BUYING CBD ONLINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN 

Last time I wrote about the revolution that has occurred over the past 35-40 years in the science of growing Weed and in particular about the incredible selection of weed strains that can be used to combat pain. The road I went down was pretty much focused on THC heavy strains. THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabinoid that creates a euphoric high or psychoactive effect.

Today I’m talking about buying CBD online. CBD is one of more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids. Many plants contain cannabinoids, but people most commonly link them to cannabis.

Many people today are heralding CBD as a wonder drug and although there are well documented cases of incredible improvements in chronic pain, sleep deprivation and depression, it is important to note that statistically accurate human trials are only now getting underway in earnest.

 

Harvard Health Blog on CBD

That said, the Harvard Health Blog in August of last year states what most medical experts are saying off the record :

According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.

However, there can be some side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue and irritability. CBD can increase the level in your blood of the blood thinner coumadin, and it can raise levels of certain other medications in your blood by the exact same mechanism that grapefruit juice does. A significant safety concern with CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement, not a medication. Health Canada and the FDA (equivalent to Health Canada in the United States) do not yet fully regulate the safety and purity of dietary supplements. So you cannot know for sure that the product you buy has active ingredients at the dose listed on the label. In addition, the product may contain other (unknown) elements. We also don’t know the most effective therapeutic dose of CBD for any particular medical condition.”

Buying CBD online

 

How is buying CBD online promising 

So let’s take a look at how and why buying CBD online has so much promise and how it is an alternate to some of the current pharmaceutical medicines that are often fraught with severe and addictive side effects.  Web MD does a great job of summarizing the how’s and the why’s of CBD’s potential:

The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that receives and translates signals from cannabinoids. It produces some cannabinoids of its own, which are called endocannabinoids. The ECS helps to regulate functions such as sleep, immune-system responses, and pain. When THC enters the body, it produces a “high” feeling by affecting the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors. This activates the brain’s reward system, producing pleasure chemicals such as dopamine. “ 

CBD does not produce a euphoric “high” or psychoactive effect. Instead, it activates or inhibits other compounds in the endocannabinoid system. For example, CBD stops the body from absorbing anandamide, a compound associated with regulating pain. So, increased levels of anandamide in the bloodstream may reduce the amount of pain a person feels. Cannabidiol may also limit inflammation in the brain and nervous system, which may benefit people experiencing pain, insomnia, and certain immune-system responses.”

 

 

The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research further comments on the promise of CBD:

All cannabinoids, including CBD, produce effects in the body by attaching to certain receptors in the brain or immune system. The human body also produces its own cannabinoids. It seems that CBD does not attach directly to receptors. Instead, it directs the body to use more of its own cannabinoids to produce the therapeutic effects associated with CBD.

Research suggests that CBD may provide relief for chronic pain. Sativex is a proprietary medication that combines THC and CBD and may be prescribed for the relief of pain associated with multiple sclerosis. There is also some evidence suggesting that CBD may be a promising support for people with opioid use disorders. The researchers noted that CBD reduced some symptoms associated with substance use disorders including anxiety, mood-related symptoms, pain, and insomnia.”

So the bottom line is that while the absolute science of CBD relative to precise clinical trials is not nailed yet, there is a ton of promise.

 

 

BUYING CBD ONLINE FOR ARTHRITIS

Arthritis hits 1 in 5 Canadians at some point during their life and is one of the most painful and crippling diseases and medications for the often have several negative side effects.

I thought it might be a great learning experience to touch base with the Canadian Arthritis Society and scope out their point of view and guidance relative to CBD and treatment of disease symptoms. Here are some key excerpts from the clinical treatment team at the Canadian Arthritis Society

 

CBD for chronic pain

 

Should I buy CBD online to give it a try?

Without quality clinical studies on CBD and arthritis, doctors have not been able to say who might benefit from CBD, at what dose and in which form, who likely won’t benefit and who should avoid it. Still, there is agreement on several points:

  • CBD is not a substitute for disease-modifying treatment for inflammatory arthritis.
  • Patients who are interested in buying CBD online should first talk to the health care provider who treats their arthritis before trying CBD. Together, they can review what has worked or not worked in the past, whether there are other options to try first, how to do a trial run, what to watch for and when to return for a follow-up visit to evaluate the results. Keep a symptom and dose diary to track effects.
  • Quality CBD products can be expensive, especially when used for prolonged periods. To avoid wasting money, be completely sure that the product is truly having a positive effect on symptoms.

 

How can you consume CBD?

What type of product should I consider when buying CBD Online? CBD-based products can be taken orally, applied to the skin or inhaled. There are pros and cons for each.

    • By mouth: CBD that is swallowed, whether in capsules, food or liquid, is absorbed through the digestive tract. Absorption is slow and dosing is tricky due to the delayed onset of effect (one to two hours), unknown effects of stomach acids, recent meals and other factors.
    • Capsules: They can work for daily use after a safe, effective capsule dose has been established. Experts discourage taking CBD via edibles, like gummies and cookies, because dosing is unreliable, and they are appealing to children but do not come in childproof containers. Like any medicine, edibles should be secured out of sight and reach of children.
    • The Bloodstream: CBD can also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream by holding liquid from a spray or tincture (a liquid dosed by a dropper) under the tongue (sublingual) for 60 to 120 seconds. The taste may not be pleasant. Effects may be felt within 15 to 45 minutes.
    • On the skin: Topical products, like lotions and balms, are applied to the skin over a painful joint. Whether these products deliver CBD below the skin is unknown. Topical products may also include common over-the-counter ingredients such as menthol, capsaicin or camphor, making it difficult to determine if a positive effect is due to the CBD or another ingredient.
    • Inhaled: CBD can be inhaled via a vaporizing, or vape, pen. However, inhalation of vapor oils and chemical byproducts carry unknown risks, particularly for people with inflammatory arthritis. For this reason and because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating vaping in association with widespread hospitalizations and deaths from severe pulmonary disease, vaping is not recommended.

 

Buy CBD online

 

How much CBD to use?

How much CBD should I use? While there are no established clinical guidelines, the medical experts consulted by the Arthritis Foundation recommend the following for adults:

  • Go low and slow. Start with just a few milligrams of CBD in sublingual form twice a day. If relief is inadequate after one week, increase the dose by that same amount. If needed, go up in small increments over several weeks. If you find relief, continue taking that dose twice daily to maintain a stable level of CBD in the blood.
  • If CBD alone doesn’t work and you are in a state where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, talk to your doctor about taking CBD with a very low-dose THC product. Be aware that THC, even at low levels, may get you high, creating cognitive, motor and balance issues. Try THC-containing products at home or at night, so you can sleep off any unwanted effects.
  • After several weeks, if you don’t find relief with CBD alone or with a combination of CBD and very low THC, buying CBD online may not be right for you.
  • If you experience any unwanted side effects when using a CBD product, immediately discontinue use

For more tips advice visit: arthritis.ca

On our next Greenz Blog, I will take a journey down the road of CBD and sports related injuries and performance. Until then take care and be healthy.