As there are so many different companies selling CBD and like products, there are a few steps I take to ensure I am getting the quality product you deserve. When looking for a supplier, here are some things I deeply consider:

• I look into the claims presented by the retailer.
• I check their reviews.
• I make sure it is Organic and doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals and fillers.
• I make sure there is absolutely no THC in the product.
• I call the company to talk to a live individual and ask questions about the studies that went into creating the product, check where it was manufactured, and inquire about their third party testing.
• If I sense anything amiss, or if they are unable to answer any question, I do not do business with them.
• I test it for myself.

Cannabidiol has been used in various cultures all over the world in the past to help treat different ailments. Perhaps the oldest noted usage of a cannabis based treatment was in China, over 4,700 years ago when Emperor Sheng Neng of China used a cannabis-based tea to help treat poor memory, malaria and gout. In the mid-1800’s, Queen Victoria used cannabis to alleviate menstrual cramp pain, and William O’Shauffnessy published a medical paper documenting modern uses for cannabis.

In 1911, numerous states began requiring prescriptions or banning the sale of Indian Hemp and Marijuana. In 1937, Federal laws began to prohibit marijuana usage in the United States, starting with the Marijuana Tax Law. Then, in the 1940’s, Illinois State University isolated CBD for the first time and recognized its lack of psychoactive effects normally caused by THC. In 1973, after the War on Drugs, beginning with Oregon, states began to decriminalize cannabis usage. During this time marijuana was difficult to come by legally, possibly due to push-back from the growing pharmaceutical industry, that saw the potential for competition from this natural alternative to standard treatments. In the 1980’s-1990’s, CBD began to gain traction for pain-relieving qualities.

California legalized the use of medical marijuana in 1996 and in 1998 a British pharmaceutical group (GW Pharmaceuticals) began official medical trials using CBD to better understand its capabilities. This early research led to international studies conducted by numerous medical societies around the world. An Israeli researcher, Raphael Mechoulam, began to uncover the chemistry behind multiple cannabinoids, specifically, how to isolate individual cannabinoids like THC and CBD from the plant as a whole. This allowed for additional research. Mechoulam received numerous international awards for his research that helped bring the medical benefits of CBD to the forefront both abroad and here in the United States. Through these studies, various benefits began to arise, including lowered pain levels, fewer seizures in epileptic patients and even lower levels of anxiety in those prone to it. Cultivation on a small scale of low-THC, high-CBD crops and products began. Furthermore, evidence of the way CBD interacts with the human body’s endocannabinoid system became clear (and promising, since CBD does not create the same intoxicating, psychoactive effects as traditional marijuana and THC). As technology increased the spread of information, interest in the potential for CBD use in the medical setting continued to grow, as families across the US began to push for the right to treat chronic conditions and pain – especially in terminal conditions.

More recently, in 2004, the Figi family was able to cut their daughter’s 300 seizures a week by using CBD, and CBD and medical marijuana began to become mainstream. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. And today, numerous states allow for medical or recreational use of marijuana, and CBD.

I want to be clear, CBD is not medical or traditional marijuana. While medical marijuana has a place and has shown promising results and relief for sufferers of a variety of disorders, it is possible to gain many of the same benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.

CBD, or, cannabidiol, is derived from the cannabis plant, which is why red flags generally start to go up when it enters a conversation. The cannabis plant contains over 400 natural compounds, many of which are similar to other organic materials and plants. 60 of these compounds are unique to the cannabis plant; these are called cannabinoids. Cannabidiol is an active compound, or cannabinoid, found only in the cannabis plant.

CBD Isolate is the purest and most potent form of CBD, a crystalline solid or powder made of only of CBD. It does not contain the chemical that gets you high. To produce CBD isolate, manufacturers use various processes to extract all the compounds and other substances from the cannabis plant, including THC. The process leaves behind pure CBD in crystal form.

Here are some of the potential benefits of using CBD:

• boosting the immune system
• counteracting the formation of tumors
• fighting inflammation
• preventing vomiting
• recovery or regeneration of the nervous system
• reducing or preventing anxiety
• reducing or preventing seizures
• relieving pain (particularly for people with arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic and neuropathic pain)

I incorporate only CBD Isolate in my massage oil and products.

• Isolate contains only CBD, with no other cannabinoids. It is odorless and tasteless and can be used topically, ingested or vaped.
• Full-spectrum contains all cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant, including THC.
• Broad-spectrum contains multiple cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant, but doesn’t contain THC.

So why should patients in need of relief try something that sounds a little more “alternative” than they may be accustomed to?

The endocannabinoid system in your body contains receptors that react to cannabinoids, releasing enzymes throughout your central nervous system, brain and rest of the body, that promote balance, reduce the effects of harmful chemicals that build up in the body, reduce inflammation — a major player in chronic pain, arthritis pain — and more. These receptors exist because the human body produces its own cannabinoids, which may influence several bodily functions, including:

• appetite
• memory
• mood
• pain perception
• inflammation levels

When the endocannabinoid system is able to function properly, the body is more likely to respond well to pain, even when traditional treatments fail. In short, the human body is designed to respond to this natural substance, eliminating negative stressors throughout. Our bodies have a system that was created to use CBD to its fullest extent.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has risen in popularity as an alternative medicine for a wide variety of ailments. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there. CBD has a lot of very strong evidence in the control of refractory seizures where other medicines have proven ineffective, such as certain forms of epilepsy. Some ongoing research suggests that small doses of CBD can help lower anxiety, and can be used to treat pain and ease symptoms of Parkinson’s. Long term use of CBD has helped working memory issues with other conditions such as Schizophrenia. While originally thought that CBD didn’t have any side effects whatsoever, new research suggests that it can irritate your digestive system if ingested. This is why I choose a topical application method. The most promising effects of CBD are for epilepsy, but on this page we will focus mainly on muscular pain relief. Please look at the reference sources below if you wish to know more about each condition that CBD can potentially help.

Chronic pain is persistent and relief can be difficult to come by. It’s often accompanied by fatigue, restlessness, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, mood swings, limited movement, reduced strength, depression and anxiety. Today, chronic pain affects more than 100 million Americans. That’s more than diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer combined. It is very common and the need for a cure and/or relief have never been more important. The reports and frequency of chronic pain are growing even as new treatment options continue to emerge and people like you are constantly on the lookout for anything that may help. There is a growing body of evidence that CBD can be effective in interacting directly with neural pathways that control pain, offering a promising alternative course of treatment for patients looking for a non-narcotic treatment plan or for patients for whom traditional treatments have fallen short.

People looking for pain relief in a specific area of the body, on the skin or relating to a muscle may want to investigate a topical CBD lotion or cream, rather than ingesting it. No drug can completely eliminate the chance of a pain flare-up, because oftentimes, these flares are caused by external circumstances or variables — the weather, too much activity, heat, stress, or something else.

Studies indicate that CBD can also influence non-cannabinoid receptors, such as serotonin receptors. And since Seratonin is a chemical that affects levels of depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness (among others), this may help explain why CBD eases anxiety and pain in some people.

One of the main reasons I choose pure CBD isolate is that fact that it is easy to measure and I know the exact dose I put into my massage oil or product. Just as everyone’s body is different and different modalities of massage help in different ways, the dosage of CBD is different for everyone, too. Most people begin with 5-10mg a day, while others obtain relief by taking up to 25mg a day. It’s best to start low and work your way up to where you know what works best for you. High quality, organic CBD sourced from industrial hemp plants, tested by third-party labs, and the optimal dosage thereof is absolutely essential for maximum pain management!

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recommended in 2017 that CBD not be scheduled as a controlled substance. It also concluded that, in its pure state, cannabidiol does not appear to have abuse potential (addictive nature) or cause harm. Some countries have eased regulations around cannabidiol, to consider products containing CBD to be medical products (United States of America included). As of yet, the WHO does not recommend CBD as a replacement for current medication to treat any disease, so speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about whether CBD may be able to help you.

Currently, the FDA does not have a recommended dose amount, although they have approved Epidiolex, a prescription medication containing CBD that is used for certain types of epilepsy. Also, CBD’s effects are not life-threatening, and overdosing is nearly impossible, as the human body can tolerate it comfortably in high amounts. It is one of the only substances reported to have no serious side effects by the World Health Organization. When compared with the major (sometimes life-threatening) risks of traditional pain management, it’s clear that CBD is a worthwhile, attractive alternative, especially for those with chronic pain.

Reference Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-isolate#effects

The World Health Organization https://www.who.int/