Feeding, healing and preventing diseases with Cannabis
The cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), present in cannabis, interact in the human body through cannabinoid receptors naturally present in membranous cells throughout the body. Recently, scientists have determined that the endocannabinoid system must be the largest receptor system in the human body.
There are cannabinoid receptors in the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, immune system, and more. Both the therapeutic and psychoactive properties of marijuana occur when a cannabinoid activates a cannabinoid receptor in the body. In fact, the body produces its own cannabinoids, similar to those found in marijuana, although in smaller amounts than those obtained from the plant.
Since the human body is full of cannabinoid receptors, which are key to many biological functions, cannabis has enormous medical potential. Much medical marijuana is grown with high CBD and low THC content (THC is what provides psychoactive activity, while CBD does not have these effects but rather relaxes).
This doesn't mean that THC isn't medicinal. A number of medical benefits have been discovered, although it needs to be balanced with CBD to lessen the psychoactive effects. There have been studies where THC appears to reverse the aging process and improve mental processes, which increases the possibility of it being useful in treating dementia.
MORE AND MORE STUDIES CONFIRM THE BENEFITS OF CBD
The New England Journal has confirmed that CBD has been able to provide relief for children with Dravet syndrome, a type of encephalopathic epilepsy with a high mortality rate ( 1 ).
With doses increasing over 14 days to 20 mg per kilogram of body weight, twice daily, the results were decisive:
- Children taking CBD experienced a 40% reduction in seizure frequency over a 14-week period.
- During the treatment period, 3 patients had no attacks of any kind.
BOTH CBD AND THC ARE MUCH SAFER THAN COMMON PAINKILLERS
More and more seniors are using marijuana. Use has increased among people between 50-65 years old, to relieve pain and help them sleep better. Considering the consequences of opioid painkillers and sleeping pills, marijuana is a fantastic natural medicine.
According to Dr. Margaret Gedde, pathologist and founder of Gedde Whole health www.geddewholehealth.com, “There is no data to compare the side effects of cannabis against the known toxicities of currently used medications. This includes liver and kidney toxicity, gastrointestinal damage, nerve damage and death.
Cannabidiol is non-toxic and it is virtually impossible to die from marijuana. Also, according to Gedde, it is self-limiting as an excessive dose of THC will cause anxiety, paranoia and nausea. These side effects will disappear as the THC wears off without resulting in permanent damage, but it will make you think twice about taking such a high dose. On the other hand, making the mistake with an opioid (Tramadol, fentanyl and in general, many over-the-counter painkillers) can be fatal.” ( 2 )
Ms. Gedde adds that cannabis products often work where other medicines fail, so it is not only safer, but tends to provide more efficiency. In 2010, the Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR) published a report of 14 studies on the use of marijuana for pain relief that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The report found that marijuana not only controls pain, but does so better than pharmaceutical alternatives.
APPLICATIONS OF MEDICINAL CBD
CBD is polypharmacological, meaning it has an effect on different parts of the body at the same time. This makes it a bit more complicated to study, as it is almost impossible to identify the different interactions it has on each part. However, and although many quality studies are still lacking, many medical cannabis patients find relief with this calming cannabinoid. Here are some cases in which CBD is used:
Cancer, diabetes, Lupus, movement disorders, nicotine addiction, Parkinson's disease, chronic and neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, inflammation, mental disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, osteoporosis, various pediatric conditions, epilepsy, anxiety, schizophrenia and mental disorders.
WHOLE PLANT MEDICINE
According to the online journal Herb ( 3 ), CBD is a medicine in itself, it should be noted that the effects of the compound are amplified when combined with other cannabinoids. The idea behind whole plant medicine is that it has a companion effect.
The companion effect means that the cannabinoids CBD and THC work in synergy to better treat certain symptoms in the body.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
There are two types of CBD products available: “hemp”-derived products and “marijuana”-derived products. The CBD found in both of these forms is the same.
In the live food protocol, hemp seeds are used in many recipes and benefits have been identified in terms of mood, memory, motor control, immune function, reproduction, appetite, sleep, bone development, inflammation and pain.
I encourage you to use hemp seeds in your food preparations, there are also ointments that contain this medicine and CBD oil for the benefits mentioned above.