Natural
PAIN RELIEF
91 people die every day due
to the Opioid Crisis in the US,
over half a million lives lost since 2000
reported by CDC. According to National
Institute of Health, opiates are good for short
term pain not chronic pain. Consistent use
of opioids leads to tolerance and addiction.
Opioids, like Oxycontin and Fentanyl, depress
respiratory centers of the brainstem, leading
to respiratory arrest and overdose-related
death. A solution to the Opioid epidemic,
according to Dr. Dustin Sulak of Healer.com, is
cannabis, used for pain relief for thousands of
years. Prior to 1940s, cannabis was in medicinal
remedies in America. Studies show cannabis
to be effective against pain and inflammation.
Cannabis is changing opioid statistics. From
1999-2010, states with medical cannabis
lowered opioid related deaths by 30%.
Cannabis is effective because it promotes
homeostasis within the endocannabinoid
system (ECB). Receptors for ECB system
are found primarily in the central nervous
system (brain and spinal cord). Receptors
are responsible for our perception of pain
and inflammation in the body. The body
makes “cannabis like” compounds that bind
to these receptors to function like cannabis.
These compounds, 2-ag and AEA, regulate
perception of pain and inflammation. Simply
stated cannabis supports the body’s natural
healing process.
12 || BEND HEALTH GUIDE || WINTER 2017
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol
(CBD) are compounds found in cannabis that
interact with ECB. THC and CBD synergistically
work on receptors to reduce pain. THC is
the psychoactive part of the plant, CBD is
the healer component. CBD benefi ts mental
health, THC is an intoxicating compound. CBD
alters eff ects of THC canceling out unwanted
side-eff ects from THC, such as rapid heart
rate. Over time, these compounds raise the
endocannabinoid tone in the body, protecting
it. When choosing a cannabis medicine,
it should contain some THC due to this
synergistic, amplifi ed eff ect. Unlike opioids,
cannabis does not have receptors within the
brain stem, the main reason it does not cause
respiratory depression or overdose. Activation
of the ECB system allows people to wean off
opiates with alleviation of their pain. Cannabis
can save lives in this opioid crisis.
For more information on CBD research and
news, visit ProjectCBD.org. Cesar Escobar is
a registered respiratory therapist, cannabis
researcher, and founder of Motavatedhealer.
com, a nonprofi t organization in companionship
with Flowerchild CBD. Motavatedhealer sends
patients to Flowerchild CBD, CBD medicine
that is lab tested for purity, cleanliness,
eff ectiveness, and they are local.