reefer madness IS BACK
Similarly, CBD also reduces the number of seizures in children with a complicated epilepsy illness called Dravet syndrome. These are kids who experience many seizures that don’t respond to typical epilepsy drugs. We’ve also seen some studies on CBD treating pain, high blood pressure, and even Parkinson’s. And as for THC, there’s a synthetic THC drug called Marinol. It’s legal and approved to treat nausea and appetite loss due to chemotherapy. The cannabis story is worth following, both from a medical perspective and an investment opportunity. Our view right now is cautiously optimistic. The cannabis story is worth following, both from a medical perspective and an investment opportunity. The reason is that we still want to see a lot more long-term and larger randomized trials. What’s more, although CBD seems safe and appears in so many products, it also carries with it some side effects like diarrhea, vomiting, and issues with liver function. So, until those are addressed (likely with better formulations and more standardized dosages), we’d urge caution. And remember, if you do go for a CBD latte or donut, don’t overdo it... mixing the oil with food or beverages can slow the absorption rate. That means you might not realize it’s kicking in and could take too much by accident.
Hemp has very little THC. So it’s a better plant option if you’re just after the CBD oil. Hemp is also protected on the federal level under the Farm Bill, which was finalized last year. It’s the first time hemp has had a separate exemption from other cannabis plants. Hemp used to be legal until WWII, when certain states began to outlaw its growth due to a growing fear of marijuana dangers. Then in the 1970s, President Nixon made it illegal on the federal level, as he banned all types of the cannabis plant. So we finally saw a turning point for hemp just this past year. The sale and possession of any hemp-derived products (including CBD oil) is now legal... but it’s still up to individual states to regulate these products. That explains why some states, like New York, are cracking down on edibles while other states allow these businesses to flourish. CBD on its own, especially as CBD oil, provides milder health benefits without the mind-altering effects. Although there aren’t many clinical studies, there are a few that show CBD oil lowers anxiety. In fact, some folks in our office give their dogs CBD- infused treats to help them calm down. Researchers hypothesize CBD binds to serotonin receptors, which could explain the mechanism of action. They work similarly to drugs like BuSpar and Abilify, which work to boost the effects of traditional antidepressant drugs.
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March 2019
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