the general public who unconsciously become the perpetrators to amplify and legitimize the campaign.
The key is to always act vigilant and stay away from the scams, hoaxes and pseudo information by confirming facts before sharing.
What Are The Reliable Online Sources To Get All The Essential Coronavirus Information?
When it comes to a novel, rapidly-transmitting infection like Corona, with inadequate research been conducted, it is imperative to take the correct course of action for its prevention and cure. Amidst the clouds of uncertainty, better be safe than sorry!
Therefore, to tap into our urgent need for all the up-to-the-minute yet trustworthy information on how to protect ourselves and our families, we have compiled the following list of sites for your reference:
1) The World Health Organization (WHO) Website
Of course, our top recommendation is none other than the WHO that has been at the forefront to educate the masses and fight the spread of the global pandemic.
The site houses a host of prevention tactics, treatment protocols and answers to our frequently asked questions. One of its remarkable addition is a myth busters page to dispel all the misinformation.
2) The Los Angeles County Department Of Public Health (LADPH) Online Resources
On this recently created platform, scientific as well as medical experts come together to offer a global perspective on the COVID-19 virus and educate masses through infographics and videos.
Perhaps, the resource’s most notable feature is offering guidance in three most spoken languages, English, Spanish, and Chinese for schools and workplace leadership.
3) The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Website
With an unwavering mission to protect and inform the public with all the up-to-the-minute news on COVID-19, CDC has dedicated a whole website for the purpose.
The Bottom-Line
The only way to slow down the spread of the rampant infodemic lies in: a) the government to formulate coordinated, effective communication strategies (on local, national and global levels) and, b) for the media and people to act responsibly by investigating a little more into the authenticity of the piece of information before publishing it or forwarding it further.
As the greatest of all Leaders, Abraham Lincoln, beautifully put:
“I am a firm believer in People. IF GIVEN THE TRUTH, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The Great Point is to bring them THE REAL FACTS!”
Just Hang In There…
Because
Together We Will Fight It Off. Together We Will Make It Through. Together We Will Emerge Successfully!