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.

Please know that at AHS, all of the staff tests the products before they are put on to our shelves to make ensure it works as intended and is safe to consume. Employees are able to give recommendations based on their own experience or the experience of other clients who have also taken the products.

Gummies

Gummies are a tasty way to get your daily dose of CBD! But what are the exact benefits of taking it in this form? Well, let’s use our SoCal Yummy Gummies as an example. They are used for anxiety, stress, depression, mood balance, sleep, etc. With gummies, they have a set dosing, such as 25mg per gummy and 750mg for a whole container, this allows you to have a very exact knowledge of your dosing. Gummies can be taken any time of day when you’re feeling an onset of symptoms. For example, if you had anxiety and you felt the heart palpitations and overwhelming stress, you would be able to take a gummy and feel relief in about 30-45 minutes. Depending on the level of your symptoms/condition, this would determine the gummy that would be recommended and the dosing. You feel the relief of this product for about 4-6 hours, but this can depend on the person.

Tincture

CBD oil, also known as tincture, is another good method to ingest CBD. Tincture can help with many conditions and overall care. This would be taken as follows: you would fill the dropper to your recommended dosing (the droppers we carry have markers that show how much you are taking, a full dropper being 1ML), put said amount under your tongue for 30 seconds, and swallow. The flavors are more limited, though what we have is a minty flavor that is easy on the tastebuds. What makes the oil so special is that it is much stronger than the gummies and stay in your body much longer due to going through your bloodstream (via under the tongue.) We carry bottles that contain 750mg, 1500mg,
2000mg, and 3000mg. The dosing can look like this: 50mg in the morning and 25mg at night, we do morning and night because the oil stays in your body for about 12 hours at a time. So, with taking it both times of the day, you get a full 24-hour coverage. But with this comes higher risk. If clients are taking medications, such as blood pressure or heart medication, we recommend spacing them two hours a part, so they don’t interact. This is an issue because the CBD can raise the dosing of these medications in your body, which can be dangerous. But don’t fret! We have professionals on staff along with a nurse who are able to help dose you safely if you want to give it a try.

Depending on your condition, there is always a product for you! At AHS, we provide free consultations if you have any questions about your condition or if you want recommendations. We provide products for sleep, anxiety, stress, topical pains, internal pain, and more!

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant that has many medicinal properties. It’s known for its healing, soothing and calming capabilities and is effective because we, as humans, have in-built receptors for cannabinoids (as shown in our
“How CBD Works with our Brain Receptors” Blog). That means, when applied topically, it’s able to get to work straight away. What’s nice about topical CBD use is that it can be used for many different treatments, such as facials. How exactly can CBD improve a facial experience, and why should it be used? Let’s take a look at what facials are and how CBD can work with this process to make it even better.

For those who aren’t sure what a facial is, it’s a family of skin care treatments for the face that include: steam, exfoliation, extraction, creams, lotions, facial masks, peel, and a massage. They are generally performed in beauty salons but are also common in spa treatments. They are
used for general skin health as well for specific skin conditions. A facial is a spa therapy and massage that leaves your skin cleaner, softer, younger, and truly transformed. Facials can help clear congested pores, rejuvenate dry skin, and remove dead skin cells. Various studies have
shown that CBD oil and other topical CBD products have anti-inflammatory benefits when applied to skin. This makes CBD a helpful component for acne-prone skin, while its calming benefits help sensitive skin look and feel better. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may be especially useful for reducing potential triggers of eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

CBD oil can also help soothe skin and reduce the appearance of irritation, it also helps the body feel at ease and relaxed by reducing stress and anxiety. While this happens more through the ingestion of CBD, it can also happen topically when being used on the body in this way. In
whatever way you use CBD for your face care, you can’t doubt the fantastic results.

Ultimately, you should give a CBD facial a try! You never truly know how much it can really improve your skin care.

Symptoms may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, cold hands and feet, or a fast heartbeat.  Treatments include iron supplements to help with iron deficiency, vitamin B supplements for low vitamin levels, blood transfusions for blood loss, bone marrow transplants, painkillers, antibiotics, and surgery.

One of the worst types of anemia is sickle cell anemia.  Sickle cell anemia is when the cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells and can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis).  Symptoms of sickle cell anemia include infection, pain, and fatigue. Treatments for sickle cell anemia include medications, blood transfusions, and bone-marrow transplants.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant known for its potential therapeutic effects.  CBD administration suppressed irregular heartbeat caused by ischemia-induced heart arrhythmias (inadequate blood supply in the heart).  Thus, CBD provides the heart with protection. CBD’s benefits for anemia is for the alleviation of the symptoms linked to anemia.

CBD possesses incredible medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, pain relieving, and antipsychotic properties which can be really helpful in reducing the symptoms of anemia. Weakness, stress, headache, low stamina, reduced concentration are some common symptoms of anemia.

CBD oil by acting on the ECS can help in fighting such symptoms. Eidon Minerals Iron Liquid Concentrate and Good Life Blood Pressure Support capsules are a healthy way to help balance the iron levels in the bloodstream.

Our AHS 750mg tincture can be taken sublingually to help alleviate any pain or discomfort you may feel.

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 regarding CBD.

As the market for CBD continues to boom, there is an expansion in different delivery methods our body can heal and process CBD. An often forgotten or “overlooked” (maybe because it deals with some private matters) intake are CBD suppositories. There is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about CBD intake through some of the places “the sun don’t shine”. I mean, we get it, it is easier to talk about the few drops of CBD you swallow in the morning rather than inserting it in some private orifices. But all awkwardness aside, suppositories are one of the most powerful ways we metabolize this plant-based medicine.

Delivery Method

So first let’s talk about why CBD was created in suppository form. Suppository intake provide high bio-availability. Bio-availability is the level of nutrients that are properly absorbed into your blood. High bio-availability means you are reaping the most nutrients from the CBD, aka the most bang for your buck! The mucous membranes within the rectum and vaginal cavity are highly sensitive and porous. This direct contact allows the CBD to quickly hop onto our body’s transportation and distribution pathway and run course throughout the systems. In contrast, taking CBD sublingually, although still very effective, has to pass through the liver where some of the potency is lost. As consumers, often the first question we ask is “How strong is it” or “How many mg’s of CBD”. Along with these questions, it is important to also choose a delivery method that would be most effective.

Suppositories are the second quickest intake (behind vaping). The average consumer will notice relief within 10-15 minutes, with effects lasting between 6-8 hours. This fast absorption through inter-cellular walls allows it to quickly communicate giving an “analgesic” effect to relieve pain and irritation to nearby organs: ovaries, testicles, stomach, colon, and pancreas.

Who should take it?

As women, our journey through life is gifted with many different processes of nature… one of them being menstrual cycles. A natural and beautiful process of shedding, that sometimes, more often than not, leaves us with painful cramps or uterus and pelvic pains. CBD suppositories inserted vaginally are incredibly healing to those who suffer from menstrual pain, pelvic inflammation, bowel inflammation, postpartum pain, endometriosis, or vaginal dryness. Not limited to specifically women, this insertion also aids in relief of hemorrhoids and bowel inflammation when inserted rectally.

Another common ailment showing positive feedback with CBD suppositories are clients undergoing chemotherapy who have difficulty holding down substances due to extreme nausea. Individuals who have suffered from a stroke, or have diseases such as Parkinson’s, ALS, or MS that may have difficulty with the muscular movement of oral intake are great candidates for this delivery route. End of life or palliative care often find suppository as an effective delivery method. Suppositories can also be ideal for clients who have to undergo surgery and are not permitted to eat before or after an operation takes place.

So How do I do it?

The biggest question, how do I do it? To start, suppository should always be refrigerated, is it important they are firm when inserting. For rectal insertion, it is best to lie down sideways, pull knees up to your chest, and use index finger to slide the pointed end in first. After, to avoid slipping out, clench your buttock muscles for a few seconds. Stay laying down for 2-3 minutes. Note, is it  possible to for mild leakage, so it is best to do before bed or when you will be lying down for extended time. Vaginally insertion works similar to tampon insertion.

For further questions, or concerns our staff is more than happy to help you find the best CBD wellness routine for you!

Terpenes

With the cannabis industry suddenly making headlines as an alternative form of healing, a pretty important word is being associated with it all: terpenes.

Terpenes can be referred to as the “essential oils of plants”.  When Cannabinoid (CBD) is combined with terpenes they work synergistically to amplify therapeutic benefits of plant medicine. With modern science and technology pushing the discovery of terpenes and their benefits, the cannabis industry now has flexibility to cater plant-based healing to specific conditions and ailments.

What are terpenes?

On a cannabis plant, there is a shiny, crystallized goo the covers the plant. This is where we derive terpenes from. This glossy terpene coat acts as a defense mechanism for plants. Their aromatic traits work as a natural repellent for the plant, protecting them from hungry critters and animals eyeing their luscious greens. Terpenes are an incredible product of nature as they protect their leafy home space, but can also can provide strong medicinal properties to humans (and dogs for that matter!). It’s safe to say we are aware that certain aromas can cause a physiological reaction , such the zesty smell of lemon may heighten alertness and energy, or a whiff of lavender can bring ease and relaxation. Well, you guessed it, that is terpenes hard at work!

What can they do for humans?

This product of nature has been used for thousands of years in cultures as a form of alternative healing. Although there are over 200 terpenes in the cannabis plant, right now there are a handful dominating the market for their therapeutic benefits.  Myrcene, linalool, pinene, caryophyllene, and limonene, all providing different aromas, effects, and medicinal benefits and can be found in select CBD products as proprietary blends.

Why should I care?

Terpenes play a key role in reaping the best benefits from Cannabinoid medicine. Cannabinoid-terpene interactions have the power to amplify cannabinoid effects, mitigate THC induced anxiety, and differentiate the medicinal effects of your hemp strain. Some terpenes will promote stress-relief and relaxation, whereas others will heighten focus and alertness. That is what gives the industry the ability to provide consumers with varying CBD products from gummies that provide stress-relief, to drinks that encourage focus. Like a well-crafted cocktail, plant medicine has many complexities and ingredients that are

To further discuss which product contains terpenes that would be most beneficial for you, we are here to help!

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