Vista issue #121 November/December 2018

Page 28

Heal your Gut with Cannabis

Did you know we can have endocannabinoid health deficiencies? And just like nutrient deficiencies where supplementation can play a role in optimizing functionality of our bodies, supplementing with safe cannabis products can act in a similar way. EMMA ANDREWS RHN, NPDP

Supplementing your endocannabinoid system can bring accelerated healing and support for a healthy inflammatory response in the gut. And with cannabis, the natural source for cannabinoids that supplement the endocannabinoid system, now made legal in Canada, the lawful options to supplement your endocannabinoid system have changed. But that change can be confusing. THC and CBD are very different cannabinoids. Research recognizes both as powerful medicinals, yet legally, THC is now available over the counter but most CBD is still prescription only. Both have applications to wellness, but CBD won’t get you high.

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Knowing the difference, talking to the pros and making careful choices lets us consider cannabis supplementation for a variety of endocannabinoid health issues, which includes an intricate connection to our gut health and our inflammatory response. Cannabis acts as both a modulator and a palliative agent. Meaning, it has the ability to both manage the severity of your symptoms and the progression of disease. The most therapeutic component of the cannabis plant is found within the flowering portion, where there is the greatest concentration of cannabinoids. Most abundant and well-known cannabinoids include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). However, there are more than 100 known cannabinoids that over time will become more recognized as medical research advances and continues to better utilize their unique health applications. Our endocannabinoid system is closely connected to our nervous system, and comprised of receptor sites


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