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It is no secret that coconut oil is a great source of healthy fats with endless uses in cooking, health supplementation, and beauty products. But did you know that MCT oil is a similar but concentrated oil with many of the same benefits and more?
MCTs or Medium Chain Triglycerides (of Medium Chain Fatty Acids) are fatty acids of a certain length, as the name suggests. MCT oil is an oil made up of one or more of these medium chain triglycerides and it is translucent and tasteless liquid at room temperature. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are made up of medium-chain fatty acids. The “medium” refers to the length of their chemical structure. What are the Benefits of MCTs? Unlike almost all other foods, MCTs do not require energy to be absorbed, stored or used in the body, making them an almost perfect source of natural energy. MCTs don’t need bile salts to be digested and can pass directly from the digestive system to the bloodstream without being modified by digestion like long chain fats. This makes them easier to digest and utilize than long chain fatty acids. Because MCTs are so easy to absorb, they are used medicinally for people with digestive and malabsorption issues. They’re also an ideal source of healthy fats for people with a sluggish liver or a missing gallbladder. C8- Caprylic Acid: It has potent anti-microbial properties (way more potent than lauric acid) to help you maintain a healthy gut, and it is the fastest to metabolize in the brain. Your liver does not need to process this rare type of MCT. This is the rarest form of MCT. C10- Capric Acid: This is the second rarest form of MCT. It takes longer than the C8 to pass through the liver and turn into energy but it is more affordable than C8. C12- Lauric Acid: C12 requires more time in the liver rather than getting converted into energy like the MCTs stated above. Many MCT companies imply that lauric acid is the same as monolaurin, an extremely potent antimicrobial that is derived from lauric acid. They are not the same. This is the biggest issue in the industry. Consumers are all too often tricked into thinking they are getting this amazing MCT oil when in reality, it’s just a ton of isolated lauric acid or even worse, palm oil. Palm Oil: The palm oil industry is responsible for the deforestation for large parts of the rainforest. Thousands of acres of rainforest are being destroyed to make room for palm production. This has also driven many animals out of their natural habitats and greatly threatens species like the orangutan and Sumatran tiger, which are both in danger of extinction. The large-scale production of palm crops in these areas has also driven native people from their homes and destroyed their sources of income, as many of them rely on the rainforest for food or their livelihoods. When looking for health products that contain MCT oil, choose ones that contain MCT derived from coconut and not palm. References http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21262136 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC90807/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_oil
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 Unexpected results on drug tests really do happen. A urine drug screen tests for the presence of certain illegal drugs and prescription medications. You may be more likely to be tested when applying for a job than when playing professional sports, but you could also be affected by a false positive. Here are several common medications—prescription and over-the-counter—that you’ll want to be aware of as potential culprits for a false positive. We now offer a home urine test specifically for THC. Check in out in our store, just $5.
 HEMP MILK
Makes 8 half cup servings Ingredients 1 cup hulled hemp seeds 4 cups water 2-3 teaspoons agave syrup (may be omitted or substituted) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Directions 1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Process for 3 minutes. 2. Take a spoonful to taste for sweetness and thickness. Add more water if it's too thick for your desired consistency. Changing the water ratio is kind of like controlling the difference between heavy cream and skim milk. 3. Strain the milk if you want, though this is not required. Refrigerate, shake and enjoy! Best just after blending, but will last for up to five days in the fridge.  Receptor molecules like cannabinoids and terpenes fit into special receptors within the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. A researcher or doctor would say that molecules like CBD activate particular cannabinoid receptors. These receptors, called CB1 and CB2, work like a lock and key when flooded with cannabinoids, after a patient applies topically or ingests.
Receptor Expression--One patient may overexpress a receptor like CB1 (meaning they have more receptors than average) and, as a result, be very sensitive to a cannabinoid like CBD. Other patients may underexpress a receptor like CB2, meaning they may be less sensitive to the therapeutic effects of a cannabinoid like CBD and may need to consume it in greater quantities or add other cannabinoids and terpenes to the mix, especially those that target other receptors, like CB1. This targeting is formally called a binding affinity. Some molecules may feature a relatively low binding affinity that offers poor or moderate efficacy for a patient, while other pairings feature a very strong affinity that, when combined with cannabinoids from high-quality plants, can result in superb medical benefit or psychoactive effects. Receptor expression pertains not only to variations among individuals, but also to the density of a particular type of receptor within a region of the body. For example, a study published in 2010 in the British Journal of Pharmacology provided further evidence that receptors vary in the density with which they appear in various parts of the body, mostly the brain, central nervous system, and immune system. “CB1 receptors are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), with low to moderate expression in the [peripheral nervous system].” Receptors can accommodate a variety of molecular structures, so it’s not a situation of CB1 receptors, for example, accommodating only the CBD molecule. These molecular parking spots may have a higher binding affinity for CBD than most other cannabinoids and terpenes, but other molecules may also bind with this receptor, with a variety of affinities. According to a 2012 study published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, a single receptor type can recognize and bind with multiple varieties of molecules. Due to the dearth of research that has been conducted regarding the human endocannabinoid system and is interaction with phytocannabinoids from herbs like cannabis, experts and scientists can currently only speculate regarding the complexity and breadth of this system that is so critical for human health — and is present in all mammals (this is why cannabis studies on primates and rodents yield data that can be effectively extrapolated to humans). Reported the study: “The complex molecular architecture of each of the cannabinoid receptors allows for a single receptor to recognize multiple classes of compounds and produce an array of distinct downstream effects.” Many researches and scientists speculate that other receptors, beyond CB1 and CB2, may easily exist. A detailed understanding about how cannabinoids and terpenes interact with currently unknown receptor types in the endocannabinoid system could potentially result in cannabinoid therapies targeted at particular diseases and conditions. Until this research is conducted, however, those considering cannabis to treat their condition must rely mostly on anecdotal evidence provided by fellow patients. The 2012 study cited above concluded that additional cannabinoid receptors, which it labels “sites of action,” likely exist. This just boggles my mind. Why doesn't it work for everyone? If we all have and endocannibinoid system and receptor sites why? Is there damage, are the receptors clogged and not talking with the brain? If so what is the clog? Environmental toxins? Diet? Pharmaceuticals? I really want to know what this is. It is usually someone claiming to have fibromyalgia, who have had numerous surgeries. Is it anesthesia? Okay, this may be a bit odd, but I really want to understand this, so I ask a psychic medium for help. She told me the following: 1) That 20+% will not get relief from anything--that it is a karmic obligation! 2) 79% can get relief with energy work, reiki, laying on of hands, very gentle touch with an application of oil will put a "layer between them and the world". 4) That their nerves are stripped and this may be an identity psychological pattern to be released, (they feel emotionally ripped off). 5) They require stillness, quiet, peaceful environment, rest, chemical free environment and non-restrictive clothing. 6) Gentle detox protocols and very light EFT, essential oils and CBD would be beneficial.
I would love for all my fibromyalgia suffers to give our topicals a try as I have been getting good results with CBD interacting with CB1 receptor sites within the skin. Much gratitude to TK for her insights of fibromyalgia and CBD. CBD really works on anxiety! One is not sleepy, high or incapacitated in anyway. Actually, I am more productive as I am very focused, and clear on what needs to be done. Calm cool and collected feels oh so good. You just gotta try it to know how it will work for you. Here are few findings I located on a google search.
A small 2010 study found that cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Brain scans of participants revealed changes in blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to feelings of anxiety. In this study, cannabidiol not only made participants feel better but also changed the way their brains responded to anxiety. A 2011 study also found that cannabidiol could reduce social anxiety. For that study, researchers looked specifically at cannabidiol to treat anxiety associated with public speaking. Research published in 2014 found that CBD oil had anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in an animal model. A 2015 analysis of previous studies concluded that CBD oil is a promising treatment for numerous forms of anxiety, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The report cautioned, however, that data on long-term use of CBD oil is limited. While research strongly points to the role of cannabidiol in treating short-term anxiety, little is known about its long-term effects, or how it can be used as a prolonged treatment. In my case, I have been using CBD for over 4 years now, and feel as if CBD has eliminated all anxiousness. I no longer take CBD for anxiety reasons. Except when I travel on the freeway and that is when I take a few inhalations on my vape pen and almost instantly I am stress free, no more white knuckle drive syndrome and I believe I am actually more focused and visually see "outs" in traffic. I would highly recommend CBD if experiencing stress and or anxiety. A 2016 case study explored whether cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety-provoked sleep disorder in a child with a history of trauma. Researchers found that cannabidiol reduced the child's anxiety and helped her sleep. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881110379283https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1  Many who want to purchase THC oil buy hemp derived CBD oil instead because CBD is federally legal in all 50 states as well is in most areas of the world. Both of these oils provide you many of the same health benefits. These include treatment for glaucoma, improved lung health, control of seizures, cancer treatment and pain management, anxiety and more. While both offer similar benefits, CBD is different from THC in one important area. THC has psychosomatic properties that impact the brain and give the user a high feeling. CBD does not have these same properties, so there is not a high feeling when you use CBD oil. Hemp derived CBD is legal due to the very low amount of THC. The Federal government requires hemp derived CBD to be less than .03% of THC in order to be legal. Labs are busy testing hemp derived CBD for trace levels of THC as well as other less than desirable components such as heavy metal and pesticides. Ask your manufacturer how your hemp derived CBD is processed and always look for a certificate of analysis to verify potency and purity.
 Rather than ingesting CBD hemp oil orally, which will affect the whole body and can take up to 2 hours or more to fully experience the effects, the topical application of cannabinoids allows them to be absorbed directly into the affected area for faster and more focused onset of effects.
This minimally invasive method for CBD use often serves as a first point of contact between curious consumers and the hemp oil industry. Reluctant to ingest CBD oil, new users may be more willing to try external applications for their first time before moving on to oral CBD supplements. CBD is more permeable to the skin than THC, interacting with CB2 receptors near the skin, activating the endocannabinoid system within 2-5 minutes for 8+ hours of relief. A word of caution; like all full spectrum CBD hemp oil products, CBD oil topicals are non-psychoactive, but do enter the bloodstream and may cause a false-positive drug test due to the trace level of THC which is federally legal under .03%. There is extensive research on the overall benefits that CBD provides in humans, but most of the studies on topical applications that we were able to find used animals. A University of Kentucky research team in July 2016 published the results from their successful CBD study in the European Journal of Pain regarding relieving arthritis symptoms found in rats. Arthritis was artificially induced in the knee joints of rats by scientists, and then it was studied whether or not their pain was reduced and mobility improved by CBD. The researchers noted that joint swelling was significantly reduced by transdermal CBD gel, and noted other pain indicators, including how the affected joints were positioned by the rats appeared to be improved as well. The researchers added that the CBD did not alter exploratory behavior which indicated that higher brain function had only a limited effect, and there was additional evidence that few side effects were associated with CBD. The scientists concluded that according to the data topical CBD application appears to have therapeutic potential for relieving arthritis pain-related inflammation and behaviors without any noticeable side effects. Although maybe not as applicable to daily applications, it has been suggested by other animal studies that CBD might reduce numerous different types of inflammation. Another thing that is worth noting is there are two patents at least already on specific topical CBD formulations. When cannabinoids are topically applied, it enables them to be directly absorbed into the affected area for more focused and faster relief. Beyond just the basic chronic pain problems, it has also be shown that the topical use of the combination of CBD and THC have been reported as being effect against multiple sclerosis’ central pain. It might help with skin conditions as well, including skin infections, psoriasis, eczema, rashes, and burns. Dr. Ranga Krishna, a Brooklyn-based neurologist, said he both holds a patent and prescribed topical CBD due to its amazing promise. He said that topicals are a great option since it is easy to measure them when it comes to ingredient compositions, and they have higher bioavailability compared to orally ingested compounds due to having the ability to skip liver metabolization. Since everyone is different, topical CBD does not work for everybody. One user reports that he tried it for a stubborn chronic pain issue and that it did help some but wasn’t enough for his level of pain or the spot. He said they had gone back to other ingesting CBD methods that appear to help more. Although topical creams did not help with chronic pain, another, an unexpected benefit was discovered. It worked great on menstrual cramps. Other people on Reddit were very enthusiastic about topical CBD benefits. One person suffering from postherpetic neuralgia, which is a lingering type of chronic pain that might be caused by shingles, wrote that CBD was the only thing that helped. There are severeal Studies done on CBD and Skin Care from the NCBI below: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070816094649.htm
So my musings continue on the endocannabinoid system and deficiency of cannabinoids causing discomforts and disorders. Many people are suffering from different pain disorders. But it seems that there is a common thread of relief. Cannabis Sativa "L", hemp derived cannabidiol is that common thread. I am constantly amazed how CBD relieves pain. I have created a line of Hemp Relief Roll-On's that address specific discomforts as CBD appears to be the "common thread" for all pain disorders. Besides hemp derived CBD, each roll-on contains specific Young Living essential oils for specific discomforts. There are many clinical studies underway, but one that recently caught my eye: "In a small study 28 fibromyalgia patients took cannabis and were compared with a control group of patients who did not. Two hours after cannabis use, there was a reported ‘reduction of pain and stiffness, enhancement of relaxation and an increase in somnolence and feeling of well-being’. Another recent survey comparing the efficacy of cannabis with pharmaceutical drugs generally used for fibromyalgia found that cannabis came out best compared to the prescription alternatives." I have conducted my own test on my husband, John, who kept experiencing red swollen, painful finger and toe. Other than these painful flareups John is in excellent health and doesn't take any pharmaceuticals. We changed his diet, many times for over a year. We finally isolated it to nightshades, specifically peppers, which he loves in ethnic foods. So totally eliminating spicy peppers we managed the flare ups. But as soon as he would consume his favorite Mexican food, the swelling and pain would return. Applying CBD topically totally took care of the pain and swelling, but would return if he ate spicy pepper dishes two days in a row. So, I seized the moment to test my theory that his pain was due to a deficiency of cannabinoids within his endocannabinoid system. John began taking a dose each morning and if the pain/swelling came on, he took more, and he enjoyed his favorite Mexican and Thai food weekly, (several times). After about the first month, the need to consume CBD due to pain/swelling was gone. He continues to take his morning dose, supplementing his endocannabinoid system and has not had an arthritic flare up for over 6 months. I am so happy I have found CBD. It is my dream that everyone enjoy their lives pain free.
 I'm not alone in my theory that our disorders and discomforts may be related to a CBD deficiency. Dr. Ethan Russo, believes many disorders, share a lack of what has become known as ‘endocannabinoid tone’ – i.e. how well the ECS performs its core role of keeping balance in the body.
In a recent interview Dr Ethan Russo a pioneering scientist in the endocannabinoid field, describes the ECS as a buffer ‘something that will work both ways as need be. So, for example, in the endocannabinoid system one of its main roles in the brain is to regulate neurotransmitter function and again, if there’s too much of one kind of neurotransmitter it will bring it down, if there’s too little it will bring it up’. Another example of how the ECS restores balance is with neuropathic pain – a condition associated with MS, HIV and diabetes, but notoriously difficult to treat with pharmaceutical drugs. So the ECS acts as a dimmer switch, upregulating or downregulating when necessary, a principle that can be applied to all systems of the body. But what happens if the Endocannabinoid System isn’t functioning correctly. According to Dr Russo, ‘If you don’t have enough endocannabinoids you have pain where there shouldn’t be pain. You would be sick, meaning nauseated. You would have a lowered seizure threshold. And just a whole litany of other problems’. Russo sees a pattern between these symptoms and a number of conditions that until now modern medicine has found difficult to treat, namely migraine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia. Sceptics might believe this to be pure coincidence, but studies have already shown how the production of the endocannabinoid anandamide might have some bearing on the situation. Russo states ‘available data confirm that the target organs (brain, gut, musculoskeletal system) seem to express lower than normal levels of anandamide, thus providing credence for the concept that they would benefit from treatments that would upregulate the ECS back to normal levels’. Russo’s named it ‘Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency’ (CED) and is based on the concept ‘that many brain disorders are associated with neurotransmitter deficiencies, Alzheimer’s disease, parkinsonian syndromes, depression, and that a comparable deficiency in endocannabinoid levels might be manifest similarly in certain disorders that display predictable clinical features’ as a result of this deficiency. He believes that supplementing an impaired ECS with plant cannabinoids will bring it back to optimum function, thus provoking an improvement in any many conditions. Here-Here! |
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