There's been a wave of interest in CBD (Cannabidiol) over the last few years. But what is CBD? You've likely seen it mentioned in the news, or on social media websites. There have been many states across the U.S. that have adopted new laws dubbed "Charlotte's Web" laws. CBD has been around for as long as the cannabis plant has...most of us just didn't know it.
A few years ago, CNN ran a special that explained in layman's terms just what CBD (Cannabidiol) is and what its now being used for.
See that CNN Special Here:
Weed: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - A Special Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OP7ZDeucFM
Weed 2: Cannabis Madness - https://youtu.be/YGDT8QkELfo?list=PLCt5xlyTdtR7OleQ74TI8Ht-YZvCIXyua
Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution - https://youtu.be/Idujb84MwPE?list=PLCt5xlyTdtR7OleQ74TI8Ht-YZvCIXyua
The first story in the above CNN Special focused on, was the story of Charlotte Figi who was experiencing 300 epileptic seizures per week. According to this special, Dr. Gupta explains that its the CBD or Cannabidiol that scientists think that modulates electrical and chemical activity to help quiet the excessive activity in the brain that causes seizures.
Next to THC, CBD is one of the most prominent cannabinoids found in cannabis. THC is the psychoactive ingredient that gets you high. What is CBD you ask? It's a natural compound that seemingly has at the minimum the following medical properties:
⦁ Antiemetic - Reduces nausea and vomiting
⦁ Anticonvulsant - Suppresses seizure activity
⦁ Antipsychotic - Combats psychosis disorders
⦁ Anti-Inflammatory - Combats Inflammation (i.e. reduces swelling in the extremities)
⦁ Antioxidant - Combats neurodegenerative disorders
⦁ Anti-tumoral - Combats tumor and cancer cells
⦁ Anxiolytic / Antidepressant - Combats anxiety and depression disorders
Some of the other common things that people have experienced positive benefits by using CBD are among the following: Neuroprotection, bone growth and strength, a reduction in seizures (in some cases a dramatic reduction in the overall numbers of seizures), better blood sugar and aiding in the treatment of diabetes, a reduced risk of clogged arteries, pain relief, a suppression of muscle spasms and so much more.
See the following *infographic to get a visual understanding of the benefits of CBD:
For those with a more scientific mind, feel free to examine this study in the category of neuropsychopharmacology on the effects of CBD on those with a fear of public speaking: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079847/
I hear people ask all the time, just what is CBD? The question has only gotten more popular as the battle for an improved lifestyle has caught fire across the world and even moreso...the desire for a better quality of life. We all face health issues at some point. Being armed with knowledge about a natural compound that can help you make the choices you need to make regarding a course of treatment, a much easier decision.
One of the things we know that is actively being researched right now, is how the cannabis plant can affect veterans with treatment resistant PTSD. Over the last few years, a friend of Cannabis Radio's (link), Dr. Sue Sisley, has been working on a study to measure the safety and efficacy of cannabis for PTSD. She's seeking to understand the impact cannabis has for those with anxiety or depression for combat veterans...the outcome of this study for those affected by treatment resistant PTSD could ultimately be a god send for these vets. It would also reinforce what we know about CBD.
CBD doesn't just come from cannabis or better known as marijuana. Its also derived from the hemp plant. Not all CBD is considered a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance. If you find hemp derived CBD from products online or at your local health store, feel free to explore is as an option for you or your loved ones. We would encourage you to take notes in a diary or log to measure the effects it has on your particular condition or health need. This will help you understand if you are experiencing positive or negative benefits from CBD.
People have also experienced a positive effect when seeking a natural sleep aid. So when I'm asked the question: "What is CBD?", I ask people if they can sleep at night? According to NPR, some 60 million Americans battle insomnia or chronic sleeplessness. An example of a young child with anxiety, PTSD with added insomnia being treated with CBD can be seen here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27768570
You may still question, what is CBD...but my guess is after reviewing this article and some of the links, you might want to do some digging of your own. I would encourage you to do so. I'm no doctor, but we come into contact with people almost daily that have had CBD make such a positive impact on their lives. So when I get asked the question about what it is and can it help...I always ask in return: "What do you have to lose?"
The side effects of the average prescription is astounding. Maybe you've never indulged yourself in this, but maybe it's time you should. Since we were just talking about insomnia, I thought I'd grab the published side effects from one of the most popular drugs on the market for treatment of this sleep disorder: Ambien.
Below is a **list of the side effects as listed by the manufacturer:
Major Side Effects
Less common -
⦁ Clumsiness or unsteadiness
⦁ Confusion
⦁ Depression
Rare -
⦁ Difficulty with breathing
⦁ Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
⦁ Falling
⦁ Fast heartbeat
⦁ Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
⦁ Skin rash
⦁ Swelling of the face
⦁ Trouble sleeping
⦁ Unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability
⦁ Wheezing
Minor Side Effects
More Common -
Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness (this would be the desired effect for someone with insomnia)
Less Common -
⦁ Abdominal or stomach pain
⦁ Abnormal or decreased touch sensation
⦁ Abnormal sensation of movement
⦁ Appetite disorder
⦁ Balance disorder
⦁ Binge eating
⦁ Bladder pain
⦁ Bloody or cloudy urine
⦁ Blurred vision
⦁ Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
⦁ Change in hearing
⦁ Chest discomfort
⦁ Chills
⦁ Confusion about identity, place, and time
⦁ Constipation
⦁ Continuous ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained noise in the ears
⦁ Daytime drowsiness
⦁ Diarrhea
⦁ Difficult, burning, or painful urination
⦁ Difficulty with moving
⦁ Difficulty with swallowing
⦁ Discouragement
⦁ Double vision
⦁ Drugged feeling
⦁ Dry mouth
⦁ Earache
⦁ Eye redness
⦁ False or unusual sense of well-being
⦁ Feeling of unreality
⦁ Feeling sad or empty
⦁ Frequent bowel movements
⦁ Frequent urge to urinate
⦁ Headache
⦁ Hearing loss
⦁ Heartburn
⦁ Hives or welts
⦁ Itching ears
⦁ Joint pain
⦁ Lack of appetite
⦁ Lack of feeling or emotion
⦁ Lack or loss of self-control
⦁ Lack or loss of strength
⦁ Longer or heavier menstrual periods
⦁ Loss of balance
⦁ Loss of interest or pleasure
⦁ Memory problems
⦁ Mood swings
⦁ Muscle aches, cramping, pain, or stiffness
⦁ Nausea
⦁ Nightmares or unusual dreams
⦁ Redness of the skin
⦁ Redness or soreness of the throat
⦁ Sense of detachment from self or body
⦁ Slowing of mental and physical activity
⦁ Sneezing
⦁ Stuffy or runny nose
⦁ Swollen joints
⦁ Tiredness
⦁ Trouble concentrating
⦁ Vision changes
⦁ Vomiting
As you can see, there are many potential side effects that one can get taking (1) small pill per day. This is why I encourage people who ask me that question I get all the time, "what is cbd?", to look for the answer...it could be exactly what you are looking for and even moreso...what you need.
Do the research. You owe it to yourself to understand the benefits. You deserve a life without worrying about potential harmful side effects. I'm not telling you to throw away your prescriptions. I am telling you to do your research and do what is right for you and your body. Make sure you consult a physician before discontinuing and prescribed medication. That is a decision best made with your doctor.
*Infographic provided by https://Cannastick.com
**Provided by Drugs.com: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/ambien-side-effects.html