WILL CBD LIVE UP TO ITS PROMISE?

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As we have written in this blog on many occasions, CBD has the promise to help with a variety of ailments and conditions. So many, in fact, that one can certainly question if it is able to come through on it promise.

THE LIST OF AILMENTS AND CONDITIONS IS LENGTHY

Let’s look at some of the ailments and conditions CBD can help reduce or alleviate. Keep in mind, this list includes some ailments and conditions that are just in the preliminary stages of testing and we can’t say yet how effective CBD is going to be as a treatment for them.

WHERE TO START? PAIN RELIEF, INSOMNIA, ANXIETY, AND EPILEPSY

We’ll start with the big three, the ones that have the most research behind them. Pain relief, along with inflammation reduction, help with insomnia and anxiety have a great deal of research to indicate the effectiveness of CBD. We must add in Epilepsy as one with a great deal of research and one that CBD has shown to be effective in controlling.

THE OTHERS

Here is a list that is in no way exhaustive. Parkinson’s Disease, Cancer, Dementia, Opioid addiction, Nicotine addiction, Psychosis, Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Acne, Psoriasis, Depression, Pet anxiety and pain control, and Heart health.

Although the initial results are extremely promising, we will have to wait for further research and study to make any conclusions on the effectiveness of CBD as a treatment.

It is my opinion that CBD will live up to its promise, in fact, I believe we will, in the next few years, be amazed at what it can do in helping us become more healthy and happy because of the health benefits of CBD.  

DOES CBD HELP GROW HAIR?

Men have been searching for a hair restoration product for centuries. To date, there has been no such product to help men keep or regrow their hair.

I have stayed away from such topics as hair growth as they tend to wander off into snake oil sales. Yet, I have heard many claims that the use of CBD can help in maintaining healthy hair and scalp, which, I suppose could result in keeping your hair longer and perhaps even restoring lost hair.

NO RESEARCH TO BACK UP CLAIMS

Though there is no scientific research to back up the claims made about CBD hair restoration. Most all claims are made by people who have a vested interest in our buying into their notion that their product can grow hair.

ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF CBD EFFECTIVENESS IN HEALTHY HAIR

An article found on the MedMen web site quotes Keith R. Durante, MD, FACS and hair restoration specialist at the Ash Center. He stated, “I can’t say it’s documented in a double-blind study, or anywhere that I would analyze critically and say the statistics have merit.” He did go on to indicate that he could confirm widely held beliefs that CBD is going to be highly sought after for hair loss.

 DOCTOR DURANTE EXPLAINS WHY CBD CAN BE BENEFICIAL FOR HAIR AND SCALP

Dr. Keith R. Durante makes a case for the topical use of CBD as a daily routine for hair and scalp health. As he explained, each strand of hair is made up of a shaft, root and bulb. Each of these components is about 90 percent keratin.

To keep hair strong, keratin relies on a healthy dose of vitamins, mostly three essential fatty acids: Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 and vitamin E. Cannabis-derived CBD is high in each of these elements.

CBD – A SAFE AND HOLISTIC OPTION

Dr. Durante considers CBD to be a safe and holistic option for hair care. That also includes those with colored or treated hair.

Of course, we need more actual research to answer the question definitively. All we have is anecdotal evidence and that is not enough to give us evidence to claim that CBD will help grow hair or stop hair loss. However, as a caveat here, I would have to say that given the beneficial elements present in CBD, I would say it would be a viable product to use to ensure a healthy scalp, which in turn may help in hair retention.

CAN CBD HELP WITH INSOMNIA?

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An article from Consumer Reports stated that almost 80% of Americans say they have trouble sleeping at least once a week, according to a recent nationally representative Consumer Report survey of 1267 U.S. adults. They also found that many existing treatments, particularly prescription and over-the-counter drugs, are often not very effective and are risky as well.

Joseph Maroon, M.D., a clinical professor and neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who has researched the effect of cannabis on the brain, says that CBD has properties that could help some people sleep better, especially those who suffer from anxiety.

Research hints that CBD may also affect sleep directly, by interacting with receptors in the brain that govern the body’s daily sleep/wake cycles.

CBD STUDY SHOWS IMPROVEMENT IN SLEEP

In a 2019 study conducted by Scott Shannon, MD, Nicole Lewis, ND, and Shannon Hughes, PhD of 72 adults found that 66.7% of those studied had improved sleep after using CBD. In addition, anxiety rates decreased in 79% of those studied. Since anxiety can cause one to lose sleep, the reduction of anxiety is important.

FROM HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING

CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep”

CONCLUSION

As we always state, we need more research to give a definitive answer about CBD and insomnia. Yet, the research we do have seems to indicate that the use of CBD can help people fall asleep and stay asleep. Anecdotal evidence is extremely promising as many people using CBD have reported better sleep. There is enough evidence to encourage the use of CBD for insomnia, especially since it has no severe side effects like those of prescription medication.

HEMP BILL INTRODUCED IN IDAHO SENATE

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An article in the Post Register indicated that a bill to legalize hemp was introduced into the Idaho Senate on Monday, February 17, 2020. The State Affairs Committee voted unanimously to print the bill, clearing the way for a full hearing later. The sponsoring Legislators are Sen. Abby Lee, and Rep. Caroline Nilson Troy.

HEMP HAS BEEN LEGAL FEDERALLY SINCE 2018

Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, making hemp cultivation legal, most states passed laws allowing for hemp cultivation. Of course, Idaho was one of the few to stick their heads in the sand and not provide the advantage to the Idaho farmers offered to farmers in other states.

FEAR OF MARIJUANA USED TO STOP HEMP

A bill to legalize hemp production in Idaho failed after the Senate amended it extensively because of the worry it could make enforcement of marijuana laws more difficult. The new bill has an ‘emergency clause’ that would allow the bill to take effect immediately if it passes. One would hope that Idaho has discovered the way to field test hemp to determine the amount of THC it contains, thus eliminating the concern with marijuana laws enforcement.

HOW THIS EFFECTS CBD

It is unknow how this new bill would affect CBD sold in Idaho if it passes. Hemp naturally has about .3% THC when grown and this has been the sticking point with transportation of hemp across the state as any THC in a product is considered by the State of Idaho to be marijuana. If hemp is allowed to be produced with a small percentage of THC, then, one would assume that CBD with the same percentage of THC would be allowed to be sold.  I suppose time will tell on that point.

DOES CBD HELP WITH DEPRESSION?

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The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 17.3 million U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2017. That is approximately 7.1% of the adult population. Major depressive disorder is more prevalent in women.

One could assume that these numbers represent those who have sought help with their depression. There are probably many more who suffer through depression alone and without help.

CAN CBD HELP?

There is some promising news from science on the efficacy of CBD for depression. Unfortunately, most of the research has been done on animals and not on humans.

The studies have used chemical markers for indication of efficacy, which could easily translate to humans.  This is good news and we should view it with optimism. We have seen anecdotal evidence in humans indicating the use of CBD for depression and with little or no side effects from using CBD, we can, without reservation recommend trying CBD.

A RELEVANT STUDY

A study in 2018 indicates how fast the CBD acted in suppressing the chemicals associated with depression. In fact, the CBD acted much faster than the conventional treatment.

We can see from the study that there is a great deal of optimism for the use of CBD in the treatment of depression.

However, as we have stated multiple times before in this blog, there is a need for further studies, especially in humans to allow us to say definitively that CBD is the answer to helping people with depression. The results of many studies are promising and if I had to venture a guess, I would say we will see that CBD will become the major treatment for depression in the years to come.

WHY DON’T PEOPLE USE CBD?

This article will explore the reasons people are not using CBD. We will look at general reasons why there are those who choose not to use CBD. As I am out talking to people about CBD and its many uses, I occasionally come across someone who has not heard of CBD and has no idea what it can do. This group of people are a minority and I would expect that as they learn of its benefits, they will use it in the same proportion as the general populace that has an understanding of CBD and the miracle it can be.

IGNORANCE CAN STOP SOME PEOPLE

When I say ignorance, I’m speaking of a lack of knowledge and not about a general attitude. Too many people have bought into the myth and misunderstand that CBD will get you high or that it is not legal. In Idaho a product that contains any THC, (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that is psychoactive and gives the user the high attributed to marijuana, is illegal. Since the CBD in Idaho contains no THC, it can’t get the user high. In fact, the CBD products on the market in the United States contain only .3% THC and that small amount will not get anyone high. CBD is legal and won’t get anyone high.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN AND SOMETHING NEW

Fear is a strong emotion and when something is new, there is a few who will not try it because of fear. This reason is a subset of ignorance since there is a plethora of information about CBD and its many benefits and its remarkable lack of serious side effects. A quick jump onto the Internet will give hundreds of studies and reports that exclaim the benefit of using CBD. All one has to do is spend a little time researching and they can dispel any fear or reluctance they may have about trying CBD.

COULD PHILOSOPHICAL REASONS HOLD SOME BACK?

I wonder if religion could also hold some back. I say that because I think there are some who believe using something they see as an illicit drug is sinful. I believe we have addressed that in stating that CBD is legal and can be sold and possessed without penalty.  Again, it is the fear of getting high or using something that is immoral, if not illegal. This is a silly argument and one that I suspect few will put forth. Yet, there are some who will use it as a reason to not try CBD.

LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

This is probably one of the biggest and is related to the ignorance reason. Too few people know about CBD and what it can do to help them in their ailments. As we have stated many times in this blog, CBD can help in so many conditions and ailments that there are few people who can’t benefit from using it. The challenge is getting the information out to them in a manner that helps them to understand that it is legal, moral, and not some snake oil product that claims to cure everything from baldness to toe fungus. My prediction is that within the next two to five years, CBD will be mainstream, and the majority of the adult population will have discovered its benefits.

Of course there is one segment of the population that will not use CBD and that is those who are lucky enough to not need it. I suppose I can add to that statement – YET. I suspect that sometime in one’s life, they will have the occasion to need what CBD can provide.  

CBD FOR YOUR DOG

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CBD has been shown to aid in the treatment of arthritis in dogs. CBD is an effective treatment because all mammals have the endocannabinoid system, and, as we have stated before in this blog, CBD reacts with this system to help it reach homeostasis, or balance. The CBD reacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are all over the body, humans and dogs. The interaction of CBD with these receptors, gives your dog pain relief as well as help in reducing the inflammation. This study was performed to test CBD on dogs with pain from arthritis. Eighty percent of the dogs showed improvement in their pain and mobility, as measured by two veterinary resources — the canine brief pain inventory and the Hudson activity scale.

CBD AND SEIZURES

From a story on the Science Daily web page:

Promising and exciting. Those are the words used by Dr. Stephanie McGrath to describe findings from a pilot study to assess the use of cannabidiol, or CBD, for dogs with epilepsy.

McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, led a small study with 16 pet dogs to assess the short-term effect of CBD on seizure frequency.

Based on her research, McGrath found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. Nine dogs were treated with CBD, while seven in a control group were treated with a placebo.

“It’s really exciting that perhaps we can start looking at CBD in the future as an alternative to existing anticonvulsive drugs,” Doctor McGrath stated.

A LOCAL STORY OF SUCCESS TREATING CANINE ARTHRITIS


“I wanted to try CBD products for two reasons. 1. I have a 15-year-old Border Collie with painful arthritis. 2. I suffer from chronic insomnia. I had read that CBD products helped both conditions. I bought the CBD dog treats and could see a difference within 3 days. Now my dog’s quality of life has greatly improved.”

As a note, the CBD helped her insomnia as well.

HELP YOUR DOG

We can recommend CBD for your dog to help reduce inflammation and pain and help your dog have a better quality of life as they age.

OPIOID LAWSUITS

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Recently the Federal judicial panel sent two federal opioid lawsuits back to federal courts in Oklahoma and California where they began. This was done to streamline the cases that are among the 2,700 cases now pending in federal court in Ohio.

LAWSUITS FROM MANY VARIED PLAINTIFFS

The lawsuits are brought by local governments, Native American tribes, hospitals and unions.  The Defendants in the cases are various manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies. The Cherokee Nation is one of the plaintiffs in Oklahoma and they are looking forward to bringing closure to the case and healing for their tribe members. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said, “We think this will be an important case for all Indian tribes.”

John Cote, spokesman for San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera stated, “San Francisco is facing a drug addiction crisis on its streets. Our office is going to ensure that these defendants are held accountable for their roles in the opioids epidemic and take steps to address and abate the community crisis it has caused.”

SOME DEFENDANTS AGREE TO A PLEA AGREEMENT.

The Cherokee Nation lawsuit names CVS, Walgreen’s, Walmart, and drug distributors. The San Francisco lawsuit names Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and Israeli-owned Teva Pharmaceuticals and more than three dozen other companies. Prior to the Oklahoma trial against Johnson & Johnson, Purdue and Teva were dropped from the lawsuit and agreed to a $355 million settlement with the state.

CBD COULD HELP SOME OF THE PEOPLE WITH OPIOID DEPENDENCY

As we have stated previously on this blog, CBD can help with opioid dependency, aiding people in their fight to stop the addiction. In addition, CBD can help with pain reduction and, in many cases, allow people to stop taking opioids for pain abatement. We are not suggesting that everyone stop taking their pain medication, but only that there are alternative remedies to be explored with their doctor or health care provider. Whatever the case, CBD can be a viable alternative and an aid to stop opioid addiction.    

CBD AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

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Recently we were asked if CBD would be helpful for those with Multiple Sclerosis, (MS).

I found a study written by Thorsten Rudroff and Jacob Sosnoff. I will include the link to the study at the end of this post. They describe MS as, “ Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide. The symptoms of MS are highly varied but frequently include pain, muscle spasticity, fatigue, inflammation, and depression. These symptoms often lead to reduced physical activity, negatively impact functional mobility, and have a detrimental impact on patients’ quality of life.”

They also state that, “Although recent years have seen significant advances in disease modifying therapy, none of the current treatments halts or cures MS related symptoms. As a consequence, many people with MS (PwMS) look for alternative and complementary therapies such as cannabis.”

CBD CAN HELP

As we know, CBD can reduce inflammation and help with pain management. The study suggested that the use of CBD will reduce fatigue, pain, inflammation, depression, and spasticity (a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted. This contraction causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and can interfere with normal movement, speech and gait. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to the portion of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement.) By reducing these symptoms for people with MS, CBD may help with their mobility. Of course, more research is needed.

MANY OF PEOPLE WITH MS ARE LOOKING TO CANNABIS FOR RELIEF.

In a web-based survey, which was hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, found that 66% of PwMS (people with MS) currently use cannabis for symptom treatment. Furthermore, a study from Canada found that approximately 50% of PwMS would consider the usage of cannabis if the legal status is clear and scientific evidence is available. CBD is, of course, a cannabis plant and can help with the symptoms of MS.

CBD HELPS REDUCE THE USE OF OPIOIDS

Opioids have some serious side effects including, physical dependence, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, tolerance, constipation, and respiratory depression. Physical dependence and addiction are clinical concerns that may prevent accurate prescribing and in turn insufficient pain management.

A recent epidemiological study by Piper et al. showed that among people that frequently used opioids, over three-quarters (77%) indicated that they reduced their use since they started cannabis. Approximately two-thirds of patients decreased their use of antianxiety (72%), migraine (67%), and sleep (65%) drugs following medical cannabis which significantly exceeded the reduction in antidepressants or alcohol use. Complete or part replacement of these drugs by specific cannabis products should definitely be the long-term goal.

The study suggests that people with MS are hesitant to use cannabis because of the social stigma associated with marijuana and the high that comes from THC. They suggest the use of CBD to eliminate these negative aspects of treatment.

CBD can be a safe and reliable way to manage the symptoms of MS.  

2018 study on CBD and MS.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874292/

CBD AND SKIN CARE

This is another one of the uses of CBD that requires more study and research. The existing research is very promising for a variety of uses for CBD for skin care. In a recent article on the web page, ‘Everyday Health’, by Jessica Migala, she quoted Dr. Robert Dellavalle, MD, PhD, adjunct professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora, “The body has two CBD receptors(that we know of): CB1 and CB2. When applied to the skin, CBD interacts with these two receptors to turn down the inflammatory response. This happens by decreasing the interleukins, which are chemicals that are like the immune system’s fire alarm that calls the fire department in an emergency. CBD may decrease the loudness of that fire alarm.”

 Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University states, “I recommend generally using a medication to put out the fire, and then using CBD to clean up the carnage.” She likes using the CBD in inflammatory skin diseases as they are fizzling out.

CBD USED TO TREAT ACNE

Findings from an article published in 2014 in the Journal of clinical Investigation and a study published in September 2016 in Experimental Dermatology would indicate that CBD influences the production of Sebum and has an anti-inflammatory component. Dr. Jeanette Jacknin, MD, and a board-certified dermatologist echoes these same findings. She also points to recent preliminary research presented in June 2019, which found topical CBD may help kill a range of gram-positive bacteria. We have discussed the antibacterial properties of CBD in a previous post. This particular bacterium is one cause of acne.

CBD AND ANTI-AGEING.

 CBD contains two fatty acids, Omega 6 and Omega 3, that help stimulate the production of collagen. This prevents excessive water loss and helps keep your skin hydrated, thus making it look better. In addition, CBD is an anti-inflammatory that helps to keep your skin looking better. It can reduce the redness and wrinkling that can come with age. CBD helps keep your skin healthy and, in that way, helps it look its best.

CONCLUSION

With the existing research and studies, we can get a good idea of the efficacy of CBD and skin health. A healthy skin will look better and will have fewer wrinkles and inconsistencies of color, rendering a better look. There are many skin care products on the market that have CBD as a major ingredient. As always, we recommend you as the buyer to ensure the product has the advertised amount of CBD and that the other ingredients are beneficial for skin health.