Wednesday, December 4, 2019

CBD for Pain in joints

The CDC mentions that arthritis and joint pain affects about 25% of adults and around 15 million people in America alone. While pain relievers are the easiest way to treat this, other people are looking for natural means. One way to do this, is CBD, which is something that’s popular, and is regarded as one of the best ways to fight inflammation, and it’s something that’s become almost commonplace. 



According to the European journal of pain, it does offer a variety of different ways to test this, since if you apply CBD directly to the skin, it can help with inflammation and joint issues. Other studies have found that the CBD defense mechanism is something which stops neuropathic pain, which is one of the most common kinds of chronic pain that they react. 

Where to find this? 

There are a few ways to do this. Some people like to get regular CBD, which you can get from a regular store. However, if you’re someone who wants to use cannabis-derived kinds of CBD, to get the other added benefits of pain relief, especially through THC, you have to get this through medical cannabis, which you can get directly from a dispensary. There are a lot of great options for cannabis, and it can be a little daunting. 



However, there are a ton of medical dispensaries that offer different onboarding of products, and you’ll be able to understand what they are, and how they help your needs. Whether you need immediate pain relief, or something that lasts long, talking to someone at a dispensary is the best way to get the right type of cannabis-based CBD for you to try. 

How long relief lasts 

This does base itself on the different ways that you take it. Smoking and vaping is something that works the quickest. You take a hit, and you feel it in just a few minutes. This is less localized and more al-over treatment, and usually, this lasts for a couple of hours. As for capsules and edibles, CBD usually absorbs these directly into your bloodstream, and it can be felt in about an hour or so, with the duration being up to 8 hours in most cases. 

The tinctures that you have are also quick to act, and they usually are something that’s much quicker than an edible, and they can last up to 4 hours for most people. Then there are concentrates and extracts, such as RSO and other oils, which are some of the most powerful kinds, but they are quite potent. They usually take up to 45 minutes to get rid of, and the results can last up to 6 hours in a lot of cases, sometimes a bit less. 



Finally, you’ve got topicals, including lotions and other roll-ons that have CBD which is great for relief that’s in a specific location, and usually, once you apply it, you feel it in around ten or so minutes. Sometimes, the pain relief lasts a long time, but if you use this and you want to continue to reduce the pain, you can reapply these as needed to ensure that you’re not feeling too much pain. the beauty of this one, is that you can focus this on specific areas, rather than just overall pain of the body. 

Joint pain is no joke for a lot of people, and it can be something that’s definitely a big problem for a lot of people.  You’ll be able to use this to help with the treatment of this, and to make it more manageable for your needs as well.


Friday, June 15, 2018

How DNA is changing the breeding of Cannabis

Mapping the genetics of the cannabis plant is changing the world around you, adding to better yields, better resistance to disease, and also higher stress tolerance. 

Researchers are also applying this directly to cannabis through mapping the strains genome, giving new breeding and varieties of cannabis too. 


The problem with Current strains 

Right now, reports have found that the strain names don’t really have the right constituents that come within the cultivar, which leads to false diversity on the market, especially since the names of this, along with the effects get categorized from the scientific types of classification systems. 

More scientifically valid ways of categorizing the cannabis, such as through chemotypes and chemovars are the best way to do this, especially based on terpenes and cannabinoids. 

This can help customers figure out the right effects, leaving so much to be desired when you look at the genomics, especially with understanding cannabis at its core. 




Sequencing the genetics of these strains helps to restore not only meaning, but also function to this. 
Rather than getting seeds all labeled just Hindu Kush belonging to that, there are now differ ways to get different traits from the strains, offering more of a genetic presence in one way than another. 

Why this Benefits Breeders 


Right now, qualitative data has been the focal part of breeding cannabis. 

While prohibition did force many cultivars to work underground, they’ve managed to create the best varieties of cannabis that many smokers still love. 

These horticulturists that have these strains do use their eyes to judge it all, and also to look at the yield and shape, also to scrutinize the terpenes that are in there, and also weigh in on the psychotropic results of this. 



They keep the specimens with the best traits but also breed them with others that are similar. 
While this is a form of creating hybrids, this sort of breeding is not as efficient, since with this billion-dollar industry, you need to have a more quantitative than qualitative. 

While you do have the indica and sativa ideas in most dispensaries, now, it’s more about the different other parts to this. 

Having the exact phytochemical profiles in place, it offers genetic sequencing within the breeding world. 

Sequencing allows for growers to develop the perfect cultivars, and also higher yields of this, pest resistance and tolerance to the stress of the environment. 




Prohibition did create a bit of a latency between the development of this, and cannabis application, but now it’s coming back, and it’s changing the world. 

These can offer many advancements have already looked at the genes that code the enzymes that will influence this. 

For example, genes that’ll code for THCA result in conversion into CBGA, which is the “mother cannabinoid that goes into THCA, which precures THC in most cases. 

These strains are oftentimes more psychotropic than the ones that lack them. 

But it’s more than just the THC potency and the values of this too. Breeders use lab testing these days to look at cannabinoids and terpenes within this, and through the genetic sequencing, they can also determine many of the outcomes of the phytochemicals within the plans as early as seedling stages too.
 



The genome maps for these strains allow for breeders to select each one and the right genetics that create the right types of terpenes and chemicals, and even new ones including CBC. 

So yes, this is changing the world of cannabis, and hopefully, we’ll see even more of these strains too whenever you look at them as well for the future use. 

Monday, February 13, 2017

CBD for Allergies

Allergies are something that millions of people experience. Between pollen, ragweed, and the like, these symptoms can get super annoying, and it can make you sneeze a lot, make you suffer from congestion, noses that itch, and sore throats, and it’s something that’s not fun to deal with. A lot of people try to use antihistamines to help with this, but did you know that CBD may be the answer you’re looking for. Let’s find out. 

How CBD is an antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory 

According to a study in 2005, it was found that CBD may be used to modulate the effects of the cells within your immune system and the respiratory system, and it’s something that definitely was anti-inflammatory, and it’s better for suppressing your immune system. The context of this is that it can help with reducing the inflammatory aspects of the mast cells, and it can be a potential agent for reducing inflammation in a person. 



When allergies get at the worst levels, it’s definitely a sign that you’re dealing with inflammation. You may see the tissue inflamed near the throat, nose, and the mouth, and this can help to reduce it. Those cannabis concentrates that are high in the CBD aspects of this can definitely help with reducing irritation that happens in the body. you may want to stick to edibles, vaping, tinctures and capsules though, since some people who smoke weed may notice a bit of irritation. 

Terpenes for allergies 

There are also other parts to this, and that is terpenes. According to a study done in 2009 on mice, it was found that when you administered pinene, a terpene that you find in cannabis, it actually can help with bronchodilation, inflammation and controlling it, along with relaxing results for the muscles, which is great for allergy relief that’s seasonal. Pinene is the best one for this, since it also helps with your memory too, but if you pain, you may want to consider linalool. Limonene is good for acid reflux and acne, which for those who have dry skin, they may want to use this. 



Beta-caryophyllene is another good one for inflammation, but this one is more bodily, and it may help with pain in the nervous system, fibrosis, along with protecting the stomach. If you need to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation, you also might want to consider myrcene too, but this is definitely a strong, earthy one that you’ll find in indica strains of the marijuana plant. 

The big thing to understand here is that CBD is something that does work well for allergies, especially those which are seasonal. Since it’s something that the body does as a response, and it’s an immune reaction, the best way to treat this is to make sure that you use something that helps to curb the problem. Eve based on anecdotes, this works, but there are clinical trials that show that the evidence is something that’s convincing, and for someone wo wants to get rid of the symptoms of allergies, this is great, and it has a great role for this. Cannabis is not the immediate relief out there, but if you want to make allergies better, this is something to consider, as it’s something simple, yet effective for allergy treatments too. 



If you have allergies, it’s no joke, and it’s not fun, but with these different cannabis and CBD products, you’ll be able to find something that works for you, to offer prime allergy relief that’s good for you, and from there, you can find something that will help you get the right results.


Monday, February 6, 2017

Caryophyllene for inflammation

If you’re someone who likes strains of cannabis for your health and wellness, you may want to look at beta-caryophyllene to help with a variety of problems, including inflammation. While it’s not found in every strain, and every single  strain is quite different, this is something that has a unique property that’s added to the cannabis plant. Terpenes of course, are something that’s good for plant protection, but it’s also something that also helps us humans in different ways. Caryophyllene which is something that has a peppery smell to it, is one of the best terpenes out there for inflammation and chronic pain, and it does have the potential to speed up the healing of various wounds and injuries, according to a study done in 2019. 

How it works 

This is something that works by using the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids of course, are used for pain relief and treatment, through the activation of your CB1 and your CB2 receptors, and this is something that works to help with treating pain. It also a sesquiterpene that’s found in some of the various essential oils that are out there and even some spices such as cinnamon, oregano, and black pepper. 



This does bind directly to the CB2 receptors, and it was an agonist for this. For those who don’t know the terms, basically your have a whole system that’s in your body for controlling virtually everything that’s there, including pain responses. Caryophyllene does work as an agonist, which is a fancy name for a binder of chemicals, which then does reduce the response of pain. for thousands of years, people used this as a way to treat various problems, including pain, spasms and the like, and this is something that’s powerful, fights pain, and it offers a variety of different effects on the body. 

So it does work with the body to ensure that you have different pain symptoms treated, and the issues taken care of. 



Cancer studies 

Did you know that caryophyllene is something that actually has been found to possibly help with the treatment of cancer. It has anti-cancer properties and is something that’s not as recognized compared to other cannabinoids, especially THC, which does have tumor-slowing potential, but there is evidence that demonstrates that the compounds in this may be interesting for possibly treating cancer in the future. 

In a study done in 2016, it wsa found that caryophyllene is something that has pain-reducing aspects to this, and it is something that they acknowledge may be good for meriting research in the future. Right now though, we don’t know much about this, but we do believe that since it’s good for reducing pain and inflammation, that it may also have some anti-oxidant properties to this too, which is responsible for the reduction and also elimination of free radicals within the body, helping the body properly recover as well. 



With that said, caryophyllene is not a substitute for regular treatments of different problems in the body, including any cancer treatments which you may have, but it could be good as a way to supplement all of this. This terpene is present in quite a few of the strains, and if you’re curious about this, you can definitely talk to someone at a dispensary, along with your doctor to find out if this may help with pain relief, since it might be something that’s good for reducing pain, controlling your body’s immune response and also making it easier for you to properly take care of the body, and to reduce the problems that you might have in the future.


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Cannabis and Prostate Cancer

There are awkward medical exams that happen, and men definitely know that prostate cancer exams are awkward, but they should be done. The discomfort that comes from a prostate exam is far less than if there are actual problems. Plus, the sooner you know about the cancer, the easier it is to handle. 

The Truth is Prostate Cancer is Rising 

It was found that the diagnoses were increasing, and it went up to 8% in general.  There were some incidents that went about 105 for every 100,000 men within the US. The CDC did find in the last ten years over 3 million new diagnoses.  They did have the lowest diagnosis rate amongst Caucasian men, but black and non-Hispanic men had the highest rate. 



About Prostate Cancer 

The key thing with prostate cancer, like many cancer, is the earlier the detection, the greater the chance for survival.  About 77% of the prostate cancer patients that are out there get diagnosed with the condition in a localized place. About 11% of them are diagnosed when this most past just the prostate, but in other regions. Then, there are 5% which are basically metastatic, which means that they spread to different locations. 

The key is to diagnose early, as this can help with the survival rate, and it also helps with preventing late-stage cancer.  Plus, the earlier you find it, the better the survival rate.  If you diagnose it in the late stages, less than a third of them survive after five years. 

The survival rate though for those in early stages, is about 97%, so it’s much higher.  But, if it’s localized, it’s 100% in most cases. 

How cannabis might help 

Right now, there is new research that’s come up looking at the benefits that the cannabinoids might have for this. 

There is some research which might be promising.

That’s because the prostate gland does have both TRPV1 and CB1 receptors in this. When someone has prostate cancer, the endocannabinoid system does get suppressed, which is what may predict when the prostate cancer develops. 

There are certain cannabinoids that also might help with slowing down tumor development, or even suppress it. It was found that HTC may help with this.



There is some research too which has found that the cancer cells for prostate cancer have higher types of CB1 and CB2 receptors.  These are strong, and they usually stop the growth of these tumors, and so, it’ll stop the growth, but also the spread of this to different areas.

It also was found as well that the interaction that prostate cancer and cannabis have may also reduce the activity of the androgen receptors.  This of course, is the hormone that causes the growth of prostate cancer to form. 

It also might help with some of the other symptoms that cancer, especially chemotherapy have.

These may include: 

  • Chronic pain 

  • Vomiting and nausea 

  • Headaches 

  • Insomnia 

  • Appetite loss 

  • Anxiety and depression 

  • Neuropathy 

This is something that a lot of patients have looked into, and if you do have cancer, or are at risk for this, there is a chance that cannabis might be the answer that you’re looking for to treat these conditions, which is why more and more people are seeking it out.



It is a possible solution, or at the very least, a way for you to definitely consider as well to hell with the treatment of this, and as more research comes out, we might learn more about using cannabis to treat types of cancer.