There is a lot of confusion about CBD and THC. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll go with the basics:
- 1. THC affects our CB1 receptors directly and it comes from the ‘medical marijuana’ plant. It also creates the feeling of ‘being high.’
- 2. CBD affects the CB1 and CB2 receptors, albeit through an indirect method. It eats away at two nasty enzymes that your body makes, and makes in excess when we are not at optimal health (which means about everyone)…these are called FAAH and MAGL. These enzymes eat away at your endocannabinoids (the cannabinoids your body makes). CBD comes from industrial hemp and there are NO PSYCHOACTIVE effects from it.
We support those who believe that industrial hemp should be considered separately from the marijuana plant as although they look alike, they are very different. This makes perfect sense as one plant is grown for the high THC/psychoactive ingredient and the other for the non-psychoactive, incredible heath benefitting CBD. In addition, industrial hemp has so many other uses, such as rope, protein, seeds, etc…
We know that we get benefits from cannabis of all types but what if we could get all the benefits with none of the side effects. I believe that would be of interest to most everyone.
Let’s now take this a step forward. What if we could take those who are addicted to the psychoactive THC cannabis and break them of that addiction while preserving all the health benefits?
A case study by Scott Shannon and Janet Opila-Lehman demonstrated that this is possible. The study, published in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, from December 2015, titled Cannabidiol Oil for Decreasing Addictive Use of Marijuana: A Case Report, is great as it lends light on one of the incredible possibilities of CBD oil to help those addicted to marijuana. Just as a thought: what if it could be used to crack the opiate addiction our nation has that is claiming about 50,000 lives a year? We believe that research is coming!
This particular case study involved a 27 year old with a history of bipolar disorder and a daily addiction to marijuana. The patient was given a dose of CBD decreasing from 24 to 18mg. With the use of the CBD, the patient reported having less anxiety and sleep improved. Most importantly, his dependency on marijuana was eliminated as he stopped using it once he had started the CBD oil.
We know that CBD has a positive effect on the mind and body with virtually no side effects. It allows for better functioning of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. TCH, in comparison, has mostly only an affinity for the CB1 receptors.
CBD is a great option for so many health conditions as it’s not a drug…it’s not meant to ‘treat’ anything and it’s not psychoactive. It’s an ideal way to stimulate a usually dormant part of your neurological system. By doing so, your body operates at a more optimal level and can better balance out systems that are dysfunctional. Many people who suffer from anxiety, depression, and many other mind issues can many times be helped by CBD…and the research shows this. After all, people do not have these conditions due to a lack of a drug. They have the problem due to something wrong in their body. It only makes sense to help the body work at an optimal level as doing so, many times, the body can correct itself. The endocannabinoid System (ECS) is the master homeostatic system of the body. When it works as it should, good things happen. Most everyone can benefit from the use of CBD as most people’s ECS is simply not working as it should (you can read more about this on other locations on our website).
This case study is only one example of the power of CBD. There are many more studies and applications for CBD. It’s not magical but to many it may seem that way. It’s not snake oil but it sure sounds like it is. Consider that CBD may be the best way to help your body activate the ECS to best optimize your health and well-being.
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