What’s the deal with CBD?

CBD oil has recently been heralded as the key to alleviate many ailments for which traditional medicine has not offered reliable cures. So what is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an extract derived from the cannabis sativa plant, sometimes referred to simply as the cannabis plant.

The varieties of c. sativa containing high CBD, and low Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are generally called hemp, or industrial hemp. The more famous, or infamous, varieties of c. sativa  with high THC are often generally referred to as marijuana (AKA weed, pot, reefer, grass, dope, ganja, Mary Jane, etc).

Cannabinoid compounds bind with receptors in human cells. Two main types of receptors have been identified, CB(Cannabinoid receptor type)_1 and CB_2. CB_1 is most widely expressed in the brain, and CB_2 are seen expressed in immune cells. Researchers are still working to identify other receptors in human cells.

Medical studies have shown the strongest evidence of CBD benefit is in certain epilepsy syndromes, which don’t respond well to anti-seizure medications. The FDA recently approved the first-ever cannabis-derived medicine, Epidolex, a purified CBD extract.

Other studies suggest CBD can help alleviate anxiety and insomnia. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the studies are not as advanced as for epilepsy. Interestingly, recent studies say THC may increase anxiety as opposed to CBD which reduces it.

Another potential benefit of CBD that is being studied is the anti-inflammatory properties due to its interactions with the immune system. According to Harvard Health, “CBD may offer an option for treating different types of chronic pain.” More studies are ongoing to substantiate the effectiveness of CBD on these difficult to treat conditions.

As the medical community continues to study the benefits of CBD, more and more consumer products are being marketed. CBD products are often used topically, ingested, or inhaled. According to Dr. Junella Chin, an osteopathic physician, topical cream or ointment can be applied to “muscles, joints, and ligaments and still get a nice, localized release.”

Dr. Chin says, when CBD is inhaled, you will feel an impact in 10 minutes, that tends to wear off in two hours. Whereas, if it’s ingested as an edible or liquid, it will last 4-5 hours, but takes half an hour before you feel the effect.

Given the vast number of CBD infused products you can find, you should look for a third party quality assurance stamp or certificate of analysis. A 2017 Journal of American Medical Association study found 26 percent of 84 products tested contained lower doses than stated on the label. So in the wild, wild west of CBD products, it is buyer be aware.

CBD’s legal status is complicated. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. Federally, CBD oil extract from the marijuana plant, is still a schedule I controlled substance, whereas CBD oil extract from hemp (0.3% THC or lower), is legal for cosmetic use only, and not for food, or dietary supplements. In Florida, CBD extract can be legally processed with a state license under SB 1020.

As with all things, there are side effects from CBD that are also being studied. The FDA in their March 2020 statement says, potential side effects “include potential liver injury, interactions with other drugs, male reproductive toxicity, as well as side eff ects such as drowsiness.” The statement acknowledges much we still don’t know about CBD, and as recently as Oct 2019, the FDA and FTC sent warning letters to a Florida company for unproven claims on the benefits of CBD.

The CBD industry is evolving quickly, the FDA stated, and there is “significant public interest in CBD and we must work together with stakeholders and the industry to develop high-quality data to close the substantial knowledge gaps about the science, safety, and quality of many of these products.” So when you are shopping for CBD infused bath salts or other products, keep in mind, there is much we are still learning, both beneficial and potentially harmful.

 

Chinese New Year is Bad News for Monkeys

Chinese New Year

Suddenly, there it is – a flash of glimmering red scales as the magnificent dragon emerges from the back of the theater. Perfectly in sync with the pounding rhythm of the drums that fills the room, the dragon marches the length of the auditorium before claiming the stage as its kingdom. Then the real delight begins. The creature bounds from one side of the stage to the other, rolling its head from side to side with each step. As the auditorium lights illuminate the dragon’s body, which moves in graceful waves as it follows a ball that taunts it, a collective gasp of joy arises from the audience.

The dragon dance, a cultural tradition designed to bring good fortune and prosperity, flawlessly captures the essence of Chinese New Year. Celebrated on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, which happens to fall on February 8 this year, the Chinese New Year focuses most predominantly on the union of friends and family and the generation of good luck for the following year. The holiday, known as the Spring Festival in China, is the most important Chinese celebration of the year and brings together family from all over the country as well as the globe.

ChineseNewYear

The dragon dance represents just one of the countless traditions that adorn the holiday, but it bears the common theme that runs through all of the Chinese New Year traditions: good luck. The red color that appears in the dragon’s body is a color that saturates this holiday. From the red lanterns strung from every conceivable surface to the red couplets stuck on the doors and the walls, the color of happiness and good fortune dominates Chinese New Year. The color red also appears in the festival’s most common gift of red envelopes, which contain “lucky money” to pave the way for future prosperity. Wearing red underwear represents yet another important tradition of the Chinese, as such an intimate object in the color of luck is believed to minimize any forthcoming bad luck.The superstitions, however, do not stop at wearing bright underwear. Chinese New Year is a holiday that does not shy away from food. Lucky foods like noodles, whose length symbolizes longevity, and spring rolls, whose gold bar-like shape symbolizes wealth, become especially important on this holiday. Additionally, during the Spring Festival, the Chinese prohibit all cleaning, forbidding everything from straightening up the house to maintaining personal hygiene. I can’t remember how many times my mother stopped me from taking a shower on Chinese New Year, for fear that I would wash away the good luck. On the other hand, good luck is reinforced by fireworks. Used to drive away the evil of the coming year, fireworks light up the sky every Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival also marks the transition of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, which bears a total of 12 animals, with each animal representing one year in a cycle of 12 years. The Chinese New Year of 2016 will bid farewell to the year of the goat and introduce the year of the monkey. Contrary to popular belief, the year of one’s animal sign on the Chinese zodiac is perceived as the least lucky year of the 12-year cycle. Thus, on February 8 this year, individuals with the goat sign can breathe a sigh of relief, while those with the monkey sign should take a large inhale and be extra careful of any impending danger.

With China’s budding influence on the western world and the increasing outward migration of Asians, the Chinese New Year will undoubtedly continue to grow in popularity outside the Asian continent. In our own community, celebrations are held every year by multiple organizations, including the Coral Springs Chinese Cultural Association and the Chinese Association of Science, Education and Culture of South Florida. These celebrations are open to the general public and are often held at local schools. So, as February 8 approaches, put on your best red clothing, stuff some luck into those red pockets, and get ready to watch a Chinese dragon dance of a lifetime.