Marijuana or cannabis  has been used medicinally for thousands of years and offer many health benefits, particularly for inflammation and pain. CBD or cannabidiol is one of the medicinal compounds and it is legal in many countries.

• Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia
• Autoimmune diseases (inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Gut disorders (colitis, IBS, Leaky GutCrohn’s)
• Neurological conditions (Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Huntington’s, stroke, traumatic brain injury)
• Metabolic syndrome (diabetes, obesity)
• Neuropsychiatric illness (autism, ADHD, PTSD, alcoholism)
• Cardiovascular dysfunction (atherosclerosis, arrhythmia)
• Skin disease (acne, dermatitis, psoriasis)
• Some cancers

If you would prefer to watch my video all about cannabis and CBD here it is.

Cannabis plants contains lots of alkaloids or ‘active plant molecules like CBD, CBG, THC, CBC and more. Scientists are still discovering new compounds in cannabis.

THC is the compound which makes people high or ‘stoned’
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the more medical compound which offers the health benefits, although THC still plays a role if used in small amounts.

Cannabis Receptors and Endocannabinoids

There are 2 types of cannabis receptors (locks) in the body CB 1 and CB 2. CB1 is mainly in the brain and central nervous system and CB2 is in the rest of the body, particularly the immune cells.

We make our own endo-cannabinoids,  Anandamide and 2-Arachidonly Glycerol 2AG (keys) which go in the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Anandamide is released in ‘exercise highs’ and ‘flow states’ Mediation causes the body to make more anandamide and CBD increases the pool of anandamide and 2AG. So CBD helps you make your own cannabinoids.

Does CBD work on its own?

By itself THC can only press the getting high button, which are the CB1 receptors.

CBD can’t bind the CB 2 receptors (the healing buttons) or CB1 itself,’ but it makes the CB2 receptor or ‘button sensitive’ so now the THC can press the CB2 button to switch on all the good effects

CBD also helps anandamide and 2AG press the CB2 button

CBD turns on detox genes in the gluthathione system or pathway by activating nrf-2. This natural detox system is also part of anti-ageing system in the body, which can also be activated by fasting. CBD also helps control inflammation by turning down inflammatory genes and turning up anti-inflammatory genes.

CBD can activate AMPK which is a protein or a ‘metabolic switch’. AMPK does lots of useful things including helping to close up leaky junctions like leaky gut. AMPK is activated during fasting and to some extent a ketogenic diet.

THC can only press the CB 2 healing button when CBD is there, THC can’t turn on genes or activate AMPK. So it is a myth that CBD can’t work without THC. But the THC being there does add more ooomf to the system .

CBD and the Brain

When a person is stressed or in fight or flight they DON’T heal, detox or digest properly. The GABA system is associated with relaxation.

Lots of toxins make people stressed by potentiating the GLUTAMATE pathway which then pushes the person into fight or flight. These toxins  are mercury, glyphosate and endotoxins.

This over excitement in the brain  encourages free radical production in the brain which causes  neuro-inflammation. This produces brain fog but also makes all other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, Dementia and MS worse.

CBD helps balance the GABA – GLUTAMATE systems so this is why it is helpful for people with neurodegenerative conditions, adrenal fatigue and during a detox.

Thank you for reading – Please get in touch if you have any questions or want to book a consultation with me

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Researchers are discovering that inflammation may be at the root of diseases as diverse as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease  is the most prevalent form of dementia, but the exact biological mechanism of this disease is not fully understood. Alzheimer’s disease  is highly correlated with neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress in brain causing neuronal loss and cognitive impairment.

Nuclear factor of activated B-cells (NF-κB) is involved in physiological inflammatory processes and thus representing a promising target for inflammation therapy for inflammatory diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Phytochemicals (plant alkaloids or botanicals) are able to interfere with the NF-κB pathway.

These phytochemicals inhibit the phosphorylation or the ubiquitination of signalling, which is like a ‘start inflammation tag’. Blocking this process  inhibits  the degradation of IκB and  NF-κB is unable to go into the nucleus  of the cells or bind to DNA to switch on genes which produce  pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Pro inflammatory cytokines include tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, lymphokines, monokines, interferons, colony stimulating factors, and transforming growth factors produced by monocytes, T-cells, platelets, and endothelial cells. These molecules are part of the body’s defences and are supposed to be for acute inflammation or ‘short term use’.

Problems and disease arises when the levels of cytokines rise when there are no ‘invaders’ in body or stay elevated for long periods of time (chronic systemic inflammation).

A list of some plant molecules have been shown anti-inflammatory effects in Alzheimer’s  models in vitro as well as in vivo.

• Curcumin – Tumeric
• Resveratrol – Coloured berry skins
• Pterostilbene –  Related to resveratrol various Vaccinium berries
• Punicalagin – Pomegranates and bush willow
•  Macranthoin G – Eucommia ulmoides bark  (small tree native to China), is a derivative from chlorogenic acid methyl ester and caffeic acid
•  Salidroside – glucoside of tyrosol found in the plant Rhodiola rosea.
•  4-O-methylhonokiol – It is found in the bark of Magnolia grandiflora
•  lycopene– Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes
• Obovatol – Isolated from the bark of Magnolia obovata
•  Gallic acid a type of phenolic acid, found in gallnuts, sumac, witch hazel, tea leaves, oak bark
•  Galantamine – bulbs and flowers of Galanthus snowdrops  daffodils  .^[
• Glaucocalyxin B, –  aerial parts of Rabdosia japonica
• Tetrandrine –  Stephania tetrandra S Moore,^[1] and other Chinese and Japanese herbs
•  Berberine – Barberry and goldenseal
• Oridonin – Chinese medicinal herb Rabdosia rubescens
• Anatabine –Solanaceae family, including tobacco, tomatoes, and eggplants
•  Tanshinone IIA – Root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge
•  Artemisinin –  Artemisia annua, sweet wormwood
• Dihydroasparagusic acid – Dihydroasparagusic acid is the reduced form of asparagusic acid, from Asparagus plants.
• Geniposide – present in fruit of Gardenia jasminoides.(related to coffee)
•  Xanthoceraside – from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge
• 1,8-cineole – 1,8-Cineole (11, eucalyptol) is an achiral aromatic component of many plants, including Salvia and Eucalyptus leaves
• Paeoniflorin –  Derived from Paeonia lactiflora

The doses contained in plants alone is not enough for therapeutic effects and because plants contain lots of other compounds, some of which are harmful (oxalates or lectins), toxix or block the absorption of mineral. In addition some plants / fruits contain a lot of sugar so it undoes all the anti inflammatory effects.

In my view it is better to seek out the pure botanical rather than eat the whole plant. In the correct dose these compounds may help with inflammation and neurodegenerative disease, how ever more is not better as they can be harmful at higher doses

Seo EJ, Fischer N, Efferth T Phytochemicals as inhibitors of NF-κB for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacol Res. 2018

The post Inflammation, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Plant Chemicals appeared first on Sara Pugh Pilates Hypnosis Nervous System Biochemistry Leeds.

Anatabine is a Solanaceae plant family (Tomato, Tobacco, Egg-plant) alkaloid marketed in the US as a dietary supplement.

Anatabine has been shown to inhibit NF-κB and STAT3 phosphorylation in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, acting to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other markers of inflammation, and to reduce cell and tissue damage caused by overproduction of these molecules ( Paris D et al Eur J Pharmacol. 2013)

It has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro, and may be useful for musculoskeletal aches and pains.

In a 282 person survey 232 (82%) reported a benefit from anatabine supplementation for one or more joint pain conditions, most commonly the knee, wrists/hands/fingers, shoulder, and back, most often due to osteoarthritis or injury to the joint. Lanier et al Clinical medicine insights. Arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders 2013)

A 12 week study on humans with Hashimotos thyroiditis,  anatabine-treated patients had a significant reduction in absolute serum TgAb levels (thyroid antibodies relative to those receiving placebo (P = .027). This was a  >20% drop in TgAb levels in the anatabine than placebo group. The researches concluded that the dose of anatabine may have been too low, although the amount taken per day (0.17–0.25 mg/kg, so better results may be obtained from a higher dose. (Schmeltz, L et al The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2014).

In animal  model of autoimmune thyroiditis, anatabine decreased thyroidal IL-1β and  IL-18 levels which are inflammatory cytokines and macrophage COX-2 which also rises in pro inflammatory states.

This compound show promise for aiding patients with Hashimotos as well as aiding other autoimmune disorders.

Anatabine is structurally similar to nicotine, non-toxic and binds to  acetyl choline receptors, offering improvement in working memory and attention in a variety of pre-clinical and clinical studies, but without the addictive properties of nicotine.

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Nuts are one of those mixed bag foods that have benefits, BUT for some people can be a nightmare, particularly if on a diet.

Firstly from lots of personal experience with fasting and keto diets, I have found that nuts for me are a problem as I eat the whole bag and undo my good efforts. Generally high fat high protein foods are usually very satiating. Science aside for now, I know other people who usually have self control, find nuts have the same effect on them. ‘One pop and you cant stop’

One reason for this is nuts are nice, easy to eat, don’t require preparation and can be eaten anywhere. Taking a small amount with you not the whole bag is advisable.

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