As we go about our lives, our body begins to hurt and does not function quite like it used to. In many cases, these conditions can become chronic and affect everyday lives. One of these conditions can be having a herniated disk.

What is a Herniated Disk?
A herniated disk is a condition which is caused by rupture of the disc between the bones of the spine and the soft inner section of the disc (nucleus) protrudes outside through the hard outer ring (annulus). The nerve becomes inflamed and in pain as a result of the nerve being compressed. This can occur when the outer ring of the disc becomes weak or worn and results in the inner portion to herniate. Some of the symptoms patients can experience are the following: Pain in the back, arm, leg, and foot, Recurrent back muscle spasm, Numbness or tingling along thigh, Muscle weakness, Burning in the shoulders, neck or arm.

How common is this condition?
While not overly common, this condition can naturally occur from natural wear and tear over time. On very rare occasions, it can be caused by physical trauma from a blow to the back or falling.

On average, it can be caused from a few different things: Aging that can cause the spinal cord to lose their water content, making them less flexible and more prone to a tear or rupture with strain or twist, lifting heavy objects also makes you prone to wear and tear.

Additional risk factors include: Having excess weight that puts stress on lower back disks, physically tasking jobs that put extra strain on your back, and having a family history of herniated disks can also increase your chances of having this condition.

What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants. Early research is promising regarding the ability of CBD oil to help relieve anxiety. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another type of cannabinoid, CBD doesn’t cause any feelings of intoxication or the “high” you may associate with cannabis. CBD is also known for its ability to relieve stress and anxiety in the brain. Let’s talk about the human body and its many different receptors. CBD is thought to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, respectively. These receptors are part of our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), this system in the brain is responsible for so many of our day-to-day functions. A few of these functions include mood, sleep, appetite, memory, etc. There is still a lot that is being discovered about this system in our bodies. What has been discovered is amazing. We all have this ECS in our systems, even if you haven’t had any form of cannabis in your system. When we are born, this system in our brains is in a form of homeostasis, though over time it can become unbalanced. That’s where CBD can come in to help. The endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor, the effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. The CB1 receptors are located in the brain and throughout the body, while CB2 receptors are found mostly in the immune and gastrointestinal system; although CB2 receptors are also found in the brain, they are not expressed quite as densely as CB1 receptors. We have another blog that goes deeper into this topic.

With CBD’s ability to help reduce pain and inflammation topically in the muscles, it’s usually seen as a really helpful alternative to regular pharmaceutical medications. The most recommended way to use CBD for aches and pains would be in a topical or cream form. When using a topical, it’s recommended to use a formula with CBD and CBG together or with Full Spectrum CBD/CBG. This is because CBG can be used for pain symptoms and to relax the body. When two cannabinoids are used together in a product, they help make each other more effective. Full Spectrum means that the formula has the legal limits of THC (0.3%), it’s not enough to cause any form of a psychoactive but does help with higher levels of pain and relaxing the body.

Regardless of how you would like to go about your treatment plan, we always recommend speaking to a health care specialist if you feel you have any serious/persistent symptoms. Here at AHS, we also have a nurse on staff who can help answer any additional questions. Our team
is trained in CBD and here to help make sure you get the best treatment we can provide.

What is Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves that are outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) are damaged. This condition often causes weakness, numbness, and pain (usually in the hands and feet). It can also affect other areas and body functions, including digestion and urination. The peripheral nervous system sends info from the brain and spinal cord, also known as the central nervous system, to the rest of the body through motor nerves. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system through sensory nerves. Peripheral neuropathy can happen when you go through traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes, and exposure to toxins. One of the most prevalent causes of neuropathy is diabetes. Most patients with this condition have described the pain as a stabbing, burning, or tingling feeling in the hands or feet. Symptoms can improve on their own, usually if the cause of the condition is treated. There are many medical treatments and medicines that can help reduce the pain from neuropathy. About 2.4% of people globally have a form of peripheral neuropathy. Among people 45 and older, that percentage rises to between 5% and 7%.

Symptoms of neuropathy

Tingling, prickling, or numbness in the hands or feet, the sensation that you’re wearing a glove or sock that’s too tight, sharp pain, a weak or heavy feelings in the arms and legs, increased sensitivity to touch, drop in blood pressure, constipation, digestive issues, sexual dysfunction (particularly in men).

CBD & how it can help

CBD comes from the cannabis or hemp plant; this plant being most commonly known for producing THC. The difference is that with how CBD is extracted from the plant, with that it doesn’t have the part of the plant that can cause a psychoactive effect like THC. CBD as a compound is used for medicinal purposes, generally used for insomnia, pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, stress, etc. It is legal in most states in the USA (most states require it to be used medicinally), which helps make sure it’s accessible to most people. The most common types of products that CBD is used in are gummies, creams/lotions, capsules, and tinctures (gummies being the most popular). CBD has been used to manage and reduce pain for centuries. CBD binds CB1 and CB2 neuropeptides and thus helps manage and relieve pain and inflammation.

With CBD’s ability to help reduce pain and inflammation in the skin, it’s usually seen as a really helpful alternative to regular pharmaceutical medications. The most recommended way to use CBD for neuropathy would be in a topical or cream form. When using a topical, it’s recommended to use a formula with CBD and CBG together or with Full Spectrum CBD/CBG. This is because CBG can be used for pain symptoms and to relax the body. When two cannabinoids are used together in a product, they help make each other more effective.

Regardless of how you would like to go about your treatment plan, we always recommend speaking to a health care specialist if you feel you have any serious/persistent symptoms.

When a cannabis plant is in the early stages of its life cycle, it produces cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). As the plant begins to reach maturity, it will begin to break down the CBGA and convert it to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). From there, the acid forms of each compound will convert to the compounds we are familiar with. CBDA converts to CBD and THCA converts to THC. Because of the way the plant coverts CBGA during its lifecycle, it is difficult to extract CBG from hemp in meaningful levels, with most hemp plants having less than 1% CBG at harvest. For comparison, hemp will have CBD concentrations 10% to 16%.However, young cannabis plants tend to be higher in CBG than mature plants, because CBG breaks down into other cannabinoidsas the plant ages.

CBD and CBG are non-psychoactive compounds, meaning they will not produce the “high” feeling associated with THC. Just like CBD, the potential benefits of CBG are vast due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).The ECS refers to receptors found throughout the body, and these receptors help regulate physiological processes such as pain, mood, sleep, digestion, and more.

Cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBG bind to these receptors, interacting with these different areas of human health and bring homeostasis (balance) to the body. Studies have found that CBG can potentially help with glaucoma, depression, insomnia, anxiety, colon cancer, IBS, inflammation, and much more. Some of the benefits of CBG overlap with CBD but when combined they produce an entourage effect.

The entourage effect happens when CBD is ingested with other compounds from the cannabis plant like CBG, rather than in isolation. The theory is that by using the whole hemp plant rather than a singular aspect, there is a boost in the health benefits and overall therapeutic effect of cannabinoids.

The Kurativ 3300mg CBD:CBG Tincture Oil has a ratio of 10:1 and can be taken sublingually along with the Kurativ 1000mg CBD:CBG Gummies with a ratio of 4:1 to help with a plethora of medical conditions.

Always consult your primary care physician before starting a new treatment.

Our team of specialists are always available to provide you with education and assist you with any questions you may have regarding CBD and CBG.