This question is important to discuss with a family doctor, and you should be concerned about drug-to-drug interactions. We hear from many wellness professionals as well as medicinal cannabis salespeople regarding the safety of 'mixing' medications.

CBD compounds have been successfully tested as a systemic therapeutic option in preclinical models over the past decades. Cannabinoids have been shown to exert their anticarcinogenic effects at different levels of skin cancer progression, such as inhibition of tumour growth, proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis, as well as inducing apoptosis and autophagy.

Nanoformulations have resulted in high CBD solubility, encapsulation efficiency, and stability, and sustained CBD release. Some developed nanosystems are very promising for a plethora of therapeutic opportunities because of the versatility in terms of the release, the crossing of physiological barriers, and the number of possible routes of administration.

CBD Overview What is CBD? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is an active compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD will not get you high but may cause some drowsiness for some people. The CBD in most products is extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis. Legally, CBD products may have up to 0.3% of THC, the active compound that gets people high. Does CBD help with arthritis? Animal studies have suggested that CBD has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, but these effects have not been validated in quality studies in humans. Anecdotally, some people with arthritis who have tried CBD report noticeable pain relief, sleep improvement and/or anxiety reduction. However, like any medication for arthritis, some people do not report any symptom improvements when taking CBD. Is CBD safe to use? Research evaluating the safety of CBD is underway. At this point very little is known about CBD use among people with arthritis. So far, no serious safety concerns have been associated with moderate doses. CBD is thought to have the potential to interact with some drugs commonly taken by people with arthritis. Talk to your doctor before trying CBD if you take any of the following: corticosteroids (such as prednisone), tofacitinib (Xeljanz), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), tramadol (Ultram), certain antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and certain medications for fibromyalgia, including gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). In addition, CBD products can have up to .3% of THC by weight — not by dose — so taking too much of a product may still cause THC-type effects. Are CBD products legal? CBD products made from hemp are no longer considered Schedule I drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act, but they still remain in a legal gray zone. While you can legally purchase CBD products in nearly every state and online, their legal status may ultimately change at the state and federal level depending on how laws and regulations are developed and enforced. For example, a recent paper in JAMA Psychiatry reported that people taking a legal CBD product still had measurable quantities of THC in their urine, which could have employment repercussions. People who want to use CBD should check their state laws. Taking the First Step Should I give CBD a try? Without quality clinical studies on CBD and arthritis, doctors have not been able to say who might benefit from CBD, at what dose and in which form, who likely won’t benefit, and who should avoid it. Still, there is agreement on several points: CBD is not a substitute for disease-modifying treatment for inflammatory arthritis. Patients who are interested in trying CBD should first talk to the health care provider who treats their arthritis before trying CBD. Together, they can review what has worked or not worked in the past, whether there are other options to try first, how to do a trial run, what to watch for and when to return for a follow-up visit to evaluate the results. Keep a symptom and dose diary to track effects. Quality CBD products can be expensive, especially when used for prolonged periods. To avoid wasting money, be completely sure that the product is truly having a positive effect on symptoms. What type of product should I consider? CBD-based products can be taken orally, applied to the skin or inhaled. There are pros and cons for each. By mouth. CBD that is swallowed, whether in capsules, food or liquid, is absorbed through the digestive tract. Absorption is slow and dosing is tricky due to the delayed onset of effect (one to three hours), unknown effects of stomach acids, recent meals and other factors. Capsules can work for daily use after a safe, effective dose has been established. Experts discourage taking CBD via edibles, like gummies and cookies, because dosing is unreliable, sugar can be inflammatory, and they are appealing to children but do not come in childproof containers. Like any medicine, edibles should be secured out of sight and reach of children. CBD can also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream by holding liquid from a spray or tincture (a liquid dosed by a dropper) under the tongue (sublingual) for 60 to 120 seconds. The taste may not be pleasant. Effects may be felt within 15 to 45 minutes. If sprays or tinctures are swallowed, their effects tend to be similar to capsules or edibles. On the skin. Topical products, like lotions and balms, are applied to the skin over a painful joint. Whether these products deliver CBD below the skin is unknown. Topical products may also include common over-the-counter ingredients such as menthol, capsaicin or camphor, making it difficult to determine if a positive effect is due to the CBD or another ingredient. Inhaled. CBD can be inhaled via a vaporizing, or vape, pen. However, inhalation of vapor oils and chemical byproducts carry unknown risks, particularly for people with inflammatory arthritis. Some vaping products, especially those purchased online rather than from state-licensed dispensaries, may also contain chemicals (such as Vitamin E acetate) that may cause severe pulmonary disease. As such, vaping should be approached with caution and is typically not recommended. How much CBD should I use? While there are no established clinical guidelines, the medical experts consulted by the Arthritis Foundation recommend the following for adults: When preparing to take a liquid form, be aware that the CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil, so there are two measures to know: the amount of the liquid product to take (the dose) and the amount of CBD in each dose. (For example, if your product contains 50 milligrams of CBD per milliliter, taking 0.5 milliliters would be a dose of 25 milligrams.) Go low and slow. Start with just a few milligrams of CBD in sublingual form twice a day. If relief is inadequate after three or four days, increase the dose by that same amount. If needed, go up in small increments over several weeks. If you find relief, continue taking that dose twice or more daily to maintain a stable level of CBD in your body. If CBD alone doesn’t work and you are in a state where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, talk to your doctor about taking CBD with a very low-dose THC product. Be aware that THC, even at low levels, may get you high, creating cognitive, motor and balance issues. Try THC-containing products at home or at night first, so you can sleep off any unwanted effects. After several weeks, if you don’t find relief with CBD alone or with a combination of CBD and very low THC, CBD may not be right for you. If you experience any unwanted side effects when using a CBD product, immediately discontinue use and inform your doctor. What to Look for When Shopping There is good reason to be a cautious shopper. CBD products are largely unregulated in the U.S. market. Independent testing has shown mislabeling and lack of quality control. The biggest issues are strength of CBD (significantly more or less than the label says), the presence of undeclared THC, and contamination with pesticides, metals and solvents. Here’s what to look for: Find products manufactured in the U.S. with ingredients grown domestically. Choose products made by companies that follow good manufacturing practices established by the FDA for pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements (a voluntary quality standard because CBD products are not federally regulated under either category) or required by the state where they are manufactured. Buy from companies that test each batch and provide a certificate of analysis from an independent lab that uses validated standardized testing methods approved by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), or the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC). Avoid companies that claim their products have disease benefits. Be aware that marketers and people behind retail counters are not health professionals; they are salespeople. That’s why your doctor is your best source for guidance and monitoring when using an unregulated product. Our gratitude to the following experts for their guidance and review: Kevin Boehnke , a researcher at the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan, focuses on medical cannabis as an analgesic and opioid substitute in chronic pain. Daniel Clauw, MD , a professor of anesthesiology, rheumatology and psychiatry at the University of Michigan and director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, leads research on arthritis pain and fibromyalgia, and the effects of cannabis, particularly CBD, in pain. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, MD , an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, conducts research on pain and rheumatic diseases. She is the lead author of the 2019 Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) position statement for medical cannabis.

In recent years, a flood of cannabis and cannabis-derived products like CBD have entered the market – often claiming to cure or treat an array of health issues and ailments. These products are everywhere, but there is little scientific evidence to support the hype that surrounds them. As a doctor, I’m deeply concerned at where this industry is heading and the potential risks to patients and consumers.

"The Cancer Killing Ratio … How 100:1 of Vitamin C and K3 (Apatone) Is Changing The Way We Fight Cancer” is a report published by CHIPSA (Centro Hospitalario Internacional del Pacifico, S.A.), also known as The Gerson Hospital, a full service community hospital in Playas de Tijuana, Mexico. Their founding legacy, Gerson Therapy, represents the original medical practices of immuno-nutrition therapy developed by Max B. Gerson, M.D. (the founder of immune-nutrition). Dr. Gerson was known for his many contributions to address chronic, degenerative and infectious disease, as well as, the documentation and remission of cancer.

We reference the importance of this study noting the term, PHARMACOGNOSY, the branch of knowledge concerned with medicinal drugs obtained from plants or other natural sources. This is an article that appeared in “News Medical Life Sciences,” January 13, 2022 written by Dr. Tomislav Mestrovic MD, PhD in biomedical and health sciences, specialist in clinical microbiology and Assistant Professor at University North, Croatia. Cannabinoids (CBDs) May Prevent Infection with SARS-CoV-2, Including Variants - A new study published in the Journal of Natural Products of the American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy has shown that isolated cannabinoids or those in hemp extracts have the potential to prevent and treat the infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) – primarily by blocking viral cell entry.

Jean Edelman is the co-founder, Edelman Financial Engines and she holds a degree in consumer economics with a specialization in nutrition. “I have been thinking of a word to explore. What keeps popping into my mind is health . Good health is the constant pursuit of finding balance among the three core components: Spiritual, Emotional and Physical.” Our Spiritual Health . We achieve balance through our awareness of the possibility that something is greater than us all. This understanding keeps us humble and helps us be open for the possibilities and miracles in our daily life. Our Emotional Health . Balance comes when we don’t wallow in the past or worry about the future. It comes when we focus and appreciate this moment. Think of a see saw. The middle is being in the moment. The past and future are at the edges. When we are too focused on them, we get out of balance. Staying in the present keeps us in the middle, keeps us balanced. Our Physical Health. We are all made of energy and when that energy gets stuck, we get out of balance. Walking, yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong all help us maintain balance by helping us breathe deeply and move our energy in positive ways. Our physical health is also heavily affected by the food we eat. If we want to be balanced, we need to eat balanced meals – each featuring protein, vegetable and grains. Healthy desserts and snacks are fine. The key is to eat whole foods, not processed foods, and cut out the sugar. Let’s shop the grocery store’s perimeter because that is where the fresh, whole foods are. The inner aisles are filled with processed foods that you want to avoid. Finally, our physical health depends on us being properly hydrated and getting a good night’s sleep. It is also important that we are aware when we are out of balance. Let’s notice when our emotions are out of control, if we are overeating, craving sweets or not motivated to engage in daily life. When we notice this, we know we need to focus on getting back into balance. Let’s spend time in nature. Let’s go outside even if the weather isn’t ideal. Let’s write in our journal or talk it out with family, friends or a counselor. Each day we get to start anew. We get to make any changes we need. We are in control and we can move our needle back to the middle. The outside world will always be in turmoil. Focusing on our health and personal growth keeps us balanced, and being balanced lets us enjoy a happy life.

The benefits of cannabis continue to make controversial headlines in the arena of wellness and medicine. But with more doctors, scientists and consumers experiencing the many surprising benefits of CBD, oil specifically, it is likely a matter of time before it becomes a federally regulated component of your wellness selections. What is CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD for short) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It is one of over one hundred cannabinoids identified in hemp plants. However, unlike the full cannabis plant, CBD does not contain THC which is responsible for the stoned/high feeling that the recreational drug provides. Extracted from the flowers and buds of the hemp plant, CBD is being pressed into oil and is increasingly popular to treat, and even prevent, a wide array of health issues in states where medicinal marijuana has now been legalized. CBD oil is stronger and more natural than most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Since the Chinese first utilized marijuana for medicinal purposes in 2900 BC, many civilizations have utilized its benefits, for an array of medical conditions. Most Popular Befit Backed by Science: Pain Management CBD oil is widely regarded as an effective product to treat and manage pain. The endocannabinoid system is a specialized system in the human body that aids in the regulation of sleep, appetite, the immune system and pain response. These naturally produced endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body’s nervous system. CBD can help to reduce chronic pain by impacting this receptor activity, thus reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters. Currently, research is underway to determine the extent to which CBD can help with conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Groundbreaking Research: Brain Health The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that by 2050, nearly 14 million Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and it will cost the nation $1.1 trillion. A recent article published by MBG Health highlighted recent research into CBD oil and its benefits for brain health, specifically to protect the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, because it can help to prevent free radical damage, reduce inflammation and not only to protect the cells in the brain but to help generate new ones. This is also part of the reason why CBD is increasingly popular for patients suffering from seizures. Studies are still under way to determine whether CBD can benefit those suffering from epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Because CBD hosts strong antioxidant (stronger than vitamins C and E), anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, it is widely recognized as a natural way to promote brain health and overall wellness. Earlier this year, the FDA advisory panel unanimously approved a CBD-based medication to treat two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. Heart Health and Blood Pressure New research this year, published by the American Society for Clinical Investigation, has indicated that CBD may be an effective, natural treatment to lower high blood pressure. One study revealed that using CBD oil reduced resting systolic blood pressure and stroke volume in subjects who were exposed to stress. Researchers concluded that the anxiety regulating properties of CBD were responsible for the decrease in blood pressure, which ultimately supported heart health. The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in CBD oil can also help to prevent heart related illnesses. Support for Cancer Patients There is increasing research that supports the efficacy of CBD oil in treating some symptoms related to cancer treatment, such as nausea and pain. In a recent study, patients who were undergoing chemotherapy used CBD oil and found it helped to reduce the side effects of chemo, particularly feelings of nausea. The majority of these patients also reported that CBD helped lessen their discomfort and pain. Sleeplessness and Anxiety CBD oil has been safely used to treat anxiety, including sleeplessness and PTSD. CBD has the ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and social behavior. It is similar to anti-depressants, only more natural. You must be careful to use only CBD oil to treat any anxiety-related conditions, as any traces of THC can increase anxiety and have the reverse of the desired effect. Other Benefits Research suggests that CBD oil may be used to treat acne. This is due to its proven efficacy in treating inflammation and its ability to reduce the production of sebum and prevent the activation of small secreted proteins called cytokines. CBD-based products are popping up in many sexual health products and skin care products too, as they become a more natural solution to maintaining healthy, young-looking skin. Research is also underway for CBD’s effects on arthritis, allergies and other respiratory illnesses, and cancer prevention, to name a few. The proven efficacy of CBD oil to treat inflammation comes mostly from animals at this point, however, as more scientific evidence suggests that CBD aids in the prevention of inflammation-related diseases, this is becoming a more widely accepted view. The FDA has not yet taken steps to regulate the production of CBD-based products, and there is much research to be done on safe interactions between CBD and other medications. However, with more and more clinical trials underway and an increasing number of success stories reaching the masses, it is likely that CBD oil will become a more readily available and more widely accepted part of healthcare. You should always consult your doctor before entertaining the idea of adding CBD to your health regimen.