CBD and Glutathione
I am sure you have heard of the powerful antioxidant properties that cannabinoids like CBD have, especially if you listen to me talk enough. The antioxidant properties is what draws medical researchers in. There is a common misconception that we have all the tools we need when it comes to healthcare, but there are many diseases and disease processes that we need to improve in how we address them because treatment is either not effective or could use improvement to improve patient outcomes. Because of this potential of cannabinoid therapy, medical cannabis is almost acceptable nationwide. This is a huge win for us because there are conditions that involve chronic inflammation and increased cellular oxidation that we can’t properly treat, ultimately causing tremendous patient suffering.
Diseases where oxidative stress plays a role in the development of the disease includes: cardiovascular disease (plaque formation, cholesterol deposition, high blood pressure, stroke, etc.) [#1 cause of death worldwide]), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and asthma (1).
These diseases cause oxidative stress that free radicals damage our cells, attacking our cell’s DNA (common cause for cancer), membranes, proteins, and lipids, which can also alter their activity (1).
You see, antioxidants are a huge benefit because they protect our cells from damage, even when these byproducts are a result of our own cellular metabolism (yes, cellular byproducts can also damage our healthy cells). This is why fruits and veggies are great to include in your diet because they are packed with antioxidants!
BUT check this out…
Glutathione, also known as the master antioxidant, is one of the most (if not the most) important antioxidant in the human body. Glutathione and Vitamin C act together to help reduce stress at a cellular level, as well as playing a huge role in detoxification (2). In addition to detoxification (which is huge, considering all the toxins the body has to filter and eliminate daily), glutathione also helps reduce inflammation, and detoxify xenobiotics (foreign substances like pharmaceuticals, pollutants, + other chemicals) (2).
Now that we know how crucial it is to have adequate levels of glutathione available for the healthy cellular functioning (healthy cells = proper functioning immune system). What sets glutathione apart from the rest of antioxidants, and the reason it gets the nickname “master antioxidant”, is because glutathione works inside the cell, making glutathione’s role critical for human health (2).
So what in the world does CBD have to do with glutathione?
When CBD acts on the ECS, it increases the gene expression of our own endogenous antioxidant system of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (3). This means that in addition to the potent antioxidant properties that CBD has, it also increases our body’s antioxidant system (3). Taking antioxidant levels to the max!
This is a huge win for the medical community and for patients around the world because there are many diseases that involve oxidative stress including cardiovascular disease, (which kills more people around the world than any other cause of death), cancer (2nd common cause of death in the US), and Parkinson’s + Alzheimer’s, which are still ruining lives and affecting families worldwide (4).
Cannabinoid therapy has huge potential when it comes to human health, not only because of its own high antioxidant properties, but because it also increases our body’s own levels of antioxidants, including glutathione, which helps with detoxification and cellular protection (2).
This is how you change the face of medicine and this is how we improve healthcare here in America. Recognizing and sharing about the medicinal value that this amazing plant has to offer human health because people are still suffering. And just to think, we are just beginning to scratch the surface on the potential of this medicinal plant.
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
References
1. Pizzino, G., Irrera, N., Cucinotta, M., Pallio, G., Mannino, F., Arcoraci, V., Squadrito, F., Altavilla, D., & Bitto, A. (2017). Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2017, 8416763. https://doi.org/10.
2. Pizzorno J. (2014). Glutathione!. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 13(1), 8–12.
