The dementia related conditions that can be helped by CBD include: Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia and Huntington’s disease.
According to researchers at California’s Salk Institute, their 2017 study has found evidence that cannabinoids such as CBD could help remove dementia from brain cells. While the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve a CBD drug for the purposes of treating dementia, it has approved a CBD based drug for treating epilepsy.
There are three ways which CBD can work to improve health outcomes for persons with dementia; by reducing inflammation, by reducing oxygen build up and by working as a brain stimulant and neuroprotectant. From a user’s perspective, CBD may reduce stress and anxiety in the individual with dementia as well as reduce the decline of memory and other brain functions.
It should be noted that much controversy surrounds CBD and the claims companies have made as to it’s positive effects.
Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s and the topic of CBD health benefits continues to grow with new CBD and Alzheimer’s research. In recent studies, CBD has been shown to reduce or remove the impact of inflammation, oxygen build up and brain cell decline.
Inflammation has been shown to increase the negative impact of Alzheimer’s disease. The inflammatory response happens when the brain’s immune cells fail to clear disorienting blockages. The inflammation that is a core cause of Alzheimer’s symptoms can often be reduced by using CBD oil.
Oxygen is released as a reactive, stress induced component of Alzheimer’s disease. When inflammation happens in the brain, oxygen is released as a result. The greater the inflammation, the greater the negative impact. Important brain functions such as memory are decreased as more oxygen is released in the brain’s cells. Memory loss and other brain deterioration indirectly leads to increased oxygen in the brain. CBD is an antioxidant, which helps reduce the problems associated with oxygen stress. Brain functions negatively impacted by oxygen stress can be improved by using CBD.
Alzheimer’s patients brain cells often show a path of rapid decline and destruction. The potential of stimulating brain tissue was recently discovered as a potential benefit of CBD. In clinical trials, CBD has shown the ability to reverse and even prevent the development of Alzheimer’s negative impact. A 2011 study by Australian researchers Tim Karl and Carl Group found that CBD promotes the growth and development of brain cells, which were shown to reduce the decline of memory and other brain functions.
Vascular Dementia  Vascular dementia is a general term describing problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to one’s brain. To effectively treat vascular dementia, a 2016 study by the US National Institute of Health (NIH) found that activating CB2 (cannabinoid) receptors in the brain helped recover better blood flow to the brain. Activating the CB2 receptors with CBD has increased brain cell activity and helped reduce brain cell damage commonly associated with vascular dementia.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies   Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, sleeping, movement, behavior, and mood. Unlike most pain, anxiety or behavior management drugs, CBD does not block acetylcholine, the main chemical that LBD attacks. Research has shown that CBD can be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, reduce motor symptoms (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia) and maintain circadian (sleep) rhythms.
Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s is a chronic progressive disease of the nervous system chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Parkinson’s is linked to decreased dopamine production and marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement. Digestive imbalance may also play a role in the progression of Parkinson’s and the severity of symptoms. Cannabinoids such as CBD have shown to contain effective brain protectors, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which can be beneficial for managing Parkinson’s disease.
Frontotemporal Dementia / Pick’s Disease  Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or frontotemporal degenerations refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes (the areas behind one’s forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind one’s ears) that leads to symptoms of depression and psychosis. Unlike most anti-psychotic drugs, CBD does not lead to an increased risk of death. Research has shown that CBD can be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, reduce anxiety, reduce motor symptoms (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia) and maintain circadian (sleep) rhythms.
Huntington’s DiseaseHuntington’s disease (HD), also known as Huntington’s chorea, is an inherited disorder that results in death of brain cells. The earliest symptoms are often subtle problems with mood or mental abilities. A general lack of coordination and an unsteady gait often follow. According to 2016 research from the University of Madrid, due to CBD’s effectiveness as anti-oxidants and its anti-inflammatory properties that is safe and tolerable at high doses, CBD can be beneficial for managing Huntington’s disease.

Risks & Side EffectsThe World Health Organization (WHO) stated that “no public health problems… have been associated with the use of pure CBD,” and there has been no known association with potential for dependence or abuse, unlike most pharma alternatives. The most commonly reported potential side effects of CBD usage were diarrhea and bloating, with some also reporting nausea. About 3% of patients in studies reported liver problems and had to discontinue CBD use. Specifically, in dementia, some patients reported increased tremor with high dose CBD. As with any new treatment, patients and caregivers should monitor effects and outcomes closely.

The answers that are given online by non-experts are sometimes either partially wrong or completely wrong. That is why we decided to write this article so that we could thoroughly discuss what water soluble CBD is and how it can benefit you versus traditional CBD oil tinctures.
Whenever you place CBD oil underneath your tongue and then hold it in place for one to three minutes (in other words, take it sublingually) the major advantage is that many of CBD oil’s most important active components get directly absorbed into the bloodstream. That is preferable to taking CBD oil in the form of a capsule or swallowing the CBD oil drops directly since they don’t need to pass through your digestive system entirely before it gets absorbed in your bloodstream. Therefore, when CBD oil is taken sublingually it gets CBD as well as other cannabinoids into your CB2 receptors more efficiently and a lot faster than just swallowing it. It result in the terpenes within the CBD oil getting distributed through your body much more efficiently and quickly.
When taking CBD oil underneath your tongue there still is a problem. Oil and water really do not mix too well and blood is approximately eighty percent water.   Due to the powerful action that your heart provides, your blood that pulsates throughout your blood vessels can mix somewhat with the CBD oil molecules. However, the CBD oil doesn’t ever fully dissolve within your blood or into the cells that it gets taken to, since they are around ninety percent water. In that situation, some of the valuable terpenes and cannabinoids get delivered into the CB2 recpetors and use your blood as their main carrier, however a lot of it does end up getting wasted since it doesn’t really fully dissolve into your cells or blood. Many of CBD oil’s best components instead end up getting flushed from your body and into your feces and urine before having a chance to get absorbed.

Whenever people speak about “bioavailability,” what they are discussing is the amount of nutrient that goes in your body that your body is actually able to use and put it to good purpose. It is estimated by some experts that you get only around ten percent of whatever the total available terpenes and cannabinoids are when taking CBD oil into your CB2 receptors whenever it is put under your tongue, and when you directly swallow it or take it in capsule form it is even less. Therefore, water soluble CBD’s key advantage is your body is able to directly absorb a higher percentage of terpenes and cannabinoids that are available within the CBD oil, in fact as high as one hundred percent.  So, in other words, you are able to obtain a great benefit through taking a lower amount of CBD oil.  Since you can use less that can also help to save you money.
Another key advantage that is offered by water soluble CBD is you can judge your serving sizes much more accurately so that you know exactly the amount that needs to be taken in order to achieve your desired therapeutic effect.  When it comes to CBD oil, you won’t know always what actual dosage you are receiving since it is difficult to know the exact amount of active components of the CBD oil that your body ends up actually absorbing. You know when it comes to water soluble CBD that your body absorbs a majority of the terpenes, cannabinoids and other kinds of phytonutrients within the CBD oil. In that way, you can determine what the actual dosage is more accurately that you are receiving.
In order for CBD oil to be made water soluble, it needs to be reengineered inside of a lab. Then it gets sold as either a water soluble CBD liquid or water soluble CBD Isolate Powder. The process that is used for achieving this miraculous chemistry is patented, and therefore we don’t know all of the exact details that go into the process. However, here is what we actually do know. CBD Oil is converted into nano-sized particles, which are droplets that are microscopically small that are able to mix more easily into your blood.  Although it isn’t the same exact thing technically as dissolving, it has an effect that is close enough so that we can call it that.

Another thing we know is that CBD oil molecules are joined with curcumin so that they will be made more water soluble. As many of you know, curcumin is the substance that is found in turmeric, which belongs to the ginger family and gives it that bright yellow color. Fortunately, curcumin is a really healthy addition. There have been extensive studies on its strong anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with warding off Alzheimer’s disease and is safe. Another thing it is known for is preventing several kinds of common cancers which include breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. With a neutral pH as well as room temperature, curcumin is just slightly water soluble. But when the temperature and pH are played with, scientists have been able to get molecules that are just slightly soluble and make them a lot more soluble. That is a good guess on how a higher soluble product is achieved.  

​You'll have to try a water soluble CBD product and be the judge whether you notice a difference over other CBD products.  Everyone is so different and some people respond better to different products as well as different routes of administration.  So enjoy the CBD journey!

Magnesium chloride is one of the most important minerals in our human body. It is an important mineral to improve and to maintain our health. Magnesium chloride has a healing effect on a wide range of diseases. Magnesium is otherwise known for its rejuvenating effect on our body. Research by German and French doctors on the effect of magnesium chloride in the treatment of their severely ill patients shows that the results were more effective and faster with magnesium chloride.
1. Helps you to absorb nutrients. Magnesium chloride also causes the growth of bacteria in the intestines, making nutrients absorption possible and easier. It supports the healing of wounds. Magnesium also reduces the absorption of cholesterol, removes the excess Sodium and Calcium and helps Potassium to enter in the cells.
2. Healing effect on a wide range of diseases.  Magnesium chloride is effective against: acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, itching, impotence, asthma, hay fever. Hair and nails become stronger and healthier.
The mineral is also effective in acute attacks of asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema lung disease, sore throat, tonsillitis, hoarseness, colds, flu, whooping cough, poisoning, gastroenteritis, boils, abscesses, whitlow, infected wounds and osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone marrow) shock, herpes zoster, acute and chronic connective tissue inflammation, rheumatic diseases, many allergic diseases. Chronic fatigue syndrome and beneficial effects in cancer therapy. In all these cases, magnesium chloride was used and it gave much better results than any other magnesium compounds.  Did you know that Diabetics need extra magnesium? In General helps with trembling with alcoholism, arthritis, body odors, broken bones, calcification in any organ, chronic fatigue syndrome, eclampsia (gestational hypertension), headache, infection and inflammation, liver cirrhosis, lupus (skin disease mainly in the face.) migraine, prostate problems wrinkled and tough skin, stone formation in kidneys and gall bladder or overactive thyroid. 
3. Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system. Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system. Therefor it is often used to stimulate good sleep. But more importantly, it can be used to calm irritated and excited nerves even the trembling/shaking alcoholics experience. The magnesium levels are generally low with alcoholics. If magnesium levels are low, the nerves lose control over muscle activity, respiration and mental processes. Tired nerves, tics and twitches, tremors, irritability, hypersensitivity, muscle cramps, restlessness, anxiety, confusion, disorientation and irregular heartbeat, are all symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
4. Magnesium manages your energy. Many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be overcome with a high doses of magnesium, shaking and rigidity can be prevented. Because of its strong relaxing effect, magnesium helps not only for a better sleep but also helps well against headaches and migraines.
Studies of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome showed that additional supplement of magnesium chloride resulted in a better energy level.
5. Essential for the heart muscle. Sufficient amount of magnesium is essential for the heart muscle. People who die of a heart attack, have very low magnesium, but high levels of calcium in the heart muscle. People with coronary arteries problems where treated with large amounts of magnesium, which resulted in a better survival rate than those who were treated with medication. Magnesium dilates the arteries of the heart and reduces cholesterol and fat level. A high calcium level, on the other hand, narrows the coronary arteries and increases the risk of heart attacks.
6. Prevents tooth decay and improves healthy teeth. A study in New Zealand found that healthy teeth without any tooth decay on average consists two times more magnesium than teeth that were susceptible to tooth decay. As for the strength of bones and teeth, you should think of calcium as chalk and magnesium as superglue. The magnesium superglue binds chalk and converts it into superior bones and teeth. Magnesium chloride is extremely good for gums and teeth. It works against inflammation and causes strong teeth. You can add a little bit of Zechsal Magnesium gel to the toothpaste on your toothbrush.
7. Transdermal easily absorbed through the skin. Using other magnesium salts have fewer benefits because they have to be converted in the body into chlorides. We can use magnesium oxide or carbonate, but we have to produce additional hydrochloric acid to absorb it. Many elderly people, especially with chronic diseases who desperately need more magnesium, can’t produce enough hydrochloric acid and can’t absorb the oxide or carbonate. Chelated magnesium is absorbed, but is more expensive and does not have the beneficial effect of the chloride ions.
8. Against ageing and has a rejuvenating effect on our body. Generally, the softer our body structure, the more calcium we need. If the body structure is more rigid and inflexible, the less calcium and more magnesium it needs. Magnesium can prevent age-related degenerative calcification of our body structure and thus help us to rejuvenate.
Young women, children and especially babies have soft body structures and smooth skin with low calcium and high magnesium levels in their cells and soft tissues. This is the biochemistry of youth. As we get older, arteries harden which causes arteriosclerosis. The skeleton is calcified and rigid. The spinal, joints, kidneys, other organs and glands calcify and harden with more stone formation. Calcification in the eyes causes cataracts. Even the skin becomes tough and wrinkled. In this case, calcium is of the same level as the oxygen and free radicals, whilst magnesium together with hydrogen, and anti-oxidants co-operates in order to keep our body structure, soft and flexible.
9. Helps to restore a healthy intestinal flora. Increased magnesium intake is an effective way to dissolve kidney stones and gall bladder stones. The activation of digestive enzymes and bile also helps to restore a healthy intestinal flora. Magnesium chloride is so beneficial in normalizing our digestion as to reduce gas and flatulence attacks. This is consistent with the reduction of all body odors, including underarm and foot odor.
Magnesium chloride is helpful against a large number of diseases, including diseases of the digestive tract such as colitis, a disorder of muscle movements, especially in the colon, complaints occur about abdominal cramps and bowel function can be compromised. This results in an abnormal stool. Colic, constipation, chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
10. Repairs muscles. Magnesium has been used for a long period of time by athletes to relieve pain associated with muscle soreness and inflammation. It is involved in many processes that affect muscle performance, such as oxygen saturation and the production of energy. Extra magnesium aids muscle recovery after exertion. Sufficient extra magnesium provided by constant and regular supplementation will help athletes avoid muscle and joint injuries. Magnesium will also support the body during recovery from injuries, so muscles and joints take less time to recover.

Our immune system acts as a guardian for our body, protecting it from damaging forces from the environment and is critical for our survival.  This system of defense is comprised of various organs, cells and proteins. Next to the nervous system, the immune structure is the most complex system within our body.
When our immune system is running properly, we do not notice it, even though it is working around the clock to keep us at optimal health.  However, when our immune system is compromised, it cannot protect the body at the same high level from invading organisms, and this puts us at risk from infectious illnesses, debilitating diseases and even increase your risk of death1.
Luckily, there are signs to look for that may tip us off to a weakened immune system.  Take a moment to see if you have any of these signs and what you can do to better support your immune function.
1) YOU’RE CONTINUOUSLY STRESSED Stress was designed to be a fight or flight response to our ancestors’ environment. If a tiger approached, our ancestor’s body would release a complex mix of hormones and chemicals like adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine to prep our body for physical action.  This caused certain reactions, including more blood flow to the muscles and the shutting down of other functions like the digestive system.
Even in our modern life, these reactions are necessary, such as when we must slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.  Too often we stress out over things that aren’t life or death situations, and this continuous type of stress can take its toll on our immune system.  When stress hormones are constantly being released into the body, they interfere with the immune system’s natural functions, resulting in inflammation, a reduction of white blood cells and a higher susceptibility to infection and tissue destruction2.
2) YOU TIRE EASILY We all burn the candle at both ends sometimes, but when you continuously wake up feeling exhausted, it could mean your immune system needs extra support3. When your immune system is not running efficiently, your body can wear out faster as it’s fighting off harmful bacteria and parasites, leaving you fatigued throughout the day.
3) YOU ALWAYS HAVE A COLD Catching a cold once in awhile is part of life for many of us, but when those colds linger on, followed up by another cold and then another… your immune system is literally screaming for extra help.  Think of your immune system as a fortress, keeping invading armies out. However when the fortress gate is compromised, it’s almost impossible to keep anything out. It’s the same way with cold and flu bugs. They are always looking for a way in.
If you are sick all the time, be sure to let your doctor know.  Frequent colds could be a part of a larger underlying concern.
4) YOU’RE OVERWEIGHT We all know the health dangers associated with being overweight, but those extra pounds may be a sign that you have a weakened immune system.  According to a JAMA report in February, 2014, one-third of Americans are classified as obese, meaning that many of us who think we have strong immune systems might want to rethink things.
When we become obese our body adds more adipose tissue.  More cytokines are then released by your fat cells, which produces low-grade, chronic inflammation. Inflammation is your immune system’s response to harmful things in your body, but when your body is constantly inflamed; your immune system becomes overworked and impairs its ability to fight infection4.
5) YOU’RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH SUNLIGHTUnless you’re a vampire, it’s advisable to get at least 10 – 15 minutes of sun exposure per day.  If you’re a night owl, work in an office, or keep the drapes drawn all day, you might be compromising your immune system.  Sunlight allows our body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for our well being, but there is another benefit from catching some rays.  Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center have found that sunlight also energizes T cells, which play an active role in our immune response.
So get outdoors for a few minutes every day and do your immune system a favor.  Of course, always use precaution when going outdoors and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
6) YOUR WOUNDS ARE SLOW TO HEAL  If you notice that wounds on your skin are taking longer than usual to heal, it may be that a sluggish immune system is to blame.  A healthy immune system helps improve your skin’s ability to heal by fighting harmful bacteria and reducing the risk of infection, but when your immune system is weakened, healing may take far longer because it can’t fight the infection like it should5.
If you do notice a minor cut, scrape, insect bite or other skin infection, consider using any of our hemp derived cbd topical products which will help reduce topical pain, calm skin inflammation and promote the healing of the skin.
7) YOU OFTEN HAVE TUMMY TROUBLES  Your intestinal tract, known as your gut, has bacteria essential to the wellbeing of your body.  When this bacteria is balanced, your immune system is also balanced. When your gut’s bacteria is out of harmony, your immune system suffers. Diarrhea, nausea and stomach infections are all signs that your immune system may be impaired6. It’s always good to consult with your doctor to see if you have other symptoms that might suggest indications of other medical factors. To support a healthy digestive function consider a more holistic approach to balancing your gut with a safe and natural hemp derived CBD from CBDNutritional.com.

If you have any of these seven signs it could indicate that you have a weakened immune system.   The good news is there are plenty of natural ways to support your immune system* and take back control of your well-being without resorting to harsh pharmaceutical or over-the-counter drugs that might cause a host of other health issues.  CBD as an adaptogen herb works to balance our immune function.  If you are feeling your immune system is impaired, consider a CBD Immune boost today.  Blessings


​*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
REFERENCES:1. Torrey, Trisha, verywellhealth.com
2. Hansen, Fawne, The Adrenal Fatigue Solution
3. Mann, Denise, WebMD
4. NCBI, Adipose Tissue Immune Response: Novel Triggers and Consequences for Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
5. Advanced Tissue, The Immune System and Wound Healing
6. Greene, Lily., Balance Me Beautiful

The CBD Isolate crystals are derived from the cannabis subspecies L, aka industrial hemp,  plant through a variety of processes that allow it to be extracted and then isolated. It begins with an organically grown industrial hemp cannabis plant. Always remember, it’s not the kind of cannabis that will make you high. Industrial grade hemp is the raw material for the CBD isolate. It’s grown in order to yield the maximum biomass. The hemp will be used for the process and it’s very different from the cannabis that a person would use to get high.  Hemp has trace levels of THC however, it’s an abundant source of the CBD.
Creating the CBD isolate is a multi-faceted process. The beginning step will involve the use of CO2 to extract the resins and the oils from the cannabis plant.  Regarded as safe through the FDA, it will give a higher concentrate that will have fatty acids as well as cannabinoids and other plant materials that are all naturally found in the hemp plant.
Next, the material that was extracted must be purified and winterized. This is where the CBD hemp oil will be purified by using a proprietary process that will filter out the excess plant material. This will filter out the extra waxes and it will also separate the lipids during the winterization process. Then, the extra plant material that is remaining will be removed from the material. At this point, it’s a 99 percent pure CBD isolate. The final steps for the product ensure that all of the chlorophyll and waxes are all removed. This will leave the net result of the pure CBD that can then be ingested or used as discussed below.
To ensure that the CBD isolate is both pure and reliable, you’ll want to ensure that it’s been taken through every lab testing process. These lab tests will ensure that there is an accurate concentration of the cannabinoids for the final product. Always check for toxins, heavy metals, mildew, any fungi or molds and any residual solvents after the purification and production process. 

Cannabis is rich in cannabinoids. There are over 85 identified different cannabinoids today including: THC, THCA, THCV, CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBT, CBC & CBG to mention a few. There are two basic species or types of cannabis: Indica and Sativa, and over 1,000 different strains within these two species. The healing properties of the cannabis strain lie in the relative ratios and combinations of the cannabinoids.
Indica originated in the Hindu Kush mountains in India and Nepal. Indica has a higher CBD:THC ratio. It produces heavier, body oriented, sleepy or relaxing type of effect. The medicinal qualities include pain management, nausea, muscle spasms, stress and anxiety. Indica strains are a relaxant, effective for appetite stimulation, sleep, muscle spasms and tremors, among other symptoms. It is good as an evening medicine.
Sativa originated in Central and South America. Sativa usually has a lower CBD:THC ratio, producing a cerebral, uplifting type of feeling, more energetic and creative. Often, the THC content is higher in the sativa strains than the Indica strains. The Sativa strains are stimulating, effective in appetite stimulation, relieving depression, migraines, pain and nausea. Best taken in the morning or afternoon.
Hybrids are a combination of sativa and indica strains that have been cross bred with each other to produce a combination of medicinal properties.
CBD - Cannabidiol is one of the 85+ cannabinoids and it has most of the healing properties. The CBD Rich strain is usually a hybrid of indica and sativa. Each CBD rich strain will display indica or sativa qualities of energizing or relaxing, the same as the non CBD rich strain. The main difference is the reduced psychoactive effect of the THC and the increased healing value.

Sleep disturbances are the most common health problem in America. Those with sleep issues are poorly served by prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills and other pharmaceuticals, which have serious risks.

• CBD and other plant cannabinoids show promise for treating insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and other sleep-related disorders.
• CBD co-administered with THC improves sleep more efficaciously than single-molecule medications.
• Chronic, heavy consumption of THC-dominant cannabis can disrupt healthy sleep patterns.
• Our ability to be awake, fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling rested is part of an internal biological process regulated by circadian rhythms and the endocannabinoid system.

Although sleep is essential for our health, its biological purpose is not fully understood. Oddly, the seemingly inactive state of sleep is actually a dynamic and critical process that helps us store memories, build immunity, repair tissue, regulate metabolism and blood pressure, control appetite and blood sugar, and process learning, along with a myriad of other physiological processes – all of which are regulated by the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institute of Health (NIH), new findings suggest “sleep plays a housekeeping role that removes toxins in your brain that build up while you are awake.”
Poor sleep is the number one reported medical complaint in the Unites States and a serious public health concern. The average adult needs between seven and eight hours of sleep per day. Yet, 10-30 million Americans regularly don’t get enough sleep.
Over 60 percent of American adults report having problems sleeping several nights per week.
Over 40 million Americans suffer from more than 70 different sleep disorders. The most common sleep-related ailments include:

• Insomnia - when one cannot fall asleep or stay asleep.
• Sleep apnea - which involves impaired breathing while sleeping.
• Restless leg syndrome - characterized by tingling, discomfort and even pain in the legs that increases at night and is relieved by movement.
• Circadian rhythm disorders - when one’s internal clock is off and one’s sleep patterns are disturbed.
• Parasomnias - which entails abnormal movements and activities while sleeping, including sleep walking and nightmares.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness - when an individual experiences persistent drowsiness during daylight hours from narcolepsy or another medical condition.

Poor sleep is a risk factor for serious illness. Compared to people who get enough sleep, adults who are short-sleepers (less than 7 hours per 24-hour period) are more likely to experience one or more of 10 chronic health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, stroke and depression.
Those with chronic illnesses are at greater risk for insomnia, which exacerbates their discomfort. Comorbid medical disorders – including conditions that cause hypoxemia (abnormally low blood oxygen levels) and dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing), gastroesophageal reflux disease, pain, and neurodegenerative diseases – have a 75-95 percent increased risk of insomnia.
Pills that kill
In 2016, according to the industry research firm MarketsandMarkets, Americans spent $3.38 billion on prescription sedatives and hypnotics, over-the-counter (OTC) sleep drugs, and herbal sleep aids. It’s projected that the market for such products will experience about a 4.5 percent growth rate between now and 2021.
The quest for good night’s sleep can be hazardous to one’s health. Daniel F. Kripke, MD, sleep expert and co-founder of Research at Scripps Clinic Vitebri Family Sleep Center, discusses the dangers of sleep aids in his paper “Hypnotic drug risks of mortality, infection, depression, and cancer: but lack of benefit.”
Dr. Kripke reviewed 40 studies conducted on prescription sleeping pills, which include hypnotic drugs such as zolpidem (Ambien, Edlmar, Intermezzo and Zolpimist), temazepam (Restoril), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), triazolam (Halcion), flurazepam (Dalmane and Dalmadorm), quazepam, and other barbiturates used for sleep. Of these 40 studies, thirty-nine found that consumption of hypnotics is “associated with excess mortality” to the tune of a 4.6 times greater risk of death for hypnotic users.
Grim statistics: 10,000 deaths per year are directly caused by and attributed to hypnotic drugs, based on medical examiner data. However, large epidemiological studies suggest the number of fatalities may actually be closer to 300,000-500,000 per year. The difference can be attributed to underreported use of hypnotics at the time of death and the fact that prescription hypnotics are rarely listed as the cause of death.
Dr. Kripke concludes that even limited use of sleeping pills causes “next day functional impairment,” increases risk of “on-the-road driver-at-fault crashes,” increases falls and accidental injuries especially among seniors, is associated with “2.1 times” as many new depression incidents compared to randomized placebo recipients, and increases the risk of suicide. Furthermore, the use of opioids combined with hypnotics – two known dose-dependent respiratory suppressants – can be extremely dangerous, especially when mixed with alcohol and other drugs.1
Another concern: Data from controlled hypnotics trials resulted in 12 cancers in hypnotic participants compared to zero cancers in the placebo group. (When the FDA conducted the same audit, they found 13 cancers.) But it is unclear if the hypnotics were a causative factor in these cancers or if they were promoting progression of cancer that had previously gone undetected. Animal and in vitro (test tube/petri dish) studies also attest to the pro-cancer potential of hypnotics. To learn more visit Dr. Kripke’s website.
In addition to these risks, meta-data (combined data) from placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials showed participants in the hypnotic groups had a 44 percent higher infection rate than the placebo participants.
Are over-the-counter sleep aids any better? These also have adverse side effects. Most OTC sleeping pills (Benadryl and others) have the antihistamine diphenhydramine as the primary ingredient. It can knock you out, but it’s unlikely to provide truly restful sleep.
Dr. Kripke writes: “Usage of diphenhydramine is associated with developing Alzheimer’s disease, though which is cause and which is effect is certainly unclear. One well-known aspect of diphenhydramine is that it is anticholinergic [blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine], that produces some heart symptoms sometimes as well as digestive symptoms such as constipation. In some patients, also, diphenhydramine at night causes rather a lot of daytime sleepiness.”
A large number of OTC sleep aids also include acetaminophen, a pain reliever that has a narrow therapeutic window – meaning at one dose it’s therapeutic, but the slightest increase can be toxic to the liver. All too often consumers don’t read the warning labels about these drugs and consume them with alcohol and other meds. This can cause liver toxicity and/or fatal respiratory suppression.
OTC sleep aids are intended only for occasional or short-term use – never more than two weeks at one time. Although it is not typically reported in the published literature, those who use OTC and prescription sleep aids find that once they start it’s hard to stop.
The endocannabinoid system and sleep
Given the problems with conventional soporifics, medical scientists have been exploring other ways to improve sleep by targeting the endocannabinoid system (ECS). As the primary homeostatic regulator of human physiology, the ECS plays a major role in the sleep-wake cycle and other circadian processes.
Italian scientist Vicenzo DiMarzo summarized the broad regulatory function of the endocannabinoid system in the phrase “Eat, sleep, relax, protect and forget.”
Stages of Sleep
There are two types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM), which has three stages, and rapid eye-movement (REM) sleep, which is its own stage of sleep. A full sleep cycle occurs five to six times per night. The first full cycle of the night is 70-100 minutes with remaining cycles lasting 90-120 minutes each. The stages of sleep defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke are as follows:

• Stage 1 NREM sleep is the changeover from wakefulness to sleep. During this short period (lasting several minutes) of relatively light sleep, your heartbeat, breathing, and eye movements slow, and your muscles relax with occasional twitches. Your brain waves begin to slow from their daytime wakefulness patterns.
• Stage 2 NREM sleep is a period of light sleep before you enter deeper sleep. Your heartbeat and breathing slow, and muscles relax even further. Your body temperature drops and eye movements stop. Brain wave activity slows but is marked by brief bursts of electrical activity. You spend more of your repeated sleep cycles in stage 2 sleep than in other sleep stages.
• Stage 3 NREM sleep is the period of deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) that you need to feel refreshed in the morning. It occurs in longer periods during the first half of the night. Your heartbeat and breathing slow to their lowest levels during sleep. Your muscles are relaxed, your brain waves become even slower, it is difficult to waken during this cycle. This is when the body is stimulating growth and development, repairing muscle tissue, boosting the immune system, and building energy for the next day.
• Stage 4 REM sleep initially occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep. Your eyes move rapidly from side to side behind closed eyelids. Mixed frequency brain wave activity becomes closer to that seen in wakefulness. Your breathing becomes faster and irregular, and your heart rate and blood pressure increase to near waking levels. Most of your dreaming occurs during REM sleep (although dreams can also occur in non-REM sleep). Your arm and leg muscles become temporarily paralyzed, which prevents you from acting out your dreams. This stage is when you process what you have learned the day before and consolidate memories. As you age, you sleep less of your time in REM sleep.

How we fall asleep, stay asleep, wake up, and remain awake is part of an internal biological process regulated by our circadian rhythms and our endocannabinoid system. Circadian rhythms govern a diverse array of actions in the body, including hormone production, heart rate, metabolism, and when to go to sleep and wake up.
It’s as if we have an internal biochemical timer or clock that keeps track of our need for sleep, guides the body to sleep and then influences the intensity of sleep. This biological mechanism is affected by external forces such as travel, medication, food, drink, environment, stress and more.
Key question: Does the endocannabinoid system regulate our experience of circadian rhythms or vice versa?
Evidence of a strong relationship between the two is observed in the sleep-wake cycle fluctuations of anandamide and 2-AG (the brain’s own marijuana-like molecules), along with the metabolic enzymes that create and break down these endogenous cannabinoid compounds.
Anandamide is present in the brain at higher levels at night and it works with the endogenous neurotransmitters oleamide and adenosine to generate sleep. Conversely, 2AG is higher during the day, suggesting that it is involved in promoting wakefulness.
The highly complex sleep-wake cycle is driven by a variety of neurochemicals and molecular pathways.2Both anandamide and 2AG activate CB1 cannabinoid receptors that are concentrated in the central nervous system, including parts of the brain associated with regulating sleep.
CB1 receptors modulate neurotransmitter release in a manner that dials back excessive neuronal activity, thereby reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation. CB1 receptor expression is thus a key factor in modulating sleep homeostasis.
This is not the case, however, with respect to the CB2, the cannabinoid receptor located primarily in immune cells, the peripheral nervous system, and metabolic tissue. Whereas CB1 receptor expression reflects cyclical circadian rhythms, no such fluctuations have been described for the CB2 receptor.
The challenge of studying and treating sleep disturbances is complicated by the fact that sleep disorders are symptomatic of many chronic illnesses. In many cases, poor sleep results in chronic illness, and chronic illness always involves an underlying imbalance or dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system. Although we still have much to learn about the relationship between the ECS and circadian rhythms, it’s clear that adequate quality sleep is a critical component of restoring and maintaining one’s health.

Cannabinoids have been used for centuries to promote sleepiness and to help people stay asleep. In the acclaimed medical reference Materia Medica, published in the 18th century, cannabis was listed as a ‘narcotica’ and ‘anodyna’ (pain reliever). Its reintroduction to Western medicine by Sir William B. O’Shaughnessy in 1843 led to studies that underscored the remedial properties of “Indian hemp” for sleep disorders.
“Of all anaesthetics ever proposed, Indian hemp is the one which produced a narcotism most closely resembling the natural sleep without causing any extraordinary excitement of the vessels, or any particular suspension of secretions, or without fear of a dangerous reaction, and consecutive paralysis,” German researcher Bernard Fronmueller observed in 1860.
Nine years later Fronmueller reported that in 1000 patients with sleep disturbance, Indian hemp produced cures in 53 percent, partial cure in 21.5 percent, and little or no effects in 25.5 percent.
Sleep-related problems continue to drive a large percentage of people to seek relief with cannabis. Poor sleep and lack of sleep cause physiological changes in the body after just one night, resulting in slower reaction times, deceased cognitive performance, less energy, aggravated pain and inflammation, and in many cases overeating or cravings for high-fat, high-carbohydrate “comfort” foods.
A 2014 study by Babson et al notes that approximately 50 percent of long-term cannabis consumers (over 10 years) report using cannabis as a sleep aid. Among medical marijuana patients, 48 percent report using cannabis to help with insomnia.
Another study revealed that 40 percent of insomniacs also suffer from anxiety and depression or another a psychiatric disorder. (Roth, 2007) Would it surprise you to learn that people with mood disorders who use cannabis have the highest rates of sleep benefit at 93 percent? (Babson & Bonn-Miller, 2014)
“Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep.” So said Thomas Aquinas.
CBD, THC, CBNWhat about specific plant cannabinoids for sleep?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is alerting or mildly stimulating in moderate doses, while its psychoactive counterpart delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) tends to be sedating. However, the science is somewhat paradoxical.
Research data and anecdotal accounts indicate that CBD and THC have differential effects on sleep – both can be alerting or sedating depending on dosage.
The biphasic dose response triggered by CBD and THC is one of the factors that may contribute to conflicting research results with respect to cannabinoids and sleep.3
The association between low-dose cannabidiol and increased wakefulness underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for narcolepsy and other variants of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Curiously, CBD can help people fall asleep as well as stay awake. An insomnia study indicated that the administration of 160 mgs of CBD decreased nighttime sleep interruptions and increased total sleep time, suggesting that high-dose CBD therapy can improve the quality and duration of sleep.
In addition to showing promise as a safe and effective alternative to conventional psychiatric treatments for insomnia, cannabidiol can reduce symptoms of REM behavior disorder (RBD), which is characterized by the acting out of vivid, intense, and sometimes violent dreams. A preliminary study examined the efficacy of CBD in patients with both Parkinson’s disease and RBD and the results were encouraging.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent form of sleep disorder breathing that affects nine percent of American adults. Research involving animal models of this condition has shown that THC and the endogenous cannabinoid oleamide are effective in reducing sleep apnea events. (Babson 2017) Human studies indicate that dronabinol, a FDA-approved synthetic version of THC, reduces sleep apnea and is safe and well tolerated.
Additionally, cannabinol (CBN), most commonly associated with aged cannabis, is said to potentiate the sedative properties of THC when these two cannabinoids are used together, although this notion may be more modern-day marijuana folklore than scientific fact.
Pain and sleepBesides the desire for good sleep, treating pain is another common reason for using cannabis. Chronic pain is a major public health issue that directly affects around 20 percent of U.S. adults, many of whom also suffer from diminished sleep. Sometimes it’s hard to know if the pain is causing sleeplessness or if sleeplessness is triggering the pain.
Patients seeking both pain relief and better sleep may achieve positive results with cannabinoids and other cannabis components.4 In their paper “Cannabis, Pain, and Sleep: Lessons from Therapeutic Clinical Trials of Sativex®, a Cannabis-Based Medicine,” Russo et al summarized 13 studies that examined varying cannabis preparations for pain and sleep.
Of particular interest is a Phase II study, involving 24 patients with intractable multiple sclerosis, which compared three different preparations: Tetranabinex (a high THC product); Nabindolex (high CBD); and Sativex® (an almost a 1:1 THC:CBD sublingual remedy).
Different cannabinoid ratios helped in various ways: “Compared to placebo, the CBD-predominant extract significantly improved pain, the THC-predominant extract yielded significant improvement in pain, muscle spasm, spasticity and appetite, and combined THC:CBD extracts (Sativex®) significantly improved muscle spasm and sleep.”
The authors concluded that a combination of CBD and THC (15 mg of each) “improved sleep synergistically.” Of the thirteen studies profiled in this paper, seven showed improvements in sleep. Six of the seven were conducted with Sativex®, the 1:1 CBD:THC sublingual spray, indicating that balanced a cannabinoid profile facilitates sleep improvements among patients with chronic pain.5
The use of cannabis is prevalent among those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A small open trial conducted in Israel showed that 5 mg of smoked THC twice a day resulted in improved sleep and reduced frequency of nightmares in patients with PTSD. (Mechoulam, 2015) This directly correlates with similar test results involving nabilone, a synthetic THC-like drug.
Memory processing occurs when we are asleep, so it stands to reason that someone suffering from PTSD – especially those who experience nightmares – would benefit by using cannabis or cannabinoids to sleep better.
At first glance, it may appear that cannabis is merely a coping mechanism for PTSD patients; it is sometimes negatively characterized this way in the medical literature. Thus far, the majority of studies involving cannabinoids and PTSD have been conducted from an addiction perspective – will cannabis harm PTSDpatients and turn them into addicts? – but that may be changing.
Increasingly researchers are recognizing the limitations of the addiction framework, which overlooks the crucial role that the endocannabinoid system plays in helping us forget painful memories, a normal process that is somehow dysregulated when one experiences PTSD.
In some cases, THC and other plant cannabinoids can provide enough relief so that PTSD sufferers are able to embark upon the task of making sense of their traumatic memories and begin the healing process. None of that can happen without quality sleep.
“If you can’t sleep your world goes to hell in a hand basket real fast,” said Al Byrne, a U.S. Navy veteran and medical marijuana advocate.
Many military veterans and victims of sexual abuse are using cannabis to treat their PTSD-related symptoms. A 2016 case study provided clinical data that validated the use of CBD-rich oil as a safe and effective treatment for reducing anxiety and improving sleep in a young girl with PTSD.
Pharmaceuticals provided minimal relief for a 10-year-old girl who had been sexually abused as a young child. And her meds caused major adverse side effects. But a CBD-rich oil regimen resulted in “a maintained decrease in anxiety and a steady improvement in the quality and quantity of the patient’s sleep.”
This is not an isolated example. CBD-rich oil, an increasingly popular treatment for anxiety and sleep problems, has emerged in recent years as a viable alternative to Big Pharma drugs.

​Cannabis therapeutics is personalized medicine – and this is certainly true with respect to using the herb and its components to treat sleep disorders. The effectiveness of cannabis as a sleep aid is highly variable, depending on the individual user, how the remedy is administered, its cannabinoid ratio and aromatic terpene profile, the timing and dosage – all these factors come into play and influence different outcomes.

Success may rest upon how well one manages the psychoactive qualities of cannabis. As with any medicine, there are some risks involved when consuming cannabis to sleep better. Short-term use of cannabis may decrease sleep onset latency (how long it takes to fall asleep). But this improvement may weaken over time. Tolerance develops with chronic consumption, which can impair long term sleep quality.  Too much of a good thing can be problematic for frequent recreational cannabis users, who may begin to experience a reduction in slow-wave deep sleep, leaving the individual feeling like they are not well rested. Could this be because recreational users tend to prefer large amounts of THC-dominant cannabis varieties?
Sleep disturbance, ironically, is perhaps the most notable withdrawal symptom when a heavy user stops smoking marijuana. Compared to kicking addictive pharmaceuticals, cannabis withdrawal is a minor discomfort with symptoms typically lasting for a few days (sometimes a few weeks) after cessation. And cannabis, unlike prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids, has never killed anyone.
Medical cannabis users often experience better outcomes with lower doses, especially when they are treating something in addition to sleep disturbances, such as pain, spasticity, or post traumatic stress disorder. Based on the available literature reviewed by Project CBD, it appears that a 1:1 CBD:THC preparation will most likely confer restorative sleep. Cannabis-naïve patients may find relief with as little as 2.5 mg of THC and 2.5mg CBD. A somewhat higher dose – 5 to 15 mg each of THC and CBD – may work wonders for experienced cannabis users.
The combination of odiferous terpenes present in a given cannabis strain or product can also significantly impact sleep. Individual terpenes have sedating or stimulating effects, thus affecting the sleep-wake cycle. Terpenes can be therapeutic in their own right. As important modulators of cannabinoids, terpenes contribute significantly to how a given cannabis strain or cultivar makes one feel.
Sedating terpenes include terpinolene, nerolidol, phytol, linalool, and myrcene. In addition to causing the infamous “couch-lock” effect at high levels (+0.5%), myrcene can be mildly stimulating at lower levels. Those trying to address pain and sleep issues should consider cannabis remedies that include beta-caryophyllene, as this terpene is also a strong anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 27 percent of respondents indicated that they used complementary, non-pharmaceutical therapies for fatigue and 26.4 percent for sleep deprivation.
Here are a few simple lifestyle modifications and holistic healing options that may improve your sleep quality.

1. Create an inviting sleep environment. Having a comfortable bed in a relaxing environment is key to quality sleep. Reduce outside or harsh overhead lighting and maintain a comfortable temperature for sleeping. And, reduce noise. If you are a light sleeper consider using a white noise machine to drown out unwanted sound. Salt lamps may help clean the air by reducing positive ions (and provide enough light to get to the bathroom without intruding on sleep).
2. Have a sleep routine. Going to bed and waking at the same time seven days a week is optimal. Additionally, it is helpful for some people to have a relaxing bedtime routine that lets the mind know it is time to get sleepy. This may include a small warm cup of milk or green tea 45 minutes to an hour before bed, or a few simple yoga stretches to relax, or an Epsom salt bath.
3. Avoid overstimulation. It is best not to have a television in the bedroom and not to watch violence shows before bedtime, especially for those with adrenal fatigue. Avoid reading or using your phone, laptop or tablet in bed.
4. Exercise daily. Regardless if your preference is jogging, weightlifting, gardening, walking or tai chi, do some form of exercise every day. But avoid exercising within two hours of bedtime.
5. Avoid stimulants after 1PM. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, certain herbal supplements and drugs may leave you feeling “hyper” and overstimulated, which can impede the brain’s ability to transition into sleep.
6. Aromatherapy. Many of the sedating essential oil components present in cannabis can also be found in other plants at your local grocery or natural products store, along with misters that spay the oil into the air. Aromatherapy can be relaxing and very helpful to induce sleep. Lavender essential oil, for example, can be help to manage certain sleep disorders.
7. Use sleep supporting herbs. It is best to work with a healer or someone knowledgeable about herbs and supplements instead of buying whatever sleep cure is touted on the internet. Herbs that have sleep-promoting properties include Valerian, Kava, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Passion Flower, California Poppy, Hops, Lemon Balm, Linden, Skullcap, and Oats. Visit the American Herbalist Guild to find a qualified practitioner.
8. Nutritional supplements. Consult your physician about products made with Kava, calming minerals, and taking the right kind of magnesium at night.
9. Other therapies. In addition to cannabis, safe holistic healing alternatives include cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, and bright light therapy for circadian rhythm disorders.

Footnotes1 In 2014, there were 47,055 accidental opiate overdose deaths. Dr. Daniel Kripke estimates one third of them also involved various hypnotics as a cause of death. It should be noted that cannabis has been shown to improve safety and effectiveness of opiates making it possible for the patient to take a lower dose, thereby reducing the risk of side-effects including death. In some cases, cannabis can replace both the opiate as an effective painkiller and the hypnotic.
2 Highly complex, the sleep-wake cycle is driven by various neurochemicals and brain pathways. Neuroscientist and sleep researcher Dr. Eric Murillo-Rodriguez, says that “Sleep is generated by sleep-promoting neurons placed in the anterior hypothalamus that utilize GABA to inhibit wake-promoting regions in the hypothalamus and brainstem. Then, the brainstem regions inhibited during wake and slow wave sleep become active during rapid eye movement sleep (REM).”
3 In “The effects of cannabinoid administration on sleep: a systematic review of human studies,” Gates et al scrutinized cannabis-related sleep studies prior to 2012. But they found “little consistency in the results [of] six studies with objective sleep measures. Slow wave sleep was described as increasing for a week in one study, whereas three studies reported a decrease in slow wave sleep, and one study showed no change. Rapid eye movement sleep was reported to increase in one study, decrease in a second study, while four studies showed no effect. Stage two sleep [see sidebar] was reported to increase in two studies, while four studies showed no effect. Sleep latency was reported to increase in one study, decrease on a high THC dose in a second study, while two studies showed no effect and two studies did not measure sleep latency.”
4A 2014 article by Babson & Bonn-Miller indicated that over 83 percent of surveyed patients taking cannabis for pain said they experienced improved sleep.
5Nicholson et al had similar results in a double-blind placebo-controlled with a 4-way crossover design study evaluating the effect of cannabis extracts on nocturnal sleep, early-morning performance, memory, and sleepiness in eight subjects ages 21-34 years old. A cross-over design is one where each group of participants take two or more interventions; in this case four different preparations were tested, including THC (15 mg) alone; THC and CBD together (5 mg each and 15 mg each); and a placebo. They scientists found that “although impaired memory was observed the next day when 15 mg THC was given alone overnight, there were no effects on memory when 15 mg THC was ingested with 15 mg CBD.” They also found that the effects of THC and CBD appeared to be dose dependent as evidenced by the fact that 7.5 mg of THC did not impair memory, but 15 mg did.
Sources

• Americal Sleep Association. (2017, July 7). Sleep Statistics. Retrieved from American Sleep Associaton: https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep/sleep-statistics/
• Babson, Kim A., Bonn-Miller, Marcel O. (2014). Sleep Disturbances: Implications for Cannabis Use, Cananbis Use Cessation, and Cananbis Use Treatment. Current Addiction Reports, 109-114.
• Babson, Kimberly A. and James Sottile, Danielle Morabito. 2017. “Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: Review of the Literature.” Current Psychiatry Report.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, May 2). Sleep & Sleep Disorders. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/data_statistics.html
• Ferguson, G. and Ware, M.A. (2015). Review Article: Sleep, Pain and Cananbis. Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy, https://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/review-article-sleep-pain-and-cannab….
• Gates, Peter J and Lucy Albertella, Jan Copeland (2014). The effects of cannabinoid administration on sleep: a systemc review of human studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter_Gates/publication/260604558_T….
• Gyllenhaal, Charlotte, et al. Efficacy and safety of herbal stimulants and sedatives in sleep disorders. Sleep Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp 229-251, 2000.
• Kripke, D. (2016). Hypnotic drug risks of mortality, infection, depression, and cancer: but lack of benefit [version 1;. F1000 Research, https://mechanism.ucsd.edu/teaching/f16/cogs200/Kripke%202016%20F1000Res….
• Lee, Martin A. Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana – Medical, Recreational and Scientific. New York: Scribner, 2013.
• Mechoulam, R. (2015). Cannabis - The Israeli perspective. Basic Clinical Physiology Pharmacology, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Raphael_Mechoulam2/publication/2823….
• Mechoulam, Raphael and L.A. Parker (2013). The Endocannaboind System and the Brain. The Annual Review of Psychology, 21-47.
• Murillo-Rodriquez, Eric and Jose Carlos Pastrana-Trejo, Mireille Salas-Crisostomo, and Miriel de-la-Cruz (2016). The Endocannabinoids System Modulating Levels of Consciousness, Emotions and Likely Dream Contents. CNS &Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets, 370-379.
• Murillo-Rodriguez, E. (2008). The role of the CB1 receptor in the regulation of sleep. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 1420-1427.
• National Institute of Health. (2017). Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. Retrieved from National Institute of Health: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understa…
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke. (2017, July 23). Brain Basics; Understanding Sleep. Retrieved from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understa…
• Nicholson, A. N., Turner, C., Stone, B. M., & Robson, P. J. (2004). Effect of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on nocturnal sleep and early-morning behavior in young adults. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 305-313.
• Pava, Matthew J., Alexandros Makriyannis, David M. Lovinger (2016). Endocannabinoids Signaling Regulates Sleep Stability. PLoSOne, http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152473.
• Pava, Matthew J. et al (2014). Endocannabinoid Modulation of Cortical Up-States and NREM Sleep. PLoSONE, http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0088672.
• Prospero-Garcia, Oscar et al (2016). Endocannabinoids and sleep. Neuroscience and Beobehavioral Reviews, 671-679.
• Russo, Ethan B. (2007). Cannabis, Pain and Sleep: Lessons from Therapeutic Clinical Trials of Sativex, a Cannabis-Based Medicine. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 1729-1743.
• Russo, E. B. (2001). Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs. Bringhamptom: The Hawthorne Press, Inc.
• Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effect. British Journal of Pharmacology, 1344-1364.
• Roth, T. (2007). Insomnia: Definition, Prevalence, Etiology, and Consequences. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, S7-S10.
• Shannon, Scott and Janet Opila-Lehman. (2016) Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. Permanente Journal. Fall 2016.
• Scheet, F. A. (2016). Hungry for Sleep: A Role for Endocannabinoids. Sleep, 495-496.

When more than one drug uses this CYT 450 pathway, they begin to interact with each other; one can inhibit or exacerbate the metabolism of the other. In simpler terms, one drug can prevent the other from working and this usually leads to an adjustment of dosage to compensate. In extreme cases, some drugs will stop others from metabolizing completely, causing them to bioaccumulate, or build up within the human body. Additionally, the more drugs you add to the equation, the more complex this set of interactions becomes, with multiple drugs jostling to be metabolized by the same system of enzymes.
 
Medical science has long studied these drug interactions because of how important it is that patients receive an “effective dose” that will treat their various conditions. If the dosage is too low, then the medicine simply won’t work. Conversely, if it is too high, then
overdose will occur and can cause serious harm. One of the principle jobs of a doctor when prescribing multiple medicines is to pay careful attention to how certain drugs will interact with one another. That is to ensure their patients’ ailments are treated effectively and any possible drug interactions are taken into consideration.  To see a list of drugs and foods on that use these Cytochrome P450 pathways, click here.

CBD has been found to be a relatively potent inhibitor of other pharmaceuticals using the CYT P450 pathway. When taken alongside competing drugs, cannabidiol will muscle its way to the front of the metabolism queue, forcing weaker drugs to wait their turn and hence reducing their effectiveness. In this regard CBD has an unlikely similarity with grapefruit. When ingested, a number of bioactive compounds found within the citric fruit also prevent certain drugs from metabolizing. It’s a common example in medicine and it’s likely that your doctor will advise you to avoid grapefruit entirely if you are prescribed with a drug that will be negatively affected by it. Ultimately, CBD is just another factor to consider in the complex world of drug interactions. Which leads us to our final point.       

The importance of letting your doctor know that you are consuming CBD alongside other pharmaceutical drugs cannot be stressed enough. As we’ve covered, CBD’s strong inhibiting effect will most likely be interacting with other medications. The danger being that if your doctor is unaware of an important drug interaction taking place in your body, they could unknowingly prescribe an overdose. The other possibility is that they could prescribe too low a dose and your ailment will be ineffectively treated. It’s a balancing act to find that effective dose which your doctor may struggle to discover if they are unaware CBD is also present.  For some people, it can be difficult to bring up the subject with their clinician. There is still a certain amount of stigma surrounding cannabis as a whole, the “Reefer Madness” attitude is still prevalent in many peoples’ imaginations.
But CBD’s use as a medicine is rapidly becoming accepted by the medical profession. If CBD works for you, treats your ailments and improves your quality of life, then there’s no need to be embarrassed about letting your doctor in on the secret. And even if you don’t have a condition that requires pharmaceutical medicine to be prescribed, then it’s still good to inform your doc that you’re consuming CBD in case that changes in the future.
 
When all is said and done, cannabidiol is a safe, effective treatment for a wide range of issues. However, it is not a cure all, so pharmaceutical medicine remains as important as ever. As medical science continues to lift the veil on what CBD can achieve as a medicine, we’re discovering more and more about where it belongs in this complex world of drug interactions.

Thanks for reading!

This recipe will take approximately 45 minutes from start to finish and give you 50 gummy bears. There are some materials that you will need for the process, which are a whisk, spatula, measuring cup, funnel, saucepan, food-grade silicon gummy bear moulds and food-grade condiment bottle. When you have arranged the materials, you need to get the following ingredients:
2 cups of juice or liquid of your choice
24 drops of CBD oil (the mg’s are up to you as the oil’s potency will not affect the outcome)
½ cup of gelatin
1 teaspoon of sweetener (honey is recommended)

Mix the sweetener and the liquid you have chosen and warm this mixture until it starts simmering
Turn off the heat and mix in the gelatin by whisking or blending
Now, you need to add sweetener once again, along with CBD oil
Make sure all the ingredients are mixed together properly and then complete the final stir
The mixture should be poured into the moulds and then placed in the fridge
Let the moulds stay in the fridge until they have firmed
You can now remove the gummy bears from the tray and keep them in an airtight container. You can eat one or two after every 30 minutes until you have consumed the right dosage.

​Have a CBD Day!

In a study by the University of South Carolina, the use of cannabidiol or CBD as a hepatitis treatment shows positive results. Various types of hepatitis come with different symptoms and treatments and often times a hepatitis treatment isn’t available; so how do you get through the symptoms? Studies show the use of CBD interacting with our endocannabinoid receptors to provide relief of hepatitis symptoms in viral and autoimmune hepatitis.
For those who have a type of hepatitis that is untreatable, using CBD as a hepatitis treatment might be the most beneficial ways to live with the symptoms.
What is hepatitis? Once you know you are living with hepatitis, it is important to understand what kind you have. There are many different kinds of hepatitis; viral, autoimmune or as a secondary result of coming into contact with something toxic. Hepatitis is the result of inflammation of the liver. Most commonly, one will be diagnosed with viral hepatitis that is caused by a viral infection. Autoimmune hepatitis happens when the body makes antibodies to destroy liver tissue. Exposure to alcohol, medications, drugs or toxins can also cause hepatitis. Different types of hepatitis have various symptoms and how it is given to someone.
Take care of your liver as it is the largest organ in the body. It plays an important role to digest food, remove toxins and store energy. One of the main functions of the liver is to regulate chemicals in the body this will break down harmful substances for them to exit through the feces, called bile. Various vitamins and other essential elements for the body are stored in the liver. Protein synthesis occurs in the liver, production of hormones, red blood cell decomposition, maintains glucose levels and more. Inflammation of the liver from hepatitis will have harsh effects on the body like; migraines, loss of appetite, weight loss, achy muscles and joints, fever and more.
Types

• Hepatitis A. One will get exposed to hepatitis A after ingesting infected food or drink. In most cases people will fully recover without permanent damage on the liver. Often times this type will get better on its own.
• Hepatitis B. This is a sexually transmitted disease that is transferred during contact with infected blood, seamen or other body fluids, like during childbirth. Often times people with hepatitis B are able to rid the infection.
• Hepatitis C. Spread through direct contact with infected blood, the liver will swell and become damaged. This can be from a needle or tattoo. Effects for some are minimal but for others it can lead to extreme liver damage.
• Alcoholic Hepatitis. When your liver experiences excessive intake of ethanol your liver is directly impacted. Typically there is no treatment with alcoholic hepatitis as symptoms are mild and alcohol use stops.

TreatmentMost people who have hepatitis will have it heal on its own after just a few weeks. There are some medications available to help relieve symptoms associated with various types of hepatitis. Once diagnosed with hepatitis make sure you stay rested to ensure hepatitis does not progress into scarring of the liver, or cirrhosis. This leads to more serious and fatal liver problems.
Cannabidiol and hepatitis treatmentIf you are looking to reduce the symptoms of hepatitis, CBD is shown to protect the liver from acute injury. Ultimately, this results in CBD as a hepatitis treatment. During this study mice were injected to induce hepatitis which mimics the symptoms of human hepatitis. Results show that CBD can be used as a hepatitis treatment. Further, CBD treatment on the mice with mimicked hepatitis saw decrease in liver injury.
CBD also had a direct impact on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines show reduction in after the taking CBD as a hepatitis treatment. This demonstrates that CBD treatment leads to suppression of inflammatory cytokines which protects against damage. Overall this study concludes that CBD is an effective way to protect against induced liver injury in mice.
Since CBD does not provide one with psychoactive effects, using CBD as a hepatitis treatment could be beneficial without side effects of medications. According to this study you are able to take CBD daily to help with the symptoms of hepatitis. Since CBD works on the TRPV 1 receptor. In another study, the use of CBD in both viral and nonviral hepatitis indicates the cannabinoid, CBD, helps to fight against liver injury.

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