hemp – A Healthy Solution

Inflammation and the Body

Lorraine — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 19:52:39 +0000

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a vital part of the immune system’s response to injury and infection. It is the body’s way of signaling the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue, as well as defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria.

Without inflammation as a physiological response, wounds would fester, and infections could become deadly.

However, if the inflammatory process goes on for too long or if the inflammatory response occurs in places where it is not needed, it can become problematic. Chronic inflammation has been linked to certain diseases such as heart disease or stroke, and may also lead to autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. But a healthy diet and lifestyle can help keep inflammation under control.

There are also types of inflammation. You have acute and chronic inflammation.

Acute inflammation

Acute inflammation occurs after a cut on the knee, a sprained ankle or a sore throat. It’s a short-term response with localized effects, meaning it works at the precise place where a problem exists. The telltale signs of acute inflammation include redness, swelling, heat and sometimes pain and loss of function. In the case of acute inflammation, blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases, and white blood cells swarm the injured area to promote healing. During acute inflammation, chemicals known as cytokines are released by the damaged tissue. The cytokines act as “emergency signals” that bring in your body’s immune cells, hormones and nutrients to fix the problem, Walker said.

In addition, hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins create blood clots to heal damaged tissue, and they also trigger pain and fever as part of the healing process. As the body heals, the acute inflammation gradually subsides.

Chronic inflammation

Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation can have long-term and whole-body effects. Chronic inflammation is also called persistent, low-grade inflammation because it produces a steady, low-level of inflammation throughout the body, as judged by a small rise in immune system markers found in blood or tissue. This type of systemic inflammation can contribute to the development of disease. Low levels of inflammation can be triggered by a perceived internal threat, even when there isn’t a disease to fight or an injury to heal, and sometimes this signals the immune system to respond. As a result, white blood cells swarm but have nothing to do and nowhere to go, and they may eventually start attacking internal organs or other healthy tissues and cells.

chronic inflammation has been linked to heart disease and stroke. One theory suggests that when inflammatory cells stay too long in blood vessels, they promote the buildup of plaque. The body perceives this plaque as a foreign substance that doesn’t belong, so it tries to wall off the plaque from the blood flowing inside the arteries, if the plaque becomes unstable and ruptures, it forms a clot that blocks blood flow to the heart or brain, triggering a heart attack or stroke.
Cancer is another disease linked with chronic inflammation. Over time, chronic inflammation can cause DNA damage and lead to some forms of cancer.

Chronic, low-grade inflammation often does not have symptoms, but doctors can test for C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation in the blood. High levels of CRP have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease. CRP levels can also indicate an infection, or a chronic inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

How can we avoid inflammation?

Besides looking for clues in the blood, a person’s diet, lifestyle habits and environmental exposures can contribute to chronic inflammation. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep inflammation in check. People with a family history of health problems, such as heart disease or colon cancer, should talk to their physicians about lifestyle changes that support preventing disease by reducing inflammation.
One of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation comes not from the pharmacy, but from the grocery store.

Nutrition and inflammation?

The principles of an anti-inflammatory diet are healthful ones and the approach is nutritionally sound. An anti-inflammatory diet also means staying away from foods that can promote inflammation. It’s best to minimize the amount of foods you eat that are high in saturated and trans fats, such as red meats, dairy products and foods containing partially hydrogenated oils.

Base your diet on whole, nutrient-dense foods that contain antioxidants and avoid processed products. Antioxidants work by reducing levels of free radicals. These reactive molecules are created as a natural part of your metabolism but can lead to inflammation when they’re not held in check. You’re anti-inflammatory diet should provide a healthy balance of protein, carbs, and fat at each meal. Make sure you also meet your body’s needs for vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.

A healthy anti-inflammatory diet includes:

Fruit: Especially deeply colored berries like grapes and cherries
High-fat fruits: Avocados and olives
Healthy fats: Olive oil coconut oil
Fatty fish: Salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies
Nuts: Almonds, cashews, walnuts and any other raw nut with no salt
Peppers: Bell peppers and chili peppers, jalapeno peppers
Chocolate: Dark chocolate, Raw Cocao
Spices: Turmeric, fenugreek, cinnamon, etc.
Tea: Green tea, rooibos, oolong tea, herbal teas

Foods to avoid:

Sugary beverages: Sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit juices
Refined carbs: White bread, white pasta, etc.
Desserts: Cookies, candy, cake, and ice cream
Processed meat: Hot dogs, bologna, sausages, etc.
Processed snack foods: Crackers, chips, and pretzels
Certain oils: Processed seed and vegetable oils like soybean and corn oil
Trans fats: Foods with partially hydrogenated ingredients
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption

To reduce levels of inflammation, aim for an overall healthy diet. If you’re looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, such as a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils.

In addition to lowering inflammation, a more natural, less processed diet can have noticeable effects on your physical and emotional health. A healthy diet is beneficial not only for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also for improving mood and overall quality of life.

Anxiety, Depression and CBD

Lorraine — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 23:11:33 +0000

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate
levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety disorder occurs when anxiety starts to
severely impact a person’s life. Rather than feeling anxious in response to actual danger, someone with
an anxiety disorder will experience the same symptoms in situations they perceive as dangerous.
Anxieties now revolve around work, money, family life, health, and other crucial issues that
demand a person’s attention without necessarily requiring the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction. The
nervous feeling before an important life event or during a difficult situation is a natural echo of
the original ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction. It can still be essential to survival
Anxiety can come in different forms such as, Generalized anxiety disorder, excessive worry about
anything and everything, including worrying about worrying. Social anxiety disorder, anxiety in
social situations, often rooted in the fear of doing something wrong and being judged by others.
Panic disorder, repeated panic attacks and worry about future panic attacks. Agoraphobia,
anxiety about having a panic attack in certain situations and not being able to escape or to get
help. Specific phobias, intense fear of objects or situations (such as fear of dogs).

What is depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Depression (major depressive
disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think
and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once
enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to
function at work and at home.
Being sad is not the same as having depression. In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often
intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest
(pleasure) are decreased for most of two weeks. Another example, during grief, self-esteem is
usually maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are
common.
Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances. The
disorder also comes in various forms as well. There is Persistent depressive disorder, depression for about
2 weeks and continuous episodes through life, Postpartum depression, “baby blues” when a woman
experiences after birth depression making it difficult to care for their child. Psychotic depression, a person
has depression plus some form of psychosis, such as false beliefs or hearing voices or hallucinating.
Seasonal effective disorder characterized by onset depression during winter months wanting to be left in
hibernation away from the outside world. These are just to name a few.
Signs and symptoms of severe depression are, but not limited to persistent sad, anxious, or
“empty” mood, feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism, irritability, feelings of guilt,
worthlessness, or helplessness, loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities, decreased
energy or fatigue, moving or talking more slowly, feeling restless or having trouble sitting still or
even difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. These are a few symptoms of
an individual dealing with depression.

Treatments for anxiety and depression
There are generally 2 forms of treatments that are given to patients with anxiety and depression disorder.
The first is Psychotherapy, works to replace negative and unproductive thought patterns with more
realistic and useful ones. These treatments focus on taking specific steps to overcome anxiety and
depression.
Then there is medications…
Most triggers of anxiety are due to 5-HT1A agonist: 5-HT1A is a subtype of the serotonin receptor, which
is important because anxiety and depression can sometimes be treated with medications that target the
serotonin system. This is the reasoning behind many drug companies who developed selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Zoloft. SSRIs work by blocking reabsorption of serotonin in the
brain, which increases availability of serotonin in the synaptic space. This helps brain cells transmit more
serotonin signals, which can reduce anxiety and boost mood in certain cases
While these drugs can be effective for many patients, some don’t respond favorably. Certain patients
don’t see much improvement, or they can’t tolerate the side effects. Moreover, tranquilizers like Valium
and Xanax can be highly addictive.

How can CBD help?
Studies have shown cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety
disorder. Brain scans of participants revealed changes in blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to
feelings of anxiety.
Dysfunction of brain receptors can stem from low or high levels of serotonin, as well as from malfunctions
with their receptors. Serotonin has at least 14 different receptors, but CBD specifically binds to 5-HT1A
which has the strongest role in anxiety disorders. The anti-anxiety drug buspirone, which is a popular drug
used for anxiety treatment also binds to this particular receptor, which in return explains the anti-anxiety
effects of CBD on individuals exposed to stressful situations.
CBD can help restore balance to the endocannabinoid system by preventing overstimulation of your CB1
receptors and by boosting your body’s production of endocannabinoids. This equals homeostasis. When
we develop homeostasis within the body we are at a balanced state. This means no stress or worries and
our body can cope with the interference of the outside world as well. Even though chronic stress can
damage neurons and even shrink brains cells, certain areas of the brain are still capable of regeneration.
Throughout our lives we continue to form new neurons, make new connections, and continue to grow
our brains. CBD helps to boost this process. This means that CBD can help to counterbalance the brain
damage caused by chronic stress. When CBD is paired with a helpful anxiety program, you will find
yourself in a better state of living then you thought you could accomplish

Can a change in daily eating habits help me?
Absolutely! Nutrition affects our mood on many levels.
What we eat, especially foods that contain chemical additives and processed foods, affects our gut
environment. When we consider the connection between the brain and the gut, it’s important to know
that 90% of serotonin receptors are located in the gut. When the balance between the good and bad
bacteria is disrupted in the gut, this is when health issues such as anxiety and depression arise.
Based on what we eat daily can encourage our mood. We should be careful about using food as the
only treatment for mood. For example, fast food and fries may taste good and help you cope for
the moment, but it isn’t doing justice for your body as far as health benefits. You may find
yourself feeling fatigue or groggy after a heavy meal or wanting something healthy to change
that feeling. This is because your body wants foods that help increase positive mood levels.
Studies suggests that eating a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding inflammation-producing foods are
protective against depression.

CBD and Terpenes

Kristin — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 22:46:26 +0000

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

hemp – A Healthy Solution

Inflammation and the Body

Anxiety, Depression and CBD

CBD and Terpenes

Terpenes

What are terpenes?

What can they do for humans?

Why should I care?

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

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