In the early 80s, the “Just Say No” advertising campaign was targeted at recreational drug use. This slogan was first introduced and championed by Nancy Reagan, who was the First Lady at the time. She saw an opportunity to bring awareness to children, to combat peer pressure and to acquire an understanding of why they turn to drugs. The actual “Just Say No” slogan was created by advertising executives. One day, during a visit to an Elementary School in Oakland, CA, Nancy Reagan was asked by a young boy what to do if he was provided with drugs. She answered, “Just say no.” And then, all of a sudden, there was a war on drugs, which included marijuana. Marijuana was lumped in with harmful, addictive substances such as LSD and cocaine. Then as Nancy Reagan traveled throughout the US, she appeared on talk shows and public service announcements. And so she acquired media attention and ending up stirring up something similar to a witch hunt. The phrase “Just Say No” became popular and then the medicinal benefits of marijuana were completely forgotten. In 1985, Nancy Reagan then expanded the mission. She even got the Girl Scouts, Kiwanis Club and the National Federation of Parents for a Drug-Free Youth involved. Her campaign may have done some wonderful things and raised awareness, however is has also drawn some criticism. The approach reduced the solution to drug abuse to a catch phrase. Some studies say that those who participated in the DARE programs were much more likely to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. The inflated fears caused by “Just Say No” resulted in mass incarcerations. They hindered youth from accurate information about dealing with drug abuse and there was a certain stigma placed on anyone who was addicted to drugs, leading to people hiding their problems. Now, medicinal marijuana is still struggling to overcome the prejudices that were inspired by Nancy Reagan’s campaign.
My brain works differently
Some continue to insist that marijuana is a gateway to stronger drugs. And some law enforcement agencies still focus on marijuana. Even while opiates are largely ignored. As cannabis legalization expands across the country, researchers continue to explore the potential of cannabinoid therapy, though. Recent studies indicate that cannabis may prove to be helpful against a wide variety of addictions. Somewhere around 21 million Americans are currently affected by addiction. Addiction to alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and some prescription drugs cost the public approximately $800 billion dollars every year. And the number of accidental deaths by overdose has tripled in the last fifteen years. Although some experts argue that replacing dependence on one kind of drug for another is not an effective treatment, the addiction to marijuana is drastically rare. This natural substance is far less addictive than even cigarettes or numerous other legal substances, but according to the DEA, there have never been any deaths from marijuana overdoses. Cannabinoid therapy offers the potential of lowering rates of addiction as well as overdoses. Legalizing cannabis has reduced the number of overdose deaths, and in 2015, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the states offering legal cannabis had nearly a quarter fewer opioid overdose-related deaths. And plus, there was also a decline in the number of prescriptions filled to treat depression, psychosis, anxiety, seizures, nausea, and sleep disorders. Medical marijuana has already even saved the Medicare program millions of dollars. Legalizing marijuana nationwide offers a potential savings of approximately $480 million! And while the cost savings is undoubtedly a benefit, the legalization of marijuana is simply saving lives. There is hope for millions of people suffering from addiction – and their families.
I really do feel a lot better
The therapeutic benefits of cannabis have been proven by dozens of studies. Cannabis is demonstrating effectiveness in treating everything from Alzheimer’s all the way to arthritis pain, anxiety, plus cancerous tumors. The legalization of marijuana for medical purposes has spread across the country. Concern has been raised that prolonged use of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, could potentially lead to psychological issues. Fortunately, though, cannabidiol (CBD) can provide a safeguard against the adverse side effects of THC. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis; and a recent university study already verified that equal proportions of CBD plus THC prevented the emergence of all behavioral deficits in subjects. Injections of THC were given to a group of adolescent mice. A group of mice were given only CBD. But another group of mice got equal dosage of both THC plus CBD. The first group showed troubles in working memory plus increased in anxiety. One group demonstrated no cognitive changes but the other group, those that acquired the combination of THC plus CBD, showed no signs of cognitive abnormalities. That CBD protects against side effects caused by THC is particularly great news! Because CBD is found in flowering marijuana plus in hemp, and plus it is particularly abundant. It is a safe and effective medicine which can offer successful treatment of neurological disorders. Natural strains of cannabis offer particularly close ratios of THC plus CBD in them. Over the years, the plant has simply been bred for greater potency, which has been diminishing the amount of CBD. Growers are now concentrating on CBD-rich strains of cannabis, though.
That is my daily life
Anxiety is really a perfectly normal reaction to difficult situations or challenges. However, for people who tend to suffer from an anxiety disorder, their fears worries don’t diminish when the issue is resolved! And then in most cases, their anxiety escalates over time plus it will gradually interfere with daily life. The National Institute of Mental Health has concluded that anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the US. Panic disorder, phobias, and social anxiety disorder are all the result of abnormalities in the brain. This affects forty million adults, and the symptoms include shortness of breath, increased heart rate, chest pain, trembling, choking, lightheadedness, plus loss of control. Medications most often used to treat all of these symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks have been linked to an expansive list of side effects! They can cause dizziness, headaches, fatigue, weight fluctuation, sexual dysfunction, and even long-term disfigurement to the heart, lungs and kidneys. But fortunately, a safe, alternative treatment is demonstrating success. CBD, a safe non-psychoactive cannabinoid, works on the cellular level to provide a calm, serene feeling. It interfaces with the natural endocannabinoid systems which handles a number of the body’s capacities, including mood recuperation. CBD also affects a neurotransmitter called GABA, which sends messages between brain cells. Introducing CBD lessens anxiety, quiets your sensory system, and assists with rest. It also unwinds the muscles. Plus, CBD does not cause a high sensation. It has none of the psychoactive effects of THC. But it really inhibits dopamine release, boosts serotonin receptors, and it reduces hypothalamic activity in the brain.
That was not good at all
Back In 1930, Congress established the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. They put Harry Anslinger in charge. This was shortly after prohibition, but the population refused to give up alcohol while Congress hated to admit defeat. They needed a new enemy to fight! Marijuana was the ideal target, and Harry Anslinger told the public that there was 100,000 marijuana smokers out there, most of whom were Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, plus entertainers. He pointed a finger at marijuana for their wild jazz music and warned the public that marijuana caused white ladies to seek sexual relations with them! The Great Depression had instilled a resentment against foreigners plus bred racism, and people were influenced about the negative connotations of marijuana. Where once cannabis was embraced for its medicinal properties, now it was accused of inciting violence plus promiscuity! By 1936, laws restricting marijuana were made. And medicines such as aspirin, morphine, plus opioids took over as the main painkillers. A year later, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, still allowing physicians or pharmacists to prescribe marijuana, but so heavily taxing it that it became cost prohibitive. In the late sixties, as young people objected to the establishment, the government once again held marijuana to blame for their refusal to conform! Unfortunately, these archaic beliefs stuck around and they still color people’s perceptions. Gradually, however, as cannabis is proven as effective in the treatment of several disorders, awareness plus acceptance is on the rise.
Health products are never cheap
More than three hundred thousand people in the this country suffer from MS but I knew truly little about this debilitating plus progressive disease until our brother found out he had it. It’s common in people between twenty and forty years old. My brother Stan was twenty-six when he received the news and found out the reason behind the numbness tingling in his extremities. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that attacks the central nervous system and it can affect the brain plus the spinal cord. My brother has to deal with sensory plus vision complications, balance complications, and fatigue. There is currently no known cure for MS, and if it’s left untreated, it can lead to paralysis! Stan has tried medications to slow the progression and to control his symptoms. Antidepressants, anxiolytics plus muscle relaxants have caused him to have nausea, vomiting, back pain, plus different flu-like symptoms. And if he continues taking these prescriptions, he’s looking at potential liver and nerve damage! I was hoping to deliver our brother some hope and relief. And so I researched the treatment with cannabinoids. Studies are proving cannabinoids can be effective at inhibiting inflammation, reducing spasticity, and controlling neuropathic pain. Also it can address the several symptoms of several sclerosis. There are truly minimal side effects. Stan is already noticing an amazing improvement in his health plus well-being through a combination of THC plus CBD. Cannabinoids do the job well together to combat his symptoms. While THC kills proinflammatory cells, CBD greatly suppresses the function of certain white blood cells that cause severe inflammation. Plus, the CBD lessens the psychoactive effects of THC, so our brother isn’t getting “high.”
I keep getting headaches
I suffer from arthritis pain, and I’m not exactly alone in this situation. Over fifty million Americans deal with the pain of arthritis and in serious cases, surgery is needed. I was trying to avoid surgery by using only physical therapy & medication. But unfortunately, long-term use of analgesics, corticosteroids, NSAIDs & DMARDs can actually result in terrible side effects. And so I was looking at an increased risk of having a heart attack & a stroke and even the chance of ulcers & cataracts in my eyes! I was scared about having increased blood sugar levels or high blood pressure and also injury to my liver, kidneys, eyes, and lungs. And plus all that medication often caused nausea & headaches for me. As the pain worsened for me, I started feeling depressed. And then my quality of life was not so great either. Then just a few years ago, I came across an article that totally changed everything for me. There was this article talking about THC, which is the most standard cannabinoid which influences how pain is perceived by the brain. It acts on CB1 receptors and then it produces anti-inflammatory effects in the body. I was eager about trying cannabinoids to relieve the pain. But I worried about the ‘high’ that might come with it. However, after some further research I found out that CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, stimulating the receptors in the brain in charge of pain. This deactivates the enzyme that metabolizes THC, so in other words, combining CBD with THC would give me all the benefits without any downsides. Since I started to use it, I have seen an amazing reduction in my pain & stiffness. I take an oral cannabis spray at night & one each morning. I now sleep better. And I’ve even started exercising consistently.
My body feels good
Many Americans age 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. And that adds up to over 5 million people already diagnosed with it. The at-risk population continues to grow swiftly, and without intervention, this chronic neurodegenerative brain disorder is predicted to impact sixteen million people in this country by the year 2050. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment has largely been focused on controlling the symptoms but the commonly prescribed medications result in various adverse side effects, including nausea, vomiting, indigestions, reduced appetite, chest pain and even Some of the long-term problems include convulsions, stroke, heart, and liver issues. But there’s some good news, recent studies show that elements found in the cannabis sativa plant are helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s and HIV dementia. Cannabinoids have the capability to remove lots of the buildup of senile plaques and to inhibit the inflammatory process that speeds the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent four-week study, various patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease were given cannabis oil and the results indicated a significant decrease in delusions, agitations, irritability, apathy, and sleep distress. A study performed on mice with advanced Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated that one combination of THC and CBD decreased memory problems. Research continues, however success stories are now offering new hope for patients and their family members. Now, people can take advantage of a natural remedy that causes no adverse side-effects. Plus it’s far less costly for people than conventional medications. With legalization of of medical marijuana, more and more people are getting the help they need. This safe and effective treatment also offers potential for preventative measures.
That was not my issue
The cultivation of marijuana is not new; there is a great deal of evidence to support the fact that marijuana was used for pottery, food, rope & medicine during the stone age,even. Chinese medical text references the plant in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, & malaria, too. It was also used as an anesthetic for surgeries sometimes. The Egyptians, Greeks & Romans relied on the marijuana plant in a wide variety of ways. And so because of this, the planting & harvesting of cannabis eventually spread throughout Asia, the Middle East, African & India. Then in Europe in the sixteen hundreds, British colonies took advantage of hemp to produce textiles & as medicine. It is believed that Napoleon came back to France from Egypt in the 1780’s with marijuana on board his ships. Both George Washington & Thomas Jefferson grew hemp on their plantations, and so by the mid eighteen hundreds, marijuana was considered a mainstream remedy. So it is surprising that this rise in acceptance came to a sudden halt. Many people just think it’s the result of proven research & pitfall side effects. However, the prohibition of cannabis actually originates in greed, racism & cultural warfare. It dates back to the Great Depression. In 1929, there was a growing fear & resentment toward foreigners in our country. Randolph Hearst was making lots of money in the paper business. As hemp offered a cheaper & more readily available alternative, he sought to discredit marijuana all together. Suddenly, the newspaper he owned & operated carried frequent stories blaming marijuana use for Mexican men losing their minds and there were stories of marijuana causing men of color to become violent & commit rape. Unfortunately, these fabrications were enough to turn popular opinion.
We’re very excited about the cannabis products
Even though medical marijuana continues to gain acceptance, everyone doesn’t know all the terminology. Some are confused by references to cannabinoids, CBD and THC, and some people aren’t aware of the numerous chances for consumption. A lot of people don’t realize that it isn’t necessary to experience a high. See, Cannabis flowers naturally secrete cannabinoids, which are a chemical compound. The cannabinoids replicate compounds that the body naturally produces already. They bind to particular endocannabinoid receptor sites located throughout the brain and body. The receptor sites in the brain are known as CB1. And those in the body are referred to as CB2. These multiple endocannabinoid receptors manage a broad range of vital biological functions in the body, however, because the CB1 and CB2 receptors are found throughout the brain and body, the benefits of the cannabinoids is nearly limitless. There are over 100 cannabinoids that are found in the stalks, seeds and flowers of cannabis plants. And just recently the synergistic effect of employing multiple cannabinoids in combination has begun to be studied. Doctors are starting to realize that the interaction of cannabinoids offer greater effectiveness with fewer side effects. CBD or Cannabidiol is actually the most abundant of all cannabinoids, and its potential for treating neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis is nothing short of amazing. CBD is also being used to eliminate seizure activity in people who suffer from refractory epilepsy disorders. Because CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, people don’t get high from it when using it. So, it’s an ideal choice for children. It’s now being studied in conjunction with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) to counteract the side effects.