CBD, (cannabidiol), a product derived from cannabis or hemp. It is a rapidly expanding industry and as you see it advertised more and more you might be wondering if it is safe, if it is effective and if it’s legal.
We know from archaeological discoveries that people have been using the cannabis plant for medical, possibly religious purposes since at least 500BC (if not earlier). America’s Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, grew hemp on their plantations. Around the mid- 1800’s, various medical preparations of cannabis were appearing in pharmacies as remedies for nausea and vomiting. In the early 1900’s, Mexican immigrants introduced the practice of smoking marijuana, and it became somewhat popular until it was banned at the state level in 1911. By 1933, half of the states outlawed cannabis, and it wasn’t till 1973 that long process of decriminalization began and is ongoing today.
There is cannabis, marijuana, and hemp. These items are not interchangeable. Cannabis is the name of the plant from which marijuana and hemp are derived. It comes in many varieties, marijuana is cultivated to maximize the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which gives it its psychotropic properties. On the other hand, the cannabis plant known as hemp contains virtually no THC but can be very rich in CBD. Until now, hemp has been mainly an industry product used for its fiber. Because of confusion, hemp has been classified along with marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug.
However, all this has changed with the passage of the 2018 Agricultural and Nutritional Act or Farm Bill, industrial hemp is now legalized. This cannabis strain is critical to the CBD industry. This removes hemp and any hemp derivative from the Controlled Substances Act, legally separating it from marijuana and putting its supervision under the Department of Agriculture.
This is a huge victory in providing hemp related products to consumers. S. Michael Lioon, the co-founder of Tru-Gen3, “Patients suffering from illnesses such as inflammation, anxiety, seizures, sleep, and neurological conditions will now be able to legally obtain all-natural product to aid their conditions.”
I will say that patients should read up on current literature and determine if this is something they feel right for their needs. These are still early days and evidence-based research ‘is ongoing.
However, this is what is known at this time.
Recent studies have shown that the effect of CBD on psychosis found that it can be as effective as the antipsychotic Aripiprazole and functions as a Dopamine D2agonist.
CBD has been effectively shown to be used in controlling seizures. It was so effective that the FDA this year approved a purified CBD product called Epidiolex for treatment in severe epilepsy. It was approved on a fast-track basis.
It is shown to be an excellent anti-anxiety treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as panic disorder, general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Standard treatment for these conditions with benzodiazepines come with considerable risks and side effects.
CBD has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to suppress the transcription of many pro-inflammatory genes. It has been shown to be effective for most arthritic conditions.
Lastly, it has shown to have Analgesic effects. CBD seems to mitigate pain by potentiating glycine receptors, glycine being an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord. Studies show that CBD is not only effective but has no tolerance building effects. Unlike many drugs aimed at long term pain management. CBD remains effective over time but without the notable side-effects attributed to pharma drugs.
On a personal note, I have taken this product for the past six months for my arthritic knee and hip and during that period have not had to surrender to NASID’s, like Advil, Aleve, etc.
These are exciting times, as we try to find better and more effective ways to treat patient’s conditions, but can steer away from the dangerous and often addicting properties associated with drugs.
So far, with some limited testing of our own, we have found these products to be safe and extremely effective in treating the before-mentioned conditions. For additional questions or information please contact me at (713) 528-8800 or at [email protected]
We congratulate our current weight loss participants. They have made the decision to feel better, look better and have better energy. Start the new year with the goal of better health, increased energy and ridding your body of the toxins that produce illness. More on that next time.
Dr. Werner