Taking Care of Tomorrow, Today!
Several states report a significant reduction in prescription drugs where medical cannabis is legal for anxiety, depression, nausea, pain, sleep disorders, spasticity. As we learn more about alternative medicine, we can search for different solutions that we may all deal with on a day-to-day basis so we can improve our quality of life. My thinking and drive behind sharing what I do is so we can take better care of ourselves and rely on healthier alternatives and cannabinoid medicine seems to align with these values. Check this out.
We were always taught from a very young age that there is a pill for everything, but as research continues (finally, studies not funded by big pharma to fit their agenda) we understand how damaging over-the-counter and prescription drugs are on the human frame. To take it a step further, how damaging they are on our gastrointestinal tracts. Today, we now know how important gut health is.
We have all heard the saying of that “gut feeling”, but the truth is that our guts are much more intelligent than we give it credit for. Studies show that the gut-brain axis has a communication network in which our guts communicate with our brain in a two-way communication network (bidirectional). This means that what is happening in our gut affects our brain and what happens in our brain affects our gut. Our autonomic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis, and nervous system link the gut and the brain together, allowing the gut to influence mood cognition, and mental health (1). Let me explain.
We have different ways in which this communication between our brain and gut takes place. From our immune system (inflammatory signals), neural pathways (vagus nerve), and various chemical messengers like serotonin & dopamine, which help influence our behavior and mood, the GI tract is very intelligent (1). This means that anxiety and depression are directly linked to our guts. More specifically, our gut microbiome (gut bacteria) (1). We now understand that our immune system and foods we eat (fruits, herbs, etc.) actually produce different effects because of these plant compounds (polyphenols, tannins, terpenes, etc.) interacting with our gut bacteria, which produces different effects from improved immune system all the way down to modulating our behavior.
One of the biggest influences and contributions to the formation and acceleration of chronic inflammatory diseases is a disrupted gut bacteria balance (dysbiosis) (2). The biggest problem here in America is the accelerating rates of chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.), all which are linked to a gut bacteria imbalance (dysbiosis) (2,3). The problem (while also being the solution) is the Standard American Diet (SAD) and pharmaceuticals and how they both contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. It is the solution because we can learn to avoid or limit these things to improve our overall health, while relying on healthier alternatives that still get the job done. Over-the-counter and prescription medications kill off our good gut bacteria (as well as food preservatives, sugar overload, seed oils, etc.) and allow the bad bacteria to overpopulate the area, creating the perfect conditions for disease to thrive in (5).
So, when it comes to pain and spasticity, anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, or nausea/vomiting, I want to show you how to choose a healthier alternative that takes your long-term health into consideration. The goal is to not give up our long-term health for acute relief. Let’s do today what impacts tomorrow.
There is growing evidence suggesting how we can use cannabinoids like CBD and THC to help address pain and spasticity, anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, and nausea/vomiting. The best part about making this switch to relying on cannabinoids for relief is the fact that they have a positive impact on our gut microbiome, which is the exact opposite that over-the-counter medications and prescription medications have. This is the difference between sickness and health, and it all comes down to our guts!
Our GI tract contains CB1 and CB2 receptors that we can use to take advantage of their anti-inflammatory properties, improve gastrointestinal motility, provide protection to the intestinal crypt base, boost immune function, and help establish a healthy gut balance through homeostasis (4). Cannabinoid medicine is going to continue to shape our healthcare system and for the best because once you know that you can address pain and spasticity, anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, nausea/vomiting, and other disorders using something that is health promoting long term, it becomes a no brainer. We don’t want to be sick; we want to feel our best! The first thing we can do to make that possible is choosing a natural alternative that still gets the job done and doesn’t negatively affect our gut health! The best part? We are just scratching the surface when discovering this plant's true potential. Cheers to these amazing plant compounds and all that they offer.
One amazing plant with seemingly endless potential, now that's what I call medicine!
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
*This information is for educational purposes only. I am simply sharing information pertaining to these studies. No medical advice or claims are being made on my behalf.
References
- Appleton J. (2018). The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 17(4), 28–32.
- Potrykus, M., Czaja-Stolc, S., Stankiewicz, M., Kaska, Ł., & Małgorzewicz, S. (2021). Intestinal Microbiota as a Contributor to Chronic Inflammation and Its Potential Modifications. Nutrients, 13(11), 3839. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113839
- Biragyn, A., & Ferrucci, L. (2018). Gut dysbiosis: a potential link between increased cancer risk in ageing and inflammaging. The Lancet. Oncology, 19(6), e295–e304. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30095-0
- Srivastava, R. K., Lutz, B., & Ruiz de Azua, I. (2022, March 14). The microbiome and gut endocannabinoid system in the regulation of stress responses and metabolism. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2022.867267/full
5. Vich Vila, A., Collij, V., Sanna, S., Sinha, T., Imhann, F., Bourgonje, A. R., Mujagic, Z., Jonkers, D. M. A. E., Masclee, A. A. M., Fu, J., Kurilshikov, A., Wijmenga, C., Zhernakova, A., & Weersma, R. K. (2020). Impact of commonly used drugs on the composition and metabolic function of the gut microbiota. Nature communications, 11(1), 362. https://doi.org/10.1038/
