Thanks to antioxidants, CBD can help fight free-radical damage and even reduce some of your wrinkles. That’s why skincare companies often include the compound in their products.
Hoping to turn back the clock a few years?
OK, that may be scientifically impossible, but thanks to CBD, you may be able to take a few years off of your skin. It’s true! Thanks to antioxidants, CBD can help fight free-radical damage and even reduce some of your wrinkles. That’s why skincare companies everywhere are starting to include CBD in their products.
Of course, CBD isn’t a miracle worker and more research is needed to confirm its anti-aging properties. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about CBD and anti-aging, and how it can help you look and feel your best as you continue to blow out more candles on your birthday cake.
Photo by JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images
It can counteract free-radical damage
In the body, think of free radicals as waste products that cause damage to cells and cell tissues when they build up. Free-radical damage can be caused by exposure to toxins, smog, or other environmental pollutants. It can even be caused by some of the foods we eat and what we drink. Free-radical damage plays a role in aging and affects the skin. It can also lead to certain diseases like cancer, dementia, and heart disease.
CBD can help combat some of that free-radical damage. CBD is apowerful antioxidant. Antioxidants can prevent or delay free-radical damage, and even protect you from future harm,research shows. And as we age, antioxidants become even more important to combating free radicals in the body.
Photo by rawpixel.com
It may help reduce wrinkles
Wrinkles got you down? CBD may be able to help with those, too. Wrinkles are likely caused by oxidative stress, another issue with free-radical damage. Applying CBD topically may help reduce wrinkles, inflammation, and fine lines. It may also help protect your skin from future environmental stressors that can lead to damage and wrinkles, too.
You can find CBD in a ton of skincare products these days. Skincare companies are including CBD in eye creams, moisturizers, serums, and more. Be sure to do your research before choosing a skincare product, though. Researchers in onestudy found that of 84 skincare products, 26 percent had less CBD in them than the label found. Go with a well-known company that has high-quality CBD that they put in their product.
Bottom line: For anti-aging, CBD may be worth a try!
There’s still more work needed to understand the role between CBD and anti-aging, but so far, the research looks promising.
In order to experience the most anti-aging benefits from CBD, try it as a topical or serum for your face and skin. Or, try oils or vapes if you are looking for even more potential anti-aging benefits.
Adam Levine and his bandmates call to end the War on Marijuana and link decriminalization to advancing social justice causes in new song.
In Maroon 5’s latest music video, frontman Adam Levine sits alone in a backyard with a glass of red wine and weed grinder on the table beside him. The song is called “Nobody’s Love” and is inspired by world events of the past several months, including the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests.
But the video narrows its social justice focus to ending the War on Drugs and decriminalizing cannabis nationwide. We watch Levine pack and roll a cannabis joint during a moody Los Angeles night. He rocks a full-on quarantine beard and shaven head, resembling a knockoff Marvel supervillain of sorts.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Staff/Getty Images
Levine eventually lights the joint and puffs onscreen, singing: “Hit me like a drug and I can’t stop it / Fit me like a glove and I can’t knock it.” Then he hits the chorus: “If my love ain’t your love / It’s never gonna be nobody’s love.”
The video ends with an advocacy message by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on screen.
“It’s time to end the War on Marijuana,” the statement reads. “The aggressive enforcement of marijuana possession laws needlessly ensnares hundreds of thousands of people into the criminal justice system and wastes billions of taxpayers’ dollars. What’s more, it is carried out with staggering racial bias. Despite being a priority for police departments, the War on Marijuana has failed to reduce marijuana use and availability and diverted resources that could be better invested in our communities.”
Maroon 5 and Interscope Records shared in a statement they would make a donation to the ACLU of Southern California fund.
“I can’t smoke weed socially, or when I’m going to play a show,” he told the publication. “If I smoked a joint and walked onstage, I’d have an anxiety attack. But it is absolutely necessary in the studio sometimes. It provides a different perspective, almost as if you’re hearing with different ears. It can be a beautiful thing.”
The guidance addresses an unexpected and highly debated issue: the legality of intermediate, unfinished hemp-derived drug products whose THC levels may rise above the 0.3% limit.
On Tuesday, July 21, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) released draft guidance for clinical research related to the development and manufacturing of cannabis-based drugs, which gained particular interest following the legalization of hemp in December 2018.
Although the guidance does not cover other FDA-regulated products, such as hemp-derived CBD (“Hemp CBD”)-infused foods and dietary supplements, the last section of the document — Section III C. — addresses delta-9 THC and dosage calculations that may be indicative of the manner in which the FDA may propose to regulate hemp-derived finished products.
The guidance provides that those using hemp raw material in their drug development activities should follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture interim rule, or any superseding rule, for sampling and testing methods in evaluating the level of delta-9 THC. Accordingly, the agency recommends that drug approval applicants submit information, such as a certificate of analysis, indicating the percent delta-9 THC by dry weight, along with detailed descriptions of testing methods used to evaluate the level of delta-9 THC to help ensure the THC concentration doesn’t exceed 0.3%.
While this recommendation isn’t earth-shattering, the FDA guidance goes on to addresses an unexpected and highly debated issue: the legality of intermediate, unfinished hemp-derived drug products whose THC levels may rise above the 0.3% limit.
Specifically, the agency warns of the eventuality that starting materials that meet the definition of hemp may be considered Schedule I controlled substances if their THC levels were to rise above 0.3. The FDA recommends that those who handle hemp material consult with the Drug and Enforcement Agency (DEA) regarding the control status of such products that are under development.
Some manufacturing processes may generate materials, such as intermediates or accumulated by-products, that exceed the 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight threshold even if the source material or finished product does not exceed the threshold. Sponsors, investigators, and applicants who anticipate generating such intermediates or by-products that may be shipped between manufacturing sites should contact DEA for recommendations.
This suggests that the FDA may only allow hemp-derived intermediate or unfinished drug product that never exceed 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis to be studied and evaluated. The statement further implies that the FDA may adopt a similar position with other categories of hemp-derived products. Such an approach would be detrimental to both the hemp and Hemp CBD industry given the processing methods used to convert raw hemp into extracts and other finished products inevitably increase the THC concentration, even if fleetingly.
The FDA guidance also goes on to address methodologies that should be used to calculate delta-9 THC concentrations based on the form of the drug.
Photo by wera Rodsawang/Getty Images
Although the composition of a cannabis-derived drugs, which the FDA plans to treat as botanical raw material, will be calculated as the amount of the compound(s) naturally present on a dry weight basis prior to extraction or other manufacturing steps, this type of dry weight calculation has limited utility for intermediates such as solutions, extracts in solution (whether aqueous or nonaqueous), and for finished products.
Consequently, the FDA recommends to calculate the delta-9 THC concentration for intermediates or finished products that contain cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds based on the composition of the formulation with the amount of water removed, including any water that may be contained in excipients (“excipients” are inactive substances that serve as vehicles or mediums for drugs or other active substances).
The guidance sets forth specific calculation methodologies for a solution-based material, including intermediate, in-process material, or final drug product, and solid oral dosage form (e.g., tablet or capsule).
It remains to be seen whether these standards would prove burdensome for hemp drug developers, but these calculation methods are particularly interesting in that they are the first practical cannabis-related guidance published by the FDA. Though drugs are regulated differently from other categories of products that fall under the authority of the FDA, these methods of calculation provide Hemp CBD stakeholders with a potential framework for calculating the delta-9 THC and CBD dosage of finished products.
All that said, this guidance is not binding, it is merely a reflection of the FDA’s current thinking on the manufacturing and testing of hemp-derived drugs. As such, it remains to be seen if the FDA’s current recommendations will become legal requirements following the 60-day public comment period.
Anxiety is considered a mental health condition, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t show itself through physical symptoms.
Anxiety is a condition that’s largely discussed in terms of mental health. While this is completely accurate, it often overshadows its physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, sweat, and stomach discomfort. Physical symptoms of anxiety are important to keep track of to help you shift your perspective and know what to treat when going down an anxiety spiral.
The term anxiety is very broad. It refers to fear, stress, and worry over certain situations. These episodes can be triggered by stress or can be a part of a larger condition that overwhelms people and requires therapy and medication to improve. But all types of anxiety produce physical symptoms. Here are 5 of the most common ones:
Racing heart
If you’re someone who experiences some sort of anxiety, a racing heart when sitting still is one of the biggest tells that some anxious thoughts are rushing in. Research shows that when stress pops up, your body begins to produce hormones like adrenaline. This would be great if you were fleeing a bear, but it’s pretty awful when this sensation strikes at an unwanted time.
During the past couple of months it’s become a recurring theme to wonder whether you’re suffering from COVID-19 or are simply super stressed. Anxiety can manifest in shortness of breath due to the fact that, since your heart is racing, your body wants to provide you with more oxygen. Again, great intentions but terrible results.
Exhaustion
Since your body is producing so many hormones in order to keep you on high alert, you might feel like sleeping all the time. But when anxiety strikes, it’s also very common to spend sleepless nights, which is why anxiety is really hard to snap out of, acting as a loop of really bad stuff.
Anxiety does all sorts of things to your stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, nausea and more. Your brain and your stomach have a communication system that lets you know when you’re hungry or full. Anxiety throws all of that out the window.
Prone to catching colds
Since your body is operating on fight or flight, your immune system is more likely to be weakened, thus, providing plenty of openings for colds and other diseases. It’s important to take care of your body and nourish it, even when going through some anxiety.
Researchers found that “those who are constantly breaking away from tasks to react to email or text messages suffer similar effects on the mind as losing a night’s sleep.”
Multitasking often feels like a necessary evil in a world that runs faster and faster without ever once tapping the brakes. We multitask our web browsers, having access to multiple tabs at the ready. We multitask our dating, swiping left and right to maximize our probability to find the right partner. We multitask our jobs, as employers ask more of employees while providing less resources.
And yet the majority of research indicates multitasking doesn’t help us get anything done. A study from the King’s Psychiatry College in London actually found that multitasking with electronic media reduced a person’s IQ by 10 points. That was more than twice the impact of smoking marijuana, researchers noted. They characterized this type of multitasking as constantly jumping between screens or responding immediately to notifications.
“Unchecked infomania reduces workers’ mental sharpness,” said Dr. Glen Wilson, the study’s lead psychologist. “Multitasking can be incredibly stressful on the brain; it impairs short-term memory and concentration. Those who are constantly breaking away from tasks to react to email or text messages suffer similar effects on the mind as losing a night’s sleep.”
And yes, the joke here is obvious — better to smoke a joint than check my phone, right? But before sparking up, you should know that the multitasking IQ loss only occurred in the short-term. According to researchers, once multi-tasking was removed from the picture, IQ test scores returned to normal.
Photo by vadim kaipov via Unsplash
Some people reading this might still believe they can multitask effectively. Unfortunately, those people are probably wrong. A 2010 study found only 2.5% of people were productive multitaskers. Some researchers suggest switching between tasks reduces your productivity by 40%. For the majority of us, our dumb human brains excel at monotasking, or doing one thing at a time.
The good news is methods and strategies exist to reduce the overwhelm of the modern world. Simple ideas like putting your phone on silent in the other room, or only checking email twice a day work well.
A 1980s time management method called the Pomodoro Technique has recently come into vogue once again. With this method, you choose one task and set a timer for 25 minutes. During this time, you can’t allow any distractions or breaks. After the 25 minutes is up, you take a 5 minute break.
Try the process next time you feel overwhelmed. After all your tasks are done, maybe then you can enjoy that marijuana. It certainly won’t hurt your IQ more than multitasking.
The actor filed a pair of lawsuits against CBD companies posting false endorsements and news articles attached to his name.
Picture this: Clint Eastwood, the old gunslinger, must emerge from the shadows and confront a great evil sweeping the land. Only in this case, that evil staring down Eastwood isn’t a fellow gunslinger or gangster. It’s just CBD companies hoping to make a quick buck.
Eastwood filed two lawsuits Thursday against CBD retailers falsely using his name to promote their brands. Notoriously protective of his image, Eastwood is suing these companies for fake news articles, manipulating metadata, and alleging he quit moviemaking to promote cannabis.
Eastwood, who is 90-years-old, established a reputation for his tough guy characters and no-nonsense filmmaking over his career that spans multiple decades.
“Like many of his most famous characters, Mr. Eastwood is not afraid to confront wrongdoing and hold accountable those that try to illegally profit off his name,” one lawsuit alleges.
Photo by pcess609/Getty Images
Eastwood is not the first celebrity fraudulently represented in CBD company marketing schemes. Tom Hanks posted an ad on Instagram earlier this year that showed he had endorsed CannaPro’s CBD products. Hanks wrote the image “is false and an intentional hoax. I’ve never said this and would never make such an endorsement.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7l3nplhGSX/
Companies have also posted false CBD endorsements by former President George W. Bush and Oprah Winfrey, among others. Similar fraudulent product endorsements on pop-up website and misleading articles led Ellen DeGeneres and Sandra Bullock to file a joint lawsuit last year to “expose the Celebrity Endorsement Theft Industry.”
Eastwood has experienced notable success in defending his likeness in the past. The actor won a jury trial in the 90s against The National Enquirer for falsely representing Eastwood in a supposed interview. He also achieved major settlements against a furniture maker selling chairs and ottomans named “Clint” and “Eastwood.”
One lawsuit reads: “By using Mr. Eastwood’s name in hidden metatags, Defendants have figuratively posted a sign with Mr. Eastwood’s trademark in front of their online store to attract consumers and caused the consuming public to believe that Mr. Eastwood is associated with and/or endorsed the CBD Online marketplace Defendants’ CBD products, when no such association actually exists.”
Given that people react differently to CBD and its effects, it is safe to assume that how long it is present in the body could vary from person to person. Here’s what you should know.
Most Americans know at least a little about CBD, with 85% telling Quartz that they are familiar with the product. About 20% of those who know what it is have also tried it. Still, as new as our country is to the widespread, legal use of CBD, it is fair to assume that a very small percentage of people have a comprehensive knowledge of this hemp-derived product. Heck, I’m still learning new things about it every day.
This has left a lot of people with questions, and even some poorly informed misconceptions. From whether or not it will get you high, if it is safe to vape, or if you will fail a drug test, people aren’t sure where to turn for reliable information on CBD and that sucks. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know about how long CBD will stay in your system.
What Research Says About How Long CBD Hangs Out in the Body
There isn’t a ton of research on how long CBD stays in your system after it is consumed, which isn’t at all surprising considering this is the norm with many topics surrounding hemp-based products. One research study, published nearly 30 years ago in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, estimated that the half-life of CBD was somewhere between two and five days.
Not nearly as ancient (but still wildly outdated) research from Therapeutic Drug Monitoringin 2005 reported both THC and CBD levels in the body at different times after use. The longest amount of time they found CBD still in the system of participants was when they tested at 9 hours after consumption.
Photo by Shopify Partners via Burst
How Long Will CBD Remain Detectable in Urine?
The previously mentioned research looked at cannabidiol and the length of time it remained in the blood. This research doesn’t apply to how long CBD can be detected in urine after use. One 2016 study tested a participant’s urine over the course of a day and published the results in the Journal of Pain Research. They found that CBD was only detected in urine over a 24-hour period.
Of course, it is worth noting that drug tests are looking for THC, not CBD, so even if it is still present in your urine at the time a drug test, it won’t matter. The only caveat to this would be if the cannabidiol product ingested contained THC, then you just might have a problem.
What Determines CBD’s Longevity in Your Body?
Given that people react differently to CBD and its effects, it is safe to assume that how long it is present in the body could vary from person to person. This means that gender, body weight, metabolism, and how often you use cannabidiol could potentially affect how long it remains in your system.
There is also the consumption method to consider. We know that how this hemp-derived product is consumed alters its effect in the body, including how soon it enters the bloodstream. Research suggests that the delivery method also changes how long it is in the system. For example, it appears the inhalation, which is the method that results in the fastest absorption into the bloodstream, may also remain in the body the longest.
Deciding on dosage size and frequency might be as simple as paying attention to your body. When CBD is giving you the desired result, whether that be reduced anxiety or improved sleep, you’re probably taking enough. If the effects are wearing off, it is probably time for another dose.
Hand sanitizers are the latest products to take advantage of CBD’s popularity. But does the compound offer any benefits?
Hand sanitizer has always been pretty convenient. This year, however, these products instantly became a hot commodity due to the coronavirus pandemic. It quickly became one of those hard to find items that everyone was hoarding. There are dozens of new hand sanitizer brands available, including some containing CBD. Does the compound provide any sort of benefit or are these just another cash grab? Here is what you should know about CBD hand sanitizer.What You Should Know About CBD Hand Sanitizer.
Hand sanitizers are full of pros and cons. Nowadays, it’s important to use them in order to keep ourselves and others safe, but it’s hard to ignore the dryness that our hands endure when we use them. Hand sanitizers kill germs and are readily available, but they also reduce our immunity to germs and aren’t as effective as water and soap.
When it comes to CBD, the compound is so pervasive because of its popularity and assimilation to most products; since it comes in the form of oils and extracts, it can be included in all sorts of lotions, edibles, and more. What makes it attractive as an addition to hand sanitizer is its antibacterial properties, which some studies have discovered.
Even though it’s not understood how this happens, some cannabinoids can control bacterial growth. The inclusion of CBD in hand sanitizer means that there could be an added edge to the product, killing more bacteria while also adding a dash of pain management and anti-inflammatory control, since those are some of CBD’s most known effects.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
CBD hand sanitizers should contain all the ingredients found in typical hand sanitizers. The addition of CBD might help in managing bacteria growth and providing more expansive protection, even if there’s no way of gauging its level of effect without more scientific research.
At the end of the day, it all depends on what you’re looking for in a product. If you want to try CBD hand sanitizer, make sure to look for a product that has good reviews and that contains the necessary compounds for killing germs. If the product has aloe vera or some sort of oil that protects your skin from the alcohol, that’s even better since you’ll also be taking care of your skin.
So, is CBD hand sanitizer worth the hype and extra cost? The answer is: maybe. If you value the small amount of scientific evidence that CBD manages bacteria growth and don’t need an FDA stamp of approval, then by all means, go get yourself some CBD hand sanitizer! At the very least, you’ll be protecting yourself from germs. And, please, if you’re going to fork over the extra cash, do yourself a favor and make sure the CBD hand sanitizer you buy also has moisturizing properties to nourish your skin.
Whether you’re struggling with a health issue or your quality of life needs a positive boost, CBD could potentially help.
The cannabis plant itself is both medically and therapeutically beneficial, especially because of the wide variety of cannabinoids it contains. Although cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two well-known and widely used cannabinoids, according to one study, the cannabis plant contains over 400 chemical entities, and more than 60 of those chemicals are known as cannabis cannabinoids.
Despite the latter, specific compounds like CBD are extremely useful, especially in the treatment of different medical conditions and diseases. Since CBD is non-psychoactive, non-addictive, and medically beneficial, numerous people are attracted to it. Whether you’re struggling with a health issue or your quality of life needs a positive boost, CBD could potentially help. There are numerous ways to incorporate and use CBD-based products in your everyday life. Here are just a handful of suggestions.
Cannabidiol Delivery Methods and Ways to Use This Cannabinoid
Cannabidiol can be derived from both industrial hemp and the whole cannabis plant. However, individuals can reap CBD’s benefits regardless of where it was derived from. In general, there are numerous medicinal and therapeutic benefits that users can experience from consuming various CBD-based products. Thus far, studies have revealed CBD’s ability to treat different medical conditions, diseases, and illnesses, which has led to an increase of people looking into and using this alternative form of medicine. Also, CBD can improve one’s quality of life and well-being. Regardless of where you are in your life, you can benefit from consuming CBD.
In addition, there are different ways that CBD can be consumed, as well as the usage of various CBD products. For example, there are five main delivery methods that can be utilized, such as inhalation, oral, sublingual, topical, and transdermal administration. And there are numerous CBD-based products that can easily be incorporated into one’s life. Due to the variety of benefits cannabidiol contains, people consume this cannabinoid to improve their well-being and to achieve medicinal and therapeutic relief in their daily life.
Highly Recognized Medicinal Properties of CBD
People consume CBD for different reasons, but some of the cannabinoid’s most common and highly recognized medicinal properties include: analgesic, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-spasm, anti-epileptic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-tumoral. CBD contains many more medicinal properties, but recently, these properties have been the reason for countless people consuming this cannabinoid: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasm, anti-anxiety, and anti-epileptic. Aside from CBD’s medicinal properties, therapeutic benefits can be delivered too. Thus, regardless of your current state of being, different CBD-based products could be incorporated into your life.
Topical and Transdermal CBD-Based Products to Implement into Your Daily Routine
Regardless of the medical condition you have or the health issues you experience, CBD could be very useful. There’s not one particular product that works for everyone, which allows individuals to find CBD-based products that work best for them. Depending on the reasons for CBD usage, certain products may be more beneficial than others.
For instance, if your goal is to experience localized relief, it’s suggested to use a topical CBD-based lotion, cream, or ointment that can be applied onto certain body parts or joints that need relief. Generally, topical CBD products are ideal for relieving muscle soreness, cramps, muscle spasms, and neck, knee, or joint pain. Topical CBD products are increasing in usage for several reasons, but especially because they don’t deliver psycho-active effects since they seep into the skin’s pores rather than entering the body’s bloodstream. If you’re interested in using a topical CBD product, check out this lotion, which is produced and sold by a Colorado company called Infinite CBD.
Besides topical CBD products, individuals can use CBD transdermal patches.
Photo by JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images
Transdermal CBD patches are similar to nicotine and birth control patches in terms of where they’re placed on the body and the medicine that’s distributed throughout the body. These patches consist of an adhesive patch that’s infused with cannabis-based oils or cannabis-based isolates like CBD, THC, or a combination of them. Then, the patches gradually deliver the cannabinoid medicine through the body’s skin and via the capillaries, which permit the cannabinoids to enter the body’s bloodstream.
A 2003 study was conducted on the impact transdermal CBD patches had on rodents. It was found that the patches were successful, and they provided relief to the rats. Another similar study discovered that the transdermal application of CBD disallowed inflammation. Via transdermal usage, the active cannabinoid medicine doesn’t process through the body’s respiratory and digestive systems as compared to inhalation and oral consumption.
Also, transdermal CBD patches are convenient and easy to use, they provide a gradual release of relief, long-lasting effects, and they’re sold with pre-loaded doses of cannabinoids to provide users with more control regarding the quantity of medicine they’re taking. If you’re interested in trying this form of CBD, check out the patches sold by Mary’s Medicinals.
Oral, Sublingual, and Inhalation CBD-Based Products to Implement into Your Daily Routine
Oftentimes, CBD products are consumed orally via infused food and drinks. However, the effects take longer to kick in as compared to other methods. It’s important to know that oral CBD products enter the bloodstream while passing through the digestive system. For immediate relief, this isn’t the best option. To prevent pain and related symptoms from occurring, individuals can consume CBD-based oral products like infused capsules and infused gummies or other foods. If this is the route you want to take, check out Infinite CBD’s infused capsules and flavorful infused gummies.
Then, sublingual CBD administration is different than other methods because of how it’s consumed and its nearly immediate effects. To prevent and/or relieve anxiety, stress, or pain, many individuals use CBD sublingual sprays or droppers. The medicine is placed underneath the tongue, and the effects occur very quickly. Several CBD sublingual sprays and droppers are on the market, but you choose which one has the right CBD:THC ratio based on your needs, wants, and financial state. One popular CBD-based sublingual product is by Care by Design, which has a ratio of 18:1 CBD to THC.
Photo by Anatoliy Sizov/Getty Images
Lastly, inhalation is another method that’s still used nowadays. Some people smoke high CBD strains whereas others vape instead. One study found that when one vapes, they absorb up to 33 percent of the total cannabinoids that are present in that product or cannabis strain. For health purposes, vaping is better than smoking because combustion is avoided. If you’re interested in experiencing a positive quality of life and well-being while putting your health first, consider checking out Infinite CBD’s vape juice that can be added into your favorite vaporizer. Or, you can purchase vape cartridges depending on your preference.
Overall, CBD has a non-addictive makeup, non-toxic properties, incredible safety profile, and a wide variety of medicinal and therapeutic benefits, which can be useful to anyone. If you’d like to improve your quality of life, well-being, and achieve much-needed relief, consider implementing a CBD-based product or two into your daily life. Leave a comment below about which CBD product you’d be willing to try and/or the success you’ve had with CBD products so far!
A combination of CBD and terpenes was three time more effective in stopping coronavirus-related inflammation run amok compared to dexamethasone.
Public health officials have lamented the rush to locate a reliable Covid-19 treatment has led to “desperation science,” marked by maverick experimentation and faulty research. And while skeptics may lump cannabis in with that description, early trial results indicate otherwise.
We previously reported that several Israeli companies were exploring what role CBD and cannabis terpenes could play in fighting the coronavirus. Researchers reported that CBD’s anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties might provide key resistance against the coronavirus. It has to do with the cytokine storm caused by Covid-19, which results in an inflammation hurricane in your respiratory system.
Your immune system can overreact and your lungs can shut down in severe cases. The few therapeutic treatments that have worked, according to researchers in this month’s issue of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, have caused adverse side effects including pancreatitis and increased risk of heart disease. The researchers noted that CBD’s anti-inflammatory capabilities documented in previous studies are worthy of further exploration.
But Israeli researchers have found that combining CBD with cannabis terpenes could lead to far better results than CBD alone. Terpenes are known to provide marijuana’s aromatic properties, but also have shown therapeutic benefits on their own. According to Forbes, the Israeli study found a combination of CBD and terpenes was three time more effective in stopping inflammation run amok compared to the corticosteroid dexamethasone.
Photo by AnuchaCheechang/Getty Images
A recent study promoted by the World Health Organization just reported that dexamethasone, a cheap steroid, improved a coronavirus patient’s chance of survival. Dexamethasone reduced deaths by 36% among patients that needed breathing machines. The risk of death for those who only needed supplemental oxygen dropped 18%.
Israeli researchers in laboratory settings, meanwhile, tested dexamethasone against CBD treatment and a combined CBD and terpene formula. Dexamethasone inhibited cytokine activity by about 30%. On the other hand, the combined CBD and terpene formula inhibited about 90% of cytokines. Using CBD or terpenes alone resulted in a 75-80% reduction in cytokines.
“The preliminary results were highly positive,” Nadav Eyal, lead researcher and data scientist, told Forbes. He added that they’re “demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory activity of terpenes and breaking the perception that terpenes are just flavorings and fragrances compounds with a placebo effect.”
Of note: This is still a clinical trial and it’s important not to crown CBD and terpenes as the coronavirus savior just yet. The study still requires completion and publication in a peer-reviewed journal before it becomes a widespread therapeutic treatment. But these early results do showcase cannabis as a possible and useful tool against COVID-19.
