Category: Hemp and CBD Education

CBD and Hemp education

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Cannabis and Drug Testing

Nothing gets my blood boiling faster than someone saying I can’t use CBD because of the drug test at work. I’m not frustrated at the client…it’s the employer and the rules that follow cannabis as a whole. The testing used for cannabis is completely generic and you cannot actually get an accurate reading for how much THC is in your system. It isn’t cannabis they are looking for, however it is just THC.

Full spectrum CBD products carry at least .3% THC, which is the federal legal limit. It can show up on a drug test, if you ingest or used transdermal patches. Typically, topicals will not enter your bloodstream, so they do not hang on in your system the way other products can.

Recently, Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended because of a fail drug test, THC related. It isn’t the first time an Olympic contestant has used cannabis, either. Rules have changed recently it is time for them to change across the board, from employers to sports. People want to medicate without being a zombie or numb. Of course, people will abuse things just look at the opioid crisis, however cannabis isn’t something that can kill you.

STOP TESTING FOR CANNABIS!!

I’m ready for laws to change for our future. People have the right to medicate with plants, if they choose too. It shouldn’t be illegal. Just this week, I’ve had several people refuse a product that could help relax their muscles (topically). They said no I wish but I get drug tested. This shouldn’t be happening! It is a lotion, similar to a Biofreeze, people don’t want to lose their jobs (I totally get) over a lotion. (Again, topicals typically do not break the blood barrier.) I will look back one day and be thankful and humbled things have changed. I’m ready for it to be TODAY!

Reference to how long THC stays in your system.

Stay Blissful,

Chelsea

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Understanding Your Endocannabinoid System

Until the late 1980s, no one even knew what the Endocannabinoid system was. Raphael Mechoulam was the first to study and find many things we now know about cannabis. He discovered the endocannabinoid system with a pig brain, while studying THC. He found that mammals and humans have an entire system in our body, and the function is to balance our body. We have two different receptors working within our body, CB1 and CB2 on this ECS. (To Date 6/2021)

CB1 and CB2

These receptors are found throughout the entire body: brain, lungs, digestive system, organs, tissue, glands and immune cells. CB1 cells are the most studied. These are throughout the brain and spinal system, then scattered through your body in different systems and organs. CB2 receptors are mostly in the immune system, and fights inflammation through out your body.

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD attach to these receptors. The goal is to bring your body to balance – Homeostasis. CBD can not attach to CB1 receptor without the presence of THC. Our bodies produce their own Endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids

Anandamide and 2-AG are endocannabinoids, which means they are within our body. Both of these cannabinoids were discovered in the 90s by Raphael Mechoulam. Anandamide also known as the bliss or joy molecule. It is a mood enhancer that works on your ECS similar how THC works on your ECS. Anandamide can be broken down easily and doesn’t last in your body for very long.

A little later in the 90’s Raphael Mechoulam found another endocannabinoid in our body. 2-AG (2-ArachidonoylGlycerol) is highly present in our central nervous system.

Enzymes

According to the dictionary, enzymes are “substances produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.” We have one for each of our endocannabinoids; FAAH breaks down the bliss molecule, anandamide and MAGL breaks down 2-ag after they are used.

We need a lot more research on our Endocannabinoid system and all of its functions. However, we are progressing at a decent speed in other countries. Eventually, America will be able to freely study cannabis as a whole and learn more about what it does on our ECS.

Check out other blogs on our ECS – Feeding Your ECS and Endocannabinoid system and Cannabinoids

Stay Blissful,

Chelsea

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CBG -Cannabigerol

CBG compound

CBG or cannabigerol is a cannabinoid that is found in cannabis. Refresher on cannabinoids, active compounds found in cannabis. As of today, there are over 110 cannabinoids in cannabis some are major and most right now are minor. As research on these cannabinoids continue we will see different strains of cannabis plants. We will see farmers breed the plants to yield higher in different cannabinoids.

CBG or cannabigerol is a minor phyto-cannabinoid present in cannabis plants. This cannabinoid is a non-intoxicating chemical compound. CBG is found in low amounts in high CBD plants, like hemp. Accorrding to Cresco Labs, “CBG works to fight inflammation, pain, nausea and works to slow the proliferation of cancer cells. Research has shown it also significantly reduces intraocular eye pressure caused by glaucoma. Strains high in CBG will be beneficial treating conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and cancer.” Farmers will have to grow cannabis specifically for CBG, because it typically is very low levels.

As research continues, we will see more information about different cannabinoids and what they can do. We hope this helps you on your cannabis journey!

Stay Blissful,

Chelsea

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Facts Over Stigma – Can You Overdose On Cannabis?

Hemp

Can You Overdose On Cannabis? You cannot die from overdosing on cannabis. To be frank, you cannot die from cannabis at all, this plant isn’t lethal in any dose. Now, with that being said, are there risks? Absolutely, typically everything comes with risks. In my opinion, is it safer than some of the other options we as Americans have right now? ABSOLUTELY!

I was curious about what the CDC said about cannabis, and they said just that – you cannot die from cannabis but there are risks. The CDC is really only singling out one cannabinoid -THC. THC can be very intoxicating when used in higher doses.

Too much THC can actually cause some issues within your body. Those side effects can range from paranoia, panic, high blood pressure, anxiety, and delusions or hallucinations. There is also a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) which is a condition developed in chronic cannabis users. This condition isn’t understood to the fullest, but symptoms of having CHS are severe and prolonged vomiting and nausea, as well as compulsive bathing. If you are experiencing these symptoms, stop using cannabis immediately. In patients with this condition, once they stop using cannabis the symptoms go away.

Knowledge is power and knowing the power of this plant is extremely important. It may not kill you, however you could have a really bad experience with it. Starting low and going slow is the best method when using cannabis.

Stay Blissful,

Chelsea

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Why Do We Need Cannabis?

Why do we need cannabis? This question is something that not many people ask, but they should. This plant of millions of years has given us so much good, but with good we always have bad. Cannabis has many potential medicinal benefits. We can’t claim it helps with any ailments because it is hasn’t been approved by the FDA or the federal government to do so.

My research has shown me what the possibly of this plant can do. In the 1970s, the pharmaceutical companies in the US won over the federal government to be allowed to have 100% of the research of cannabis. They would finance and judge cannabis for themselves take it away from the government. They were allowed to regulate themselves and didn’t do any “high” research. Pharma also only focused on Delta-9 THC, disregarding the rest of the compounds in the plant. Why did they take over the research? Well, of course the one and only reason would be MONEY. They wanted to be able to patent cannabis synthetics. Also, the federal government recorded “through hundreds of studies that even ‘natural’ crude cannabis was the ‘best and safest medicine of choice’ for many serious health problems”

When we talk about cannabis we aren’t just referring to cannabinoids, THC or CBD. The stalks, flowers, and seeds all have amazing benefits. The greens of the plant could be eaten as a salad with no high (not in Kentucky it is illegal to have a hemp salad). If you look at places like walmart and other large chains, they sell hemp seeds and hemp hearts. However, if you look on the back of the products in American grocery and chain stores, none of it is grown in the USA. Hemp seed as you see below is considered a “superfood” it also is amazing for your skin. One of my favorite companies Kentucky Hemp Works uses the ENTIRE plant when they make products. They try to incorporate the plant in everything they do not just CBD focused. Here is a break down of Hemp Seed, Hemp stalk, and Hemp Flower.

This is in no way medical advice. I am simply just trying to educate about cannabis and its potential benefits. If you found this blog informative please give it a like and share! I am committed to facts over stigma and providing accurate information.

Stay Blissful,

Chelsea

Resources: The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer 2000.