A Reflection on the Endocannaboid System

In this post, I will be briefly discussing cannabidiol (CBD) and THC, first describing CBD and contrasting its effects with that of THC. Then I will mention the new pain reliever Sativex as an example of what medical marijuana can provide without having the risks associated with smoking it.

After that, I will explain that marijuana with both CBD and THC in it are more beneficial than marijuana with high amounts of THC.

Finally I will conclude with a short discussion of wild salmon oil, its benefit for depression and explain why by discussing Omega-3 oil, the two essential fatty acids in them, and the endocannabinoid system.

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CBD in cannabis may prevent the potential of psychosis which THC may cause in susceptible people who smoke it. Initial side effects of THC include fear, anxiety, and introvertive anhedonia.

CBD is what gives the cannabis smoker the headache when smoking the hemp variant of marijuana, which has a higher proportion of CBD and very little THC.

It also has other useful properties as antidepressant and pain reliever.

For example: the new pain reliever Sativex, which is applied as a mouth spray, has both CBD and THC in it.1

Sativex is only available by prescription to cancer patients for pain, and to MS patients with nerve pain, spasticity, overactive bladder and other symptoms.

In other research, it turns out that marijuana with both CBD and THC in it are of the most benefit to a cannabis user.

According to the British Journal of Psychiatry, a study was done comparing three groups: non-users, cannabis users with THC detected and cannabis users with both THC and CBD detected.

The THC users demonstrated a much higher rate of unusual experiences with marijuana than the other two groups.

In contrast, the THC-CBD users had "much lower introvertive anhedonia (a feeling of emptiness that makes one want to hide away) scores than the Δ9-THC only group and non-cannabis user group."2

As well, I have found that moderate doses of wild salmon oil in capsule form relieve mood swings in depression. The probable reason for this is related to the fact that salmon oil contains a lot of omega-3 oil3 of which two essential fatty acid have useful healthy benefits to the human body, especially the brain: DHA and EPA. They are metabolized into endocannabinoids for use in the body's endocannabinoid system, a group of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors involved in many physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory.4

Since THC causes transient psychosis i.e. a temporary break from reality which is reversed by using less marijuana, the trend towards cannabis containing high-THC has risks to a user's mental health due to chronic use.

In contrast, strains of marijuana with a balanced blend of CBD and THC are safer for moderate use.

Thus my research so far proves my "less is more" philosophy towards all forms of neuropsychopharmaceuticals, including alcohol and marijuana.

With moderate consumption of fish and regular supplementation of wild salmon oil and a healthy diet, it is possible to keep the endocannaboid system working properly. Finally, I would like to state that a well nourished brain really only needs a dose of cannabis on rare occasions.

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References:

1. Sativex: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sativex
   
2. THC-CBD users have lower introvertive anhedonia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
   
3. Salmon oil contains a lot of omega-3 oil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
   
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system
   

The Smart Way to Beat the Cold and/or Flu

I believe that this Polish food actually helped with my cold: kapusta or sauerkraut. In addition, rhodiola rosea got rid of the coughing because of its stimulant effect due to balancing of the neurotransmitters.

Now that I am on the following healthfoods products consisting of omega-3 fish capsules (anti-inflammatory & brain food), açai (az'eye) (anti-oxidants), rhodiola (augments my espresso habit), and vinpo-15 (used as sedative), I feel great.

In fact, I feel really GOOD! It's easier to get over the blues of a recent romantic breakup, and as for the cold i got last month, it's like a memory.

Though, I'm almost ready to give up women again... Ain't no pill in the world can replace 'em tho. Just sayin'... :p

Osteoarthritis & Rheumatism Deficiency Diseases

Necessary for arthritis and rheumatism, as well as bone loss, are gelatin, vitamins A and D, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil, and a proper balance of calcium and magnesium.

And, no! Milk does not provide adequate calcium due to the high phosporus content. It actually leads to osteoarthritis.

Fish is actually a better source of calcium, as are vegetable forms of calcium and magnesium, especially kale.

Phytates are found in enough quantities in foods stored in plastic bottles to lead to leaching of calcium, especially in a diet devoid of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, which flaxseed, hempseed and evening primrose oils have in balanced quantities when compared to the average Canadian diet.

It's amazing that bone doctors are so ignorant of nutrition, and that they ignore what nutritionists and dieticians have been saying for at least a decade about the importance of essential fatty acids, Vitamins A & D, and gelatin.

Why Fish is In

It's not just a Californian trend.

Salmon oil and Omega 3 oils in particular are useful in stabilizing bipolar disorder, an endocrine-based mental disorder associated with thyroid imbalance (usually indicated by low amounts of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine).

Thyroxine itself consists of iodine atoms attached to two linked chains of tyrosine, an amino acid associated with the neurotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenalin.

In essence, low thyroxine levels also reflect low levels of dopamine and noradrenalin, neurotransmitters associated with the behavior reward system and the "fight-or-flight" syndrome, respectively.

As a result of this chemical imbalance, people with bipolar disorder tend to suffer mood swings.

Such people fall into two classes: the positive and happy kind, and the negative and unhappy kind. There may be a third class with mixed symptoms (both depressed and manic at the same time).

The happy bipolars tend to be warm, caring, and loving; they also tend to "fall in love" quickly in relationships, and may treat both praise and abuse as attention, thus confusing both kinds as "love."

Indeed, happy bipolars are motherly if female, and fatherly if male.

The unhappy bipolars may exhibit additional psychosis with paranoid symptoms and also may keep all aspects of their illness a secret; they tend range from not trusting a person to being too trusting of a romantic interest, depending on the depth of their psychosis.

At times, unhappy bipolars tend to get aggressive with violent outbursts towards loved ones.

Mood stabilization is the first concern of a medical professional using lithium.

Fish oil is also a mood stabilizer, as evidenced by the demeanor of people who eat a lot of fish.

Indeed, bipolar symptoms are rare among the Japanese, who eat a lot of rare fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna.