Do you benefit from CBD? Read this!

By now, you'll have heard the letters CBD quite a lot lately, especially displayed in the front window and displays at your local health food store. But do you know what it is or what makes one CBD product better or worse than the next? Over the last few months, I have been trying out a locally produced CBD Oil and have had great success (with my mom, who has a long history of chronic pain). Since the CBD oil product I have chosen to stock has been rigorously tested and manufactured in Oxfordshire, I have taken the plunge to offer my patients the chance to experience some of the benefits of this product for themselves!

So why would you buy CBD Oil from Kennington Osteopathic Practice instead of a stockist like a high street store or online merchant? For example, Holland and Barrett offer many products that have shown to have little to no CBD and even illegal levels of THC (the cannabinoid that produces the classic cannabis 'high'). Many have even had high levels of ethanol (alcohol) mixed into the carrier mixture. The market is in the process of becoming much more regulated, and thankfully, products like that will start to disappear from the market over the next few months. As a result of this and the fact that I have been an advocate of CBD benefits for some time now, this has swayed me to start stocking my CBD products to help my patients.

First things first, however.

WHAT IS CBD?

CBD is one of over 85 identified cannabinoids found within the Hemp plant. It is one of the most sought-after major cannabinoids. Cannabinoid-rich hemp oil accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract and, via stimulation of the Endocannabinoid system, has a wide array of perceived health benefits, which some research suggests include:

• Pain relief
• Reduction in Anxiety and Depression symptoms
• It can encourage better quality and deeper sleep patterns
• Help to alleviate some Cancer-related symptoms
• It may reduce excess sebum production and Acne
• It may have Neuroprotective properties
• Could benefit heart health
• Antipsychotic effects
• Substance abuse treatment
• Anti-tumor effects
• Diabetes prevention, among others!

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?

The endocannabinoid system originates from the cannabis plant, which led to the discovery of the most important physiological system within the human body. Endocannabinoids and their cannabinoid receptors are present within the body and the brain, connective tissues, glands, and, most importantly, in our immune cells. In these tissues, the cannabinoid system has many different tasks, but most importantly, it maintains balance and ensures that our bodies maintain homeostasis.

WHAT ARE CANNABINOID RECEPTORS?

Researchers have pinpointed two specific types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. The two types of receptors have different properties and are present throughout the body in other regions, similar to how a fingerprint is never identical in two distinct individuals. CB1 receptors are widespread throughout the brain, connective tissues, glands, and the central nervous system. They have a strong affinity for THC and are primarily responsible for mediating the psychoactive effects of cannabinoids. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are found within our immune systems and organs, including the tonsils, the thymus gland, the spleen, and the gastrointestinal system. They are also found throughout the cerebral network, although not to the same extent as CB1 receptors. It is CB2 receptors that are most responsible for facilitating the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids.

ENDOCANNABINOIDS

Endocannabinoids are the substances our bodies naturally produce to stimulate these receptors. The two most well-understood molecules are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyceroll, made on demand from plasma membrane arachidonic acid derivatives. They have a local effect and a short half-life before being degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzymes and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL).

VERY LOW THC CONTENT

Although our oils and pastes are packed full of healthy cannabinoids, it should go without saying that they contain shallow (legal) levels of THC, so you absolutely will not get any psychoactive effects or "high" from using our products. The CBD oil I supply has undergone extensive testing by government-approved laboratories and registered with the first approved dossier of the European Food Safety Authority (a legal requirement moving forward in the CBD market). Trading Standards have also supported this product.

If you are interested in benefiting from CBD but would like to know more, please don't hesitate to get in touch. It's a fascinating product with huge benefits that I love to talk about! Prices start at £39.99. Please email me at info@kenningtonosteo.co.uk or call 07787 404419.

Until next time,

Stay safe!

Sophie x

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