Could CBD help nicotine addiction?

By DSO Staff
September 7, 2019

Using CBD oil for nicotine addiction

There is some pretty strong evidence that CBD can help break the nicotine addiction and be used for quitting smoking, which is why so many people are now turning to CBD products.

There have been several credible studies conducted, a recent study by the University College of London concluded that people who used CBD reduced their cigarette consumption by 40%.

Evidence like this has led to many people trying CBD to see if it can help them. Many people are seeing the benefits and are seeing results for themselves. This is not a miracle cure, but it does appear to be very useful to help break the urge to light up.

Other CBD oil health benefits while cutting that Nicotine addiction

CBD has shown that it can benefit the Heart and respiratory systems health and also help lower blood pressure. All of these are affected by smoking and could do with a little boost when you quit smoking!

CBD has also shown it can reduce anxiety and depression, particularly useful when trying to quit, as we all feel the effects when trying to quit. It has been shown to work in a similar way to antidepressants except without all the side effects of pharmaceuticals (insomnia, headache, and drowsiness to name a few) and it has the added benefit of being completely natural!

CBD helps stabilize the mood and is also used to treat mood disorders and depression. Many users say that they feel more positive and their mood has been uplifted after using CBD

It has been shown to improve mood, focus and especially lowering anxiety. It also helps control irritability; it is important to know that CBD does not create a high.

How long does CBD oil take to work?

Inhaling CBD oil by vaping can be the fastest way of gaining the benefits. this is because the compounds are delivered to the blood directly from the lungs.

This is better than swallowing them and having to wait hours for the compound to go through the digestive system. Which can take a number of hours.

This way is considered the quickest as the user will feel the effects within 10 minutes.

The alternative way is to place them directly on the tongue. Which allows the membrane on the tongue to absorb them directly into the bloodstream. (Tinctures, etc.)

Try them both, I am not saying one is better than the other, it just depends on which you prefer and which you will consider more convenient, but I do feel as if the vape helps squash the immediate urge to spark up that cigarette for myself.

Headaches and fatigue

One of the most common side effects when quitting is the headaches, these can be treated with CBD-known to be very good at providing pain relief.

Some people add CBD to their morning coffee as a way to help boost energy. This helps them focus on the rest of the day, again CBD is well known to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Is CBD oil safe to use to quit smoking?

CBD oil is now becoming a major hit and it is being used for more and more treatments. It is being used for substance abuse, addiction, and also depression.

There is definitely some great evidence that supports CBD oil for quitting smoking. Nearly half a million people die from smoking and smoking-related disease. It’s been stated that smoking kills more than every other health-related death in total.

If you smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products you know that quitting smoking is a really good move for your health.

If your considering CBD talk to your Deep South Organics representative first to get the dose and method right for you and your needs.

Common Questions About CBD.

By DSO Staff
August 30, 2019

With the ever-increasing popularity of CBD, the marketplace is flooded with hype-filled claims and benefits of this natural miracle drug. We can now find CBD-infused lattes at coffee shops, CBD facials at the spa, CBD candy and baked goods, and loads of lotions and potions containing CBD oil. So, what exactly is CBD, and why all the hype? Is it really the miracle drug your anxious coworker and your achy mother-in-law claim it is? Here are some answers to top questions about CBD.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound from the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa). Hemp and marijuana are both varieties that come from the same species of plant. CBD is typically the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis plants, next to tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. A cannabinoid is a compound that interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) via receptor sites. There are 2 receptors in this system: CB1, and CB2. The way cannabinoids affect our bodies depends largely upon the way they interact with these two receptors.

How is CBD Oil Obtained?

There are two main extraction methods for CBD oil. CO2 Extraction involves the use of carbon dioxide, which is subjected to extremely low temperatures and increased pressure. This causes a phase change from a gas to a liquid. When reheated and pressurized, the CO2 becomes “supercritical”, which basically means it has properties of a gas and a liquid. Next, the supercritical fluid passes through a chamber containing the raw cannabis material. As it does so, it gently dissolves the membrane of the plant to release its active compounds. Then the CO2 and cannabis oil particles funnel into a pressurized cyclonic separator, where the CO2 evaporates from the mixture. The cannabis oil, waxes, and resins descend into a collection vessel and are ready for further filtration and purification. Solvent Extraction is a method of soaking raw cannabis material in ethanol to pull compounds into the solvent. Following extraction, the plant material is then removed, and the alcohol is evaporated out.

So Which Extraction Method is Better?

Well, that depends on who you ask. Because CO2 involves the use of high pressures and temperatures, some people contend that it destroys more of the chemical constituents of the plant. Others prefer the CO2 method because solvent extraction destroys the cannabis waxes, which contain beneficial flavonoids and carotenoids. Additionally, there is a limited risk that some of the solvent chemicals remain in the final product.

Is CBD Oil Considered an Essential Oil?

In short, no. An essential oil, by definition, is obtained by steam distillation. Therefore, CBD is not an essential oil. The main reason for this is that the high temperatures required for steam distillation would degrade most of the fragile compounds of CBD. CBD essential oil would have far fewer therapeutic properties than the whole oil.

What About Aroma, Viscosity, and Volatility?

Of course, the characteristics of the CBD oil you use depend on the extraction method, the producer, and any additives that it may contain. In general, as a whole oil, CBD oil is heavier and thicker than an essential oil, but not quite as thick and slick as carrier oils, such as olive, coconut, or almond oil. The oil does have the natural aroma and flavor of the cannabis plant; however, it is not as aromatic as an essential oil and will not evaporate as readily.

Could hemp oil relieve restless leg syndrome?

By DSO Staff
August 16, 2019

Restless leg syndrome affects many adults. In fact, it affects one in 10. If you don’t know, restless leg syndrome is a condition that’s characterized by uncomfortable sensations in your legs.

Very common
More than 3 millionUS cases per year
Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Requires a medical diagnosis

– Restless legs syndrome typically occurs while sitting or lying down. It generally worsens with age and can disrupt sleep.

– The main symptom is a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs.

– Getting up and moving around helps the unpleasant feeling temporarily go away. Self-care steps, lifestyle changes, or medications may help.

This can lead to issues with sleeping. Restless leg syndrome (RSL), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, causes people to have the urge to move their legs, especially at night. The sensation can be alleviated temporarily by moving the lower limbs. However, there are studies that show CBD hemp oil can provide more extended relief.

Although the research on restless leg syndrome and cannabinoids is limited, the findings so far look promising. Sleep Medicine investigated the effects of cannabinoids on a few patients suffering from RSL, and they found remission of symptoms after the six patients received cannabinoid. Five of the patients inhaled cannabis that contained both hemp oil and THC, and one patient reported a complete loss of symptoms after using only hemp oil.

There are several studies that show that dopamine agonists are useful for those suffering from moderate to severe symptoms of RLS. Scientists haven’t directly examined how cannabinoids influence the release of dopamine that impacts RLS, but they have determined that CB1 and CB2 are affected by cannabinoids. When cannabinoids interact with those receptors, the release of dopamine is affected. Cannabinoids affect regulating dopamine, and this can treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which is another disorder that affects movement.

Hemp Oil has been shown to be beneficial for improving sleep and managing pain, which was symptoms associated with restless leg syndrome. In fact, those two symptoms are prevalent among those suffering from RLS. However, these properties of hemp oil haven’t been tested on more patient with RLS, but they’ve been shown to help those suffering from other conditions.

Hemp oil is found in various seeds, stalks, and flowers of certain plants, such as hemp. There needs to be additional research on hemp oil and its benefits on RSL, but so far the findings do suggest that RLS patients might benefit from using cannabinoid.

How Hemp Oil can help with Depression.

By DSO Staff
June 29, 2019

Moments of sadness or feeling stuck are a part of life, but we can usually find the strength to process our feelings and recover. But when sadness or stuckness grab hold of your life with no end in sight, this can morph into depression, a disorder that can harm both mind and body. If you suffer from untreated depression, we urge you to seek professional support. However, recovering from depression is highly individual — and better results come with a combination of approaches, including holistic lifestyle changes and self-care programs. A growing number of people are using cannabidiol (HEMP OIL) products to assist in recovering from depression. If you’re considering adding HEMP OIL oil to your self-care routine, we’ve put together this article to help you understand the current scientific research about HEMP OIL and depression. Although clinical trials are lacking, there is good evidence that it could help your brain recover from depression.

Depression: Where Does It Come From?

Many people still believe that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance — a serotonin deficiency. But this is a myth perpetuated by pharmaceutical advertisements. Serotonin is definitely part of the big picture — but the verdict is still out about who could use more or less serotonin, and depression is linked to many other neurotransmitter imbalances. Furthermore, depression is also connected to conditions like inflammation and the structural brain changes resulting from trauma or chronic stress — all of which could be the real cause of the imbalances. Ultimately, there are a wide net of influences contributing to whether or not a person gets trapped by depression, including:

Genetics
Physical illness
Chronic stress
Stressful life events
Past trauma
Physical pain
Social isolation
Other emotional disorders

With so many different avenues leading to depression, it should be no surprise that there is no single miracle cure for it. What ends up helping a person recover from depression is highly individual, and people who take a multi-pronged approach to recovery often have better results than those who depend on a single solution.

Neural Regeneration: Healing Your Brain

Although SSRIs cause an immediate spike in serotonin levels, it can take weeks before mood improves…if at all. So serotonin levels aren’t directly responsible for healing from depression — but what is? It turns out that when people suffer from depression, a specific region of the brain can atrophy and even shrink — the area responsible for memory, learning and emotion (known as the hippocampus). Fortunately, this unique part of the brain is also capable of recovering. It can grow new neurons and form new connections — a process called “neurogenesis” or “neural regeneration” — something we once thought only young brains were capable of. But research has since revealed the ability of our brains to change throughout our lives — an ability named “neuroplasticity.” So, the real reason antidepressants work is that they actually stimulate neural regeneration in the hippocampus. This could be why antidepressants take weeks to kick in — brain neurons need time to heal, grow and form new connections. If this is news to you, that’s because the cutting edge of depression research right now is hippocampal neurogenesis. What we’ve learned so far is that although antidepressants can help to stimulate neural regeneration, a wide variety of other lifestyle choices and supplements can also help with this process.

How HEMP OIL Stimulates Neural Regeneration

Cannabidiol recently gained FDA approval as a cannabis-derived drug to treat epileptic seizures. According to researchers, the major reason it works for seizures is that HEMP OIL protects neurons in the hippocampus — the exact brain area that is atrophied in depressed people — and there’s interesting evidence from both animal and human research:

Rodent Evidence:In epileptic rats, HEMP OIL treatments reduce neuron atrophy and death in the hippocampus.
Human Evidence:Like depressed people, chronic users of THC tend to have a smaller hippocampus, but HEMP OIL (in higher-HEMP OIL cannabis) helps prevent this shrinking.

Scientists think HEMP OIL could protect or regenerate the hippocampus via the following pathways:

Endocannabinoids:Endocannabinoids are used throughout the brain and body to help regulate memory, appetite, inflammation and more. HEMP OIL’s impact on the endocannabinoid system is complex, but it appears to increase the brain’s natural levels of endocannabinoids. In mice, HEMP OIL increased levels of anandamide in the hippocampus — which then stimulated neuron growth.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF):This protein helps existing neurons survive, while encouraging the growth of new neurons and connections (synapses). Multiple rodent studies have observed that HEMP OIL increases BDNF levels in the hippocampus while simultaneously reducing depressive symptoms. (However, not all studies agree, so this continues to be investigated.)
Serotonin receptors:Similar to the antianxiety drug buspirone, HEMP OIL activates a type of serotonin receptor (5-HT1A). These receptors control a wide variety of other neurotransmitters, and buspirone has been shown to increase neurogenesis in the opossum hippocampus so it’s likely that HEMP OIL could have similar effects.
PPARγ:When HEMP OIL binds to this receptor, it tells DNA to start manufacturing a wide range of neuron-protecting and anti-inflammatory compounds. Scientists recently discovered that this receptor also helps HEMP OIL stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis.

Clues that HEMP OIL Could Help with Depression

It’s one thing to prove that HEMP OIL helps protect and grow neurons (which it does) — but proving that it can be useful for treating a disease as complex as depression will be difficult. Although large-scale human trials are not available yet, some preliminary evidence is promising:

Circumstantial evidence: There are conflicting reports about whether cannabis use contributes to depression or helps relieve it. However, when medical marijuana becomes available, young American men (ages 20-39) experience a drop in suicide rates. Also, a few years ago, a drug for weight loss was developed that worked exactly the opposite way from cannabis — by inhibiting the body’s endocannabinoid system. Shockingly, it was discontinued almost immediately because it drastically increased people’s risk for depression and suicide. Needless to say, the importance of endocannabinoids in mental health caught the attention of scientists.
Experimental evidence — Clinical trials are currently underway to examine HEMP OIL’s effectiveness at relieving anxiety, and anxiety can be a major contributor to depression. Although we lack controlled experiments testing HEMP OIL as a treatment for depressed humans, pre-clinical experiments on rodents have been promising. HEMP OIL helped relieve depression in rats, even when they also suffered from diabetes. However, this benefit wasn’t immediate: Scientists had to give them a few doses of HEMP OIL, starting 24 hours before testing. Another study found that a single dose of HEMP OIL had rapid antidepressant effectson both mice and rats, lasting up to 7 days after the treatment. Additionally, in mice, HEMP OIL’s antidepressant effects are even more effective when combined with an SSRI.

Growing Your Brain Toward the Light

Depression is a mental trap. And it takes time and patience to rewire a depressed brain. If you suffer from depression, then harmful mental patterns can be reinforced by everything from your own thoughts, to imbalanced neurochemistry, to unhealthy neural connections. You might need support in all three of these categories to find a lasting recovery. Although molecules (including HEMP OIL) can help your brain circuitry grow and form new connections, you’re still in charge of what types of new connections are made. If you combine brain-focused treatments with psychotherapy, self-help books or sources of inspiration, you can help your brain grow in a new, more loving direction. And there are many other ways to help your brain grow new neurons other than with HEMP OIL or antidepressants. See our piece on natural ways to heal your hippocampus for more ideas to include in your self-care routine. HEMP OIL is not a first-line depression treatment, although you might find it useful as part of a long-term recovery plan. If you’re in the middle of a crisis or considering suicide, we urge you to call a hotline or seek professional support. Also, talk with your doctor before incorporating HEMP OIL into your self-care routine, especially if you take prescription drugs with potential interactions.

Suicide hotline : 1-800-273-8255

Written by: Genevieve R. Moore PhD

How hemp oil can help with sciatic nerve pain.

By DSO Staff
June 22, 2019

Sciatic pain is excruciating. It’s one of those things difficult to explain to those who do not suffer the pain. Mayo Clinic says, “Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve with non-operative treatments in a few weeks.” Two sciatic nerves travel from the base of your spine. They travel down your legs and divide into peritoneal and tibial branches. And, when working right, they control your legs, ankles, feet, and toes. Like most pain, sciatic pain follows inflammation, so it’s interesting to consider how HEMP OIL might play a role in pain relief. But, first, you need to study the causes, medical treatments, and non-traditional therapies. Nature and origin of sciatic pain Once the sciatic nerve is pinched, the patient feels mild to severe pain anywhere from the lowers back to the foot in either leg. It rarely affects both legs simultaneously. It often happens because of a herniated disc, bone spur, diabetes, or other condition that impacts the nerve, such as:

Traumatic injury to the pelvis, spine, or legs from an accident, fall, or sports injury
A herniated disc compresses nerves when the gel at the center of the vertebral disc bulges or ruptures.
Stenosis narrows the spine’s bony canals to compress the spinal cord and nerves.
Osteoarthritis comes with aging as the spinal discs dry out and shrink. Bone spurs might form, and the small tears in the disc wall will cause pain.
Piriformis tightens the piriformis muscle, one of the muscles in your glutes, to compress the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis weakens those small facet joints that extend from the side of each vertebra. You suffer pain if they slip out of position.
Obesity adds stress to the spine that can compress the sciatic nerve.
Work that twists the back, carries loads or requires long periods of sitting can stress or strain the spine.

Prescription medical treatment Exercise and physical therapy often relieve mild sciatic pain. Consistent and regular exercise will reduce the stress of contributing factors. But, severe and chronic pain is often treated with prescription medications:

Anti-inflammatory: acetaminophen, aspirin, or NSAIDs, ketoprofen, or naproxen
Anti-spasmodic: cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol, diazepam, orphenadrine, and tizanidine
Muscle-relaxants: baclofen, carisoprodol, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, and dantrolene
Opioids: oxycodone (OxyContin) and an acetaminophen/ hydrocodone combination (Vicodin)
Anti-depressant: Cymbalta

Surgery remains an option and laser spine care experts are promoting its mildly invasive techniques. Non-traditional care Sciatica patients have found positive results with application of heat or cold or with transdermal lotions that create a heating or cooling sensation. But, others have pursued solutions for their sciatic problems with:

Yoga, especially ayurvedic yoga exercises, stretches and soothes related muscles.
Massage relaxes all muscles and calms the patient.
Reiki combines touch and spiritual healing.
Hypnosis can manage the transmission of pain messages.
Acupuncture uses ancient Chinese medical practices to minimize symptoms.
Chiropractors focus therapy on osteo-trigger points.

Others prefer to treat sciatic pain with herbal-based home remedies, including garlic milk, ginger, turmeric, celery juice, valerian, white willow bark, aloe vera, elderberry juice, horseradish, chamomile, and/or apple cider vinegar. HEMP OIL Relief HEMP OIL is one of the leading cannabinoids in cannabis, the family of plants that includes hemp. It does not cure sciatic pain. It cannot fix a herniated disc, make you lose weight, correct spondylolisthesis, or make osteoarthritis go away. But, HEMP OIL can help ease the known symptoms:

Inflammation: As early as 2000 B.C.E., the Chinese Emperor Shen-nung recorded the many effects of cannabis on humans in Pen-ts’ao-Ching. And, in Cannabinoids, Endocannabinoids, and Related Analogs in Inflammation (2009), the researchers concluded, “CB2 receptor-selective agonists that are devoid of the psychoactivity associated with CB1 receptor activation are potential drug candidates for the treatment of a range of diseases, most notably those associated with pain and inflammation.”

A 2016 research report in FASEB Journal claims, “Cannabinoids apparently act on inflammation through mechanisms different from those of agents such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As a class, the cannabinoids are generally free from the adverse effects associated with NSAIDs.”

Spasticity: With or without medical advice, patients have used cannabis to treat the spasticity related to Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and, most effectively, recalcitrant epilepsy.

The mechanism of action remains unclear, but cannabis derivatives noticeably reduce spasms and perception of related pain. The track record with spasticity has led to the first FDA approval of cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals and for the legalization of HEMP OIL oil specifically formulated for such recalcitrant epilepsy and Dravet’s syndrome.

Opioids: In 2009, the Journal of Opioid Management reported, “cannabinoids act synergistically with opioids and act as opioid sparing agents, allowing lower doses and fewer side effects from chronic opioid therapy.”

And, a year earlier, Therapeutics and Risk Management concluded, “Given their multi-modality effects upon various nociceptive pathways, their adjunctive side benefits, the efficacy and safety profiles to date of specific preparations in advanced clinical trials, and the complementary mechanisms and advantages of their combination with opioid therapy, the future for cannabinoid therapeutics appears very bright, indeed.” In other words, cannabis derivatives has been shown to reduce the call for and addictive dependence on opioids.

Relaxant: Studies show, HEMP OIL will reduce brain and body depression and tightness without the psychoactive high caused by THC.

Blog