How You Can Eat to Reduce Pain, Anxiety, and Inflammation

The Endocannabinoid System

Humans have a neuro system called the Endocannabinoid (ECD) system. This neuro pathway runs with both the central and peripheral nervous systems and it's a team player when it comes to regulating a bunch of important functions like fertility, appetite, pain, mood, memory, and stimulation of exercise endorphins after working out. When the system is whack, either in the case of over activity or under activity, it can result in a lot of inflammation. Under active ECD has been linked to fibromyalgia, IBS, migraine, and inflammation. Overactive ECD systems are tied to dis-regulated appetite, metabolic syndrome and obesity, blood lipid issues.

Eating for a Resilient Neuro Signalling System

While CBD is all the rage right now, your nutrition is super important in determining your body’s ability to signal properly. Here’s the thing, CBD is great for treating acute and chronic situations. But your nutrition plays a key role in preventing chronic illness and supporting that ECD system’s neuro pathway. That’s right. You can eat yourself happy, literally. So what’s a lady to do.

Think anti-inflammatory thoughts! No. Actually, you can support a health ECD system by increasing your omega 3 to omega 6 fat ratio. Omega 3 fats are found in cold water fatty fish, nuts, seeds, avocados and dark leafy greens. Omega 6’s are often in processed foods with corn oil, soybean oil, palm oil. Now, I’m not saying you need to eliminate Omega 6s. They are essential. Just be mindful. That is all. We need fat in our diet. Fat helps build healthy supple cells and neurons. It helps protect the brain and keeps inflammation at bay. Low fat/no fat diet crazes of the 90’s may have led to the downfall of the endocannabinoid system for a lot of people. Research has shown the low levels of omega 3s in diet are linked to premature aging, dementia and mental illness. Moreover, healthy intake of essential fats is linked with better insulin and glucose control.

In addition to healthy fats, eat the rainbow- meaning eat in color! Antioxidants are extremely helpful in reducing inflammation. Certain foods contain antioxidant molecules called terpines. These molecules help reduce inflammation within the ECD system and promote proper signalling. Terpines are found herbs and plants like broccoli, mangoes, sweet potatoes, dark chocolate, rosemary, cloves, black pepper and pot (just sayin’). They’re highly potent and effective. Eat yourself happy!

CBD 101

CBD works by binding the body’s cannabinoid receptors within the ECD system to reduce the expression of inflammatory markers. In other word , it has the ability to calm the neurons down and shut down the inflammatory response mechanisms. (You can read more about that here.)

In the case of PMS, hormonal fluctuation causes increased expression of inflammatory markers called cytokines. Broad Spectrum oil essentially helps other neuron receptors put these inflammation markers in a headlock so that they can’t act out anymore - making you feel normal and less like a train wreak.

As we learn more, it’s clear that Broad Spectrum CBD from Hemp is going to start rocking our world in terms of how we treat chronic heath issues going forward.

Here’s the jist. CBD comes from the cannabinoid family of plants however, there are many different species out there - not just the marijuana variation. For the record, it’s also found in hemp. Also, cool fact: your body make cannabinoids naturally. CBD does not have any psychoactive side effects. When taken in its pure form, you will not get high. It’s biologically impossible - this is why hemp based CBD is 50 state legal and you’ll pass a drug test if you decide to use it. In 2014, President Obama signed The Agricultural Act of 2014, making plants with less than .3% THC legal. Drug tests are used to detect THC (the component of cannabis that gets you stoned). More importantly though, this little compound is proving to be extremely medicinal. Research has shown that it is therapeutic for a vast array of conditions, including but not limited to PMS, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, IBS, IBD, anxiety, depression, cramps, migraine, sleep, acid reflux, and the list goes on.

IS CBD OIL RIGHT FOR YOU?

It might be, but that doesn’t the diminish the importance of healthy, varied diet full of plants, and essential fats. Only you can be the judge. Broad spectrum hemp oil is an all natural, non toxic substance that contains not just CBD, but also all of those beneficial antioxidants. There is substantial peer-reviewed evidence from the medical community that this treatment works for people suffering from life impeding chronic illnesses like migraine, gut problems, mood disorders, and chronic pain. Lastly, it has few serious side effects unlike prescription drugs.

If you’re thinking of trying CBD out, make sure to get it from a trusted source that’s third party vetted. Check out Tonic Vibes if that suits you. Having met the owner of the company and trying these products makes me comfortable recommending them to some people if I feel it's right for them. Lastly, you’ll also want to be sure that it doesn’t interact with any other medications you’re taking so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about dosage.

I work with women to help them create better mind body connections with nutrition. Contact me if you’re interested in working together to eat happy, stop stressing about food and find balance on your plate without going bonkers.

Sources

De Filippis D, Esposito G, Cirillo C, et al. Cannabidiol Reduces Intestinal Inflammation through the Control of Neuroimmune Axis. Gaetani S, ed. PLoS ONE. 2011;6(12):e28159. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028159.

Fride, Ester (1 October 2004). "The endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor system in pre- and postnatal life". European Journal of Pharmacology. SPECIAL CELEBRATORY VOLUME 500 Dedicated to Professor David de Wied Honorary and Founding Editor. 500 (1): 289–297. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.07.033.

Klein, Carolin; Hill, Matthew N.; Chang, Sabrina C.H.; Hillard, Cecilia J.; Gorzalka, Boris B. (June 2012). "Circulating Endocannabinoid Concentrations and Sexual Arousal in Women". The journal of sexual medicine. 9 (6). doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02708.x. ISSN 1743-6095. PMC 3856894 . PMID 22462722.

Marzo VD, Izzo AA. Endocannabinoid overactivity and intestinal inflammation. Gut. 2006;55(10):1373-1376. doi:10.1136/gut.2005.090472

 Wang, Haibin; Xie, Huirong; Dey, Sudhansu K. (June 2006). "Endocannabinoid signaling directs periimplantation events". The AAPS Journal. 8 (2): E425–E432. doi:10.1007/BF02854916. ISSN 1550-7416. PMC 3231559 . PMID 16808046.