Introduction
This site places a great deal of emphasis on one of the main cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant – CBD. The reason for this emphasis is our belief that CBD does a great deal of good for older individuals that suffer from the debilitating effects of aging. This is particularly true for individuals that have participated in many physical activities or sports. This also applies to individuals looking to lead a more active lifestyle.
Becoming more active will require some emotional and physical pain but it shouldn’t stop you. We believe that CBD and the other beneficial compounds found in cannabis can make the difference between staying sedentary and becoming active again. We will examine the different ways to ingest CBD including CBD gummies, CBD Oil and CBD Vapes. While CBD Gummies are very popular we do not recommend them because of their low bioavailability. For more information on bioavailability please see this post.
Our belief is that CBD is critical to your mobility. Why? Because CBD can reduce the pain and inflammation that results from or leads to a sedentary lifestyle. But you may be wondering why CBD instead of NSAIDs or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs? After all, isn’t reducing pain and inflammation the job of NSAIDs? While NSAIDs are great for the temporary relief of pain, they may be very bad for your long term health. There are numerous studies that indicate the long term ill effects of NSAIDs.
Long Term Effects of NSAIDs
These long term effects include ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract (gut). NSAIDs can raise liver enzymes, retain salt and fluids. They may even raise blood pressure. NSAIDs (with the exception of low-dose aspirin) may also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, even in healthy people. They may cause ulcers of the esophagus (food pipe) and heart failure. NSAIDs may contribute to a reduction in kidney function.
Compare this to the known long term side effects of CBD. Most people tolerate it with little to no side effects. However, there may be mild side effects, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. CBD, even CBD Gummies, can also interact with other medications you’re taking, such as blood thinners.
In general, using NSAIDs occasionally rather than every day, and at the lowest dose possible, reduces your chances of developing serious side effects. Replacing NSAIDs with CBD for long term pain relief seems to be the way to go.
Where Does CBD Come From?
Both the Marijuana Plant and the Hemp Plant come from the same cannabis species. However, they are genetically distinct which leads to differences in chemical makeup. This is the reason that Hemp does not have THC (or less than 1% THC). Users experience a feeling of euphoria or high because of THC. However, all cannabis plants contain some degree of CBD. Over 400 chemical compounds exist in the Cannabis plant species and many of them seem to have therapeutic value.
More On Hemp
Hemp, or industrial hemp (from Old English hænep) is typically found in the northern hemisphere. It is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. It also contains less than .3% THC.
Besides CBD, hemp is grown for and used in more than 25,000 products. These include hemp beverages and fiber reinforced plastics. These plastics are used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction industries. Another use is Oakum, which is a preparation of tarred fiber used to seal gaps. Hemp oil is used as a biodiesel. One of the most common uses of hemp is as a bedding material for animals, particularly horses. Also, papermaking, particleboard and other construction composites come from hemp.
What are cannabinoids?
To date, there are 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Of over 480 different compounds present in the plant, only around 66 are termed cannabinoids.
Ongoing clinical research on cannabidiol included preliminary studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain. To find any of these studies go to NIH.GOV.
The Oil found in hemp seed is rich in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a nutritious unsaturated fatty acid, which is also found in breast milk. In addition to GLA, hemp seed oil is packed with other omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, making it a healthier alternative to many other vegetable oils.
History of Cannabis
- Ancient Use – The bible references cannabis and the Chinese use cannabis as medical herbs.
- Archaeologists found impressions of cannabis while unearthing a Stone Age Taiwanese village
- The Greek word for canvas is “kannabis”. In Latin it is “cannabis”
- In 1619, By way of a royal decree, King James I required every property owner in Jamestown to grow 100 plants of industrial hemp
- The marijuana Stamp Tax Act in 1937 made hemp illegal
- The passage of the 2014 Farm Bill (nickname) made Hemp legal for research and study purposes.
- After 2018 hemp is completely legal but at this point Marajuana is not legal on a Federal Level
Research on Cannabis
Studies began in earnest at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in the early 1960s.
- Israel’s second oldest university, established in 1918
- 5 affiliated teaching hospitals and more than 100 research centers
- As of 2018, 15 Nobel Prize winners have been affiliated with the University.
Since then hundreds if not thousands of studies have been published by the NIH:
- Their motto is “Turning Discovery Into Health” .
- They are our Nation’s Research Facility.
- NIH provides more money to research than any other organization in the world.
- The NIH is a clearing house for research done by other respected and reputable organizations.
- The NIH reviews, summaries and publishes individual studies.
- The doctors, researchers and scientists are some of the top minds in the world.
How Does CBD Work in the Body?
Cannabinoids such as CBD, interact with our bodies thanks to a network of neurons called the endocannabinoid system. It is one of the most important physiologic systems for establishing and maintaining human health. The endocannabinoid system runs throughout our body (and those of all mammals). The brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells all contain Endocannabinoids and their receptors. CBD and other cannabinoids bond with these receptors.
It’s the chemical interactions of those bonds that create a wide series of responses in your body. In other words, human beings seem “hard-wired” for CBD. With its complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all of the body’s organs, the endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between body and mind. The endocannabinoid system runs deep and touches all major systems of the body. By understanding this system, we begin to see a mechanism that could connect brain activity and states of physical health and disease. That’s why CBD can do so many things for us, from altering and regulating moods to stimulating appetites and reducing pain.
See here for more information on the healing and wellness properties of CBD.
Benefits of CBD
The medicinal benefits of CBD seem endless. Some consider CBD to be a wonder drug. Scientists that study it, say it is “poised to revolutionize medicine as we know it”. We believe that CBD is a natural and healthier way to treat ailments. But don’t take our word for it – look up the studies that follow, all published by the National Institute of Health.
The benefits of CBD include reducing:
- Degenerative diseases such as MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
- Childhood epilepsy
- Anxiety Disorders (see the review from Neurotherapeutics)
- Pain (see the paper published by the NIH from The Journal of Clinical Investigation)
- Type 1 Diabetes (see the research posted to Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation)
- Acne (see the study posted to the Journal of Clinical Investigation)
- Inflammation (see the study)
- Cardiovascular Health (see the study)
- Cancer (see the study)
- For More Uses of CBD please visit CBD The Wonder Drug
PS – CBD works on all mammals – Contact US regarding how we can help your cat or dog live a healthier, pain free life.
The Types of CBD Available Now
There are several ways to ingest CBD and related cannabinoids.
Vape Sticks
Vaping CBD can bring Immediate relief from pain, headaches, muscle aches. It has high bioavailability and reasonable cost considering the bioavailability. At this moment in time it is subject to FDA’s changing regulations.
Tinctures and water compatible drops
We recommend tinctures as a daily routine to fight pain and inflammation. It has medium bioavailability and is great for maintenance dosage. We believe it is the best value for your money. While not as popular as edibles such as CBD Gummies, it is what we believe constitutes the best value for baseline health. You should take this everyday to feel your best.
Topicals – Salves, lotions
Topicals such as our Pain Relief Cream are great for pinpointing pain. You can apply these directly to the pain area. Topicals have a high bioavailability. They are a must have for severe arthritis, joint pain, recovery from injury and muscle recovery.
Edibles
Edibles such as CBD Gummies are very popular. This is due in part to the fact that they are easy to consume and taste good. However, the downside to most edibles is a very low bioavailability. This means that you will be spending more money for less results. Also, as of the time of writing this article, edibles such as CBD Gummies are not legal. Accorring to the AAMC – the Association of American Medical Colleges, “Because CBD is FDA-approved as a medication (Epidiolex) it cannot be legally added to food or sold as a dietary supplement — unless the FDA specifically determines that it’s safe to do so, a step it has not taken.”
Finding the Best Brand of CBD
CBD should be part of your daily routine. This is especially true if pain is holding you back from being your best self. However, our research indicates that you should use caution when choosing a brand of CBD. According to the Mayo Clinic, CBD manufacturing can be highly unregulated and that the labels don’t always reflect the correct ingredients. Even the FDA has no idea how to regulate production. The Journal of Cannabis Research states: “The legalization of hemp in the USA has led to tremendous growth in the availability of hemp-derived products, particularly cannabidiol products.” There seems to be a lack of regulatory oversight in the CBD industry. The article went on to say that some CBD products, such as CBD Gummies, have questionable ingredients and quality. And labeling is also a problem (i.e., the contents are not within a ± 10% margin of error).
What We Use and Recommend
After months of research we found a USDA certified lab in Utah. They manufacture a tincture of 100% isolate and a pain relief cream. The cream is a combination of 250 mg of CBD and 250mg of CBG. An independent lab checks their products for purity and consistency. We white label these products under GVL CBD Co. As of the publication date of this article we do not sell or recommend CBD Gummies.
Since finding the right products, we use only CBD for pain relief. Our belief is that avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is beneficial to your health in the long run. The reason is that NSAIDs seem to have more than a fair share of negative side effects such as stomach ulcers for those of us over 65 (for more information please visit the NHS Website) With CBD (according to an article published by the Mayo Clinic), side effects are mild and include drowsiness and dry mouth.
How I Got Here
It seems there is always a back story to everything. Our journey to CBD is no different. CBD has been an integral part of my life for over 15 years. It has done so much to help me, my friends and even my dog live a pain free life. When you reach a certain age, your body seems to start fighting against you. All of a sudden those little aches and pains can become debilitating. We all know that in order to become Fit one must exercise.
Living With Pain?
Living with pain seems to be just a part of getting old. Most of us are willing to “grin and bear it”. However, when my 12 year old dog Nikki started to become more and more feeble, I decided it was time to act. Nikki at first started having trouble bending over to eat and drink. Soon after, small tumors began appearing on her legs and belly. I took Nikki to the Vet and my worst fears were realized – she had cancer. The Vet gave her 6 months to live.
I was ok with the Vet’s assessment but I still wanted Nikki to be as comfortable as possible. I did my research and decided to try giving her CBD. Almost immediately, after starting Nikki’s regime, I noticed that Nikki was able to move more freely and seemed to be in much less pain. The CBD was working! Niiki’s tumors began to disappear and she wanted to play again. My research suggested that if CBD worked for Nikki, it would work for me. I started using CBD and I began to notice a decrease in my pain level.
The bottom line is that Nikki lived for another 5 and a half years. I am in less pain now, then I have been in a long time. A lot of us are using CBD to live pain free. I try to steer people away from edibles such as CBD gummies to products with better bioavailability such as tinctures or vapes.
Conclusions
With everything that CBD can do for you, it is no wonder that it is rapidly becoming a “go to” for pain relief. Many people consume CBD, even CBD Gummies, on a daily basis and so far the side effects seem negligible.
Please use the link below to contact us and let us know how we can help you on your way to being more mobile and living pain free.