One of the great dilemmas of medicine is what to do when antibiotics are no longer effective against bacterial infections. The first to emerge was penicillin, in 1928, which saved millions of lives in these almost 100 years. However, microorganisms developed, necessitating the creation of other classes of antibiotics. Still, this led to the emergence of superbugs, capable of resisting virtually all existing drugs. However, according to scientists at the University of Southern Denmark, cannabis may be the key against these superweapons.

Researchers have long sought solutions that enhance the active substances in antibiotics. So, instead of creating a new drug, it would be enough to boost those that already exist. Cannabidiol can be just that extra gas to medicines, being efficient in fighting superbugs.

The research was led by Janne Kudsk Klitgaard, who together with her doctoral student, Claes Søndergaard Wassmann, combined cannabidiol with several antibiotics to analyze the effects. The bacterium to be fought was Staphylococcus aureus, which usually appears in hospital environments and is usually resistant to treatments.

Through the combination of cannabidiol and antibiotic, he showed that the bacterium has a more unstable membrane and could not divide normally. In addition to these effects, the pair managed to show a reduction in the expression of some important genes for bacterial contagion, precisely those that control cell division and autolysis.

Still, both researchers are blunt in stating that superbugs have only emerged through the rampant use of antibiotics. Self-medication is the main problem in this regard, as the medication can become ineffective if taken without medical advice.