Nature’s Script It’s time for another CBD review again! You have probably heard of the CBD brand I am about to review before. That brand is Nature’s Script. Their name came up a few times during my CBD research and now I have finally got …
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CBD x THE BRAIN
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) among the general population has been growing as the policies towards legislation on the usage of cannabis have become increasingly loose. It has become apparent that the usage of CBD can have neurological implications that may improve quality of life, especially in individuals who may have experienced trauma, whether it is physiological or psychological.
CBD has recently exploded onto the market place, despite the federal government regulations still in place on the usage of cannabis. Recently, athletes have been some of the biggest consumers and advocates for the use of CBD and although the research and literature on usage is relatively new, athletes have sworn by the results of the product.
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
A recent study published in the journal of the American medical association (JAMA) in November of 2015 spoke on the impacts that concussions have on the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a region of the brain that is responsible for memory, specifically long-term, emotions, spatial navigation and regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The study looked to determine through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if concussions caused shrinkage of the total mass of the hippocampus (Singh et al., 2015).
The results published in JAMA indicated that football players with and without a history of concussion showed smaller hippocampal volumes relative to the healthy control. Interestingly, there was an inverse relationship with hippocampal volume and years spent playing football, along with mean reductions in reaction times (Singh et al., 2015). This would indicate that the more years spent playing contact sports, the more likely you are to have cognitive issues associated with hippocampal shrinkage, although more research is needed to confirm this finding (Singh et al., 2015).
An additional study published in translational psychiatry journal wanted to assess the cognitive harm that would take place do to long-term exposure to THC, specifically in the hippocampus and whether or not CBD usage could offer protection and or reversal of shrinkage within this region of the brain (Yucel et al., 2015).
THC x CBD x THE BRAIN
It is believed that this study was among one of the first MRI investigation of prolonged THC and CBD exposure or abstinence on the integrity of the hippocampus. The authors confirmed that hippocampal mass is reduced in long-term THC users, and found that this breakdown can improve following prolonged abstinence. The authors explained that both hippocampal volume and neurochemistry are reduced to the greatest extent in users exposed to THC without CBD. However, current users of cannabis containing CBD, as well as former users, show no structural or neurochemical hippocampal differences compared with healthy controls. These findings would suggest that CBD could be neuro-protective, perhaps through its role in synaptic plasticity and/or neurogenesis (Yucel et al., 2015).
PREVENTIVE HEALTH
It seems that CBD may provide preventative care or potentially restore hippocampal integrity after injury. These findings inform the current debate regarding the legalization and therapeutic application of cannabis. CBD may also have implications in populations such as athletes that experience similar cognitive impairments in the hippocampal region as a result of multiple sub-concussive and full concussive impacts over time (Yucel et al., 2015). Although the research has yet to explore whether or not CBD can be a treatment option for acute concussions, this opens up an interesting avenue for further research in human trials given the safety and efficacy of the CBD.
References:
CANCER x STATS
Cancer has become a major public health concern in the United States and around the globe. It is estimated that one in four deaths in the US are due to cancer. Statistics from 2005 estimated that 1.4 million people were diagnosed with cancer that year and the estimated amount of deaths was just over half a million and the growth rate was projected to increase by 0.3% per year. In general, cancer can be characterized as neoplastic and is due to numerous cellular changes. Although all cancers are different, the common features underlying neoplasia (Tumor growth) is alterations in the cellular membrane. It has become apparent that these changes are caused by environmental factors like poor air quality, smoking tobacco, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, poor work environments, poor diet and radiation exposure, Jemal et al., 2009.
CANCER x CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been recognized as a major non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis that can be ingested or applied topically. Research has shown that cannabis possesses anti-neoplastic properties, meaning that it can inhibit or halt the development of cancerous tumors by initiating cell death, limiting inflammation, cell proliferation, and cell survival. In particular, emerging evidence suggests that cannabinoid receptors expressed by tumor cells may offer a healthier strategy to treat certain cancers, which may also depend on how aggressive it might be. McAllister et al., 2011.
CANCER x THE RESEARCH
Data has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of CBD in pre-clinical models of breast cancer. The results have the potential to lead to the development of revolutionized non-toxic compounds for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis, and the information gained through recent experiments broaden our knowledge of cannabinoid biology as it pertains to cancer progression. Shrivastava et al., 2011.
It has been documented that endo-cannabinoid agents affect multiple signaling pathways and biological processes involved in cancer development. Emerging evidence suggests that agonists of cannabinoid receptors, which share the useful property to differentiate between tumor cells and their unchanged counterparts, could represent a tumor-selective ability to treat cancer in addition to their already exploited use to treat nausea, pain, anorexia and weight loss in cancer patients.
Although further research is needed to confirm recent findings, pre-clinical trials have demonstrated numerous times that cannabis pathways indeed play a role in multiple mechanism associated with cancer and the progression of the disease. Federal legislations have recently enabled the medical industry to take steps towards providing concrete research that will allow people to utilize safe and natural hemp remedies to improve disease and health care outcomes.
New to CBD? check out the related link to the new user guide.
x REFERENCES x
COLUMBIA, Md. (January 8, 2019)—Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI), the leading provider of cannabis testing instruments, and Hocking College announce a collaborative relationship to launch the Hocking College Cannabis Analytic Lab. The partnership will also support a first-of-its-kind Cannabis Lab Technician Associates of Science Degree.
“Fulfilling the Ohio legislative mandate that an Ohio public college or university serve as a testing lab for the new medical cannabis program promotes public safety, and Hocking College is proud to serve in this capacity,” said Dr. Betty Young, President of Hocking College.
The medical cannabis testing laboratory will position Hocking College as an academic leader in analytical safety and potency testing to ensure safe medicinal cannabis for Ohio patients. The laboratory will test for heavy metals, pesticides, mold, fungus, and other potentially harmful contaminants. The teaching lab will provide students the opportunity to learn on state-of-the-art cannabis testing instruments while fulfilling their degree requirements.
“In Ohio and across the country the cannabis market is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2022 creating many new jobs in this highly-regulated industry. Hocking College expects to see significant growth in workforce programs that will support the industry and provide jobs for Ohioans,” said Young.
To help Hocking College initiate this program, SSI awarded a grant as part of its Shimadzu Partnership for Academics, Research, and Quality of Life (SPARQ) program to enable the purchase a wide range of testing equipment.
“Because Shimadzu is such an innovator in cannabis testing instrumentation, having their support will place Hocking College at the forefront of public health, academic training and workforce development in this fast-growing industry, said Jonathan Cachat, Ph.D., Hocking’s Director of Laboratory Science. “With this high-tech, hands-on training, our students will graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in commercial cannabis laboratories.”
“The ongoing growth of the medicinal cannabis industry has created an opportunity for highly skilled scientists who understand how to operate analytical instruments that can determine if the products meet regulatory requirements,” said Bob Clifford, Ph.D., general manager of marketing, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. “With the new laboratory and degree program, Hocking College will train students in instrumental techniques widely used in the medicinal cannabis industry, as they provide analysis of medical cannabis from real-world cultivators.”
For more information about the Hocking College Cannabis Analytic Lab and the Cannabis Lab Technician Associates of Science Degree, visit www.hocking.edu/laboratory-sciences-cannabis.
About Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Inc.
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) is the American subsidiary of Shimadzu Corp., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1875, Shimadzu is a $3 billion multinational corporation with three major divisions: Medical Diagnostics, Aerospace/Industrial and Analytical Instruments. In the United States, SSI has a network of more than 50 locations providing local and regional sales, service and technical support. Visit www.ssi.shimadzu.com for more information.
Original Article by Terpenes and Testing
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Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Arthritis can be characterized in a few different ways depending on which form of arthritis you are talking about. Although all forms of arthritis are typically characterized by inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unique in a sense that it is described as a self-destructive disease. This is due to the fact that autoimmune diseases are characterized by the body’s immune system mistaking healthy tissue for foreign tissues. This ultimately causes the immune system to break down the cartilage lining of your joints, causing painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity due to thickening of the joint membrane from chronic inflammation (nodules). The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can also damage other regions of the body if not controlled.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically begins in the smaller joints and begins to progress itself into the larger joints as the disease progresses and is said to typically have an impact on both sides of the body. Research has also shown that about 40 percent of people who suffer from the disease also experience issues in regions like the skin, bones, kidneys, heart, lungs and nerve tissue. Although there is currently no cure for the disease, new avenues for therapy are constantly being researched and discovered.
Factors that may also increase your risk for RA is your sex, it is said that women are more likely than men to develop RA and that the most common time to see signs and symptoms is between the ages of 40-60. RA, like other autoimmune disorders have a very high prevalence of being passed on to an offspring and should enable that individual to be more proactive against possible instigators of the disease. The three partially preventative factors here are smoking, environmental factors such as, asbestos and world trade center dust exposure (although poorly understood) and obesity. Although these factors cover a broad range of possibilities, some of them posses the ability to improve or be prevented and should be considered if you are at risk for developing RA (Harris et al., 1990 Weissmann et al., 2006).
Psoriatic Arthritis:
Although similar to rheumatoid arthritis in a sense that it is characterized as an autoimmune disease, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) differs due to the fact that it typically occurs in people who have been diagnosed with psoriasis and typically stems from this autoimmune disorder and is considered to be the second most common inflammatory joint disease. However, joint stiffness, pain and inflammation can be present before the typical red scaly skin patches that characterize psoriasis begin to appear. People who develop joint pain associated with psoriasis should consult their physician immediately. Untreated joint pain can lead to long-term disability Veale et al., 2013.
The abnormal immune response typically causes skin cells to rapidly reproduce and triggers the immune system to cause damaging inflammation in your joints, which may ultimately develop into arthritis mutilans if left untreated. Joint damage typically begins to occur early and up to 50% of PsA patients have an 11% annual erosion rate in the first 2 years of disease duration. This progression can develop into arthritis mutilans, which causes damage and deformity to the small bones of the hand causing permanent impairment to the bone and joint structures Veale et al., 2013.
The biggest risk factor for PsA is psoriasis. Although age and environmental factors can play a role like mentioned with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis remains the biggest predictor of developing PsA. Although there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis (like other auto-immune disorders), therapeutic and pharmaceutical options for controlling the disease seem to be the main approach to dealing with the pathology of this disease.
Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is described as the most common form of arthritis, which affects millions of people worldwide (majority 65+) and has been characterized by the breakdown of protective articular cartilage that protects the ends of your bones. This breakdown from chronic overuse and joint misalignment ultimately causes joint swelling, which leads to chronic pain and inflammation that can further damage the bone structure and the synovium (joint membrane/capsule) Samuels et al., 2008,
It has become apparent that mechanical and genetic factors play a major role in determining outlooks on OA and the primary risk factor for OA is age. The process of aging contributes to OA progression in several ways, the primary being structural and material changes of the bone and joint matrix, ultimately causing inflammation that further alters the bone and joint structure causing severe pain, chronic inflammation and bone and joint deformity.
Although treatment for osteoarthritis ranges from physical therapy, to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to joint reconstruction, once the underlying mechanism of OA have taken place the damage will not be reversed. Often time treatment focuses on effectively managing pain with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, natural remedies, diet/exercise and other surgical or therapeutic options.
Where Does Cannabis Come In?
The role of cannabis particularly the constituent cannabidiol (CBD) has been identified to have many therapeutic effects including anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective and anti-tumor effects. This has led to clinical and therapeutic interest amongst the pharmaceutical and osteopathic communities. Studies have identified that oral and topical applications of CBD allow for the accumulation of cannabinoids within the body, which enable indirect interaction with cannabinoid receptors and enable anandamide upregulation (bliss molecule).
Research has explained that CBD plays a role in the modulation of cytokine release, a primary step in the inflammatory-immune response to injury. A study conducted by Hammell et al., 2016 explained that results of a chemical analysis of the spinal cord in mice revealed that dose dependent reductions in pro-inflammatory markers were seen after administering CBD topically over four consecutive days. Additionally, the work conducted by Philpott et al., 2017 explained that administration of CBD blocked osteoarthritic pain and significantly reduced joint inflammation. CBD treatment seems to impede the later development of pain and nerve damage in the osteoarthritic joints. The findings suggest that CBD may be a safe and useful therapeutic treatment of osteoarthritic joints and neuropathic pain associated with chronic inflammation of the joint capsule and bone deterioration.
The potent anti-inflammatory effect of CBD, with inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production observed in experimental arthritis, led investigators to the possibility of CBD effects on autoimmune diseases Mechoulam et al., 2007. Data has suggested that the antiarthritic effect of CBD is due to a combination of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory actions. It has been noted in previous findings that CBD may indeed have additional therapeutic action in psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis due to the effects it has on suppressing over active immune cells. Although further research in human models is needed to prove this, investigators have advocated for the safety and efficacy of CBD for therapeutic applications regarding inflammation, pain and arthritis.
References:
CBD CHARACTERIZED BY COMPOSITION
Full-spectrum cannabis extracts possess a plethora of cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, terpenes and other biological compounds that result in a more predictable dose-dependent response over pure cannabidiol (CBD) isolates. Although CBD isolates (pure 99% CBD) can provide much benefit, the added effects of full spectrum is mainly produced by the synergistic actions of multiple compounds found in full-spectrum CBD, which ultimately causes an increase in bioavailability within the body, which enables consumers to essentially get more bang for their buck.
Today, CBD products on market shelves often do not disclose that this phenomenon between full-spectrum and isolates have been exposed in research models. These models have compared the anti-inflammatory and nociceptive properties of the two and have found higher efficacy in full-spectrum over isolates. In addition, clinical trials examining the impact of CBD on public speaking induced anxiety and stress have demonstrated the dose-response differences from smaller doses of full-spectrum vs. isolated CBD. Full-spectrum CBD is seemingly more impactful, which would indicate that full-spectrum can give an increased potency and added benefit over isolates with similar or even smaller dosages. It is great to start with a small dose and ultimately up the dose until the patient or consumer feels an acceptable level of benefits while avoiding a negative response or none at all (which could be more likely with an isolate). However, due to the varied physiological responses in humans, medical practitioners are often dealt with a wide range of responses to a wide range of doses, yet without adverse effects (Gallily et al., 2015, Zuardi et al., 2017). This would also support previous toxicology reports that have yet to be conclusive on toxic levels of CBD ingestion.
WHAT DOES THE CONSUMER WANT VS. NEED?
It would seem more vigilant for a consumer to purchase full spectrum products over isolates, although the issue still remains that full spectrum CBD products can contain up to 0.3% THC, among other cannabinoids such as THCa, CBG, CBN and CBC, which also contribute to increased potency and bioavailability. This could create an issue if an individual is trying to be conscious of how much CBD they are consuming exactly. However, research has explained that the amount of THC that can potentially be consumed in full spectrum is negligible due to the low percentage (less than 0.3%) and the dose that would be ingested. This could make it much easier for consumers to understand the ability to consume very small doses and receive added benefit of a full spectrum versus an isolated form.
References:
Ruth Gallily R, Yekhtin Z, Hanuš LO. Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of CBD by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in CBD. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Vol.6 No.2, 2015.
Zuardi AW, Rodrigues NP, Silva AL, et al. Inverted U-shaped dose-response curve of the anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol during public speaking in real life. Front Pharmacol2017;
Injuring yourself when doing an activity you love is painful, upsetting, and beyond frustrating. Besides cutting your football match or yoga session short, you now have to go through the process of visiting physicians, doing annoyingly precise exercises, and living life too carefully without your usual vigor. It’s thrilling (sarcasm).
Anyone who enjoys being active can sympathize with this situation; most of us know that sporting injuries are about as fun and inevitable as taxes. What makes matters worse are long periods of recovery mixed with convoluted treatment plans.
This is where CBD comes in, providing a progressive and holistic healing solution derived from the natural compound known as cannabidiol (CBD), an extract from a cannabis plant. It won’t get you high; CBD is derived from hemp with very low levels of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in typical marijuana. Products consisting of CBD in the form of creams, tinctures or sprays effectively help your body to heal from a plethora of accidents, ranging from a tree pose gone wrong to a rib-crunching tackle.
Learn how CBD-based products will get you back on the court, field, or biodegradable mat in no time.
CBD-derived products are being used to treat, cure and prevent injury by a multitude of athletes, from rock climbers to MMA fighters. According to their personal reports, these professional athletes are turning to CBD for its many benefits. These include combatting inflammation, relieving pain, increasing heart health, and decreasing anxiety.
As conventional painkillers have a wonderful track record of having severe side effects and being highly addictive, perhaps it’s time to consider CBD as a new pain relieving substance—one that’s effective, healthy, and completely natural.
Let’s have a look at how CBD works its magic.
Understanding the scientific processes of sports injuries and their respective treatments can be daunting (and boring), but it’s highly beneficial to you as an active person to understand what’s going on. So take a deep breath, and we’ll break it down for you (as easily as the physiology of humans and hemp allows).
A commonality of most injuries is inflammation—that delightful phenomenon when your injured body part swells to twice its size, turns a marvelous hue of maroon, and feels like it’s been sledgehammered.
Inflammation has its reasons for existing, though: it’s your body’s way of reacting to an injury by increasing blood flow to speed up recovery. Although this is necessary, chronic and heavy inflammation can be extremely detrimental. Of course, you’ll want to efficiently, but healthily, regulate and streamline the process. Enter CBD, a compound that works in sync with your own immune system to treat the problem and not the symptom.
In the twilight of the 20th century, scientists discovered the human endocannabinoid system (ECS)—one of the largest neural networks in the human body. It turns out that we naturally produce endocannabinoids, which are molecules similar to ones found in cannabis (called phytocannabinoids).
The primary responsibility of the ECS is maintaining homeostasis—keeping the balance within our mind and body. It does this by sending endocannabinoids to sites of irregularities, where they bind with their cannabinoid receptors to restore internal harmony. Basically, it’s a lock-and-key relationship leading to better health. Unlike with many conventional medications, CBD boosts the ECS to support what our body is already doing.
Let’s use inflammation as an example: so we’re in that dang tree pose, but we lose our balance, try to save ourselves from shame, and twist our knee in the process. Ignoring our pride and yoga practice, we instead take care of the onset of inflammation or swelling. We ingest or apply to our knee a CBD product because our body is now in emergency mode.
The phytocannabinoids of the CBD mimic our endocannabinoids and start binding to our receptors to stimulate the hormones that produce anti-inflammatory agents while inhibiting those that create inflammation. The CBD is putting our body back into a state of natural zen.
Cannabinoid receptors exist in our nerves, skin, organs, and blood vessels (to name but a few locations), which is exciting as CBD products are thus able to treat many areas of our body.
Injured or not, you can incorporate CBD into your daily life as part of your aftercare ritual for general well-being and prevention. It’s not just about getting back on your feet, but improving your quality of daily life!
Whether you’re recovering from a rugby match or a strenuous Pilates workout, you’ll want to use CBD to recuperate. Besides combating inflammation, CBD facilitates recovery in other ways, too…
Cannabinoids are proven to be analgesic (they have long been used in the treatment of chronic pain), thus highly effective in treating sports-related niggles. This is fantastic because it means you can get back out there and put yourself through the same ordeal sooner. Joint pain, be gone!
CBD also has antispasmodic properties. When void of that annoying twitching and cramping, your muscles can recover or grow more effectively.
Muscle restoration happens in your beauty sleep, so maximizing your time in the land of nod is essential. Surprise, surprise, CBD can also help you out in that department (the nocturnal victims of insomnia even use it).
CBD can help you in many departments of life, not just sports recovery. Hell, even a forever-sitting monk could neurochemically benefit from CBD products. Other faculties that CBD can help to heal or regulate include:
In a world where our reality is defined by stress, decisions, and extroverted communication, anxiety and depression exist in abundance. Luckily, CBD has show in clinical trials that it can help with these problems to some degree, leaving you stress-free on the sports field and beyond. CBD does this by binding to our serotonin receptors, leading to the release of cortisol. The result of this is stress relief and mood improvement. CBD also raises levels of anandamide, an endocannabinoid named after the Sanskrit word “ananda” (meaning “bliss”). As you can expect, this also leads to improved brain health and emotional stability.
Heart disease is prevalent among first world citizens, but using CBD will help prevent you from joining the statistics. With the ability to decrease high blood pressure and reduce antioxidative stress, CBD is a welcome treatment for those struggling with cardiac health.
Capable of treating both neuropathy and nausea induced by chemotherapy, CBD is stretching its healing capacities to include cancer patients.
As with anything you consume, it’s important to source your CBD-infused products carefully. The difference between food and CBD is that we can’t cheat this time. Where we’re okay to eat a green, pesticide-rich, three-week-old banana flown in from South America, we cannot have the same mentality towards our CBD.
The efficacy and stability of a CBD product are critical, as they will determine how well your injury will heal. Ingesting low-quality CBD will not only be ineffective in regard to healing, but can also lead to unfortunate side effects including blood pressure drops, lightheadedness, and drowsiness.
Here are two key factors to look out for when buying your CBD product:
Though the term “organic” has become overused, the true meaning still holds. Organic crops, including cannabis, are grown without the use of pesticides. By opting for organic CBD, you avoid the risk of being contaminated by harmful chemicals.
Skip out on CBD that has been extracted via gases such as butane. Instead, invest in a high-quality product preferably made with CO2 extraction or extraction by a top-grade oil.
CBD health and beauty products can make sure that you bring your A game, reduce downtime, and help improve your aftercare rituals. Contact CBD For Life for more information, and share your questions and comments below!
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Chakra Xtracts CBD Review Possibly you have seen Chakra Xtracts on your hunt for CBD products. You might be considering to try some out but need some assurance, maybe a review even. Well, I have your solution. I have tried a variety of Chakra Xtract …
Chakra Xtracts CBD Review (in-depth) [EXCELLENT CBD] Read Full Article »
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Perhaps the most popular knife since the end of World War 2 has been the Swiss Army knife. It’s distinct red color and array of pivoting gadgets makes it as memorable as it is functional.
I remember getting a Swiss Army knife as a child and not knowing what half of the pivoting gadgets were supposed to be used. The scissors made sense, the blades as well. But what was this dull thing? And that twisty thing?
Now that my knowledge of the world has been refined through growing up, I know what they’re for.
Through the same combination of time and education, the cannabis industry has begun to show us the marvels of what terpenes can do as a medicine.1
But have much more to do in nature than improve our health; they are also protecting the plants in which they exist.
Terpenes deter predators. According to Escalera et al., plants, fungi, and even some animals produce sesquiterpenes that are “potent activators of mammalian peripheral chemosensory neurons, causing pain and neurogenic inflammation”.2In other words, the production of terpenes in nature is used to physically hurt mammals that might otherwise want to chew on the plant producing them.
They not only fight off mammals, but they also repel insects. Pinene, for example, is incredibly powerful at keeping insects away, according to a 2010 study in Bioresource Technology.3
In both cases, against mammals and insects, plants are using terpenes to poison their potential predators. Amazingly, terpenes also can warn other plants that the enemy is near, masticating the very plant unselfishly sending out the distress signal.4
Terpenes are diverse. They don’t all hurt and repel. In fact, there are some plants that use terpenes as a way to recruit species for protection. A 2006 report in the Journal of Ecology spoke about the ability of some plants to attract the predators and parasitoids of insects that want to eat them.5 As a result, those plants had lower instances of being attacked by insects. Essentially, the plants are chemically recruiting their own bodyguards.
When we select the cannabis that we want, we always go to our smell. The terpenes that interact with our nostrils are an indication of how that cultivar will work for us. However, that same system that lets us know we found a good batch is the same system that can kill insects, fend off large mammals, and even encourage an army of parasitoids to protect plants.
References
Original Article by Terpenes and Testing
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Sometimes good news really does travel fast—and in the case of cannabidiol (CBD), solid information about its benefits has quickly breached the walls of “pot-friendly” consumers and leapfrogged all the way up to the Oval Office itself. In December, President Trump signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (better known as the Farm Bill), which legalized CBD in all 50 states: great news for CBD advocates and consumers alike. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has publicly stated its recognition of the ways CBD can benefit mental and physical health.
All of this is not new news to CBD fans, who know that the non-mood altering extract of the cannabis sativa plant can positively affect everything from anxiety and inflammation to chronic pain and chronic acne. Whether they’re rolled on, held under the tongue as a tincture, or sprayed to an affected area, reputable CBD products help those suffering from mental and physical maladies feel better.
This health help is never more important than during the winter when the cold weather is responsible for more than just wear and tear on your car. In fact, it can badly debilitate your body and mind as well.
Cold and flu season reaches its peak as cold, dry weather wreaks havoc on people’s immune systems. The dark days and freezing nights can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness, which key right into depressive and anxious tendencies. Luckily, help is at hand for these and a host of other issues.
Often, the first sign of damage from cold weather appears on the skin—which makes sense, as it’s the part of us that’s most exposed to the elements. From basic dry, chapped skin and lips to truly challenging eczema and rosacea, skin conditions never hesitate to make themselves known. The cold weather, overused central heating and biting winds all conspire to dry out our skin and even—somewhat unexpectedly—cause acne flare-ups, by disrupting our natural oil production cycles.
CBD is naturally rich in fatty acids and emollients, like olive or almond oil. Therefore, it acts to soothe and hydrate skin. And don’t forget the skin on your lips: CBD lip balm is a lifesaver when your kisser is too dry and chapped to even discuss such intimacies. Conversely, because it acts as a balancing agent in the subcutaneous glands, where oil is produced, CBD has also demonstrated an ability to reduce flare-ups of acne vulgaris. It’s nature’s balancing act in action.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has to have one of the most-appropriate acronyms in the mental-health world. SAD, which affects about five percent of people in the U.S., usually hits as the days become shorter and darker and the weather begins to bite. Its symptoms largely mirror those of clinical depression and one of the most effective ways to diagnose it is to track depressive episodes: if at least two occurrences strike at the same time of year (and lift similarly, too), you’re most likely looking at SAD rather than your garden variety form of depression.
Scientists believe that lower levels of sunlight in the shorter winter months can cause a reduction in serotonin, the neurotransmitter that affects our mood. In fact, common antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft are also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), because they work with a receptor in our brains known as CB1, to alter serotonin signals. More and more evidence is being collected to support a hypothesis that CBD works to do the same thing.
Over-heated, stuffy rooms filled with people and few open doors and windows; it’s no wonder that sickness is spread that much more easily in winter. Combine this with the drier air that circulates through centrally heated buildings—which causes throats to feel scratchy and rough at the best of times—and it’s no surprise that one of the most common cold-weather complaints is that of a sore throat.
Because of their proven ability to fight pain, as well as cannabidiol’s noted anti-inflammatory properties, CBD products are ideal solutions to viral sore throat complaints. Specifically, oral CBD sprays are a gift to sufferers in these cases, with their targeted ability to reach the affected area directly and with immediate effect.
Sinus infections abound in the colder months due to coming and going out of environments with extremely different temperatures. Not only are people more likely to get sick when the weather is darker and more hostile, but the constant nasal streaming causes its own respiratory irritation and inflammation.
All of these elements can lead to chronic sinus congestion issues, often accompanied by aggressive headaches and flu-like pain and pressure throughout the body. Top-quality oral CBD spray can not only help keep some germs at bay, but it can also help to clear sinus complaints as a whole and open up airways with its anti-inflammatory fighting power.
To a person with a cold, the term “common” can sound so unfair. Surely the pain and general woe a cold causes its victim is much worse than the name might suggest! But common it is; the viral ailment that strikes without warning and spreads like the plague. Sadly, there are no known cures for a cold, although zinc has been shown to lessen the duration for some sufferers.
The common cold is one instance where the old maxim “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely holds true. And in this case, CBD can help: it has been shown to boost the immune system, which aids in fighting off infection. Further, if you acquire the dreaded virus, products like oral CBD sprays can help to target the pain and provide immediate relief.
Finally, while CBD fights the inflammation in your head, sinuses, and throat, THC can help with the pain relief from aching bones and joints—which can be a great help, provided you live in a state where marijuana or medical marijuana is legal and safe to use.
Cold weather definitely has its drawbacks—but think of all the fun we would miss by hiding from it! Snow sports, après-ski, the thrill of just breathing in the crisp, clean, cold air on a perfectly-icy-but-sunny day…no, hibernating away from the weather simply isn’t worth the trade-off.
The good news is now you don’t have to settle for just one or the other. Whether you have a sore throat or just aren’t feeling like yourself, CBD For Life is here for you. We provide premium products that can make your winter just a little warmer! Share your questions, comments, and reviews below and on social media.
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