When my naturopathic doctor recommended I begin using
cannabidiol, CBD, to help manage pain, I was shocked. I was very unfamiliar
with CBD. Although I’d been seeing and hearing a lot about it on social media,
the only thing I really knew was what I’d read. I had no first hand knowledge.
I did understand that CBD was derived from the same plant known as marijuana,
or Cannabis Sativa. CBD, according to my doctor, was the good part, the part
without the psychoactive component of the plant called tetrahydrocannabinol
otherwise known as THC. Taking CBD oil, he assured, would not cause me to feel
“high.”
For many months, the post cancer pain I’d been experiencing had
grown increasingly troublesome. I’d visited the doctor several times to find a
solution and we’d discussed options such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, nerve
blocks, and even surgery. Not only was I suffering from post cancer body pain,
I also struggled with secondary lymphedema, degenerative spinal issues, and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). The pain and the anxiety I felt on a daily basis, had become overwhelming. I needed help but
didn’t want to go the prescription pain medication route. I was fearful about
the possibility of addiction.
The doctor recommended I take two cannabinoids, cannabigerol
and cannabidiol. Cannibigerol, CBG, was a lesser known cannabinoid that worked
well with the body’s own endocannabinoid system. I didn’t really understand it
but according to information found on the
website
leafly.com, things became a little more clear. Their site said, “To
understand the human endocannabinoid system, it’s helpful to know a little
about one of the most fundamental concepts in biology: homeostasis. And the
best way to understand homeostasis is to think of Goldilocks and the three
bears. That classic fairy tale illustrated the idea that the best outcome often
lies somewhere in the middle, between two extremes. We don’t want things too
hot or too cold, but just right. Homeostasis is the concept that most
biological systems are actively regulated to maintain conditions within a
narrow range. Our body doesn’t want its temperature to be too hot or too cold,
blood sugar levels too high or too low, and so on. Conditions need to be just
right for our cells to maintain optimum performance, and exquisite mechanisms
have evolved to draw them back to the Goldilocks zone if they move out. The
body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a vital molecular system for helping
maintain homeostasis—it helps cells stay in their Goldilocks zone.”
After reading that information, I did think CBD would be
good for my body. Anything that could help keep things in balance and prevent a
recurrence of cancer was for me.
Along with the CBG, it was also recommended I begin taking
cannabidiol, CBD, another natural component of the cannabis plant. Taking the
CBG and CBD in conjunction with one another should give me good results, the
doctor assured me.
Leaving the cancer treatment center, I was given information
to purchase the CBG and CBD tinctures locally. The mom and pop shop selling the
cannabis products was just around the corner from the hospital, so I went
immediately to make my purchases.
Upon entering the shop, I felt skittish. I had no idea what
I needed to buy. The shop owner began to show and explain about each product. I
could choose tinctures, which were oil based, gel capsules, vaping pens, or
even gummy candies. There were many strengths available, too. Relying on the
advice of the shop owner, I left the store with one small bottle of CBG and one
of CBD. Each one-ounce bottle cost just under $100.
Taking the products home, I planned the first dose of CBG after
lunch. Assuming it would be best taken with food, I was excited and nervous.
Drawing up the greenish oil into the glass dropper, I
readied my mouth to accept the liquid. I’d been instructed to place one dropper
full of oil underneath my tongue. As I did so, I noticed a heady taste, almost like
liquid grass. There were no immediate side effects noticed after ingesting, but
I’d been told it could take up to two hours for the effects to be felt. I made
a mental note to watch for side effects and share them with my physician.
That evening, I took my next dose. This time I’d be trying
the CBD oil. Unlike the CBG, this tincture had been flavored with peppermint
oil to make it more palatable. The taste was definitely better but even without
a flavoring, the taste of the CBG hadn’t been unbearable, just different.
The effects of the CBD weren’t realized until the following
morning when I discovered I’d slept soundly through the night, the first time
I’d done that in several years.
Continuing to use the CBG and the CBD oils for the next few
days, I noticed a significant decrease in my pain level. In fact, I barely
noticed any pain at all! A feeling of relaxation was present as well. I was
pleasantly surprised. These were significant changes that could only be attributed
to the tinctures.
At the beginning of the third week, I found it necessary to
add another dropper of the CBG to my daily regimen. I’d been only taking one
dropper full of CBG in the morning and one dropperful of CBD at night before
bed. With only two doses a day, I’d find myself needing something during the
middle of the day as breakthrough pain would begin. “Since each body is
different,” the doctor had said, I would need to make adjustments “to find what
worked best.” In essence, I was going to have to be a human guinea pig.
After a month of using both products, my overall physical
health has improved. I’ve finally found the right combination of CBG and CBD
that work for me. Before the products, controlling bodily pain was a challenge.
I’d tried over the counter anti-inflammatory medication but it didn’t help. With the cannabinoids, I could definitely tell
a difference. I was surprised at how quickly the benefits appeared.
The products I used for this experiment contained 24 mg of
cannabidiol per dropper, but as I’ve searched online for other products, I’ve
noticed most of them contain lesser amounts of CBD per ml. Conducting an online search for comparable
products has been daunting. There are so many companies selling CBD products. Since
none are federally regulated or tested, the consumer shoulders the
responsibility to research products and companies before making a purchase.
A wide variety of products are available for consumers. Some
companies making and selling these products are transparent about which parts
of the cannabis plant are used in making their products and some are not. Some claim
hemp oil is the same thing as CBD, but that’s inaccurate. Hemp oil is made from
the seeds of the cannabis plant while cannabis oil comes from the flowers,
leaves, and stalks.
And while CBD doesn’t contain enough THC to get a person
high, there are definite benefits to using it. Cannabidiol has been shown to help
alleviate symptoms of anxiety, reduce pain and inflammation, reduce the
frequency of epileptic seizures, reduce inflammation related to diabetes, and may
even help fight cancer!
Some states have legalized the use of Cannabis for medicinal
reasons while others have approved the use of CBD products as long as they fall
under the category of being a hemp only product. Hemp oil products can provide
an alternative to medical marijuana for those who are unable to legally obtain
it in their state.
If interested in trying CBD products, please do your
homework. Not all companies are legitimate in their product advertisement.
Remember the old adage, buyer beware. CBD products are popular but they’re also
unregulated. Without government guidelines, some companies provide substandard
products that may contain unhealthy ingredients such as pesticides or solvents.
When shopping for CBD oil, how can you know that you’re getting
a quality product? Legitimate companies interested in providing quality
products for their consumers adhere to specific guidelines and standards
they’ve set for themselves. They are usually willing to be openly share details
of their product making and quickly answer consumers’ questions. These
companies may also use third party testing to verify product quality.
The market is saturated with an ever-growing number of
companies selling products made from the cannabis plant. However, with a little
research, it is possible to make a wise decision and reap the healthy benefits
of CBD.
If interested in trying CBD for health benefits, talk with
your medical professional. Ask for suggestions on usage and for suggestions on
suppliers.
Bottom line – I have been pleasantly surprised by CBG and
CBD. It was helpful to have guidance from a medical professional on where to
purchase a safe, quality product, what dosage to consume, and how to alleviate pain
naturally. I don’t think I could have made an informed decision on my own
without some guidance.
There are so many things to consider when buying CBG and CBD.
There are literally thousands of products available online. Conducting your own
internet search will provide a lot of valuable information and you’ll probably
learn some new terms such as terpenes, and terpenoids.
If you’d prefer a shortcut to choosing products, check out
this site for a quick
introduction.
Using CBG and CBD can be part of an alternative therapy
program, but as stated earlier in this post, each person’s body is different
and the results may not always be the same. Each person must decide what is
right for his/her own health.
Most CBG and CBD products on the market today contain under
0.3% THC. This is important to note especially when making purchases in states
that have not legalized marijuana. Any product containing more THC would fall
under the guidelines of those used for medical marijuana and may require a
written prescription for purchase and carry.
Disclosure: The results I’ve received since using these
tinctures has been amazing. I will continue to use the CBG and CBD products because
of the beneficial results I’ve experienced. I will give a positive report to my
oncologist at my visit next month.
