Skeptics who assume CBD Oil is just 21st-century snake oil may be surprised to learn that this substance is being studied as a potential treatment for a litany of maladies as diverse as chronic pain, bowel disease, auto-immunity, anxiety, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, insomnia and cancer to name a few. One of the reasons CED is so promising is that it has a unique combination of safety and effectiveness. The National Institutes of Health database lists over 150 studies involving CED as a treatment for conditions as varied as infantile spasms to Parkinson’s disease.
I had been hearing about the benefits of CBD, then I attended a lecture where Lisa spoke and got an understanding of why CBD Oil is so popular. .. and why now? ~Monica Stein
But why does it seem as though CBD Oil suddenly emerged on the scene?
Basically, it was political. Hemp farming and CBD production had historically been suppressed in favor of other crops since before the Reagan Administration but then it exploded after the Farm Bill was signed into law in 2018. Farms that previously grew traditional crops and marijuana are now cultivating hemp crops with very specialized cannabinoid properties.
The hemp plant is complex with well over 100 phytocannabinoids or plant-based chemicals that either interface with human and animal systems or mimic them. The nutrient-rich biomass extracted from the hemp plant works as a potpourri. It’s not just one part of the plant, it’s the “entourage effect” of the many nutrients contained within – vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, fiber, terpenes, amino acids and fatty acids – that is the secret sauce. This nature’s blend is the essence of how CBD works.
Drug Companies Tried Making Synthetic CBD Oil
In fact, drug companies that have tried to make synthetic CBD products have had difficulty finding anything that works as well. Just to be clear, though, while CBD is nature’s drug it is metabolized in the body like a drug. This means there could be potential drug interactions you should be aware of.
The mechanism of the effect of CBD in the body of humans and animals was not discovered until the late 1990s. This new system is called the endocannabinoid system. Its purpose is to regulate “homeostasis” or one’s ability to ‘self regulate’ in the face of all forms of stress. Its use is an easy sell during COVID lockdowns and virus turnarounds.
In good times though, our bodies release naturally occurring endocannabinoids which help us naturally ‘feel good.’ These endocannabinoid molecules bind to cannabinoid receptors in our skin, gut and nervous system and influence our state of mind and being. Then specific enzymes act on these substances and receptors to optimize the effect. As I describe in my book, Outsmart Your Pain, this vast network may in part explain the intricacies of the mind-body connection.
It is also felt that the endocannabinoid system influences the vagus nerve allowing us to shift more easily into rest and digest mode which is so critical for the healing of inflammatory, degenerative and painful conditions.
Studies Reveal Effectiveness of CBD
Studies show that when we are deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids due to imbalanced diets and disrupted lifestyles, we become endocannabinoid deficient. This manifests as all sorts of chronic maladies that wreck our quality of life.
People often resort to taking pharmaceutical drugs to manage symptoms but high-quality CED tinctures and salves can be very helpful and a better natural alternative to restore the balance that the body really needs.
This article was written by Lisa Barr, MD, Medical Director of the Barr Center in Virginia Beach, VA. www.BarrCenter.com 757-578-2260
The article was featured in the Northender magazine in March 2021.
