Is CBD For Me?
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Stress and anxiety levels are higher than ever which has lead to me getting asked, on a regular basis, what my thoughts are about my thoughts regarding CBD… Does it work? Is it safe? What else can they take? In today’s blog post I will be addressing some of these questions and getting a little geeky about cannabis!
Wait, there’s an actual system in the body specific to cannabinoids?
Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the human body including the brain, immune cells, connective tissue, organs and glands. The endogenous cannabinoid system was named after the plant, cannabis, which led to its discovery. [1] This system has a strong impact on the immune system and nervous system and therefore is extremely influential in the connection between the mind and the body.
The medicinal use of cannabis has been around and used medicinally for centuries. The first recorded use occurred around 2727 BC, when Emperor Sheng Neng of China used a cannabis-based tea to help with a variety of health ailments that included poor memory, malaria, and gout. [2]
It wasn’t until 1940 that a research team discovered that active compounds could be derived from a cannabis plant that did not have psychotropic effects that were typically associated with the plant. This is where cannabidiol (or CBD) came from.
Can I test positive on a drug test from taking CBD?
In December 2018 CBD became legal on the federal level and has since become all the rage. A majority of CBD products are produced from hemp, but sometimes they are produced from marijuana plants which can result in the product containing THC (the psychotropic compound). Since marijuana is only legal in 10 states and Washington D.C., if you aren’t certain of where a CBD product is sourced from, this can pose a problem, depending on where you live. [3] It can also be problematic for people who are drug-tested for work if they are taking a CBD product that was sourced from a marijuana plant rather than hemp. In addition to the potential presence of THC, the process in which CBD is derived from the cannabis plant results in impurities and inconsistencies of the concentration of actual active compound present. For some professionals, the risk simply isn’t worth it, even if the results are there.
Does CBD work?
Since the legalization of CBD, it has become extremely popular and is said to help with a wide variety of conditions that include chronic pain and inflammation, anxiety, epilepsy, sleep and insomnia, ADHD, arthritis, depression, and fibromyalgia… all by impacting the endogenous cannabinoid system. Some patients report that a significant improvement in sleep, anxiety, or pain when they use CBD, other patients reported no changes at all. Every human body is different and not everyone responds the same way!
Is there something else I could take?
What if I told you there are other ways to affect the cannabinoid system that did not pose a risk for consumption of THC, had a controlled concentration of endocannabinoid compound, and was pure? Well guess what… there are! The essential oil, Copaiba, is derived from the resin of the Copaiba tree found in South America. [4] Where CBD indirectly stimulates the cannabinoid receptors in the body, reliant on a chain of activities occurring, Copaiba actually directly activates the receptors! [5] It can be used topically or ingested, just like CBD, but doesn’t come with the risks of THC or other unnecessary impurities. In addition to this, Copaiba is way more cost effective!
Now, more than ever, we are seeing an increasing number people suffering from anxiety, chronic stress and inflammation. At the same time, we are learning more and more about the implications of long-term use of commonly recommended medications for these conditions. It is imperative that we continue to find more natural solutions to assist our bodies as we address the root cause of these different issues!
If you have been apprehensive to try CBD, found it doesn’t help you, or would simply like to try something that is more regulated and cost-effective, I can’t recommend Copaiba enough. With that being said, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of where the Copaiba essential oil is coming from. Some companies add fillers or other constituents that result in their essential oils being impure and therefore not therapeutic grade. DoTERRA performs extensive third-party testing for adulteration and contamination as well uses sustainable and responsible sourcing and therefore is the only company I will use.
Want to get your hands on some Copaiba?
There are a couple of different options to consider! There is the pure essential oil that can be applied topically or taken orally or there are soft gels that can be ingested, just like any other supplement. Benefits include decrease in anxious feelings, decreased inflammation, decreased pain, improved sleep, improved immunity and improved general well-being. Click the links above to order either of these products online or to simply read more about them.
As with anything in our office, we do not recommend it unless we have taken it ourselves or would give it to a family member! If you have questions or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out or ask at your next appointment.
Resources:
(November 1, 2013) Getting High on the Endocannabinoid System. Retrieved June 15, 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997295/
(March 8, 2019) The History of CBD: A Brief Overview. Retrieved June 18, 2020. https:// medium.com/cbd-origin/the-history-of-cbd-a-brief-overview-68545c05ccc9
(January 13, 2020) Is CBD Legal In Your State? Retrieved June 16, 2020. https://www.cbdoil.org/cbd-laws-by-state/
Retrieved June 16, 2020. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/copaiba-oil
CBD Vs. Copaiba. Retrieved June 15, 2020. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/podcast-episode-19-cbd-vs-copaiba
