Hemp is a plant that is widely used in medicine. In Poland, hemp was mostly grown for the textile industry, but it is gaining popularity in medicine. Hemp is rich in CBD (mainly in dried hemp flowers), which acts on cannabinoid receptors in the body and brain.
They have primarily sedative, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Hemp acts as a means of strengthening a weakened body after an illness, for example, but it also has a calming effect on nervous disorders, epilepsy, hysteria, and can be a sleep aid.
Hemp is not a "new trend" - it was used as far back as 8500 years ago in Asia mainly for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, but its fibre was also used as hemp ropes, cords or as plain cloth. Over time, they were supplanted by cotton or wood, and their versatile properties were forgotten.
The most popular one, cannabis (Cannabisindica Lam.) gained its infamous popularity by changing the perception of reality in the user (caused by the cannabinoid THC). Nevertheless, apart from high THC content, it also contains high concentration of CBD (whose wonderful properties will be described in the next article). Its cultivation is quite demanding - it needs high temperature to fully develop which makes it impossible to sow and grow it in Polish conditions.
Another very popular variety is Cannabissativa, which is also high in CBD but very low in THC (less than 0.1% - that doesn't change your perception of reality). Its cultivation is not demanding - it grows even on poor soil and is resistant to unfavourable conditions. Due to its fast growth, it has no competition among weeds. However, the specific smell repels pests - thanks to this no herbicides or pesticides are needed for cultivation. Artificial fertilisers are also unnecessary, as the ingredients contained in the soil are sufficient.
Hemp also has an extremely good effect on the soil. Their strong root system loosens up the soil perfectly. This allows them to be sown on flood banks. What's more, the roots remaining after cutting contain a lot of nutrients, which positively affects the fertility of the soil (they are an excellent pre-crop for many cereals and crops). In addition, they have a very valuable property - they extract heavy metals and toxic substances from the ground. This makes them ideal for cleaning up contaminated areas. They also absorb a lot of CO2 during growth, improving air quality. All these benefits make hemp one of the most ecological and useful plants in the world.
Apart from its health promoting properties, hemp can be used in many ways including
- - fuel (natural ethanol fuel)
- - construction (to build a whole building, or only for insulation; hemp is characterized by the fact that it maintains a constant temperature. In winter it keeps the heat in, in summer the cold out)
- - paints and varnishes (hemp seeds can be used to make non-toxic paints and detergents)
- - cosmetics (using hemp oil, which is rich in omega-3, -6 acids)
- - food (hemp has many nutrients - fiber, proteins and acids and other minerals)
- - paper (which does not require chlorine bleaching; it is stronger and more durable)
- - textiles (hemp fibres are one of the strongest natural fibres; they have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-static and anti-allergenic properties)
- - bedding for animals,
- - and many others that we learn about every day.
Hemp is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids - in the perfect proportion for us. In addition, they contain vitamin E and C, zinc, and high-quality protein and dietary fiber. In addition, they have 60 unique cannabinoids and terpenes (organic chemical compounds which, after extraction, are known as essential oils).
Does hemp seed contain CBD?
Each of us has an endocannabinoid system that is designed to keep it functioning properly (i.e. so that we are sleepy, have energy, don't get sick, recover quickly). To control this it produces endocannabinoids. Sometimes, unfortunately, due to stress, poor diet or other reasons, endocannabinoids are not produced in the amount they should be, which makes the whole system not work as it should.
In this case, we can stimulate it to work with external cannabinoids, which give similar effects to endocannabinoids. The best known source of these is cannabis, which has over a dozen cannabinoids - including: CBD, CBG, CBGA.
Research so far shows that CBD has the most properties, is safe (no psychoactive properties) and well tolerated even in large doses. However, it works best when combined with the rest of the cannabinoids rather than administered alone. So when looking for CBD oils, avoid those that are isolated and look for ones that have "full spectrum of cannabinoids" in the description. Then we can be sure that it is extracted in the accompaniment of the rest of the ingredients which greatly facilitates its correct operation.
How can CBD help us?
- - helps relieve pain, while not having any side effects
- - helps in quitting smoking
- - helps reduce (or even completely eliminate) symptoms of neurological diseases such as epilepsy
- - helps keep blood sugar levels within normal range (recommended for diabetics)
- - helps fight cancer by stopping the spread of cancer cells,
- - helps to relax, unwind and regenerate,
- - combats fears and anxiety (post-traumatic stress, panic attacks, obsessive neurosis)
- - combats inflammation, especially in the nervous system (including irritable bowel syndrome)
- - reduces the symptoms of schizophrenia without any side effects
- - helps in the treatment of e.g. muscle spasticity and Parkinson's disease
- - increases the level of serotonin in the brain
These are the benefits that we know about for now, but with each month many studies are performed that show additional properties of the cannabinoid.
CBD can be likened to a magical ingredient - it works not only on the body, but also on the mind and spirit. Its consumption will put you in a relaxed state that would require a long meditation or yoga session to achieve. After consumption, our body relaxes and gets rid of physical tension, leaving us with a feeling which is comparable to that after taking a warm bath.
Why are cannabinoids important and what are they?
Apart from the commonly known nervous or hormonal system, we also have the endocannabinoid system. It takes part in many physiological processes, such as regulation of energy metabolism or regulation of neurohormonal connections. Simply put, it helps to maintain homeostasis within cells. To maintain this balance, ecannabinoids (endocannabinoids) are produced inside. Unfortunately, for many reasons their production can be disrupted, and the system can malfunction. This can cause inflammation, neurological problems (migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome) or autoimmune diseases.
