The Organic Cures: Hemp Extract Versus Other Naturally Processed Medicine

Despite the countless claims made on the covers of popular magazines and late-night infomercials, there is no single magic pill or potion that can cure all that ails you. The real not-so-secret secret to feeling and living better is to go all in, do your homework, and give it all you’ve got. Usually, people find the best results from a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes.

I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear. But there is some good news.

While there is no cure-all, Mother Nature has supplied us with many remedies, some of which can work just as well as pharmaceuticals.

Whether or not you’re in the know about natural health, you’ve probably heard of specific supplements and remedies, like essential oils, turmeric, ginger, and, of course, CBD (cannabidiol) and medical marijuana.

All of these may have some benefits worth exploring.

CBD VS. MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CBD and medical marijuana are unique in that they can provide multiple benefits, while most natural supplements have one or two specialties.

Millions of people use CBD, medical marijuana, or a combination of the two to support a large number of physical body systems. Of course, as with anything, they can affect different people in different ways.

Because of the different ways THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD may be more effective than THC in supporting the body and visa versa. And because of a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect,” THC and CBD are sometimes most effective together.

CBD is most popularly used as a treatment for seizure disorders (including epilepsy), and helps support a healthy inflammatory response, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and digestive system.

THC, or medical marijuana, is most often used to support inflammatory response, pain response, musculoskeletal system, and digestive system.

As you can see, there is quite a bit of overlap.

Some people find CBD is more effective than THC in treating ailments such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD because it does not carry a risk of side effects such as paranoia, sedation, or brain fog, which can accompany those disorders. It’s also helpful to know that CBD can reduce THC’s less desirable effects when taken alongside THC.

Thus far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only approved one cannabis-derived drug, Epidiolex. Made with CBD and no THC, it is used to treat a rare, aggressive form of childhood epilepsy. However, while cannabis is not yet federally legal, many states have approved both marijuana and CBD for dietary supplement use.

A growing body of research confirms CBD and medical marijuana’s benefits, and these studies are complemented by countless anecdotal accounts.

For example, Charlotte Figi was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy known as Dravet’s Syndrome. Her story is one of the most famous in the medicinal cannabis world. Charlotte was just three years old when she started having seizures. By the time she was five, she had suffered about 300 grand mal seizures every week. The condition took such a toll on her body that her doctor and parents determined it was in her best interest to put her in a medically induced coma. Desperate for a solution, the family decided to try medical cannabis. The Stanley Brothers produced a particular strain of CBD oil with no THC just for Charlotte. Charlotte had no seizures within the first week. In her honor, the Stanley Brothers named the strain Charlotte’s Web.

There’s also Margaret, whose story is an example of the benefits of using CBD and medical cannabis together. After nearly two decades of relying on narcotics and finding little relief, Margaret registered with New York’s medical cannabis program. She shared her story with the site Hello MD.

After a tractor-trailer accident in 1999, Margaret received five cervical neck fusions. In addition to limited mobility, she suffered chronic pain, for which she was prescribed multiple opioids.