CBD, CANNABIDIOL, HYPE OR HEALTH?

CBD or Cannabidiol, is (just) one of many (phyto)-cannabinoids often found in Cannabis. Cannabis contains at least 85 types of cannabinoids, many of which have documented medical value. (Phyto)-cannabinoids fit like a lock and key into existing human receptors which are part of the ‘endocannabinoid system’. “The endocannabinoid system comprises two type of receptors, CB1 and CB2, which serve distinct functions in human health and well-being.”(Source: the-human-solution.org) 

“The endogenous cannabinoid system, named after the plant that led to its discovery, is perhaps the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health. Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment.” (Dr. Dustin Sulak; Integr8 Healthin Maine)

I can try to explain what CBD is, but there are sources that explain CBD so well, I could’t do it better. So I will cite some CBD information from the following links (check them out):

• https://www.projectcbd.org/endocannabinoid-system
• http://www.medicaljane.com/2012/12/20/cannabidiol-cbd-medicine-of-the-future/
• https://www.projectcbd.org/what-cbd

“Cannabidiol—CBD—is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” and can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC. The fact that CBD-rich cannabis is non-psychoactive or less psychoactive than THC-dominant strains makes it an appealing option for patients looking for relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and other conditions without disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.

Scientific and clinical research—much of it sponsored by the US government—underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD,depression, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently being investigated at several academic research centers in the United States and elsewhere.” (Source: ProjectCBD.org)

The growing interest for CBD is a very positive thing for health reasons but also for the image of the cannabis plant. “We all know how important antioxidants are for our health, and we all know about Vitamin C and Vitamin E. What you probably didn’t know, is that cannabidiol is a more powerful antioxidant than either Vitamin C or E.”¹ So CBD is great for everyones health in general and it can be used as a vitamin/food supplement in our diet, but we have also seen and experienced that despite the growing mainstream media interest in CBD, it is clear that all the other cannabinoids such as THC and CBN still remain as important as CBD. Assuming that CBD is the only medical aspect of cannabis, is wrong and I want to stress the fact that all cannabinoids are equally important because they work together (with each other and also with terpenes). Cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically, each amplifying the effects of the other; also called the entourage effect. All together they become: medicine! 

1: Hampson, A. J., Grimaldi, M., Axelrod, J., & Wink, D. (1998). Cannabidiol and (−)Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 95(14), 8268–8273.

 

FEEDING THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM: EATING CANNABINOIDS

I already explained the importance and benefits of cannabinoids. Now I will share some cannabinoid infused recipes, because we all need to get those (phyto)-cannabinoids in our bodies to feed our endocannabinoid system. Smoking cannabis is one way to feed your endocannabinoid system with cannabinoids but the most effective/efficient way is to eat your greens! Eating cannabinoids is a much healthier way to feed your endocannabinoid system and it can be much fun to make cannabis infused refreshments. I will share two of my favorite (super easy to make) cannabis infused recipes:

 HERBSstrips (Medicated Fruit Leathers)

 

All you need for HERBSstrips is:

•        Fruit (Mango 2 pcs, Strawberry 6 pcs or Peach 5 pcs)
•        1 Teaspoon Lemon juice
•        2 Teaspoons Honey
•        Blender
•        Parchment Paper

        and of course

•        TrimRosin, CBD-oil or any other form of cannabis extract

To get started, I would recommend to first melt/mix the TrimRosin, CBD-oil or extract in the honey (Au-Bain-Marie-style). This will ensure that the cannabis extract will not accumulate in one place but is spread evenly true the whole mixture. Set up your blender; throw in the fruit (of course first remove the seed/pit out of the mango), add 1 teaspoon lemon juice, add the prepped honey and start blending. Once everything is blended and you have a smooth texture/puree without any lumps, you can pour it out on a piece of parchment paper. Make sure to spread the mixture all over the parchment paper, as thin as possible. Now we need to dehydrate/dry (remove all the water) the fruit mixture in the oven, the thinner you spread it on the parchment the easier it will dehydrate. Pre-heat your oven to 60-70 degrees Celsius, place the parchment paper on a baking plate and put it in the oven. Let it dry in the oven like this for as long as it takes for the purée to dry out and form medicated ‘fruit leather’. I usually keep it in the oven for about 8-12 hours. Test for dryness by touching the center of the leather; no indention or sticky spots should be evident. When its dry let it cool and cut the piece of parchment with the fruit leather still attached to it into strokes. Now roll up the strokes and there you go, you just made medicated fruit leathers. Enjoy your HERBSstrips!

 

Cannabis Coconut Oil Smoothie (Cannabiscoconutoil Beverages)

   

For this smoothie you need:

•        1-5 Teaspoons Selfmade #CannabisCoconutOil (from the previous newsletter)
•        Dairy-free Milk or Almond Milk
•        Fruit (Anything you like: Banana, Strawberries or Raspberries)
•        1 Teaspoon Peeled hemp seeds
•        1 Teaspoon Chia seeds
•        4 Teaspoon Oat Flakes
•        1 Teaspoon dry Coconut chips
•        Honey
•        Blender

Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend for a minute. That’s all! Enjoy your cannabis infused smoothie!