Sean and I are at the 50th anniversary of Woodstock at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (original location) waiting to see John Fogerty (CCR), Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and last but certainly not least, the Tedeschi Trucks band.
So I thought it only appropriate to write about CBD oil this week, a plant-based compound that comes from both hemp and marijuana. But we are only talking about the legal stuff today. Are you disappointed? Did you think I was going to talk about medical marijuana? Maybe next time, so stay tuned.
Back to CBD and all its purported properties such as:
1. Pain relief
2. Anxiety and depression reduction
3. Alleviates Cancer-related symptoms
4. May reduce acne
5. Aid in treating neurological disorders
6. Heart health
CBD is a Phyto cannabinoid that is found in both hemp and marijuana plants, the difference being that the hemp has less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) the psychoactive ingredient that makes you high, while marijuana contains up to 30% THC – big difference.
These compounds react with endocannabinoids that are present in our bodies, at all cell levels, and bind to them to affect many of our functions, within the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
I first heard of CBD oil several years ago from my Aunt Edna, in the UK, who was putting some drops under her tongue, to help with chronic pain. Relief comes from the use of CBD to reduce the inflammation that occurs with chronic pain, at a neurotransmitter level. While most of the pain studies have been on rats, and have conclusively shown reduction of pain responses, there have been human studies, using both CBD and THC in combination to treat multiple sclerosis pain, successfully. In fact, in some countries, Sativex oral spray is approved for use in treating the pain associated with MS and arthritis.
Promising new developments in treating anxiety and depression using CBD is giving hope to those who want to treat these two common mental disorders naturally, rather than relying on pharmaceuticals. Some studies have shown CBD efficacy and safety in treating insomnia and anxiety in children suffering from PTSD. CBD appears to act on brain receptors for serotonin and act as an anti-depressant, in animal studies.
As for cancer -related nausea and vomiting, CBD alone can help reduce these symptoms, while the pain associated with chemotherapy and disease, is most effectively treated with a combination of CBD and THC.
And did you know that CBD oil may help with acne? Apparently, its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum (oil) production may help reduce outbreaks, but this still needs to be tested on humans.
Sativex oral spray has been show to help relieve spasticity not only associated with MS, but also Parkinson’s disease, and may help decrease inflammation associated with Alzheimers’ cognitive decline.
There’s more – CBD oil is also shown in some research to lower high blood pressure, which can reduce stroke, heart attacks, and metabolic syndrome, based on human and animal studies. Researchers think it may have to do with the anxiety reducing properties of CBD oil cited above.
Just because it's natural doesn't mean that there aren't side affects associated with using CBD oil. Some people experience fatigue, change in weight or appetite, or diarrhea. And, of course, you need to watch interactions with any other medications you are taking, so make sure you speak with your doctor before taking this, or any other, supplement.
Cannabis has been around for thousands of years and during that time has been used to treat all types of ailments throughout the world and in many cultures. It has been vilified in the more recent times, with the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act in 1937, making it illegal in the U.S. Up until 1942, cannabis was listed in U.S. Pharmacopeia, a compendium of drug information, until the American Medical Association had it removed.
Now the CBD supplement products are at the forefront of more holistic approaches to health and well-being for many who suffer chronic pain, or may feel anxious or depressed, or are just curious about these plant-based compounds. I hope you found this information valuable to your own personal search. Peace out!
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