Study Finds Potential Biomarker for Long Covid; Cannabis Extract Shows Promise for Chronic Back Pain
A recent study by the Hannover Medical School and MedUni Vienna has identified a potential biomarker for long Covid. Researchers led by MedUni Vienna found that elevated levels of the blood protein Pentraxin 3 (PTX-3) were linked to severe Covid-19 and its long-term effects. Meanwhile, a clinical trial involving 820 participants found that a non-psychoactive cannabis extract, VER-01, can relieve chronic lower back pain lasting over three months.
The Covid-19 study, which was placebo-controlled and focused on self-reported pain, found that individuals who experienced severe Covid-19 had higher levels of PTX-3 even months after the infection had subsided, compared to uninfected control persons. This suggests that PTX-3 could be a useful biomarker for predicting the development of long Covid.
In other news, a clinical study has found that the non-psychoactive cannabis extract VER-01 can relieve chronic, persistent lower back pain lasting over three months. The study, conducted by a team from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, found that an acidic environment promotes the formation of 'singlet oxygen', which can cause damage in both living cells and electrical batteries. Researchers cautiously rate the results as positive and a step in the right direction, despite common side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, and nausea.
The identification of PTX-3 as a potential biomarker for long Covid is a significant development in understanding and managing the long-term effects of the virus. Meanwhile, the findings on VER-01 offer hope for those suffering from chronic lower back pain, although further research is needed to fully understand its effects and potential side effects.
