I've seen a few discussions here on CBD oil but am bringing it up again.... -)
So, I was in Florida and saw a sign for CBD Oil on a Compounding Pharmacy's sign. I stopped in and got some. It was obviously the OTC kind, not medical marijuana kind.
I thought it was going to be transdermal but it's 25 mg capsules. Does anyone here take the capsules? How does your stomach do? It's green, oily and it has quite an earthy smell !!!!! I was too chicken to do it on vacation as we were traveling back home today so I just rubbed it into my skin. While it didn't cure my insomnia last night, I do feel more energy and less pain today.
I was curious with anyone's experience with CBD oil, what kind you use, what strength, the benefits, side effects? I am worried about my stomach but I might try it tonight with dinner. The brand I got was IM. BLUE. It sure wasn't cheap, $121 for 30 capsules !!! I am wondering if I can get it on Amazon cheaper. My asthma and sinus congestion seemed better last night.
Thanks in advance.
I do not think that is the kind that I take. I take 15mg oil caps twice per day. So your single dose is a bit stronger than mine. I get about 8 hours of relief. I have tried higher doses of the herb cap. It did not help as much as the oil. I have tried multiple brands and there are some scams out there. I would give you the brand but I tossed out my last bottle and my wife orders it for me.
I hope you find the relief that I have found with it.
Hi Deb,
I do not have any experience with this because I'm afraid of the anti-cholinergic effects.
Long time ago when I was young & innocent I smoked marijuana 3x and every single time it give me cotton mouth.
Maria, this doesn't have any appreciable amounts of THC in it since it's over the counter. The real marijuana CBD has to be gotten by prescription.
So far, it has not dried anything out. I'll keep you posted. With my brain fog, I don't need any THC! I am hoping it will help me sleep and have some anti inflammatory properties.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for explaining. This whole CBD thing eluded me because I thought it was somehow linked to the real marijuana (THC), but now you've explained it's not.
Curious to learn your results!
Your signature shows you're also on HRT. I'm wondering if it contains bio-estrogen or synthetic? The latter has been linked to increased inflammation; I keep coming across tidbits of information in scientific papers. Just so you know.
Maria, I am just learning about it all too. I asked the pharmacist if I'd get arrested with it in other states. LOL....
So far though, I feel my memory is better and the brain fog has lifted. It can do that from time to time anyway but we will see if it continues. I really hope it does.....
Re estrogen: I was off estrogen for a very long time but was having such horrible atrophy ( I won't go into detail) they had to put me back on it. I was in a lot of pain from it too!!!
I learned from some DNA results that I am a rapid metabolizer of estrogen. Even on the estrogen patch, my doc says my level is still quite low. It worries me a little but I need to take it.
Hi Deb,
Yes, sometimes the choices we have to make feel like choosing between a rock and a hard place...
I know what you mean about the 'atrophy' ... Estrogen does help keeping it all in good health... But doesn't the patch typically contain synthetic estrogen - which carries a higher risk for cancer? Would it be possible to switch to a bio-identical cream - or such?
By the way, interesting info about the DNA. How did you discover this? I'd love to find out for myself...
Deb, are you on Evening Primrose Oil? Some women told me that it helps with pain levels early during my struggle. I tried it for a few months until my wife suggested that I start wearing a bra. (My low testosterone was part of the problem). It took a couple of years to return them to normal.
The women did experience some pain relief. If you do not want to try CBDoil you may try Evening Primrose or both.
Recently, I visited a friend who is a longtime herbalist. He told me of the current state of medical marijuana research/knowledge. I hope this is an accurate summary of what he said.
1) The body has an endocannabinoid pathway (similar to the endo-opioid pathway) in which the body produces and uses compounds of the cannabinoid type. Marijuana is a plant that produces compounds (THC and CBD among others) which happen to feed into this pathway (as in opium from poppies feeds into the endo-opioid pathway).
2) THC occurs in at least two forms - a hydroxyl form (THC) and an acid form (THCA). THC (hydroxyl) is the psychoactive form that gets you high, etc. THCA (acid) does not.
3) The marijuana plant contains the THCA (acid) form (NOT psychoactive). Heating the plant (by smoking or vaping or baking into edibles) changes the THCA into the psychoactive THC. So, apparently, going into the field and chewing on fresh marijuana leaves doesn't get you high.
4) Both THCA (the natural, acid form) and CBD are active in body processes that reduce inflammation (and other healing processes, like cognition, etc.) by tapping into the endocannabinoid pathway and they really only work effectively in combination. There is a synergy between them.
My friend has been working on different ratios of THCA/CBD from different marijuana strains to try to optimize blends for various purposes. Other herbalists are working on this as well (of course).
Medical research has been handicapped in studying this because of the legality issues, and funding issues resulting from the legality issues. As a result, medical research has less experience than some of the herbalists in this area, although there is now active research.
I've recently started having esophageal reactions to hydroxychloroquin/plaquenil after 10 years on the full dose, and am thinking about trying to replace that particular drug (but not the mycophenolate) with a regimen of CBD/THCA. My hesitation is that I try hard to keep my cognitive function focused and that will be a primary constraint on the mix. If my rheumy goes along (tomorrow) and the herbalist is game, I'll let you know how it goes. I live in Washington and the herbalist is in Oregon, both places where marijuana laws are very accommodating.
Keep an eye out for research on THCA and CBD in medical marijuana advances!
So Joe, the women who took evening primrose oil had relief from the atrophy? I've tried it for the anti inflammatory benefits. It seemed to give me more of a mood lift actually. I never tried it for the atrophy. I heard it helped women with PMS and breast pain.
Maria, the patch that I use is supposed to be bioidentical. It's estradiol. I'll check on that though. I go to docs who specialize in bioidentical HRT and they have ok'd it.
Re: DNA. I got the 23 and me kit complete with the health report. They give you some health info like the BRACA gene and some other stuff. It's best to have your doctor help you interpret the results. Don't do it if you are easily upset.
Sooki, thanks for sharing that detailed report about the CBD/THC. I am hope you can find something to help you if you have to go off the plaquenil. Have you tried cutting down on the dose? Is it giving you reflux? I have to take antacids.
Do keep us posted. I'd like to hear how the herbs work for you. I am with you, I can't afford to lose one more brain cell. I thought there were versions of medical marijuana that have almost negligible doses of THC. I am glad they made medical marijuana available. I think it's helping a lot of people.