CBD: Cultivate Better Days

We have isolated 113+ phytocannabinoids throughout human history, yet two that stand-out medicinally are CBD & THC. Both naturally occur in the cannabis plant and have been interacting with the human genome for thousands of years, likely dating back to 500 BC in Asia. However, the specific compound, CBD, wasn't discovered & isolated until 1940, and over 20 years later, THC came into play.

This article focuses primarily on CBD, or Cannabidiol, because of its fascinating role on the body & brain without the psychoactive effects (or hallucinatory "high") that THC manifests. This makes CBD much more desirable for most individuals trying to improve their body's ability to maintain homeostasis or balance.

When you consume exogenous forms of phytocannabinoids, such as CBD, they interact with your Endocannabinoid System (ECS). All mammals on earth have an ECS: dogs, bears, elephants, and even dolphins have this extremely complex system. The ECS contains two well-researched receptors known as CB1 and CB2 (these aren't the only ECS receptors but are the most significant).

CB1 receptors are generally found in the nervous system, spine, & brain, while CB2 receptors are mainly present in peripheral organs in the digestive & immune systems.

When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, a variety of physiological processes occur. For instance, our appetite, mood, memory, & pain-sensation are altered; most people experience relief from nausea, anxiety, headaches, bloating, insomnia, and a plethora of inflammatory issues.

THC mainly targets CB1 receptors in the brain & nervous system initiating that "high" or spacey feeling. CBD, on the other hand, generally seeks out CB2 receptors in the immune & digestive systems. When you consume a CBD supplement— absorbed by the sublingual artery (tincture), lungs (inhalation/vaping), or through your digestive tract (edibles)— these sites are hunted down. Endocannabinoids, such as CBD, limit or suppress the body's natural immune response at the core.

CBD amplifies the recruitment of Leukocytes (white blood cells) to the inflamed site to better deal with bacterial infection, sickness, disease, or any biological shortcoming in the body or mind. By regulating this inflammatory process, CBD guides us down a calm balanced path.

The main reason that phytocannabinoids, like CBD, have medicinal benefits is because of this perfectly fitting ECS that we were born with. It's in our nature. The ECS was designed to be activated for longevity, stability, & peace of mind. But it is important to recognize that activating the ECS through cannabis or hemp consumption, is not a magical cure-all. Biology is awfully complicated, but our society needs to understand that cannabis-based therapies (mostly through CBD supplementation) can work for most people.

CBD clearly is not the cheapest health-promoting supplement on the market. For one, the Farm Bill was recently passed at the end of 2018 allowing for the cultivation of hemp under 0.3% THC. Slowly, but surely, the word will keep spreading and CBD will be on every shelf at every convenience store... hopefully.

I always ask this question: would you rather support the pharmaceutical industry for pain-masking potions & pills over these innocent plant-derived composites?

It's a very confusing time.

It is no secret that Americans are overmedicated. 50%+ Americans take some medication or prescription regularly, all the while paying outrageous costs for nasty side-effects. The choice is yours: opt for the all-organic plant compounds from nature while working with your body's innate ECS, or throw your money & mind away with lab-altered, unnatural chemicals.

The US Food and Drug Administration is in the process of deciding how to regulate CBD products for the consumer. I believe CBD is a simple health supplement, like taking fish oil or magnesium, and it should not be over-regulated by the FDA that prevents easy access as an over-the-counter sup. The research is clear and well-understood. CBD has been shown time and time again to not have any sort of adverse or unwanted effects.

So why does the FDA feel so iffy about CBD?

The answer: BIG PHARMA.

The government (FDA) thrives on sickness. Sick people in America are told by their physicians that a pill can be taken to minimize their ailment/pain or imbalance. Sick society pays for antibiotics, antidepressants, ADHD meds, statins, etc. and big pharma stacks these profits to the ceiling.

These pharmaceutical companies then corruptly slide your money bags to the government to inhibit competition growth: CBD and other alternative practices (i.e. herbs & natural remedies). The only way to divert away from this deplorable issue is through individual effort. Subconsciously, the true American Dream is to live a long, natural, healthy, & energized life. This life can easily be attained without a synthetic pill but with naturopathic or ayurvedic medicine.

If you are interested in trying this alluring compound out, I recommend purchasing a full-spectrum form. This means the supplement contains the wide-array of cannabis-derived phytochemicals needed for optimal bioavailability & absorption. This includes the cannabinoids (like CBD) AND terpenes. Terpenes are the fragrant oils that give cannabis plants their common "stank-skunk" smell. When stacked with CBD and other cannabinoids (as nature would want), absorption is far superior. Isolated versions of CBD aren't as just worthy for this very reason and they lack this "Entourage Effect".

One of the best brands out there on the market is CBD American Shaman. They're product line is stacked with affordable, terpene-concentrated, 3rd party tested, and 100% organic ingredients (no heavy metals & insecticides). Furthermore, American Shaman full-spectrum products contain proprietary nanotechnology making the CBD 9x more bioavailable. This means the CBD particles are broken down into nano sizes allowing your larger cells to absorb with ease, unlike most of the cheaper products out there where you absorb less than 50% of the common dosage. You get what you pay for!

CBD is quite the alien compound.

If you take at least 10mg daily, your body & brain will attain equilibrium & you will feel out-of-this-world.