CBD and Postpartum

Lorraine — Tue, 14 May 2019 15:45:18 +0000

What is postpartum?
When the baby arrives every new parent worry that they don’t really know what they are doing and somehow, inadvertently, they may do something, or not do something, that causes harm
to their baby. Until a baby arrives, you don’t realize how totally vulnerable a little human is and now you are totally responsible for it! This can be scary sometimes, but these worries are totally normal, and everyone gets them occasionally. Approximately 15% of new mothers will experience what is classified as postpartum depression (PPD). Symptoms may occur a few days after delivery or sometimes as late as a year later.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression or Anxiety include but are not limited to:
o Deep Sadness
o Crying Spells
o Hopelessness
o Excessive Worrying
o Intense Irritability or Anger
o Loss of Appetite
o Inability to Sleep, Even When the Baby is sleeping
o Overwhelming Fatigue
o Loss of Interest in Sex
o Lack of Joy in Life
o Feelings of Shame, Guilt or Inadequacy
o Severe Mood Swings
These are just to name a few as other women may experience other symptoms along the same
as these.
In women with postpartum depression, symptoms usually begin within the first four weeks of giving birth, although some women report decreasing mood in the late third trimester of pregnancy. A rapid decrease in some hormones after delivery is thought to be one contributing factors to the development of postpartum depression. But other risk factors include stressors, previous depressive episodes, depression during pregnancy, complications during pregnancy or delivery, and even a family history of mood disorders. Effects of Postpartum depression is associated with reduced mother-infant bonding, as well as increased marital stress and may also be associated with poorer cognitive and social-emotional development later in a child’s life. Further risk factors for developing postpartum depression include age younger than 20 years, low self-esteem or life stressors like low socioeconomic status, a lack of having social support before and after the birth of the baby, and marital problems, including any history of intimate partner violence.

How is postpartum treated?
Antidepressant medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal therapy have been shown to be effective. Antidepressants affect certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. There are lots of antidepressants. Some types work on different brain chemicals than others. Particular care is taken when considering medication given the potential
risks of exposing a baby to the medications through breastfeeding. Although newer antidepressants are designed not to interfere with breastfeeding, there are no guarantees that they will work. It is also a fact that breastfeeding moms have limited choice when it comes to prescription drugs. And, if you have an adverse reaction to one drug, there may not be another option for you on the market.
There are many side effects of anti-depressants not limited to nausea, increased appetite and weight gain, loss of sexual desire and other sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and
decreased orgasm, fatigue and drowsiness, and even insomnia. It is even known to cause addiction to these antidepressants.

How will CBD benefit?
One of the most significant findings of the last decade in this sphere is the fact that cannabinoids are found naturally in human breast milk. Several studies have confirmed that breast milk contains the same cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant and they are crucial for correct human development. Endocannabinoids help teach a newborn baby how to eat by stimulating the process of suckling. If these endocannabinoids didn’t exist, babies wouldn’t know how to eat nor would they have the desire. The result would be malnourishment and possibly death. When it comes to the concern of breastfeeding while using CBD, what we do know is that CBD is a far better choice than THC when battling anxiety and depression. CBD is known to work on serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with depressed moods. It is also worth noting that CBD is regularly prescribed for children with seizures. It offers a nonintoxicating method of combating the problem with no side effects. Many PPD-suffering mothers, and especially those who have high anxiety levels too, have reported that CBD oil helps to make them more mellow and relaxed around their children. The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory traits of this natural treatment are a bonus.

Will a change in nutrition be beneficial?

Postpartum wellness has been misinterpreted as weight loss, but in actuality, a woman’s body needs careful attention for recovery and healing in the form of nourishing foods, rest, and
support. The pursuit of postpartum recovery should not be weight loss but rather, giving the body the optimal nutrition needed to heal from the transformative journey of pregnancy. Nutrition is not about perfection but rather, about treating the body well and giving it the nutrients needed to both promote recovery from pregnancy, support mental health and wellness, and provide the energy needed to sustain milk supply if breastfeeding. Go to meals are important. Keep easy to digest meals in your freezer like soup, bone broth, or casseroles. As a new mom, it’s likely that your time for making meals will be limited, so prep food ahead of time or double a recipe that you’re making that night. Then freeze leftovers in grab-and-go containers for meals later. Whole food snacks like peanut butter and banana or celery and hummus are great to have in the refrigerator for those days you don’t feel like cooking. Keeping your nutrition up to par will not only increase your mood and serotonin levels, but it will keep you and your baby healthy

Nutrition & the Endocannabinoid System

Tyler — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 19:59:22 +0000

The endocannabinoid system regulates numerous physiological processes, including intestinal function, glucose metabolism, and stress response. New research discusses the roles of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors pertaining to diet, digestion, and energy metabolism.

Many chronic metabolic disorders, currently a worldwide pandemic, are rooted in “a mismatch between ancient genes and high caloric diets”. In other words, we are built to eat a healthy balanced diet which in return will help you to reap all the benefits that CBD has to offer. When we don’t eat a healthy balanced diet, processed sugars and fats, and very high calories, CBD cannot properly deliver the many benefits it offers due to the lack of diet.

Today’s over-starched, over-sweetened and over-processed Western diet has become a huge epidemic. Many of the foods we consume contain, processed grains, carbs, sugar, alcohol and lots of high fructose corn syrup. These things seem to satisfy our taste buds, but it doesn’t necessarily satisfy our bodies.

By providing your body with nutrient dense foods and less energy dense foods, not only will you see a change in how you physically feel but you will also see a change on the scale. CBD helps aid in weight loss as well. Nutrient dense foods are foods that are high in nutrients but relatively low in calories. Nutrient–dense foods contain vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats. These foods are avocado, berries, salmon, and lots of vegetables like dark green leafy lettuces and broccoli just to name a few. A healthy balance of omega-3 fatty acids and grain-derived omega-6 fatty acids is fundamental for preventing and managing obesity and metabolic syndrome

When you eat CBD edibles or swallow tinctures, the CBD goes to the stomach and is broken down during the journey . Next, the small intestine absorbs the CBD, and it goes to the liver and is further dispersed throughout the bloodstream. For CBD to be properly digested and absorbed through out the body, it is essential that we feed our bodies with whole healthy foods so not only does the CBD increase its benefits, but you as well will feel physically and even mentally healthier.

We must learn that food is our medicine, by increasing more healing foods, such as ginger, turmeric, dark leafy greens. This aids the body in its healing processes. For example, if you are suffering from inflammation of joints or back pain, you would want to pair your cbd with foods that also provide anti-inflammatory properties. We want to prevent illness rather than having treat illness. A Healthy body starts with a healthy gut.

nutrition – A Healthy Solution

CBD and Postpartum

Nutrition & the Endocannabinoid System