Beyond the Buzz: Why Cannabidiol (CBD) Should Be the Next Tool in Your Wellness Toolbox

THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS- HEMP 

CBD is a cannabinoid, or nutrient, that comes from the Hemp plant. Both marijuana and hemp are a part of the larger family of the Cannabis plant and both have active compounds called Cannabinoids. It has been reported that there are at least 85 different Cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant working together to produce distinct therapeutic effects, whether excitatory or inhibitory depending on the location of the body.  The two most commonly known and routinely studied are THC and CBD.  The main attraction to the marijuana plant is THC, the cannabinoid associated with sedation and psychoactive properties.  As a basis of comparison, marijuana flowers range from 3 to 15 percent THC content where agricultural Hemp must have less than 0.3 percent, and in many cases is non detectable.  CBD does not induce psychoactive effects like THC does.  

 WHAT IT SUPPORTS- THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) was discovered in the mid 1990’s. ECS receptors were found in abundance throughout the human body, on virtually every organ system.  Cannabinoids, including CBD, bind with the receptors in the ECS.  Since that discovery, we’ve learned that the ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body by communicating with the nervous and immune systems to regulate important vital functions like sleep, pain, digestion, inflammation, brain function and more.  While there is more to learn about the exact mechanism of action of the ECS, it has been reported that the quantity of these receptors has a strong correlation to healthy or disease states.

 YOUR PLANT BASED WELLNESS TOOL

Understanding the distinct components of the plant and how they affect the human body is primary to overcoming misconceptions.  Generalized anxiety and chronic pain are widespread, afflicting 18 to 20 percent of the population respectively and costing millions of dollars in lost wages and healthcare costs on an annual basis. Moreover,  inflammatory-mediated chronic disease is undoubtedly the biggest threat to public health with more than 60% of the population dealing with one or more chronic diagnoses.  Perhaps the most compelling argument in favor of the use of CBD is that it shows promise in regulating generalized anxiety, chronic pain, muscle spasms and inflammatory disorders, all conditions that we currently don’t have good therapeutic options for.  Whether CBD will prove to offer widespread neuroprotection for complex diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease remains to be seen but there is enough evidence to suggest routine use can be a great compliment to living a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.  The only known contraindications to using CBD is that it may increase the levels of other pharmaceutical medications in the blood in the same way that grapefruit can, especially as it relates to blood thinning medications.  The World Health Organization reports that there is no evidence to suggest that there is any public health concern over the use of pure CBD. Provided that you buy the products from a trusted source, you can be assured that quality and dose will be sufficient to obtain a positive result.  Moreover, CBD is a safe, plant-based alternative that has the potential to enhance well-being in the same way that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will.  

 It’s time we think differently about the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors and plant-based remedies that can effectively improve these conditions without the risk of undesirable side effects. 

INTRODUCING NAVITAS WELLNESS SHOTS

Our full spectrum CBD oil is pressed directly from the Hemp plant offering the full range of naturally occurring cannabinoids designed to synergistically work together in the way that nature intended.  With the addition of our classic functional ingredients like acai, matcha, turmeric, and goji combined with herbal giants like chamomile, rosemary, ginger and magnesium – these wellness shots offer an array of health benefits to handle many of life’s challenges.  The more we learn about the scientific advances in the study of Cannabinoids like CBD, the more we are assured that adding this plant-based ingredient to our line is the next evolution of letting food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food. 

Meg Adelman
RN, BSN, MPH

Meg is an accomplished change-agent in the area of health and wellness.