Category: Health

While the potential of CBD for pain management is extremely promising, our products remain in the “wellness” category. They are not intended to cure, treat or replace medication. CBD and pain:

Pain is not easy to characterize because it is personal and subjective. The mechanisms causing pain are the same for everyone but everyone will have their own feelings.

Let’s start with the official definition of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP): “Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage […]”.

According to INSERM, pain is responsible for two thirds of medical consultations. It is therefore legitimate to wonder what the contribution of CBD could be in its daily or occasional management.

Pain is the result of two phenomena: perception (physical sensory phenomenon transmitted to the brain) and sensation (process of interpretation of this electrical signal by our brain). This results in several types:

Inflammatory pain (joint / infectious pain)

Neuropathic pain (associated with damage to the nervous system). The perception here is distorted by the lesions.

Mixed pain, which combines the two previous ones. For example, surgery can damage nerve endings and cause inflammation.

Dysfunctional pain (fibromyalgia, functional intestinal disorders, etc.) without identifiable lesion.

So we have a nerve signal coming from the nociceptors translating a signal for the brain to convert it into pain or not. This signal can be the result of external stimulation or nerve damage. The second part of pain is how the person feels. This explains why pain is experienced differently depending on the individual. The same person can also be more sensitive to pain depending on their condition (fatigue, stress, etc.). What happens when the pain sets in over time?

Chronic pain

Acute pain is a warning signal. It is supposed to disappear when the painful stimulus ceases. But sometimes, the pain persists (nerve damage, inflammation, diseases…); pain is said to be chronic when its duration exceeds 3 months.

The occurrence of these chronic pains increases with age (more frequent pathologies), with a female predominance. The link between inflammation and chronic pain is also widely studied because the two are often linked (phenomenon of inflammatory nociceptive pain).

A large aspect of pain affects emotions: this corresponds to what we feel when we are in pain (“it is unpleasant”, “painful”, “worrying”, even “unbearable”). The mental reaction to pain corresponds to our way of managing it, interpreting it, giving it meaning, trying to forget it or live with it. We can therefore clearly see the daily mental load and the hardship that results from it. These pains can also impact our personal and professional relationships.

The consequences of prolonged pain are multiple for the body. Both mentally and psychically. They are often accompanied by a disturbed sleep cycle which can have an impact on the production of cortisol (pro-inflammatory hormone), but also on other hormonal cycles (could explain the predominance of women with certain inflammatory diseases), recovery…and the management of our already damaged emotions. This vicious circle often leads to hyperalgesia and social withdrawal.

How does CBD work on pain?

Action mechanism

CBD could act both mentally and physically on pain by making its daily management less cumbersome. Since the molecule has been studied for a short time, several avenues still need to be explored. Its anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and analgesic properties are explored.

Reminder: The most well-known cannabinoid receptors in the body are CB1 and CB2. CB1 is rather present in the central nervous system while CB2 is found in the peripheral nervous and immune system. These receptors are activated by endocannabinoids produced by the body (anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG) or plants (CBD, THC, etc.) called phytocannabinoids.

Unlike THC, CBD will not directly interact with CB1 and CB2, which explains its lack of psychotropic effects. CBD would rather decrease the degradation of endocannabinoids, thus increasing their time of action and their effects. The analgesic properties would be the result of interactions with the endocannabinoid system but also the inflammatory and nociceptive system, even if they are not yet fully understood. As inflammation and chronic pain are linked, this could explain part of the effects perceived by users. The effects of CBD on stress and sleep will complement its action, making it more robust in use because it combines physical and psychic effects, where some “classic” treatments focus only on physical symptoms.

What the studies say

Much of the research is related to the management of chronic diseases, and therefore to inflammation and pain. For example, we can cite the uses of CBD oil in the management of arthritis pain (of inflammatory origin).

The tracks also lead to its use in the hospital. Its lesser side effects than some opioids or THC make it a possible postoperative alternative (pain management, quality of sleep and therefore recovery). Possible effects against addictions are also studied.

CBD lowers pain scores: it makes the pain more bearable without making it go away. It remains to be seen whether it will complement an existing treatment or be taken alone because it is quite powerful. It could at least reduce the intake of certain medications. Indeed, morphine can cause serious addictions. The opioid addiction epidemic in the United States is one of the causes of interest in CBD.

Studies highlight the complex management of the pain phenomenon: a comprehensive approach is necessary. It will thus be necessary to improve one’s diet, to continue physical exercise (accompanied or not by a physiotherapist), not to place all one’s hopes in a single molecule as well. CBD is a promising natural alternative, but it is not a miracle cure. Especially since the conclusions of many studies will be long in coming. Indeed, taking CBD without THC remains rare (even more so in humans), hence the difficulty of isolating the effects of CBD.

CBD effects

Your face and skin tone reflects how tired and stressed you are. Those dark round circles around your eyes and that dull skin tone are all visual reflectors of your stressful times. You can get rid of such problem by sleeping more but just in case you can’t; there are more natural remedies that you can find in your kitchen.

8. Green Tea

Get that fountain of youth look back with Green Tea. The polyphenol content in Green Tea reactivates the dying skin cell and brings back that youthful glow in your skin while also reducing wrinkles.

If someone asked you which foods were good for helping fight a cold, you would probably think of things like oranges, because they are known to contain vitamin C. You might also suggest chicken soup since this is one of the most well-known home remedies of all time. Scientific research has proven that there are benefits from eating chicken soup, but there are many other foods you can eat that will help you battle a cold. Here is a sample.

#1 Oysters

Most people know that oysters have a reputation as somewhat of an aphrodisiac, but they probably do not know that they can also help your body fight a cold. Oysters are rich in zinc, and zinc is a mineral that helps fights colds as researchers discovered when they tested the effectiveness of zinc lozenges. They found that people whole took zinc lozenges experienced cold systems for a shorter amount of time.

Nicotine is one the most addictive substances on the planet. It can be found in the tobacco leaf and is one of only two recreational drugs to be legally sold throughout most of the world. Whether you have a 5 a day or 40 a day addiction, if you feel stressed and anxious when you miss out on your fix, you are an addict. Your body already needs so much to function properly. Let’s make you motivated to cross this one from your list.

Fact 1: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer

It is widely known that smoking causes lung cancer. In the UK it is the second most common form of cancer and 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. Imagine what it must feel like: a cough that doesn’t go away, doesn’t get any better and only has one conclusion: death.

Fact 2: The cost of smoking is around a quarter of the minimum wage (UK)

The average smoker is spending around £3,000 ($4,346) a year on cigarettes. This is before we consider other costs that one doesn’t usually consider; repainting your house because of nicotine stains or special toothpaste for removing nicotine stains. How about that bit of tech that’s ready to go on eBay? There is a reason people advertise “from a smoke free home”. How much do you think you spend on all those lost lighters in a year? Chewing gum? Deodorant?

Fact 3: The addiction in itself is a disease

An addiction works on two levels, physically and psychologically. Physical symptoms from withdrawal can include hot sweats, increased hunger, itchiness and a dry mouth. The psychological traits of the addict can be so much more devastating. Morals and ethics go out of the window for the addict. That is not to say that people with substance addictions are immoral or unethical, it simply means that these principles do not exist whilst in the grip of anxiety and hyper sensitivity.

The person can act in a way that a cornered animal would act and do anything for survival. This is the problem the smoker has when they run out and are desperate for a fix, it is fight or flight, the body and the mind are screaming the same thing “I need this fix, I will die if I do not get it!”. Fortunately there are a range of therapies designed to help with this initial stage and if you can manage the first 30 days, your chances of success are more than tripled.

Fact 4: Passive smoking is hurting those around you

So your health and your wallet don’t convince you? How about your family and friends? Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and linger around for a lot longer than you can see. Passive smoking increases the chances of cancer, angina and coronary heart disease in adults. If that doesn’t ring some alarm bells, the next page will.

Fact 5: You are making the children around you suffer the most

Passive smoking around children increases the chances of developing asthma, doubles the risk of cot death and increases the chances of bronchitis and pneumonia. Kids are way more likely to start smoking if their parents do, or if someone they look up to does. The younger they start the harder it is to stop, and the more aggressive the illnesses that stem from smoking can be. The longer one smokes, the bigger the chance of dying from it.

It’s too easy to become complacent these days. Too many of us accept what we have, even if we aren’t completely content with it. We had dreams and goals once upon a time. Here are the five reasons why you aren’t living the life you deserve and instead improve your life. After all, what is the point of life if you aren’t living it?

5. Stop Worrying So Much

Worrying is caused by fear. Becoming afraid of life itself can lead to distress and anger. Fear can definitely stop us from achieving our goals. You should let go of the worry and push yourself as far as possible. Is there anything you could do to get rid of the worry and enjoy life? Don’t worry about what other people think about you and just enjoy who you are, what you have, and what you aim to be and do. Replace the worry with things that make you happy and entertains you and you’ll soon find your life improving.

Everyone loves listening to good music. Research has even shown us that listening to music keeps you in a good mental state and can even boost your physical health. If you learn to play music as well it can boost your IQ and help you stay sharp as you age. Here are ten of the most amazing scientifically proven benefits of listening to music.

1. Music Makes You Happier

Research has proven that listening to music makes your brain release dopamine, which leaves you feeling good. There was a study wherein 8 music lovers were injected with radioactive substances that tracked their dopamine receptors. They listened to their favourite songs and the PET scan showed that they received a lot of dopamine. This left the participants feeling happy and excited.

1. Fish Oil and CLA

Fish oil and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) are anabolic agents that can give you a major boost in the gym. A study by the Clinical Sciences journal found that taking in 4g of fish oil a day will increase the synthesis of proteins by a factor of up to 30%. Another study, taking place over a weeklong period, showed that men who took CLA gained more muscle and lost more fat than the control group. CLA will also boost your metabolism while you sleep to burn off fat overnight. Fish oil and CLA are a good alternative to carbs and creatine that cause a spike in insulin.

Have you ever felt as if you are having trouble recalling certain information, or felt as if you cannot focus in the workplace? These troubles are common among modern-day adults, and are often the result of vitamin deficiencies in the body. Your brain cannot function at full capacity without getting the proper vitamins it needs, which in turn can lead to an inability to focus on basic tasks, as well as trouble recalling important information. Fortunately, research has been done to show which vitamins lead to increased focus and energy, and these vitamins are now available in capsules or powders online or at any health-food grocery store.

Vitamin B12: Step up your body and your mind

B complex vitamins are some of the best for the human body, as they promote increased energy and focus when taken in proper amounts. Vitamin B12 offers a number of benefits to help increase memory and focus, but a very high number of adults are deficient in the substance, mainly older individuals and vegetarians.

Many studies have been done to better understand vitamin B12, and the universal conclusion is that adequate amounts of it in your system can lead to higher energy levels, improved memory, and improved focus, however there are no studies indicating that excess levels will provide any extra benefits.

Vitamin B12 is found in most dietary vitamin supplements, however it can be found naturally in poultry, fish, and many kinds of meats.

Vitamin E: Just say “no” to memory loss.

Another vitamin most adults do not get regularly in their diet is vitamin E, which can be found in green leafy vegetables and many kinds of nuts and oils, and even whole grain flour. While severe deficiency is rare, most adults can do well with a little extra vitamin E in their diet, as it has been shown to lead to increased memory and focus, particularly for those of older age.

In fact, some research exists showing that vitamin E may work to prevent Alzheimer’s, and even slow it’s progression after it’s begun, making it one of the best substances for increased focus and memory.

Magnesium: Your brain’s best defense.

If you haven’t studied vitamins much in the past, it may seem strange to see magnesium on this list. While it may seem strange to consume magnesium, the substance is incredibly important to the human brain, as it works to protect it against neurotoxins which can lead to trouble down the road.

By protecting the brain from harmful chemicals and toxins, magnesium helps it to perform better, as it improves memory and focus by doing so. However, most adults are very deficient in the substance, as it is found mostly in seeds, nuts, and leafy greens, but is often lost when cooked or processed. Look for a dietary supplement that includes magnesium, as it is one of your brains most important defenses against toxins and harm.

If you believe your memory could be better, or that should be able to focus more easily at home or in the workplace, you may be deficient in any of the vitamins listed here. Talk to your doctor to learn more about what may be causing the issue, and look into all natural supplements that will provide your body with the vitamins it needs to think clearly and function properly.

Acne. The word that can send many teens and young adults into a frenzy, especially on occasions like spotting a newly-developed pimple the day before the senior prom! Fortunately, most people simply outgrow acne as they get past those hormone-fueled teenage years, although it can continue to be a problem for some well into adulthood. Although it seems impossible at times to win the battle against acne, there are things that can be done to improve the situation. Adjusting your diet is one thing that could be helpful, and knowing what not to eat is a key component of this strategy. These are some of the worst things you can eat if you are waging a war against acne.

1. Diet soda

There are many more reasons to avoid diet soda than preventing acne, but since that’s our topic, let’s look at it a little more closely. The ingredients in diet soda can cause inflammation in the body, which among other things, can prompt break-outs. This stuff may also lower your body’s pH, which can also cause worsening acne.

Cravings. Something we all have, and something that takes over our brains only to pull us closer to the temptation. And before we know it, your weight loss regiment is out of the window as you’re laying on the couch drinking bottles of coke and stuffing your face with chocolate chip cookies. There are theories as to what makes you crave certain foods, but this article will focus more on not what causes them, but how to control them. The following are some ways in which can help push you away from these temptations and take control of your food cravings.

1. Avoid tempting foods

While you may think that treating yourself to those foods which you crave so much every once in a while might not be so bad, they have a bigger impact than you may think. According to expect Marcia Pechat, “You crave what you eat, so if you switch what you’re eating, you can weaken your old cravings and strengthen your new ones”. This means that when you had cravings for pizza, soda, and sweets before, you can switch to some healthier suggestions in order to turn your diet around. It’ll take some time for your body to adapt to this change, but it’ll be worth it.

2. Get rid of any potential triggers

If you can still see a lot of unhealthy foods in your cupboards that tempt you when you look in them, throw them away. Don’t just throw them away, destroy any evidence of you owning them. This will help you feel good about not eating unhealthily and hopefully help stop you from buying unhealthy foods in the future.

3. Drink water and eat nuts

Make sure that you drink plenty of water and eat a variety of nuts. According to experts, if you drink two glasses of water and eat one handful of nuts, whether they be almonds or walnuts, in the space of 20 minutes, your appetite will decrease and you’ll feel less urge to eat your cravings. Nuts also help you to get rid of excess body fat. If you take a step back and look at this, then you’ll notice that you’ll be eating less but satisfying your appetite which means you’ll be losing more weight.

4. Drink some coffee

Coffee is a fantastic substitute for cravings. Instead of looking in your cupboards or going to a vending machine for a sugary snack filled with calories, get a cup of coffee. While it won’t make you less hungry it will help distract you from your cravings and help your mind ease away from your cravings.

5. Relax

Stress eating can be a problem for many people, especially those with jobs that require a lot of hard work. Instead of stress eating find some ways to relax in order to manage your stress properly, instead of filling yourself up with calories and putting on more weight.

6. Have a sleep

If you’re feeling tired during the day and are getting closer to the idea of stuffing your face with high calorie foods, take a nap instead. If the kids are at school and won’t be home for a few hours, turn on the TV, put your legs up, and close your eyes.

7. Brush your teeth more often

According to expect Molly Gee, brushing your teeth is a fantastic way to divert your attention from fulfilling your cravings. “When you have a fresh, clean mouth, you don’t want to mess it up.”, says Molly.

8. Keep yourself distracted

Find something to distract yourself. If you ever find yourself craving a greasy cheeseburger or a slice of cake, you might not even be hungry and it is most likely your brain playing games with you. According to John Foreyt PhD, who went to Baylor College of Medicine, “Cravings typically last ten minutes.”. With that in mind, within those 10 minutes find something that can distract you. Go for a run, maybe listen to some music, or even tidy up the house. Anything that satisfies you will do.

9. Don’t starve yourself

No matter what, never starve yourself to try to lose weight. This won’t help you at all and will instead help you put weight on. By starving yourself you are making your body think to itself that it should burn less energy. It will also slow down your metabolic rate and help maintain the levels of fat that you have already consumed. Don’t starve yourself, instead eat regular healthy meals on a schedule so that your body gets used to it.

10. Plan in advance or resist the temptation

If you are finally going to reach forward and treat yourself to a slice of chocolate cake, alter your diet slightly so that you don’t consume more calories than usual. If you are going to have a slice of cake after your dinner, lessen the portions you eat throughout the day so that you don’t have a higher intake than usual.