Nature’s Medicine

“Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country. The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.”

– Thomas Jefferson

“Make the most of the Indian hemp seed and sow it everywhere.”

– George Washington

“We shall, by and by, want a world of hemp more for our own consumption.”

– John Adams

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated crops known to man. Though it is an ancient remedy, it is also a modern miracle, and it is our duty to our fellow man to advocate for its ubiquitous use by society.

This may seem like a very bold statement, but I am going to share with you exactly why I feel this way.

Cannabis Is Medicine

The word Marijuana is a slang and derogatory term for the Cannabis Plant. When discussing its medical benefits and properties I prefer to use the scientific name for the plant. In some of my other publications, we will further discuss the delinneation of Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Sativa, Ruderalis, and Industrial Hemp. But for know, let’s just focus on the fact that Cannabis has been used as medicine since at least 2000 BC. How do I come to this conclusion?

Then God said, “I have just given you every green plant yielding seed that is on the surface of the whole land, and every tree, which has the fruit of a tree yielding seed. They are to be food for you. – Genesis 1:29

You’ll notice that there was nothing in that statement about rolling a joint and sparking up.

Sure… Maybe I jest, but that is only because I have seen the decades of hypocrisy over a God-given remedy that has the ability to provide so much releif for those who so desperately need it, and the majority of society thinks that we “just want to smoke pot.”

Methods of Consumption

Strictly speaking, taking an organic substance and lighting it on fire, subsequently destroying 90% of the natural properties and inhaling the products of combustion is NOT the best way to get your medicine. However, smoking Cannabis is an efficient way to get cannabinoids into the blood stream. Over the years, as research has proliferated, so have the delivery methods for the Consumption of Cannabis, both medicinally and recreationally. As an avid advocate for the plant, I personally don’t believe that we should look any differently at smoking a joint in the evening than we do at having a glass of wine. I know that many will disagree, but in my humble opinion those people are ignorant.

Notice that I didn’t say those people are stupid…

The intrinsic difference between ignorance and stupidity is that ignorance simply implies lack of awareness about something, while stupidity denotes the inability of a person to understand something due to insufficient intelligence, thus leading to the misinterpretation of a fact.

If people are adequately educated on the health benefits of Cannabis, then they can be liberated from their ignorance if they so choose. However, willfully choosing to deny the evidence due to years of predictive programming after being presented with a sound, defensible, arguement then puts people into the clearly defined category of stupidity.

The Human Endocannabinoid System

In recent years, we have witnessed a huge surge in scientific research with a focus on the properties of Cannabis as well as its biological targets of action within the human body. Much has been learned about the effects of Cannabis on various bodily systems including the nervous system. That old wive’s tale that pot kills brain cells is quickly being debunked with new research showing that on a therapeutic bell curve, Cannabis actually promotes the generation of new neural tissue within the human body. A process referred to as neurogenesis.

We have receptors throughout our bodies that are specifically designed to interact with Cannabis. More than just creating a euphoric feeling when the plant is consumed, these receptors can be stimulated to diminish pain, muscle spasms, nausea, seizures, and a broad host of other ailments. The pharmaceutical industries have taken advantage of this knowledge over the years by synthetically replicating naturally occurring cannabinoids and utilizing their chemical profiles in patented pharmaceutical medications such as Sativex and Marinol. While they provide some basic relief of symproms, these drugs do not have a fraction of the medicinal potential of full-spectrum, whole-plant Cannabis interventions.

Endocannabinoids are produced within the human body, by the human body. Endoginously. Phytocannabinoids are exoginous cannabinoids. Produced outside the human body, contained within plant matter. Exoginous phytocannabinoids can stimulate the production and synthesis of endocannabinoids within the human body. Similar to taking a supplement for Vitamin-C.

Scientific research has found the endocannabinoid system to play a major role in neurogenesis. In fact, researchers believe that the endocannabinoid system facilitates the process of neurogenesis throughout the entire human life span, from early development to late adulthood. Interestingly, cannabinoids can be used to treat a variety of symptoms associated with brain ageing, including the decline in neurogenesis. Studies show that phytocannabinoids (derived from the plant) can still promote neurogenesis even after brain cells are damaged. This has lead to emerging research for a variety of conditions such as Dravet’s Syndrome, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), as well as many others.

The Cannabinoid Receptors

The brain and other nervous system tissues express different cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 is associated with the majority of the psychoactive effects of the plant, whereas CB2 has been shown to be related to immune function, inflammation, and pain response.

Endocannabinoids are utilized by the nervous system in some interesting ways. For instance, in some neural circuits, the endocannabinoids have the ability to release neurons from inhibitory input, allowing the synapses to fire their electrical signals at a less-restrained frequency. This phenomenon known as disinhibition has far reaching potential in treating neuro-muscular disorders.

Endocannabinoids can help to relieve emotional traumas from past events, and may minimize the preception of fearing personal harm generally associated with PTSD. Neurons that synthesize and release neurohormones (via the pituitary gland) use endocannabinoids to regulate their own activity.

The potent antioxidant properties of cannabis have been shown to stimulate healthy immune function. Reduced inflammatory mediators can contribute to a wide variety of responses in autoimmune conditions, and reversing the chronic cycle of inflammation and oxidative stress is imperative in managing the cascading symptoms of any such disorder.

CB2 receptors have been found to increase bone density and growth through increased osteoblast activity. Osteoperosis for example, is a disease caused by loss of bone density.

CB1 and CB2 receptors are both active in controllong gastric mobility and digestive function via the enteric nervous system, (aka the “gut – brain connection). Cananbis has shown promising results in individuals dealing with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, and other similar conditions.

Cannabis has also been shown to lower blood pressure, adn in some animal models it has even been found to prevent atherosclerosis. Research suggests not only that cannabis shows promise in helping individuals with cariovascular disease, but that endocannabinoid deficiency may be a contributing factor in the development of such conditions.

Conventional Healthcare

The question may be presenting itself in your mind right about now, “If cannabis is so good for us, why is it illegal?”

In order to answer this question, you must understand a few things about our healthcare system.

1. Traditional healthcare needs you to be sick.

We all have an inherent belief that we go to the doctor to stay healthy, and that our healthcare system exists to make sure that we remain healthy. Generally speaking, this makes sense. We get sick, so we go to the doctor. He or She gives us medicine, and hopefully we recover and the sickness goes away. But this is based on a disease model of symptom management, and it is the model that the Medical Industrial System thrives on. Doesn’t it make more sense to prevent disease rather than treat the symptoms? If this is the case, then why does our healthcare system place so much emphasis on treatment and so little on disease prevention, supplementation, and healthy lifestyle? Ultimately, the current system of healthcare that is in place for the majority of the world in all its forms – from the doctor’s offices to the hospitals, from the drug companies to the pharmacies, is designed to operate as a for-profit business. As such, it needs to make money. If everyone is healthy, the money stops flowing. Treatment is the main focus, and prevention is often ignored and in some cases even discouraged. Convenience is sold as a commodity. “Take this pill so you don’t have to change your lifestyle.”

2. The current model treats symptoms, not causes.

I touched on this briefly in the last paragraph, but suppressing symptoms is hardly the most effective choice in promoting over-all longevity and health. It is however, usually the most immediate “fix”. This also means that the patient will remain a consistent, paying customer, and that the market for designer drugs proliferates with the increase of health conditions requiring management. It’s a backwards, short sighted approach, that treats people like comodities rather than individuals.

3. the four leading diseases are largely preventable.

Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, and Diabetes. They account for about 83% of disease related deaths, and they are ultimately “lifestyle” diseases. The term lifestyle disease refers to diseases that are more likely to develop as a result of our own lifestyle choices which are within our control to affect the outcomes. This includes diet, exercise habits, stress management, and free-radical exposure. The common belief is that we are pre-disposed to these conditions through bad genetics. In recent years, the study of epigenetics suggests that you can reduce the expression of many such conditions by giving your body the things it needs to alter its genetic expression. Thereby reducing the expression of dis-ease.

4. Antibiotics are becoming irrelevant.

Through the prolific use of antibiotics, we have created a rise in the onset of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. One such strain, MRSA accounts for more deaths each year in the US than AIDS. Doctors are becoming increasingly helpless in treating serious virulent and bacterial strains that are now threatening the public. In the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic for example, it was found that most of the people who died didn’t actually die from the flu. They contracted bacterial pneumonia from wearing masks for prolonged periods of time.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/bacterial-pneumonia-caused-most-deaths-1918-influenza-pandemic

5. Prescriptions can be dangerous.

Over the years, drug companies have taken center stage in the the world of modern medicine. At times it can seem like allopathic medicine doesn’t have any options aside from pills and surgery. Our society is inundated with commercials for the next new designer drug, and the benefits are exemplified while the side effects are often downplayed. I believe that there has never been a better time to look at natural alternatives, and I hope that as you do more research you will feel the same.

Did You Know? “Just drinking more water can reduce heart attack mortality by up to 40% according to a 2002 study from the American Journal of Epidemiology.”

To learn more about the history of cannabis prohibition, please read my article:

An Introduction to Cannabis

For more information on getting the right water for your family please visit the following links:

Eco-Friendly Demo Home

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE $13 BILLION DOLLAR BOTTLED WATER INDUSTRY

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Rude is the Founder of Pure Neurology Consulting and NEUCLEAR Health & Fitness. Ian is a well renowned Neuro Therapist, specializing in Functional Neuro-Muscular Stimulation for rehabilitation and performance enhancement. In 2015 Ian suffered a shoulder injury while on duty as a Firefighter and was later diagnosed with a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. With over 12 years in healthcare, Ian began working with individuals suffering from conditions such as CRPS, Fibromyalgia, and many more. He quickly made a name for himself in the chronic pain community as someone who thinks outside the box. Ian’s research focuses around Medical Cannabis, Functional Neurology, and Human Movement Science.

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Sometimes I use affiliate links. What does that mean? It means that if I’ve used a product or service personally and liked it, and that product or service has an affiliate program, I sign up for it. Then, when I mention that product or service in one of my blog posts, I link to it using my affiliate link.

Should you end up buying something as a result of one of those links, I might get a little jingle for my pocketbook.

If you’ve hung around my sites long or know me well, you know that I would just as soon eat barbed wire or chew broken glass than sell my soul to make money off of you on a product I don’t even like. That would be disingenuous. You know this, I know this. But, alas, the FTC isn’t sure you really know this.

And that is why I wrote this disclosure – to empower everyone to fearlessly make an informed decision before clicking on an affiliate link. There should be no question that if I feel comfortable with a product or service and refer it to you, I don’t mind making a little money for that referral. I hope you would do the same.