This article was originally published by Lisa Egan at Tess Pennington’s ReadyNutrition.com
Tess is the author of The Prepper’s Blueprint: How To Survive ANY Disaster
You have probably heard a lot of talk about something called “CBD” in recent years – especially in the last few months. Many people aren’t really sure what CBD is, and might be wondering why it seems to be everywhere all of a sudden. Some know that CBD products are made from hemp, which is a plant that is in the same family as marijuana. However, there are important differences between hemp and marijuana. Even though both plants are in the cannabis family, they have different properties.
Perhaps the most important difference is that unlike marijuana, hemp does NOT produce a “high”. This is because hemp plants contain very little of a compound called tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC, often referred to as “the high causer”). THC has psychoactive properties – that is what causes the “high” feeling the plant can produce.
THC has medicinal properties too, but most CBD products made from hemp contain barely a trace of the compound – many contain less than 0.3% THC.
Some CBD products (typically called isolates) do not contain any THC at all.
Hemp is high in CBD, which does not produce a high and has incredible healing properties.
In this article, we will explore what CBD is, the health benefits of CBD oil, and why there is still a stigma attached to the plant.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol – or “CBD” – is one of over 100 compounds found in cannabis plants (including hemp) that belong to a class of naturally occurring, biologically active chemical constituents called cannabinoids. CBD is non-intoxicating.
Our bodies have a biochemical communication system called an endocannabinoid system (ECS). All humans – and many animals – have this system.
Endo refers to endogenous, which means originating within the body. Cannabinoid refers to the group of compounds that activate the ECS.
You could say we are hard-wired for CBD use because we have receptors throughout our bodies that respond to cannabinoids.
The ECS is responsible for the physical and psychological effects of cannabis.
Endocannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors to regulate basic bodily functions, including mood, temperature, digestion, sleep, pain, appetite, and many more.
CBD influences a wide range of receptor systems in the brain and body – not just cannabinoid receptors, but many others. It indirectly influences the body’s two classical cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) by signaling through those receptors. CBD appears to direct the body to use more of its own cannabinoids.
CBD also can increase levels of the body’s own naturally-produced cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) by inhibiting the enzymes that break them down.
What is CBD used for?
CBD has remarkable therapeutic potential.
Scientific research has shown CBD has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, anti-tumoral, and neuroprotective qualities.
It is used for conditions including anxiety, arthritis, bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, digestive disorders, pain relief, muscle dystonia, seizures, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disorders, and schizophrenia. It has also been used to help people quit smoking and shows promise in helping people with opioid addiction.
CBD is safe, non-intoxicating, and non-addictive. It is usually well-tolerated, but it can interfere with certain medications. Please consult with your healthcare provider if you are taking prescription drugs and would like to take CBD.
Why are we hearing so much about CBD now? What is going on?
Industrial hemp is now legal to grow in the United States. Prior to President Trump signing the 2018 Farm Bill into law recently, it was legal to buy products made from hemp, but it was not legal to grow hemp in this country.
The United States has long been the largest consumer of hemp products, but until the new bill passed, it was the only industrialized nation that prohibited industrial hemp cultivation. Prior to the bill passing, every industrial product in the US made from hemp was legal, but the plant itself was illegal. The US was even exporting products made from imported hemp. Some states legalized growing hemp for industrial purposes, but it remained illegal at the federal level until late 2018.
As explained in 5 Incredible Ways You Can Use Hemp, the legalization of industrial hemp cultivation is great news because the plant is incredibly versatile:
If there is such a thing as a wonder plant, hemp is it.
The list of products that can be made with hemp is in the thousands (possibly tens of thousands!) and includes textiles, clothing, paper, plastic substitutes, fuel (bio-diesel), beauty and skin care products, sheets, bedding, towels, blankets, furniture, rope, canvas, carpet, home-building materials, and even cars.
The new law means that hemp will now be treated as an agricultural commodity instead of a “controlled substance” like marijuana.
One of the most promising benefits hemp has to offer is CBD.
Unfortunately, because hemp is a plant in the same family as marijuana, there is a stigma associated with it.
Despite the fact that no one has ever died of a cannabis overdose (hemp or marijuana – even the US Drug Enforcement Administration admits this), negative connotations and fears still surround the plants.
Why was growing hemp illegal in the US for so long?
Hemp was swept up in the War on Drugs because federal law did not differentiate it from other cannabis plants, all of which were effectively made illegal in 1937 under the Marihuana Tax Act and formally made illegal in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act (this banned cannabis plants of any kind).
“The prohibition of hemp ranks among the most absurd and pointless laws our government passed in the twentieth century,” wrote Chris Calton in the article Ending the War on the Non-Drug Known as Hemp.
Prior to the War on Drugs, the US had a long history of hemp production, Calton explains:
Before governments arrested people for growing hemp, they used to fine farmers for not growing it. In the sixteenth century, King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I fined English farmers who failed to contribute to the country’s hemp industry. In 1673, King Charles II instructed the Royal Governor of Virginia to impose the edict on the Virginia colonists. Hemp was particularly valuable to the Royal Navy, which used it for uniforms, ropes, and sails, among other things.
It is relatively common knowledge that several Founding Fathers of the United States grew hemp.
In the 1930s, Harry Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (the DEA’s predecessor) and America’s first drug czar, began pushing for the criminalization of cannabis plants.
In 1937, Anslinger got what he wanted. A cannabis criminalization law was passed.
Some were concerned – and rightfully so – that the law would be used to shut down the hemp industry:
Anslinger promised that his men would leave industrial hemp alone.
Anslinger lied. When the United States entered World War II at the end of 1941, the hemp industry had been completely wiped out.
The problem now was that the US military needed hemp, and a lot of it. Military and naval technology may have come a long way since Henry VIII issued his compulsory hemp-growing edict to support the Royal Navy of the sixteenth century, but hemp fibers retained a multitude of uses. And going into the biggest military conflict of the twentieth century, the US had no domestic source of hemp, despite a centuries-long tradition of producing it.
It gets even more convoluted:
In response, the same government that empowered Anslinger to completely destroy the hemp industry now approved funding for enormous subsidies to American farmers to restart the hemp industry that had been flourishing without subsidies only five years earlier.
To remind them that hemp-growing was their patriotic duty, the government even commissioned a propaganda film entitled Hemp for Victory.
But after the war, the benefits of hemp production were forgotten, and Anslinger ordered the destruction of the government-subsidized hemp industry.
“At the cost of millions of taxpayer dollars, his crusade to eradicate the evils of marijuana amounted to little more than the destruction of the low-THC outgrowth of industrial hemp,” Calton explains.
Indeed, it is a shame that the influence of one man – a man who either did not understand the differences between hemp and marijuana or simply did not care – deprived people of the incredible benefits of hemp for so many years.
Thankfully, the tides have finally turned, and a growing body of research is revealing the expansive health benefits of hemp.
If you would like to read about my personal experience with CBD for psoriatic arthritis (an autoimmune condition that is similar to rheumatoid arthritis), you can read my story here: I Tried CBD Oil For My Psoriatic Arthritis. Here’s What Happened.
Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Blueprint, a comprehensive guide that uses real-life scenarios to help you prepare for any disaster. Because a crisis rarely stops with a triggering event the aftermath can spiral, having the capacity to cripple our normal ways of life. The well-rounded, multi-layered approach outlined in the Blueprint helps you make sense of a wide array of preparedness concepts through easily digestible action items and supply lists.
Tess is also the author of the highly rated Prepper’s Cookbook, which helps you to create a plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply and includes over 300 recipes for nutritious, delicious, life-saving meals.
Visit her website at ReadyNutrition.com for an extensive compilation of free information on preparedness, homesteading, and healthy living.
I just might try some of that CBD. I’ve got some minor arthritis in my right knee that flares up on occasion. If it works on that problem then I’ll support CBD.
works great for my irritable bowel syndrome
highly recommend
Fucking stoners.
“You can’t drive stoned it’s impossible” tell that to the idiot I lent my car to and then she ran it up onto a curb and broke the suspension arm.
You want to talk about “extend and pretend”? How about all those drug addicted cam-whores out there. That’s future planning skillz right there, is what that is.
Hemp is high in CBD, which does not produce a high and has incredible healing properties.
And is addictive as all fuck and has side effects.
WATCH.
YOU JUST WATCH.
It isn’t addictive and has no known side effects. And, you can’t overdose on CBD.
I suppose my age is showing but I thought CBD was Central Business District. I certainly wouldn’t think Millennials would know a thing about it – after all it’s where work happens.
Central Business District are long defunct. Now CBD stands for Chinese Business District!!!
Stuart, LMAO! You’re right about the millennials not knowing about work since they refuse to do so. One day they’ll truly regret that decision.
Typically a Democrat(Anslinger)is responsible
for the suffering of millions of people.
With rare exception, I think all drugs
should be legal and easily available
to all over the age of 18.
I have no need to use CBD, but if it works for
you, then you should have ready access to it.
So the heroin death rate will go from 300 Americans a day to ten fold that. Good idea.
JS,
Fewer Democrat voters is a good thing.
Oh no….., the dead still vote Democrat.
it’s when them dead voters vote more than once that gets MY blood boilin’!
Stay out of everyone else’s life, you fool. If someone wants to take heroin (what the hell do you base your “fact” on anyway?) what’s it got to do withyou? If they want to use CBD to cure their ailments, what’s that go to do with you? Americans die every day – IT’S NOT THE GOVENRMENT’S JOB TO MAKE SURE AMERICANS DON’T DIE.
So you honestly think if Heroin was legalized today tens of thousands of people would start shooting up? Let me ask you is the reason you are not on Heroin is because it’s simply illegal?
Rick,
He’s obviously never heard of drug of choice.
No matter how hard you try you CANNOT save people from themselves, it is not possible. I sure as hell should not be deprived of something that will help me just because somebody else CANNOT use it in a responsible manner. If that logic is used, EVERYBODY should have to walk because some idiots cannot drive??? The heroin death rate will not rise if people don’t use heroin…..
Most common street drugs, or the same classes of drugs, have been prescribed to people with fake social promotions.
Commentators may think that the free market is more or less dysfunctional than a formal pill mill.
I think, your drugs come from the same labs, which are probably state monopolies.
Also, that junky probably owns you, already.
Just ordered some, so I am gonna find out soon enough, hype or help.
I know many people using cbd oil for various problems-fibromyalgia, dystonia, arthritis and many more. I use it myself for inflammation and chronic pain and it has been a Godsend. I wish it had been available when Mom had Alzheimer’s, she also suffered constant headaches most of her life. I think big Pharma has been responsible for keeping this away from the public, proving once again that they do not care for people, just their $$$. Cbd oil does not get you high.
Does the Mellon family ring a bell? Plenty more usual suspects involved in the criminalization of hemp/weed.
Rellik, fewer libturds is a good thing but ZERO libturds would be like going to heaven.
OT but important. At Zero Hedge, an article about things spinning out of control in Venezuela. Military and police are going over to the opposition and joining in the protests. The president of the National Assembly has declared himself to be the ‘interim president’ and Trump has already recognized him as the REAL president of Venezuela. Pro-Maduro forces are now using live ammunition on anti-Maduro protestors. Maduro has broken diplomatic relations with the US and given our diplomats 72 hours to leave the country. Everything now depends on their military and what they do. The next several days may determine the outcome.
Zero Hedge is the only outlet carrying this article so far. No mention in any MSM sites at this time. Also, forgot to mention there is supposedly an internet blackout in Venezuela now.
As we speak, US diplomats are leaving Venezuela and all Americans have been asked to leave.
Only a fool would stay.
Maranatha, what website did you get that from?
Heard this on Fox News just a little while ago.
Thought something was going on with all the chopper air traffic running up and down the I-95 corridor.
It’s great stuff for sure. Recently came across this opportunity in the CBD space.
http://my.healthy-cbd-chocolates.com
The evils of marijuana backed mostly by big pharma, big AMA, big nanny state government, big alcohol and big tobacco. Where is the apology? What a corrupt nation.
Found the one link to the referenced scientific research.
ht tps://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/conditions
There you will find a list of conditions it’s used for, then click what you are interested in and click the links listed to PubMed to read the research.
I do not know who Lisa Egan is or even if she actually exists.
But no clinical studies exist for CBD or weed because it is a Schedule I drug which, like Heroin, prohibits Big Pharma and University labs from studying it.
So I have no clue where she gets her “findings” from. What it is “used” for is NOT synonymous with clinical findings that can and have been replicated, simply because none exist.
Period.
Do you all see the CON being put on you here?
It’s also clear that Ms. Egan has no clue have Emergency Room visits have SKYROCKETED since the legalization of Marijuana.
So please, Ms. Egan, let’s not sacrifice common sense and genuine science at the bonfire of smoked marijuana that enslaves and chokes more brains under the guise of “health” when it is literally is mostly smoke with one or two mirrors obscuring the truth and misleading readers.
– the Lone Ranger
“Always tell the truth. That will astonish some, and gratify the rest.” – Harry S. Truman
“Truth never damages a cause that is just.” – Gandhi
“Truth needs to be repeated as long as there are men who disbelieve it.” – Gandhi
Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved pharmaceutical grade drug using CBD oil. And believe me the pharmaceutical industry is just getting started making money off CBD and weed.
That’s a load of horseshit. Pot does not hold a candle to LEGAL alcohol in terms of damage to our society. The reason pot is illegal and alcohol is not is because of money, the alcohol crowd did not want the competition…….do some research. It always amuses me to see people post on blogs about the scourge of pot while they joke about drinking alcohol and apparently some of them post while drunk. Or, maybe they are just that stupid……hahaha
I’d rather not say.
But read this.
htt ps://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/23/venezuela-president-maduro-breaks-relations-with-us-gives-american-diplomats-72-hours-to-leave-country.html
America is supporting the election of his rival Juan Guiado and several other nations are also following suit.
Maduro would unleash the full brunt of the US military if he does anything remotely foolish and one hair of any American is harmed or if they accidentally are in automobile accidents.
We’re looking for an excuse to intervene.
htt ps://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/world/breaking-news-all-americans-told-to-evacuate-from-venezuela-immediately
I don’t know if y’all have ever been in an emergency evac, but suddenly there is a knock on the door, and military personnel are waiting, and you have less than five minutes to bug out. There is no messing around when it happens. You grab the BOB and ID and cash and go.
It’s highly motivating.
ht tps://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-23/us-refuses-withdraw-diplomats-venezuela-after-maduro-issues-72-hour-warning
‘Looks like a skeleton crew of diplomats is staying. ‘Feel sorry for them plus their crew of soldiers guarding the embassy. Realize that every US embassy also has CIA inside as well. The nonessential will go and these guys are being used to saber-rattle until Guiado is in place to take over.
There are rumors that some of the Venezualan military might pull a coup to throw Maduro out. That is always dicey. No confirmation.
It appears at least 15 nations have offered verbal support for Guiado so Maduro is just putting off the inevitable as some high ranking military will betray him to get Guiado in place and curry great favor in case they are guilty of shenanigans like GRAFT.
In Aug 2018, an “unknown drone attack” made an attempted assination attempt on Maduro, so someone inside is helping an unknown nation (ha) to handle the situation.
ht tp://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/26143/if-the-u-s-has-to-pull-its-diplomats-out-of-venezuela-heres-how-they-would-do-it
This gives a little insight how some ops like the US Marine FAST Company might go to extract if it ges FUBAR.
Reports of gunfire on the streets in Venzuela and weapons and uniforms found. It looks like coup started.
Hundreds of thousands marched in Caracas and set fire to the Socialist headquarters earlier.
There is a rumor that Maduro fled the country.
Non-essential personnel are being evacuated from the US embassy at Caracas. The others are stuck because of saber-rattling. Both Caracas and Petare are hotspots. Officially Americans are strongly urging Americans to leave but some dumbasses are likely staying.
Just another druggie looking through drug induced rose colored glasses who is too stoned to care about the damage her delusions will cause on the naive when they listen to her advise and follow through with it destroying their lives in the process.
There is nothing “druggie” about CBD. I’ve tried it in gummies and liquid. Gave some gummies to my daughter who has MS. It’s good for helping with insomnia (better than taking melatonin) and anxiety as well as chronic pain. Your statement indicates a lack of knowledge and a need to educate yourself.
Russia condemned the election of Guiado and the protesting going on throughout Venezuela. They had planned a military base exchange with Maduro which be like Cuba 2.0. Looks like usuall Communist nations are backing up Maduro versus the Free World.
There’s looting going on across the country and a mob stole a National Guard vehicle in Caracas and burned the National Guard headquarters in Petare.
Putin is warning the USA not to attack Venezuela as they are friendly to us and our strategic partner.
Nonessential personnel are bugging out from the US embassy at Caracas.
The Communists are no longer in power in Russia. It’s probably as much of a crony capitalist oligarchy as the US is.
Legalizing drugs has not actually helped places like the Netherlands. Activists pushed for it as they presumed there would be less overdoses and it would reduce deliterious health effects and the multifactorial social issues of drug addicts.
Has that happened in the Netherlands? Not especially. You had needle parks before and you have them now. There has been a steady increase in overdoses.
Legalization should mean cheaper prices and thus less crime, but that only works if you stop the prostitution, extortion, thefts, violence crime, etc. It doesn’t, it just cuts profitability to the drug pushers.
Take it from an old ER nightshift doc: pot is not medicine. You absolutely CAN OD on it. Come on down and spend a week with me to see how bad devil weed is. You won’t believe it.
No quality studies on CBDs. Just makes you forget your problem.
Just because a substance is not addictive, does not imply it has a beneficial effect, especially when people are just thinking more is better.
Too much water will cause someone to first get their electrolyte balance out of whack, then have cardiac cycle issues, then have a heart attack.
But gee water is not addictive and everyone can drink as much water as they want…