Could we have a magic natural remedy in our midst? Well, the benefits of the distinct five leaf marijuana plant are not new – some say it’s been used since 750 BC in various ways. But the health benefits of CBD in particular are becoming more well known as research unfolds around what looks like magical powers for this non-psychoactive component of the marijuana or hemp plant. Sure, the uses of marijuana have been around for years, but let’s face it, it’s not for everyone. The visual of a smoked out den or cave, big fat rolled joints or blunts being passed around, bongs on end tables, and 60’s music playing in the background might come to mind with the mention of marijuana, but we’ve moved on light years from that with the recent legalization of marijuana.
CBD is a component of the marijuana plant and also comes from hemp – there’s a difference that I hope to have you clearer on by the end of this episode. The widespread use of CBD is not only a booming business, but seems to have given relief to many of those daily symptoms that really affect the quality of your life. I’ve seen it used for chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression. I’ve heard of it being used by cancer patients with benefits like pain relief (but not just your sore elbow from a bit of arthritis), or by MS patients, or for rheumatoid arthritis (that can be debilitating). I know pet owners use it for their four legged family members with great success. What if CBD could help you to finally get that night of restful and sound sleep that I know you’re desperate for? I bet that would make your days better, right?
We’re going to dig into all of this, as well as what I want to better understand too. Along with a bunch of questions that I have for my clever guests today, I want to know how to choose between hemp CBD and cannabis CBD. Yep, I am no expert in this area so I will be learning right along with you today. I know of a Green Sommelier who specializes in the hundreds of strains of marijuana and their benefits, but that’s more to do with THC, which is the psychoactive component, and that’s not where I’m headed in this episode. Along with the questions that I have for our expert docs, Dr Marni Brooks and Dr Davis Brockenshire, I want to get answers for you that you don’t know that you need to ask yet, especially if you’re someone who hasn’t tried CBD yet. I take it daily and still have a bunch of questions, so I’ll share some of my story and then we’ll hear from the experts… So with that said, let’s get to it.
Today on EAT THIS with Lianne, demystifying CBD and your health.
Marijauna was not a part of my teen years, my twenties, or any time of my life, so when taking CBD was recommended to me for some symptoms I had going on, I wasn’t sure. I worried about the psychoactive potential – I didn’t want to be high all the time – so it took some time and research before I tried it out for myself. Much like anything I take, I need to understand it better before I jump in, as well as have it recommended by someone I trust. Once I looked into it, my next challenge was how to get it. With recent legalization here in Canada, I still wasn’t clear on what you could walk into a cannabis store and buy. A nutritionist friend had been taking it for her perimenopause symptoms, anxiety and other issues, so she helped me find a hemp-sourced CBD oil to try. It went alright, I think. I took it every day and felt pretty balanced. I had some cream to try too and it seemed to help when I put it on my sore neck. Then I dropped off taking it, tried another brand, thought I’d check out the medical route, and went to see my doctor. She referred me to a clinic and I saw a doc in the know, who helped me start with a prescription and choose which oil to try.
I started taking the oil, you know, dropping it right into my mouth. I’m not sure that it helped at first, but it was in one of my visits to see Dr Brockenshire (who we just had on the last episode talking about coffee) that he suggested I try CBD from a cannabis source – meaning that it has a trace of THC in it and it comes from a different plant. We were trying it for my head tremor to see if it helps. CBD seems to be one of those things that works for some and not for all. And I keep saying it seemed to help because I’m not 100% sure. It’s tricky for me to know if it helps my tremor because I don’t feel it until my head is held or pressed up against my kids’ head when I give them a hug. I only see it when I’ve watched myself in videos or see myself in a TV segment. I’m still not convinced that it helps with that, but I do think that it has helped balance my mood, and after taking it for over 18 months, at a way higher dose than even Dr B thought, I’m still taking it. I think it’s one of those things that if I stopped altogether I’d notice more what it’s helping, but stress levels at home are high right now and my mood and sleep are generally balanced, so I’m not going to change anything.
My guest expert on this episode is Dr. Marni Brooks. She is a Toronto-based family physician focusing in the area of Cannabinoid Medicine. She founded the first Medical Interest Group in Cannabinoid Medicine in the country at the Ontario Medical Association. She has a focus in pain management and addiction medicine and has been an independent medical examiner as an expert witness in criminal cases. Make sure to listen to the episode for her great run down and information.
Knowing that there’s another side to the medical CBD path, I also asked Dr Brockenshire to share with us why he recommends marijuana-sourced CBD. Let’s call it a second opinion… He nailed it, as always. Listen in for his run down of hemp oil versus CBD oil and knowing the dosage (30-60 mg CBD daily).
Not all CBD products are the same quality, so it’s important to look out for trusted brands who can provide analytical results for their products. Like some supplements, certain products work better than others and the dosage has to be right. If you’re going the medical route, any company who makes a CBD product should be able to supply a consumer with a certificate confirming its safety, the amount of THC it contains and any residual solvents leftover from the manufacturing process. Basically I read the label, understood the ratio, talked to my Canabo doc, asked Dr B and went with that.
I don’t know about you, but that was another episode of a-ha’s and learning. I know you’re here to learn, but make no mistake, I learn too. Not only the research that I do before sitting down in my closet and Chris and I hit record, but all that I learn from my guests.
A quick aside before we sign off… This week, I sent out a note to my email subscribers about collaborating with a brand or company looking to amplify their campaign and initiatives in a unique way – as in on this podcast. I hear the groans, and that you don’t want advertising or sponsor messages, I get it. But there are ads for Lowes that I’ve heard here and I think you’d be better served with something that’s in the health space. So, I’m asking you, my loyal listener, if you happen to work for, know of, or have a friend of a friend who could be a good fit for us and offer value to YOU, I’m all ears. Introduce me, share a name or company, and we will investigate. This opportunity isn’t just for anyone, make no mistake. We are looking for the right partner who gets the impact of what we do, knows the benefit and appreciates the blend of traditional and digital media promotion that we do.
So with that little plug said, thank you for being here, sharing, reviewing and all the five star ratings. Thank you for tuning in and being one of our over 60K downloads. And above all else, remember to EAT THIS, one mouthful at a time.
