Health & Wellness

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS

I have become increasingly interested in the vast subject of human health and wellness over the last ten to fifteen years. As a Family Nurse Practitioner and previously as a bedside nurse, I have had the awesome opportunity to interact with people from many walks of life who are facing health crises. I have seen a lot, learned so much, and am still learning every single day. I have had it in my heart for awhile already to add this service to my website, offering insights into things that appear to be effective in maintaining and sustaining good health, not only from a mental health perspective, but more importantly from a holistic standpoint.

I plan to post short snippets of insight, inspiration, science, research, and recommendations here occasionally. I hold my thoughts and ideas here loosely and value any input that comes my way.

In the interest of transparency I want to make it clear that I do plan to offer links to my site on Green Compass© where I have begun selling hemp (CBD) products. This foray into alternative medicine for someone who has a mainstream medical background has been a journey all its own. I will post more of that journey in the blog below.

(I plan to post updates to current posts as time permits. At this point I will post by date with the oldest post at the top/first. Scroll to the bottom to see the latest postings.)

POST 1 – May 15, 2023 – HOLISTIC CARE – The PERMS Acronym

To kickstart this section I would like to give just a short summary on what I am trying to accomplish here.

I feel that nurses are given a fairly well rounded education on the holistic approach to medicine in general. That is, we are trained to see someone with illness not only as an organism that needs fixing but as a human being who needs love, understanding, and an empathetic ear. The nursing model is often called a “care” model as opposed to a “cure” model. I feel this has produced in me a desire to know and see a person as a whole being with every part interconnected and reliant on the others. We are physical beings. Yes, but we are also mental, emotional and spiritual beings as well. Not to mention relational: our lives are built on and around relationships.

In my own practice and work in the mental health field I have adopted an acronym, not entirely original with me, called PERMS. The P in PERMS stands for physical, the E for emotional, the R for relational, M for mental and the S for spiritual. This acronym can provide a framework for better understanding our illness, for example, in relation to all of our parts. I often use it in suppling a client with a care or treatment plan. Each part is considered from its own perspective, whether it’s a child exhibiting disruptive and aggressive behaviors in school or an adult suffering from emotional or mental distress. Let’s use anxiety as an example: Someone suffering from anxiety, which could be both a mental and an emotional malady, experiences physical symptoms as a result. Anxiety can also produce relationship difficulties and we may avoid certain situations due to our angst. To say then that our anxiety could also produce a spiritual problem is not out of the question.

All this to say that I want to see, consider, and understand health and wellness from not only a physical or mental perspective, but a relational and spiritual one as well. Whether we like it or not, we are the sum of all these parts and seldom can we, or should we, separate them when considering our overall health. They depend on each other. They affect each other. Sometimes in ways we don’t expect and in ways we had not thought of.

PERMS outline example:

P – Physical: This includes anything from obtaining lab work and reviewing dietary practices to how well a person is sleeping.
E – Emotional – This part addresses how well a person is managing and expressing their emotions and feelings. It takes a deeper look at factors that influence emotions. Coping mechanisms, self-soothing behaviors, and psychological reactions are all a part of emotional make-up.
R – Relational – Here we dive into the dynamics of a person’s relationships: how well does they initiate, maintain, and sustain friendships, connection, and intimacy. We become curious and reflect on any relational barriers or difficulties.
M – Mental – The mental is difficult to separate from the emotional and they often go hand in hand. In short, the mental part of our brains have more to do with clear thinking and decision making. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are examples of mental illness. Depression and anxiety can be both a mental and an emotional illness.
S – Spiritual – At our core we are spiritual beings and this must be considered seriously in any malady or illness we face. We take an honest look at the place and position God plays in our lives? Forgiveness, acceptance, and surrender are major parts of this facet of our beings.

POST 2 – MAY 20, 2023 – LINK TO GREEN COMPASS HEMP-BASED CBD PRODUCTS

Everyone gets started somewhere. I would like to tell you about all the research, all the good stuff I’ve learned, seen, and heard about CBD (Cannabidiol) as a natural supplement and support to our endocannabinoid system (a lesser known but integral part of our body’s nervous system). Just know that so far I am impressed. I will continue to update this page, I hope, as I have time to write and post.

For now: Know that CBD is safe and legal. It is not marijuana.

Click on the Green Compass logo below to browse and shop for products. I am available to consult on products and product dosing anytime. I prefer text or WhatsApp messaging at 574-238-8372. I am also available by email at brsc70@gmail.com.

POST 3 – MAY 22, 2023 – NO MAGIC BULLETS

I have never seen a magic bullet. I don’t believe there is any such thing. In health and wellness, for sure. Maintaining good health takes time, effort, and focus. It also takes a comprehensive holistic approach that includes considerations from every aspect of our lives.

As I am focused right now on CBD products, I want to state that they are no magic bullet either. But when I compare CBD with something like narcotics for pain or SSRIs for depression I say, well, why not give them an honest try. You may find relief that is comparable but minus the side effects.

I have signed up for this GC journey because I am very curious if my clients will find the products helpful. I want to remain transparent and honest about it – if you don’t find any benefit I want to hear about it.

POST 4 – May 24, 2023 – GENERAL CBD INFO – Dosing for Anxiety and Insomnia

CBD Nano Jellies (similar to gummies) and Tincture (liquid to place under tongue) is the recommended combo to support metabolic health in those combating anxiety, SSRI and narcotic withdrawal and insomnia.

Nano Jellies come in either Lemon or Elderberry flavor. Dosing: start with a half jelly in the AM for one week. After one week go to half a jelly twice a day, morning and evening. You can then increase to one jelly in the morning and one in the evening. These take effect almost immediately as they are water soluble. Hence you can take them as needed. In the beginning I recommend taking them every day, at least for a couple weeks.

The tincture comes in a variety of flavors. Start with 750 mg bottle and use only two drops per day x one week and then increase to around 0.25 ml per day. You can increase from there very slowly. Take every day as a part of a daily routine. The tincture is fat soluble and processed in the liver so it takes more time. This needs to be taken every day.

You can also buy a BALANCE and RESTORE bundle that has both of these recommended products as a package for less money.

Auto ship is cheaper and there is free shipping after 2 months.
Use my 6 digit code – it is 20% off. Code: 535769.
Take for at least 3 months – it can take time for some individuals to experience effects, with others it works faster. CBD heals at a deeper level thus, in general, it takes more time. If a person is obese, for example, it will take longer. Natural methods always takes more time than chemical/prescribed meds do.
You can easily cancel with no question at anytime.
Flavors – the jellies come in different flavors – if you don’t like a flavor go ahead and change it.

I can always help with dosing. These products are expensive and thus I want you to use as little as possible for the effective dose. More is not better. We can work at it together.

POST 5 – June 1, 2023 – WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss

In the spirit of this mini-blog here’s a brief take on weight loss, heavily weighted with personal opinions, anecdotal evidence, and rabbit trails.

What I’ve seen so far to be the most effective weight loss strategy is the ketogenic diet. Critics have things to say about it, as does anyone on anything. Pros and cons, cons and pros. One criticism is that keto is difficult to maintain long term and that criticism is valid for most of us. Another criticism is that keto long term is dangerous to your health. This is an ongoing point of discussion among experts, but so far I see very little evidence that it’s unsafe for most people. Whatever the case, the weight loss plan I wish to posit here takes these issues into account.

I do not support diet regimens that do not focus on lifestyle changes. To be healthy and well, one must transition from unhealthy habits to healthy habits and maintain them the majority of the time. This is not easy. We are creatures of denial and good intentions. We are also creatures who, if we want something bad enough, can do it.

Then a couple questions. How much weight do you want to lose? How much should you lose? How much is reasonable? Do you have any other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease? These are factors that will require consideration and further discussion.

Now for the plan. (This is a recommendation only. I am likely not your health care provider and thus all disclaimers are in order. Even though I follow this regimen myself and know many individuals who do, please do not take this as official medical advice.)

Stage 1 – Go full on keto for three to five months. This means keeping carbs down to less than 20 grams per day. Twenty grams, my friends, is not much. It will mean eating meat, eggs, avocados, limited nuts (not peanuts), non-starchy vegetables, and cheese. You will get sick of this. Or you will become very creative and make it work and start to enjoy it. In our culture this is difficult considering that carbohydrates enthusiastically play the part of the hors d’oeuvres[O2] , the main dish, and the dessert. Even the salad is usually bathed in a sugary dressing and topped with crunchy processed garnishes.

Notes on Stage 1:

Get over the keto flu. Stick with it. This feeling of mild yuckiness usually lasts from three to five days and, as with most everything metabolic, some will battle this feeling and some simply will not.
You will start losing weight in the first couple weeks. Some lose eight to ten pounds per month, some more, some less, depending on how overweight you are when you start the journey. Let the weight loss drive your motivation. Let the feeling of a clearer mind and cleaner body push you forward.

If you’re not sure about what foods have carbs (How many carbs do raspberries, almonds, or jelly fish have, for example?) then download a carb counter app. Use it for a few days or weeks and you’ll get a good idea of what foods contain what.

Stage 2 – After five months (we’ll take the longer number), ease off and introduce a few carbs here and there, maybe things you miss, for example, or things you must try at a friend’s dinner or when on vacation. You can go heavier on the nuts and, in my experience, re-introduce sprouted wheat bread in moderation (I say this heavily biased towards sprouted wheat bread).

Notes on Stage 2:

In stage 2 keep a few things in mind. Lifestyle change and sustainable measures are key words to remember. Here’s a few pointers as you introduce a few carbs into your lifestyle:

Truly avoid processed sugars and carbohydrates if at all possible. These are addictive and you will gain the weight right back. These modern temptations include chips, candies, sugary drinks of all kinds, breads and cereals, pastries, most dressings and sauces, and snacks of all sorts. Sugar sneaks into and hides out in everything so watch out!
Avoid fast and fried foods. Having said this there are definitely low carb foodie hacks to eating in fast food restaurants. Most burger places offer a bunless burger and you can replace ketchup with A1 steak sauce for less sugar, for one example. Mexican food is considered the epitome of high carb but order a fajita meal and throw the tortillas across the room for someone else to catch and devour. Go super easy on the chips and salsa but have a few because life isn’t the same without such. But, go easy is the key here. And do it once or twice a month instead of a few times a week.
Save your treats for weekends, vacations, or special occasions as long as your life isn’t one long special vacation occasion. I use my weeks on shift at work for keto and my days at home not so strict – meaning I still try for keto but make adjustments for that excellent sprouted-wheat bread I mentioned, my daughter’s exquisite butter chicken, or the odd baked treat they’ve concocted to trip me up. So far I have managed to maintain my weight this way.
Practice moderation in all things. Even bacon.

Stage 3 – Make this lifestyle a lifestyle. (Really there’s only the two stages but three makes it sound more complete). So let’s say that stage 3 means switching back to pure keto for a time if you need to. It means monitoring your weight and learning what you can and can’t eat. It means introducing some exercise into your regimen and drinking enough water. It means maintaining healthy relationships and taking time to rest and relax.

There, I guess that wasn’t so brief. Thanks for reading.

POST 6 – June 10, 2023 – CBD FOR INSOMNIA

Need help with ordering the correct CBD product for insomnia? Click on the “NANO JELLIES” link for product info. Click on the “GREEN COMPASS” link to order. Please let me know if you have further questions or need help with dosing or ordering.

You may wonder what the difference is between the nano jellies and tincture/oil. The jellies work faster and are taken up into the blood stream directly. The tincture is processed in the liver and has a delayed effect. For best results it is recommended to take both. The tincture works slower but when taken daily has an overall beneficial effect on the entire endocannabinoid system to help regulate body systems.

You will also notice that there are nano jellies and “sleep” nano jellies. We recommend the sleep nanos for those suffering from insomnia only. Those who cannot sleep due to mental or emotional difficulties, anxiety, and/or flashbacks benefit more from the full spectrum nano jellies.

NANO JELLIES PRODUCT INFO & VISUALS

POST 7 – JUNE 18, 2023 – DISPARATE DIETS IN FAMILIES

An excellent question was recently posed. How does one do when a family member follows a lifestyle dietary course that is different from the rest of the family? Let’s explore that a little.

First of all, let me say that relationships should trump dietary concerns. Let tolerance and kindness prevail in all things. At the same time, there is a way that this can work.

Probably the best way to outline this is to use some examples from our own personal mealtime and dietary playbook. Here goes.

My wife and daughter would probably be considered nouveau foodies. They love to cook and try new things, mostly Asian, thanks to my daughter’s Chinese ancestry. Most meals they cook have a meat dish, a vegetable of some kind, and a salad. They already know me and that I will appreciate a large fresh leafy greens salad. They also know I don’t appreciate deep fried stuff too much and will probably avoid it. They still do it occasionally but don’t seem to miss it, at least from my observation.

I almost always find a way to work with the meals they cook. They don’t take offense if I don’t take the rice for the latest Indian or Chinese venture. I rather focus on the meat and the salad. I may try the vegetable depending on how it’s finished. My motto is this: I major in what I consider to be healthy for my goals and minor in those things I consider less healthy.

Remember relationships. If my daughter has fixed something with great passion and care, I will be sure and give it attention. I will try at least some of it and heap on the praise. To reject something like that just for my goals is plain shallow and shortsighted. Sure, I may lose a little weight, keep my insulin spike lower, or maintain a better blood pressure, but it’s not worth any of that at the expense of my daughter.

When my family has dessert, I may try a bite and sigh with pleasure at the rich creamy sugary goodness. But then I will grab some almonds or maybe finish off the raw vegetables while they enjoy said creamy delight. There is always a way to work through a meal if everyone is supportive of each other. My wife respects my food choices and knows why I do it and appreciates it (My goal is to be healthy enough to provide for her into old age). My daughter also respects it although she’s not above teasing or tempting me with a delicate and delicious, but forbidden, morsel. It’s all good.

Now, I feel fortunate and blessed in that the cooks in my household do not major in carbs-only meals. I suppose there may be families out there who do and this may be a more difficult situation to work through. But I think there is always a way. It may mean more variety at a meal and there may be added expense but it is workable. Trying a little bit (That little bit is key here) of everything won’t kill anyone. And usually if someone in the family really does have a health issue there will be understanding, support, and adjustments if necessary.

POST 8 – June 20, 2023 – ONE-TWO-THREE TO BETTER HEALTH

Should you be taking vitamin and mineral supplements, using a variety of essential oils, and eating sundry super foods to improve your health? For example: We hear that garlic and leafy greens are good for unclogging our arteries. We are told that beetroot and walnuts should play a daily role in our diet for better heart health. Ginseng and cinnamon supposedly can battle diabetes. What about milk thistle, ginger, fenugreek, and holy basil? Some propose cold showers and ice baths, smoothies and cleanses, dark cocoa and coenzyme q10.

These likely all have a place. But where is that place and in what order? We often think we can add supplements and super foods to our diet or daily regimen and bam, we are now healthier creatures. For the most part this is simply not true. Hear me out.

Here are some thoughts about ways to improve your health and get serious about feeling better, whatever “feeling better” means to you—weight loss, better blood pressure, lower blood sugars, improved mental health. Whatever the case, with these steps, order is important. Start with step one.

Stop fueling your body with bad stuff. I will admit that with this one (well, all of these) I sound like a broken record but bear with me, we need to hear this stuff. Cut out the energy drinks, the sugary colas, and the sweet iced tea (I say this as I go into hiding). Breakfast cereals are a mastery of misinformation promising much in the way of heart health but delivering mostly obesity and high blood sugars, all which lead to insulin resistance. Processed sugar is in almost everything so watch out! High fructose corn syrup is evil. Bread may be a mainstay but if you want to lose weight and gain better health you will need to cut back or cut this out of your diet.

Start fueling your body with good stuff. If you cut most processed sugars or carbohydrates out of your diet, what are you left with? Proteins and fats. Go ahead and eat meat and eggs. In general, go with fresh and whole foods. Vegetables are fine. Berries divine. Fruit is okay depending on if you wish to lose weight, are diabetic, or have metabolic syndrome. Most fruits are high in sugar which is, unfortunately, not necessarily offset by their fiber content. Go easy on these. Again, focus on whole and fresh. In general you are pretty safe here.

Consider the supplements and alternatives. Now that you’ve stopped the bad stuff and started the good stuff, you may no longer even need or wish to add the supplements. But you can. Most are probably beneficial in some way although overall it’s a little hard to tell, there not being a lot of studies out there to support much of it.

So there’s the plan. Give it a shot. Start with number one. Proceed immediately to number two. Consider three at some point if you wish.

POST 8 – July 1, 2023 – THE SILENT KILLER – A BRIEF PRIMER ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is the silent killer. We often have no idea that our blood pressure is above normal or that it’s been running high, maybe even for years. High blood pressure causes injury to the inside linings of our arterial blood vessels which ultimately leads to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Many blame a high fat diet, or so-called “bad” cholesterol, for atherosclerosis, but this concept is highly misleading. The fact is that cholesterol is attracted to the arterial injury caused by the high blood pressure and assists in repairing the spot. This builds a plaque over time. It involves complex mechanisms and includes a lot more molecules than just cholesterol. I won’t go into the physiology of this all here as that’s not the point of this post. The point is bringing awareness to blood pressure and how important it is to monitor and take measures to keep it within normal limits, especially as we get older.

The underlying cause of high blood pressure can be difficult to pinpoint. There is primary hypertension, which most people with high blood pressure develop, and its cause is usually related to narrowing and hardening of the arteries which, in turn, are caused by practices such as a sedentary lifestyle and the standard American diet. Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, is high blood pressure caused by another pathological process such as kidney disease, a heart defect, a thyroid problem, or obstructive sleep apnea. Pain usually causes blood pressure and heart rate to rise as does anxiety and stress.

To monitor your blood pressure, start off by purchasing a good upper arm blood pressure machine. They are found in the pharmacy at most department stores and range in price from around $20 to $100. I say upper arm because I don’t trust the wrist cuffs but have little rationale for that – other than I’ve seen discrepancies between those and regular cuffs. The purpose is to trend the pressure, so if you have a good wrist cuff, go with it.

I have patients who check their blood pressure multiple times a day. Please don’t. Your blood pressure will certainly fluctuate throughout the day and there’s no need to ride the waves with its accompanying anxiety. Rather do this: when you get up in the morning, before your coffee or anything else for that matter, sit on a chair, feet flat on the floor, and relax. Breathe deep, think kind and nice thoughts about yourself and others, or pray. Then keep your arm at roughly the same level as your heart, (place a pillow underneath if you need), and relax that arm. Then take a reading. You can do the same on the other arm and compare. Take an average of the readings and write it down in a log or journal and include both blood pressure and heart rate.

Here’s a thought regarding a log. I created a Whatsapp chat with myself called “vitals log” which I thought was quite original (not). Herein I log my daily blood pressure, heart rate, and “empty” morning weight. You certainly do not need to do this every morning: it depends on your level of concern, what your blood pressures have been trending, and if you have started any new medications. Every few days may be fine.

A normal blood pressure is 120 over 80. The top number is the systolic pressure, which is felt as a heartbeat. It represents the outward push of blood away from your heart to the body. It also represents the amount of pressure exerted on the walls of your arteries. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure and represents the filling pressure, or the blood returning to your heart. It is the pause between the pulses.

Past guidelines recommended blood pressure norms that depended on age. The most recent guidelines simply suggest keeping blood pressure at or lower than 120/80 for people over the age of 20.

Diet and exercise affect blood pressure and heart rate. If you are on a blood pressure medication and then decide to change your diet and start exercising regularly, bear in mind that after a while you may no longer require that medication. Lose weight and you may experience the same. Pain and anxiety all increase blood pressure and heart rate. Medications for blood pressure may be required but please remember that treating the underlying cause—by improving your lifestyle and dealing with other health issues as much as possible—is always the most important.

POST 9 – July 8, 2023 – THE MIRACLE OF THE MAGIC MILE – The Power of the Brisk Walk

Okay, this title of miracles and magic is perhaps heavy on the hyperbole. But the health benefits of a brisk walk can hardly be overrated. Would it be beneficial to have a weight lifting routine, a high intensity workout, a run, and plank routine? Well sure, of course. But how many of us have the time, energy, or motivation to do the perfect exercise routine after a busy day of working, making food, paying the bills, fixing the furnace, and taking care of kids?

So don’t let perfect become the enemy of good.

If you are looking to improve your health (and especially if you’re not) how about starting with a 10-minute brisk walk every day? Over time increase that to 30 minutes and stick with it. How about taking the 30 minutes you spend mindlessly scrolling (if you’re like me) through news or other useless social media and allot that time to the brisk walk?

Broken record alert: There are no magic bullets. But. According to research the brisk walk comes close, from the perspective of overall health and wellness. According to the recent book Outlive – The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia, exercise is the most important intervention a person can do in terms of overall health. In almost all the studies this was a common conclusion: When you boil down the data, exercise comes out on top.

Dr. Attia says that even a small amount of exercise can improve cognition and delay, or even prevent, dementia. In a recent podcast, he goes on to say that studies have shown that going from zero to three hours of exercise a week reduces all-cause mortality by 50% at any given moment. Practically speaking, this means that you can cut your chance of dying this year by 50% by incorporating three hours of exercise into your weekly regimen, just one 30-minute walk every day—that even gives you Sundays off.

Exercise reduces inflammation throughout the body. Basically, exercise is a drug for neurons, the cellular units that make up the brain. And speaking of brains: MRI brain scans of people who do develop dementia and also exercise show less damage and less brain volume loss.

If you’re looking to make the smallest possible change to receive the greatest possible benefit in health and wellness, a brisk daily walk is your answer.

One further thought: I have been told that there is no way to outrun a bad diet. That is probably true. How do we reconcile that statement with what I’ve written here regarding exercise? Good question.

It seems that if someone becomes interested in their health and is motivated to start walking, they also don’t usually want to “waste” that walk with continuing to eat a diet of junk food. Most often, in my experience, if someone is taking the time to exercise, they are also mindful of what they are eating. I wonder if those studies have taken this into account?

Whatever the case, all the data and research I’ve ever read or heard points to exercise as a huge health benefit.

Final question. What is the best way to exercise when you are starting at zero? It is better to do 30 minutes 6 times a week than 3 hours one day. Those 30 minutes should be at a rate that makes it difficult to carry on a conversation but easy enough that you can still talk if you need to. This is low intensity cardio and usually requires a brisk walk.

POST 10 – July 10, 2023 – CBD and TIME TO HEAL

Recently I have had clients wondering about the Green Compass CBD products in the context of time to heal. When one is facing depression, anxiety, and stress, I understand the desire to see results quickly, or at least see some improvement in symptoms within a short time. For some individuals this can happen but usually with CBD healing is effected at a deeper level in the endocannabinoid system and thus can take time, sometimes months.

Consider weight loss in the context of time. You’ve made up your mind to lose some weight and have started a rigorous exercise program and put some dietary changes in place. Common sense tells you that you won’t see a lot of difference by the next day or maybe even the next week. As you persist, however, your bathroom scale tells you one day that you’ve lost a couple pounds. By the end of two months ten or fifteen pounds have been shed. You are happy with the progress. CBD works a little the same way. Healing happens at a deeper level and thus you may not notice a lot of change for a few weeks to even months. One day you wake up to the fact that you do feel better and begin to notice some small improvements. The truth of the matter is that CBD will likely never give the dramatic and usually temporary change and relief that narcotics or benzodiazepines bring, for example. But neither do they carry the negative side effects of these drugs.

My recommendation is to give CBD products an honest chance. Yes, I well realize that quality products are expensive and can give people pause. At the same time, what is it worth to you to have symptom relief without all the side effects that medications bring?

POST 11 – July 12, 2023 – CBD and COVID-19

We are all sick and tired of anything related to or having to with COVID-19 and the pandemic. We are trying to forget. And the good news is that as a healthcare provider I see very few COVID patients nowadays. However, a doctor from the UK that I follow reviewed a study recently that I thought was rather interesting. Because it seems to prove the efficacy of CBD against COVID-19 of all things, I thought I would post it here for interest’s sake.

Link to Dr. John Campbell’s YouTube channel and his review of the study

Link to study from the National Institute of Health

The following is the abstract taken from Science.Org:

“The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic underscores the need for new treatments. Here, we report that cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cells and mice. CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD, but not THC or other congeneric cannabinoids tested, potently block SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. CBD acts after viral entry, inhibiting viral gene expression and reversing many effects of SARS-CoV-2 on host gene transcription. CBD inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in part by up-regulating the host IRE1α ribonuclease endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and interferon signaling pathways. In matched groups of human patients from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative, CBD (100 mg/ml oral solution per medical records) had a significant negative association with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests. This study highlights CBD as a potential preventative agent for early-stage SARS-CoV-2 infection and merits future clinical trials. We caution against current use of non-medical formulations as a preventative or treatment therapy.”

POST 12 – July 15, 2023 – CBD – INTERESTING TIDBITS/RESEARCH

The notes in this posting are taken from a paper published on the National Institute of Health’s database. It is long and filled with complex industry jargon but holds some pertinent and valuable information regarding cannabidiol (CBD). The article’s focus is on how CBD can affect the cardiovascular system but it holds many facts and details on CBD in general.

Link to entire article

Excerpts from article:

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating and generally well-tolerated constituent of cannabis which exhibits potential beneficial properties in a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. Due to its complex mechanism of action, CBD may affect the cardiovascular system in different ways… Many positive effects of CBD have been observed in experimental models of heart diseases (myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis), stroke, neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, sepsis-related encephalitis, cardiovascular complications of diabetes, and ischemia/reperfusion injures of liver and kidneys. In these pathological conditions CBD decreased organ damage and dysfunction, oxidative and nitrative stress, inflammatory processes and apoptosis, among others.”

Some basics on CBD from the article: “Cannabis sativa has been used since ancient times for agricultural, ceremonial and medicinal purposes. In traditional medicine, the plant has been used as an analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-asthmatic, antimalarial or anti-rheumatic agent. Cannabis contains over 700 different chemicals, among which a group of compounds called cannabinoids stands out. Cannabinoids found in cannabis are called phytocannabinoids. Beyond the plant-derived cannabinoids, there are also cannabinoids endogenously produced in humans or animals (so-called endocannabinoids) and synthetic cannabinoids…”

“Basic and/or clinical studies have shown that cannabidiol has multidirectional properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiarthritic, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, procognitive, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic and anti-proliferative, among others. Thus, CBD possesses wide therapeutic potential, which includes e.g., epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases (multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases), neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, autistic spectrum disorders), gastrointestinal disorders (nausea and vomiting, inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome), rheumatic diseases, graft versus host disease and cancer (reviewed elsewhere). However, most of these indications require further investigation to confirm clinical effectiveness.”

“Cannabidiol is known to possess antioxidant (with some exceptions, see above) and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it might have therapeutic potential in the treatment of different cardiovascular diseases, as the oxidative stress and inflammation are essential parts of their pathogenesis.”

“Cannabidiol may act as an anti-anxiety agent under stress conditions both in animal models and in humans… To sum up, CBD, aside from its potential anxiolytic action, may exhibit additionally beneficial hemodynamic effects in stressful situations. However, these protective effects may be, at least in part, the result of CBD anti-anxiolytic properties. It is worth noting that stress is probably the state in which the influence of CBD on the hemodynamic parameters is most pronounced.”

“Diabetes mellitus causes many heart and blood vessel complications such as atherosclerosis, retinopathy or cardiomyopathy, which are associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction, increased inflammation and oxidative stress. CBD does not influence blood glucose in diabetic animals and humans. In addition, in patients with type 2 diabetes CBD did not affect glycaemic control, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, body mass and hemodynamic parameters. However, due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vasculo-, cardio- and neuroprotective properties CBD can mitigate cardiovascular complications of diabetes.”

Disclaimers: Anecdotally speaking, CBD seems to be useful and effective in mitigating symptoms throughout body systems and this article holds out much hope for the use of CBD in a wide range of disease states. However, much more study is needed to categorically prove most claims.

POST 13 – July 19, 2023 – Difference between HEMP and MARIJUANA

What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?

I get asked this question occasionally as people look for alternatives to treating depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, for example. Let’s look at a few points surrounding this subject.

Hemp is a plant from the cannabis species that contains over 100 healing compounds called cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. Hemp contains no more than 0.3% of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC, commonly known as marijuana. Compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill ensures that legally grown hemp products do not contain enough THC to have psychoactive properties. This means hemp will not produce a “high.” On the other hand, marijuana is low in CBD and high in THC and thus produces the associated psychoactive effects.

Basically, hemp and marijuana are like lemons and limes. They are in the same family of citrus, but have a different purpose and are different fruits. Or think about grapes. They can produce wine or juice, one being intoxicating, the other not.

Which leads us to an important subject. In the last couple of days Green Compass has come out with a brand new product called a “full spectrum” nano-jelly, the first of its kind in the industry. They have produced a “broad spectrum” for a couple of years which has proven to be very helpful in treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and even chronic pain. However, the full spectrum does contain a small amount of THC, which for some people is more effective. However, even though it contains less than 0.3% of THC and is thus legal, those that take it may test positive for THC on a drug test. This is implicated in folks who are drug tested occasionally at work; for example, truck drivers, factory workers, and those in health care. Those that run a risk of being drug tested should be sure and take the “broad spectrum” nano jellies, and avoid the “full spectrum.” If drug testing is not an issue for you, you may wish to try a full spectrum nano-jelly.

As always I am here and happy to answer further questions surrounding these products.

Here’s the link to Green Compass and quality CBD products.

POST 14 – March 1, 2024 – General Update & CBD and Mood Stabilizers: are drug interactions important?

Wow, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything on here. Life is busy, as it is for everyone these days. I continue to sell Green Compass CBD products but unfortunately have not had the time to post updates, promote sales, or link current reviews/studies on the product. However, I continue to field many questions about the product which has driven me to continue research. I will post some of the research tidbits here as I can and time permits.

For today I will link a study on drug to drug interactions between CBD and a variety of mainstream medications used for seizures, depression, anxiety, and pain. If you are on any of these medications it does not mean you need to stop taking CBD – rather, just be aware that taking a supplement can enhance or decrease the effect of the medication (or the CBD), which can be harmful in some cases. In the case of Lamictal (lamotrigine), for example, a drug used to control seizures and sometimes used for anxiety and depression, it can increase the bioavailability of the drug thus leading to greater side effects.

One of the concerns from mainstream medical professionals is that 70% of the CBD out there carries toxins or does not contain the claimed CBD. This leads to many doctors simply pointing patients away from CBD due to the unknown ingredients and potential for harm. If you can be sure the CBD you are taking is what it claims to be, then my recommendation is to be transparent with your healthcare provider, advocate for your health and ask them to work with you on dose adjustment of whatever medication you are on. In one case, to a patient taking Lamictal for anxiety, I recommended full dose CBD and then cutting back slowly on the Lamictal over a two week period (the desire of the patient was to come off of the Lamictal entirely). Of note: it makes a difference what you are taking the medication for. If it is seizure prevention then care must be taken to work closely with your provider to prevent future/further seizures.

Link to CBD interactions with some medications used in mental health and wellness.