Jenny Crissman MS L. Ac
September 26, 2019
CBD (Cannabidiol) seems to have suddenly popped into the foreground of herbal medicine!
Almost overnight it is being touted to have endless health benefits: pain relief, insomnia, digestive wellness, mood regulation, anxiety/ depression, PTSD...the list is endless and so are the products to choose from.
As a Chinese Medicine Practitioner I was introduced Hemp/ Cannabis as part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal pharmacy. Some of the oldest recorded uses of the Cannabis plant come from TCM- Perhaps the true “Grandfather” of Cannabis
This blog is intended to help create some clarity around the questions I most often hear in my clinic-
Where does CBD come from?
CBD can be manufactured from Hemp as well as Marijuana.
Hemp is the part of the Cannabis plant containing <0.3% TCH
Marijuana is the part of Cannabis plant containing >0.3% THC
Is CBD Psychoactive if is manufactured from Marijuana or Hemp?
CBD does not have psychoactive properties but maybe paired with THC which is the psychoactive chemical in Cannabis.
Pure CBD produced from either Hemp or Cannabis should contain <0.3% TCH. At this level CBD does not produce any psychoactive response.
So it is important to source your CBD. Look for a COA certification ( certificate of analysis)https://citizentruth.org/what-is-a-cbd-certificate-of-analysis-coa-and-how-to-read-it/
How does CBD work?
CBD creates an enzymatic process the acts on our own endocannabanoid system (ECS). It creates a process which increases our innate reserve ofendocannabanoids which are endogenous lipid based retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors.
We have two receptors in our ECS:
CB1- helps to regulate our Central Nervous System. The CNS controls most functions of the body an mind. It consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord.
CB2- helps to regulate our Peripheral Nervous System. The main function of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs,essentially serving as relay between the brain and the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
Since CBD connects to both our CNS and PNS we can see how it directly effects mood and pain directly. It up regulates our bodies innate systems.
Is CBD Legal?
As members of the same family, hemp and marijuana share many visual similarities, but at a chemical level, the two plants have vastly different amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in Cannabis.
While hemp is characterized by producing a nearly non-existent amount of THC (less than 0.3%), marijuana can produce an abundance of THC (up to 30%). THC is a schedule I drug and considered illegal by the Federal Government in the United States and many other countries. It is however considered legal in many states.
Further clarification on CBD legality-
If the CBD is derived from hempand adheres to the following regulations it is federally excluded as a Schedule I substance. CBD is legalif :
-The hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC
-The hemp must adhere to the shared state-federal regulations
-The hemp must be grown by a properly licensed grower.
What is the best way to use CBD?
There are so many ways to deliver the benefits of CBD.
I think topical is best for acute and chronic pain.
Ingesting is great for stress, sleep, PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety...
A decocted tincture in alcohol or carrier oil under the tongue is great delivery system.
How do CBD and THC translate relative to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)/ Herbs?
First is believed since we have Cannabinoid Receptors in our bodies then we are built to interact with cannabis medicine.
CBD has very cooling properties and is a Yin Tonic according to TCM. Therefore it is highly effective at decreasing inflammation and reducing pain. It helps to reduce swelling and painful obstructions.
It is especially effective for chronic/ long term pain syndromes.
Yin Tonics also help to calm the spirit for mood regulation,encourage deep and restful sleep and soothe shen/spirit disturbances caused by past traumas.
THC of all varieties is generally considered Yang in nature and lead to more metal stimulation and be psychoactive in nature. In classic texts this is descries as “seeing spirits or ghosts”. It does have some of the same sedating properties of CBD, depending on the strain but in comparison to CBD it is still considered more stimulating and creating heat.
If you would like to learn more about CBD here are few good websites to consult:
Project CBD: https://www.projectcbd.org
Medical Marijuana Doctors : https://www.marijuanadoctors.com
Leafy: https://www.leafly.com
Dr. Axe- Benefits of CBD- https://draxe.com/nutrition/hemp/cbd-oil-benefits/
One of my Favorite distributors on line-
PURE Ratios: https://www.pureratioscbd.com
the 96 hour patch is highly recommended for pain!
Looking forward to your questions and feedback on your next visit!