MARCH BLOG

CBD OIL

What is CDB?  From personal experience, I have heard and probably was introduced to (home remedy) hemp products as a kid, raised in the desert of Arizona, a couple miles from the Indian reservation.  As an adult I cracked the calcaneous bone in 3 places, truly I wished I had broken my ankle to get rid of the pain.  A vendor gave us samples of CBD products.  3 drops rubbed into the affected area and the pain was gone!  GONE!

Cannabidiol or CBD is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments.  The least processed form of the cannabis plant is hemp.  Hemp contains most of the CBD used medicinally.  Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa, but are very different.  Marijuana farmers have selectively bred plants to contain high levels of THC and other compounds.  Hemp farmers have rarely modified plants used to create CBD oil.

CBD is one of 104 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa.  Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the main psychoactive cannabinoid, causes the sensation of getting “high” that’s often associated with marijuana.  CBD is not psychoactive, unlike THC.  CBD is a very appealing option for those looking for pain relief and other symptoms without experiencing the mind-altering effects of marijuana or certain pharmaceutical drugs.  CBD can be taken orally or applied topically.  CBD from Cannabis is only legal in Medical or recreational states while CBD hemp oil is legal in all 50 states, under the 2014 US Farm Bill.  Products containing the compound are now legal in many American states where marijuana is not.

CBD is growing in momentum in the health and wellness world with scientific studies confirming it may help treat a variety of ailments like chronic pain and anxiety.  With so many different CBD products on the market it’s hard to tell which are full spectrum, which are not and which products are made from CBD cannabis or CBD hemp.

Full spectrum CBD contains a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, protein, chlorophyll, terpenes, flavonoids and fiber.  When referring to CBD in the hemp plant, it’s important to understand that Hemp contains a large number of cannabinoids, but the main compounds are CBD and cannabidiolic acid (CBDa).  The University of Jerusalem’s Hadassah School in 2015 compared full spectrum CBD extract with CBD only.  The study concluded that full spectrum was more effective in fighting pain and inflammation, provided faster and better relief and the effects lasted longer. 

Full spectrum CBD oil contains Vitamins A, C, & E, complex B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine.  An increasing number of people don’t consume beta-carotene, but it is abundant in full spectrum oil.  Crucial minerals contained in this oil include zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.  Full spectrum also contains up to 20 amino acids including the nine essential ones such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, which help promote better heart health and is a good source of protein which helps repair and build tissues.

Pain Relief

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Marijuana has been used to treat pain as far back as 2900 B.C.  The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response.  The body also produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system.  Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters. 

Human studies have found that a combination of CBD and THC is effective in treating pain related to multiple sclerosis and arthritis.  Several countries have approved the combination in regards to pain relief treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders that have a devastating impact on health and well-being.  The World Health Organization indicated that depression is the single largest contributor to disability worldwide.  Anxiety and depression are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs, which can be addictive or cause a number of side effects:  drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and headache. 

CBD oil is promising as a treatment for both depression and anxiety.  CBD oil has even been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with post-traumatic stress disorder.  CBD has also shown promise in antidepressant-like effects in animal studies.  These qualities are linked to CBD’s ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior.

Alleviate Cancer-Related Symptoms

CBD may help reduce cancer related symptoms and side effects to cancer treatment, such as nausea, vomiting and pain.  One study looked at the effects of CBD and THC with patients experiencing cancer-related pain who got no relief from pain medication.  Those treated with the CBD/THC combination experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those who received only the THC extract.  There are also studies of possible anticancer properties in the cannabinoids.  The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found evidence that CBD significantly helped to prevent the spread of cancer.  The researchers also noted that the compound tends to suppress the growth of cancer cells and promote cell destruction.

Neuroprotective Properties

Researchers believe CBD’s ability to act on the endocannabinoid system and brain signaling systems may prove beneficial to those with neurological disorders.  Sativex, CBD and THC oral spray, have proven safe and effective in reducing muscle spasticity in sufferers of multiple sclerosis.

Another study found CBD oil significantly reduced seizure activity in children with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, complex childhood epilepsy disorders.  CBD improved quality of life and sleep quality for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease.  June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription use of Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD oil, for treating these two types of epilepsy.

Heart Health Benefit

Studies indicate that CBD may be a natural and effective treatment for high blood pressure and has linked with benefits for the heart, circulatory system, stroke, heart attacks and metabolic syndrome.  

Other Benefits

• Antipsychotic effects - Studies suggest that CBD may help people with schizophrenia and other mental disorders by reducing psychotic symptoms. 
• Anti-tumor effects - In test-tube and animal studies, CBD has demonstrated anti-tumor effects. In animals, it has been shown to prevent the spread of breast, prostate, brain, colon and lung cancer. 
• Diabetes prevention - In diabetic mice, treatment with CBD reduced the incidence of diabetes by 56% and significantly reduced inflammation.  A paper presented in 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal, suggested that CBD protect against or delay the development of type 1 diabetes.

How to use

Smoking cannabis is not the same as using CBD oil and using CBD oil is not the same as using or smoking whole cannabis.  CBD oil can be used in different ways to relieve various symptoms.

If a doctor prescribes it to treat LGS or DS, it is important to follow their instructions.  CBD-based products come in many forms.  Some can be mixed into foods, drinks, taken with a pipette or dropper, in capsule form, as a spray administered under the tongue or as a cream applied topically. 

Are There Side Effects?

Researchers have found no significant side effects to the central nervous system, vital signs, or mood, even among those using high dosages.  CBD may interact with some medications.  Before using CBD oil, discuss it with your doctor to avoid potentially harmful interactions with other medications.  Though CBD is generally considered safe and well tolerated but may cause reactions in some:

• Diarrhea
• Changes or decreased appetite
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness 
• Trouble sleeping
• Decreased weight

Serious side effects include:

• Signs of liver damage
• Nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• Stomach/abdominal pain
• Yellowing eyes/skin or Jaundice,
• Dark urine

Please keep checking the Complete Health website for a future seminar dates on the benefits of CBD products.

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221.php
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-175441/cannabidiol-cbd-extract-oral/details
• https://www.marijuanabreak.com/full-spectrum-cbd-oil