By Dr. Stan Headley, natural health consultant for Cypress Pharmacy
In these uncertain times when health is on everyone’s mind, the marketing of CBD oil as a relative cure-all is ramping up. So are false claims about what it can do for you.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the hemp-derived ingredient thought to have therapeutic benefits to ease the symptoms of conditions including anxiety, sleeplessness and pain. Hemp is a plant that has been used for centuries by many cultures for healing, and unlike its chemical cousin marijuana, hemp-derived CBD oil offers a broad spectrum of beneficial cannabinoids.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Internet has been flooded with information on how to protect yourself from contracting the coronavirus – while some sources are credible, many others are not. CBD has been misleadingly listed alongside other inaccurate recommendations for the treatment and prevention for COVID-19, such as taking oregano oil and avoiding cold drinks, milkshakes, ice cream and spicy foods. While CBD provides a host of health benefits that can help boost the immune system, it has not been tested against COVID-19 at this time as a form of treatment or guaranteed prevention method.
Multiple authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are working to stop the false marketing of CBD products in relation to the coronavirus. With claims being made quicker than authorities can shut them down, consumers need to be cautious of misleading information, and instead look toward only credible sources during this pandemic.
What CBD oil can do for you now (and all other times, too) is help lessen anxiety, improve sleep and provide anti-inflammatory capabilities, all important to strengthen your overall wellness and immunity.
The benefits of CBD use relates to the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), made up of receptors that act as messengers to give your body specific directions in regulating anxiety, appetite/hunger, depression, immune function, memory, mood, motor control, pain, pleasure and reward, reproduction and fertility, sleep and temperature. Endocannabinoids are the chemical messengers that tell your body to get these processes moving.
If your body does not produce enough endocannabinoids or cannot regulate them properly, external sources like CBD can help to balance and maintain the ECS by binding to receptors, providing therapeutic benefits as well as helping regenerate cells and brain function.
The amount of CBD oil in a product will have a direct effect on its efficacy, and the methods used to manufacture CBD oil impact the safety and quality of products you might buy, all more reasons to get products from reputable sources.
Not all CBD is created equal, so Cypress Pharmacy has launched a CBD education and upgrade program to educate consumers about quality CBD and empower them to navigate the CBD landscape with confidence. The program encourages members of the community to “Trade Questionable for Quality” by bringing in CBD products that they’re unsure about and learn more about the medicinal benefits of high-quality CBD. Those who wish to upgrade their CBD will have the option to purchase any new products at the discounted rate of 20% off.
Also, recognizing the positive effects of CBD on stress and anxiety, Cypress Pharmacy is offering discounted CBD to health care personnel who are working on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care professionals can visit the pharmacy during regular business hours and show their service badge to receive select CBD products for $10 (normally $50-$65).
Now more than ever, it’s important to protect yourself from false coronavirus claims by looking to sources of credible information. Be informed so that you can feel confident in the products you’re putting into your body.
