This just in: research CBD kills bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea, meningitis, and legionnaires disease.
Yes, that’s big!
But first, a little background to give you some context.
Gram-Positive vs. Gram-negative Bacteria
Bacteria can be classified into two broad categories:
- gram-negative bacteria
- gram-positive bacteria
These categories are based on the bacteria’s cell wall composition and reaction to something call the Gram stain test.
Gram-positive bacteria have cell walls made up mostly of a substance called peptidoglycan. This forms a protective layer for the cell. Gram-negative bacteria have cell walls with only a thin layer of peptidoglycan, but a more complex outer membrane with a lipopolysaccharide component not found in gram-positive bacteria. This outer membrane is hidden by a slime layer that hides the antigens present in the cell.
Many scientists believe gram-negative bacteria to be far more dangerous than gram-positive bacteria. This is mainly due to its complex outer membrance which makes them much harder to kill – even with antibiotics.
And this resistance is a major issue.
While we know from previous research that CBD is effective against gram-positive bacteria, we knew less about gram-negative.
That is, until now.
CBD Kills Bacteria, Research Proves
A new study done by The University of Queensland and Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited could lead to the first new class of antibiotics for resistant bacteria in 60 years.
Thanks to this research, we now know that CBD can penetrate and kill several highly resistant gram-negative bacteria, including those responsible for gonorrhea, MRSA, legionnaires disease, and meningitis.
The researchers note, “In this study we have discovered that CBD and other cannabinoids have selective activity against a subset of Gram-negative bacteria that includes the CDC urgent priority and World Health Organisation (WHO) high priority drug-resistant pathogen N. gonorrhoeae. This bacteria causes infections that are increasingly unresponsive to existing antibiotics. We also describe a much more extensive spectrum of Gram-positive activity than previously reported, including against the WHO high priority pathogens vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and MRSA, and a large set of clinical isolates.”
What’s even more important is that the study found that “CBD does not lead to resistance after repeated exposure.”
We can’t help but be impressed by the continuing knowledge we’re gaining about the benefits of CBD. This is yet amazing study that builds on an existing body of research, and opens even more avenues for exploration in the future.