Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Cannabis VS Hemp: CBD as an Option for Health


 
By Victoria Bowmann, PhD
One little known or discussed fact is that all mammals—your puppies, kitties, horses, and all humans—have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is the largest self-regulating system in your body and you have receptor sites for cannabidiol (CBD). There are two areas of these receptor sites: the first is in the brain, spinal column and the central nervous system, the second is in the gut, the visceral and your internal organs.
Cannabidiol occurs naturally in marijuana, however it also occurs in large quantities in hemp. Interesting to say, marijuana in high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the substance responsible for the recreational use, and lower in CBD. The opposite is true of hemp, as it is high in CBD and considerably lower in THC. In fact, most people don't notice any "recreational" effect from the small amount of THC in hemp products.
In 1937 hemp became illegal to use in the US. While the reasons were financial, this was a great loss to supporting the ECS of people and animals. This has changed in resent years and there are quality products cleared by the FDA and the DEA.
Since it is my opinion that most people are deficient in CBD. We can all benefit from taking some form of hemp in our diet. The benefits are many, some of which are: neuroprotective for things like seizures and convulsions as well as neurological decline similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, promotes bone growth, reduces pain, inflammation, vomiting, nausea, anxiety, and muscle spasms.
It is important when selecting a product that it be very clean, preferably organic and that the final production of the product holds to very strict standards. During the growing of hemp it cleans the soil, so the plant actually uptakes the toxins from the soil into its leaves, stems, buds and seeds. I have researched numerous products and know that some are safer and more effective than others.
Please know that many health concerns can be made less intense and complicated when hemp products are added to the diet, whether by using a salve and having it absorbed thru the skin, swishing the product in the mouth so that it is absorbed in the mucosal tissues of the mouth, swallowing a nutritional pill or taking it into the lungs as a vapor.  I'd be happy to share some studies and further information, just email me: vbowmann@gmail.com