What You Should Know about Phytocannabinoids and a Healthier You
Since President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law on December 20, 2018, interest in the health benefits of phytocannabinoids, hemp, and CBD has reached a fever pitch and so has the misinformation, half-truths and unsubstantiated claims, especially online.
If you are anything like me, I am about education before consumption. I search for science when there is this much confusion.
So I went on a mission to:
- Define CBD and full-spectrum phytocannabinoids
- Understand what the endocannabinoid system is and how it works with phytocannabinoids
- Unearth 3 health benefits of phytocannabinoids
CBD Defined
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a naturally occurring compound that is found in plants. It belongs to a family of compounds called cannabinoids or, more specifically, phytocannabinoids (phyto = plant). There are over 100 different phytocannabinoids and hemp provides a primary source. Common plants that contain phytocannabinoids include oregano and basil.
There are lesser-known phytocannabinoids like CBG, CBN and the well known like CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC, which you may be aware, is the psychoactive compound found in marijuana that makes you high.
What You Need to Know: It is important to clarify that CBG, CBN, CBD and the other phytocannabinoids are NOT psychoactive and will not make you high.
Full-Spectrum Phytocannabinoids Defined
CBD is not the only phytocannabinoid present in hemp. As a matter of fact, cannabinoids work together to create a greater overall synergistic activity. This is known as “the entourage effect” in scientific literature. A full-spectrum hemp extract contains a full array of naturally-occurring phytocannabinoids, including a defined amount of CBD.
What You Need to Know:Always look for a full spectrum phytocannabinoid.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system composed of receptors which occur throughout the nervous system and, consequently, throughout every stem in the body. The ECS has been shown to play a major role in regulating many physical and cognitive processes in the body.
Additionally, the body produces endocannabinoids, which are its own internal cannabinoids. These activate the ECS receptors to initiate a cascade of powerful and important effects. Phytocannabinoids work with endocannabinoids to support and provide healthy functioning of the ECS.
What You Need to Know:Just like every system in the body needs nutritional support to stay healthy, the ECS also requires support. Supplementation with phytocannabinoids can aid in the nourishment of the ECS.
3 Little Known Health Benefits of Phytocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids Promote Calmness & Relaxation
According to an article written by Gene Bruno, Professor of Nutraceutical Sciences at Huntington College that was published inTotal Health Magazine, almost one-third of adults report that stress negatively impacts their physical and mental health – 42% reported feelings of being nervous or anxious. Because the ECS plays an important role in the regulation and maintenance of all body systems, and phytocannabinoids support the ECS, it’s not surprising to learn that in human clinical research, 25mg of phytocannabinoids daily has been shown to calm stress and stress-induced anxiety
Phytocannabinoids Support the Onset of Sleep
Of the aforementioned one-third of adults that reported poor physical and mental health due to stress, 46% reported having difficulty “shutting down” for the night and falling asleep. In the same human clinical research study, 25 mg of phytocannabinoids daily were shown to support the onset of sleep and promote quality, tranquil sleep.
Phytocannabinoids Help Reduce Inflammation & Pain
Inflammation occurs in everyone, every day. According to studies cited in the aforementioned article written by Professor Bruno, consuming red and processed meats, desserts and refined grains can all result in more inflammation. Bruno also mentions that exercising hard at the gym may result in temporary inflammation and pain.
Researchers found:
- Cannabinoids successfully reduced inflammatory markers
- Phytocannabinoids may have an application for pain
- Supplementing with 200 mg/day of phytocannabinoids significantly reduced levels of resistin, a type of protein that promotes several pro-inflammatory cytokines
Phytocannabinoids Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Filtering out the misinformation about phytocannabinoids, hemp and CBD is of paramount importance to your overall health and wellness.