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.

What is long haulers syndrome?

Long hauler syndrome is a condition distinguished by several chronic symptoms after a COVID-19 infection. These long-term symptoms show up after the initial infection, and may last for weeks, months, or even a year. In rare cases, it can last longer than that. This condition has been dubbed “long haulers” by the medical community. There is a mix of cases that are shown to be mild or severe, the severity affecting people differently. Unfortunately, long hauler syndrome is quite common. While the majority of individuals who acquire COVID-19 experience mild symptoms with relief from most of their symptoms in about two weeks, data shows that approximately 1 in 13 adults in the U.S., or roughly 7.5%, will have to deal with long COVID symptoms. Regardless of how healthy or unhealthy someone is, they are susceptible to long haulers, though there are ways to help with managing and recovering from the condition.

Symptoms:

The CDC lists the symptoms of long COVID as:

Tiredness or fatigue, Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”), Headache, Loss of smell or taste, Dizziness on standing, Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations), Chest pain, Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, Cough, Joint or muscle pain, Depression or anxiety, Fever, & Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities.

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.

For Covid prevention, it’s actually recommended to use a product with CBD-A AND CBG-A (we have an additional article going into further detail on the topic). https://www.ahealthysolutionwellness.com/cbda-and-cbga-what-are-they/

Four proteins are known to be altered by COVID. The first protein is called ACE2. ACE2 is actually the primary target of the COVID virus. The virus finds the ACE2 protein floating on the surface of a cell and binds it to it in order to enter the cell. Once inside, the virus begins to replicate itself using the cell’s own genetic machinery.

The second protein affected by COVID is the cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine that is needed during the initial inflammatory reaction by the body following assault by the virus.

A third protein, transmembrane serine protease (TSP), can activate COVID; its level is elevated in long-haulers.

The fourth protein affected in COVID long-haulers is called NRP1. NRP1 plays an important role in COVID infection in humans by assisting the virus’ actions. Blocking the NRP1 interaction with the virus reduces its infectivity. A recent investigation targeted the proteins ACE2, IL-6, TSP, and NRP1 that are known to be damaged or upregulated by COVID. Two different molecules found in the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabivarin (CVN), were investigated for potential use in long-hauler COVID patients. Using many different sophisticated molecular docking and simulation studies, scientists found that CBD and CVN can efficiently bind to these proteins and downregulate them.

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.