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What is Arthritis? 

Affecting over 50 million people a year, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The two most common types include: 

• Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic progressive disease that causes major inflammation in joints leading to immobility, painful deformity, and swollen, stiff joints in the feet, wrists, fingers, and ankles. 
• Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that causes pain and stiffness in joint cartilage and bones affecting mostly the hip, knees, and thumb joints. 

Most people ages 25-45 suffer from the symptoms of swelling and intense pain brought on by the inflammation. 

What causes Arthritis?

In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system attacks normal tissue while invading pathogen caused inflammation. This inflammation damages the lining of the joints, spreads to the cartilage and bone, and gradually causes immobility and deformity through its destruction. 

Factors such as smoking, obesity, environmental exposures, age, and family history may all increase someone’s risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time due to deteriorating cartilage. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age. Other contributing factors include obesity, joint injuries, and physically demanding occupations. 

How does CBD & THC help?

Recent studies have shown that the entourage effect of CBD & THC can help relieve the symptoms of chronic pain brought on by arthritis. Results showed that CBD oil treatment effectively slowed down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and created significant improvements in pain and inflammation for osteoarthritis patients. 

As we know, both CBD and THC are pain-relieving agents; the medicinal use of cannabis is shown to fight inflammation in nerves and joints by activating the pathways of CB2 receptors. There are also immune-boosting functions of CB2 that are activated by the proper use of CBD, which enables it to help autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and also allows it to moderate the intoxicating effects of THC during the entourage effect (the effect chemicals can have on the human body only through combination). 

While more research must be done, findings so far have been encouraging. Let us know your thoughts and check back to learn more about other ways CBD can benefit you. 

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April marks Parkinson’s awareness month. How does this relate to medicinal cannabis? 

Recent studies have shown the positive effects of cannabinoidsand various blends of terpenes that inproper ratios can have positive effects on Parkinson’s patients by providing significant relief from the disease’s most debilitating symptoms.  

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the dopamine producing neurons in the brain, progressively, causing dopamine levels to drop and seizing overall production of dopamine. Common symptoms include tremors as well as shaking of limbs and hands, rigid muscles, sleep issues, muscle spasms, balance loss, cognitive function problems, and dementia or memory loss. A patient suffering from these symptoms must cope with impairment of motor control.

The endocannabinoid system is essentially a large cell receptor system in the body, and the use of cannabinoids engages this system. As we know, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for the regulation of almost everything including mobility, the immune system, sleep, memory, and appetite. The cannabinoids have neuro-protectant, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for managing Parkinson’s disease. When activated, the endocannabinoid system has a neuroprotective effect that attempts to mitigate neural damage that Parkinson’s disease brings on.

Let’s get specific.

There are exactregions of the brain the cannabinoids are connected to that aid in the relief of symptoms. The primary region of the brain affected by Parkinson’s, the basal ganglia, has a high concentration of CB1 receptors that can be activated by and binds with THC, most abundantly found in cannabis. If used on its own, THC can actually worsen motor symptoms, which is where the entourage effect comes into play.

Both THC and CBD are needed in a ratio in order for CBD creams to work effectively. The interactive relationship between the two cannabis compounds is often referred to as “the entourage effect,” which describes the effect chemicals can have on the human body only through combination.

While THC and CBD alone can help relieve specific symptoms of stress or nausea, when combined and blended with other cannabinoids, Premium CBD can reduce the hallucinatory effects of THC and can strengthen each other’s effects. Therefore, when multiple components of cannabis interact together, it’s able to generate a much stronger influence on health and become more medically beneficial.

The benefits medicinal cannabis provide for Parkinson’s patients include:

• Arthritis relief
• Anti-inflammatory agents
• Anti-psychotic effects
• Relief from neuropathic pain symptoms – pain caused by damaged nerves
• Sleep aid

CBD has also been shown to have neuroprotective and anti-psychotic impacts on Parkinson’s disease patients, enabling them to experience improvements in movement impairments and sleep disturbances. Overall, it appears the entourage effect of CBD and THC have a promising future in aiding those suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

“CBD (Cannabidiol) is a compound found in the cannabis plant that is devoid of psychoactive activity, with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and chemopreventive activities” (National Cancer Institute).

There are hundreds of natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, most commonly known is the infamous “high” inducing compound THC. Since Dr. Mechoulam’s discovery of CBD and THC over 50 years ago, CBD has gained the spotlight as evidence of its medical benefits continue to grow. Not only can CBD actually counteract the psychoactive effects of THC, but it is a key player in resolving issues related to chronic pain, skin care, cognitive function, and anxiety when dosed responsibly.

Curious about how CBD works? It all relates to our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This natural-occuring biological network regulates numerous physiological processes including our stress response, intestinal functions, and glucose metabolism.

Still curious about the science behind CBD, check out our endocannabinoid blog for more information.

Here are some noteworthy benefits* of CBD….

Promotes Healthy Cognitive Function: CBD assists with memory, headaches, brain fog, focus, and learning. 

Promotes Healthy Joint Function: CBD helps decrease chronic joint pain and suppress muscle spasms, allowing for easier mobility. 

Promotes Overall Well-being: CBD is non-psychoactive, yet users experience an overall sense of well-being, calm and relaxation.

Helps Reduce Nausea and Vomiting: CBD activates a neurotransmitter that decreases the sensation of nausea.

Combats Anxiety and Depression: CBD binds to serotonin receptors to elicit an anti-anxiety effect. 

Improves Skin Complexion: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to protect against free radicals and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

CBD oil and the entourage effect of THC is paving its way through history as more health benefits are discovered with each new study; whether you’re looking to clear up a skin disease or are suffering from chronic pain, CBD can help. However in order to allow CBD to mold into the major health benefactor its capable of becoming, we must end the stigma against cannabis.

We believe “Everyone Deserves the Medicine They Need” therefore, our mission is to educate others about the responsible use and medicinal benefits of cannabis.