Day 12 Herb of the Day (or the week) CBD or Cannabidiol Magic and Medicinals. What our Ancestors Knew, by The Magic Apothecary, Mary Elizabeth Micari

 

Day 12 Herb of the Day (or the week) CBD or Cannabidiol
Magic and Medicinals. What our Ancestors Knew, by The Magic Apothecary, Mary Elizabeth Micari

Disclaimer: The following information is of an educational and general nature and should not be construed as legal advice. You should consult appropriate written and professional sources to answer questions related to your individual situation. Exercising one’s rights often entails some element of risk, and you should verify all information relevant to your situation before acting; the author and publisher disclaim any responsibility or liability for any loss incurred because of the use of any information herein

Mary? You mean you are saying we should vape weed?

Nope.

Read on.

I cannot take THC at all.  It brings on panic attacks.  I do have a serious auto immune disease which attacks my joints (RA) and anxiety as well as general needs to relax and be able to sleep, which I have not been able to do well since I got sick. Guess what? I am in less pain, sleeping well, calm and focused (ah yes…adult ADHD is a very real thing) and very productive.  I have been vaping CBD over a month now and I have less pain, the swelling in my body is reduced and I have less inflammation in general. My skin looks healthy and I am happier than I have been in a long while. CBD? Yep.

CBD

Cannabidiol oil is used for health purposes in humans and animals.  It is controversial currently. There is also some confusion about what it is and the effect it has on the human body.

Cannabidiol (CBD) may have some health benefits, but there may also be some risks. It is also not legal in every state. Please check your local laws and read about side effects and problems before using.

What is CBD oil?

CBD is one of many compounds, known as cannabinoids, that are found in the cannabis plant. Researchers have been looking at the potential therapeutic uses of CBD.

Oils that contain concentrations of CBD are known as CBD oils. The concentration and uses of different oils vary.

Is CBD marijuana?

CBD oil is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. Marijuana also comes from the cannabis plant but not the same one.

This article is easy to understand and can help clarify:

https://greenrushdaily.com/thc-cbd-differences/

The most well-known compound in cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the most active ingredient in marijuana.

Marijuana contains both THC and CBD, but the compounds have different effects.

THC is known for the mind-altering “high” it produces when broken down by heat and introduced into the body, such as when smoking the plant or cooking it into foods.

Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. This means that it does not alter the mind of the person who uses it. CBD does appear to produce significant changes in the body and has been found to have medical benefits.

Most of the CBD used medicinally is found in the least processed form of the cannabis plant, known as hemp.

Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, cannabis sativa, but they are very different as I said above.

Marijuana farmers have bred their plants to be very high in THC and other compounds that interested them, either for a smell or an effect in humans or that they had on the plant’s flowers.

Hemp farmers have not tended to modify the plant. It is these hemp plants that are used to create CBD oil.

How CBD works

All cannabinoids, including CBD, attach themselves to receptors in the body in order to produce their effects.

The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. It has two receptors for cannabinoids, called CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.

CB1 receptors are found all around the body, but many of them are in the brain.

The CB1 receptors in the brain deal with coordination and movement, pain, emotions and mood, thinking, appetite, and memories, among others. THC attaches to these receptors.

CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain, this is why I feel so much better.

It used to be thought that CBD acts on these CB2 receptors, but it appears now that CBD does not act on either receptor directly. Instead, it seems to influence the body to use more of its own cannabinoids!! So the body increases its cannabinoids and heals itself!

Benefits

Because of the way that CBD acts in the body, it has many benefits.

Natural pain relief or anti-inflammatory properties

People commonly use prescription or over-the-counter drugs to relieve pain and stiffness, including chronic pain….like me.

Some people feel that CBD offers a more natural way to lower pain. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that CBD significantly reduced chronic inflammation and pain in some mice and rats.

The researchers suggest that the non-psychoactive compounds in marijuana, such as CBD, could be a new treatment for chronic pain.

Quitting smoking and drug withdrawals

There is some promising evidence that CBD use may help people to quit smoking.  A pilot study on addictive behaviors found that smokers who used an inhaler containing the compound CBD smoked fewer cigarettes but did not have any additional craving for nicotine.

Another similar study posted to Neurotherapeutics found that CBD may be a promising substance for people who abuse opioids.

Researchers noted that some symptoms experienced by patients with substance use disorders might be reduced by CBD. These include anxiety, mood swings, pain and insomnia!

Epilepsy and other mental health disorders

CBD is being studied for its possible role in treating epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders.

A review posted to Epilepsia noted that CBD has anti-seizure properties and a low risk of side effects for people with epilepsy.

Studies into CBD’s effect on neurological disorders suggest that it may help to treat many of the disorders that are linked to epilepsy, such as neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases.

Another study published in Current Pharmaceutical Design found that CBD may have similar effects to certain antipsychotic drugs and that it may be safe and effective in treating patients with schizophrenia.

Helps fight cancer

CBD has been studied for its use as an anti-cancer agent.

A review posted to the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology states that CBD appears to block cancer cells from spreading around the body and invading an area.

The review says that this compound tends to” suppress the growth of cancer cells and promote the death of these cells.”

Researchers note that CBD may help in cancer treatment because of its low toxicity levels.

Anxiety disorders

Patients with chronic anxiety are often advised to avoid cannabis, as THC can trigger or amplify anxiety and paranoia in some people.

However, an article in Neurotherapeutics suggests that CBD may help to reduce the anxiety felt by people with certain anxiety disorders.

The researchers point to studies showing that CBD may reduce anxiety behaviors in disorders such as: PSTD, General Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

The review stages that current medications for these disorders can lead to additional symptoms and side effects and that people may stop taking the drugs because of these unwanted effects.

CBD has not shown any adverse effects in these cases to date, and the researchers call for CBD to be studied as a potential treatment method.

Type 1 diabetes

Is caused by inflammation when the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas.

Recent research posted to Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation found that CBD may ease the inflammation in the pancreas in type 1 diabetes. This may be the first step in finding a CBD-based treatment for type 1 diabetes.

Acne

Acne treatment is another promising use for CBD. The condition is caused, in part, by inflammation and overworked sebaceous glands in the body. If CBD helps inflammation it should help here too.

CBD could be a future treatment for acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne.

Alzheimer’s disease

Initial research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that CBD was able to prevent the development of social recognition deficit in subjects.

This means that CBD could potentially prevent people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s from losing their ability to recognize the faces of people that they know. This is the first evidence that CBD has potential to prevent some Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.

Legality

Cannabis is legal for either medicinal or recreational use in some but not all states. Other states approve CBD oil as a hemp product without approving the general use of medical marijuana.

Laws may differ between federal and state level, and current marijuana and CBD legislation in the United States can be confusing, even in states where marijuana is legal. As I said above please be sure to check laws where you are.

There is an ever-changing number of states that do not necessarily consider marijuana to be legal but have laws directly related to CBD oil. This information is up to date as of July 24, 2017, but the laws frequently change.

The laws vary, but they generally approve CBD oil as legal for treating a range of epileptic conditions at various concentrations. A full list of states that have CBD-specific laws is available here.

If you are considering CBD oil as a treatment for a condition, talk to your local healthcare provider. They will understand safe CBD sources and local laws surrounding usage. Research the laws for your own state. In most cases, a prescription will be required.

Side effects

Many small-scale studies have investigated the safety of CBD in adults and found that it is well tolerated across a wide range of doses.

There have been no significant side effects in the central nervous system or effects on vital signs and mood among people who use it either slightly or heavily.

The most common side effect noted is being more tired. Some people have noticed diarrhea and changes in appetite or weight.

Risks

There are still very little long-term safety data available, and, to date, tests have not been carried out on children.

As with any new or alternative treatment option, a patient should discuss CBD with a qualified healthcare practitioner before use.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved CBD for the treatment of any condition. It can be difficult to know whether a product contains a safe or effective level of CBD or whether the product has the properties and contents stated on its packaging and marketing.

How to use

CBD oil is used in different ways to relieve the symptoms of different conditions.

Some CBD oil products can be mixed into different foods or drinks, taken from a pipette or dropper, or are available as a thick paste to be massaged into the skin. CBD can also be purchased in capsule form. DO NOT VAPE OR SMOKE THE OIL…EVER EVER EVER.  As I said above I have been Vaping the E liquid I purchased and taking the oil by mouth only.  You can find great organic e liquid and oils on line and locally. Please research all products carefully there are no restrictions and there are many fakes or dangerous products out there.  Vaping was my chosen way because I wanted to be able to use the CBD when I needed it for pain. I also use the oil as I said before sleep.  I have seen a huge difference in my body in general.

All dosages relate to taking CBD oil by mouth.

Chronic pain: Take between 2.5 and 20 milligrams (mg) by mouth for no more than 25 days.

Epilepsy: Consume between 200 and 300 mg of CBD by mouth daily for up to 4.5 months.

Movement problems associated with Huntington’s disease: Taking 10 mg every day for six weeks can help ease movements.

Sleep disorders: Take between 40 and 160 mg.

Schizophrenia: Consume between 40 and 1,280 mg CBD by mouth daily for up to 4 weeks.

Glaucoma: One dose of between 20 and 40 mg applied under the tongue can help to relieve pressure in the eye. However, caution is advised – doses greater than 40 mg might increase pressure.

As regulation in the U.S. increases, more exact doses and prescriptions will start to emerge.

Magical Uses of Cannabis

Of course, we are all aware of the use of the marijuana plant in ritual for centuries.

Many recognize the power of cannabis to open one’s mind to seeing the world from an entirely different perspective. Historically, cannabis was taken in religious and spiritual practices to help open the doors to the soul. By opening to the inner world with the help of cannabis, practitioners were able to connect with the Divine and carry back understanding of our place in the cosmos.

Cannabis was one of the plants in the holy oil Jesus used to anoint his apostles and later to perform miracle healings. This is the same oil the early Gnostic Christians described as being the true means by which one is baptized or anointed. The recipe for Holy oil, according to Exodus, included cinnamon, cassia, myrrh, and cannabis. This is news to me but I love the idea and will of course be adding my lovely CBD oil into my holy anointing oil from now on. Want some? Get in touch as I make my NEW batch! themagicalapothecary@gmail.com

Shamans and Magicians have used cannabis among other spiritual plants to alter consciousness as they enter trance and meditation. Rituals around cannabis have been recorded as long ago as 5000 years ago. It’s been used in initiation ceremonies and various rites throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The Kurgans, a Proto-Indo-European people who lived five thousand years ago in the region today known as Romania, used cannabis in their religious rites. Early Chinese necromancers, too, used cannabis to move through time and see future events. As a Spiritual ally, cannabis has helped Shamans and others delve into the mysteries of what it means to be human, how we fit into this earthly realm, and to heal deep wounds for the people.

Magically, cannabis has been used for healing, love, visions, and meditation. It’s been used in the form of fiber, seed, tops, and buds for divination. For instance, the buds, tops, and seeds were added to incense for divination and scrying. The seeds have been used in love spells and for divining one’s true love.

Having taken in my share of THC in my youth I can attest as can so many others that this plant truly opens the mind to ideas, creativity and seeing.  I am never more psychic than when using this plant.  I know for sure that THC in cannabis is the culprit, but I am also very sure that CBD can be used as a curative and a calmative in ritual and out. It most certainly belongs in spells to increase focus, awareness, centeredness and power. I would add it to money spells to bring solidity and healing spells to open new avenues to the body’s natural healing work.  I would give it to those needing relaxation, perhaps make and oil to use on my hands for Reiki sessions or add to a soothing lavender and ylang-ylang bath.  One could certainly add it to foods as an oil to relax and open the mind…both cousins CBD and THC can be used in this way.

This plant is one of power…Cannabis.