In recent years the use of cannabis products for health treatments has become more prevalent and socially acceptable as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use. One particular branch of this new wave of treatment options is “CBD” or cannabidiol. CBD products can be found in many states and localities across the country and have been rising in popularity in their ability to treat many ailments that millions of Americans suffer from on a daily basis. The podiatrists at Healthmark Foot and Ankle have been successfully treating hundreds of patients with CBD products in addition to their regular formsof prescribed health improvement methods.


Understanding CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid chemical found in cannabis that is not intoxicating or pyscho-active. Cannabis has two main active chemicals: tetrahydrocannabinol or THC and cannabidiol or CBD. THC is the psychoactive chemical that typically creates the “high” euphoric feeling in marijuana, CBD is the non-psychoactive chemical that provides and assortment of medical benefits.

In recent years, pharmacologists and other science-based companies have successfully separated CBD and THC from the cannabis plant allowing the properties and effects of CBD to be explored and employed for treating a variety of health ailments. CBD products can be inhaled, ingested, or applied directly to the skin and thus come in various convenient-to-use forms.

CBD works directly in what’s known as the Endocannabinoid System in the body of all mammals; especially humans. The variety of CBD chemicals that are extracted from the hemp plant help bring a balance to the important cannabinoid receptors that are found all throughout the body including vital organs. The introduction of CBD into the receptors of the Endocannabinoid System ensures that organs and systems are working together as efficiently as possible.

What Can CBD Treat?

CBD has been known to work effectively in the treatment of various problems including, but not limited to:

  • Acne
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic pain
  • Soft tissue injury
  • Depression
  • Inflammation
  • Insomnia
  • Cancer-related symptoms
  • Memory
  • Mood
  • Stiffness
     

Understanding CBD’s Health Benefits

While the research is still young, there is a fast-growing body of information for the medical application of CBD products. The abundance of research done on marijuana and the cannabis plant in general have helped create insights on the benefits of CBD, since it is one component found within its chemical make-up. Below are some noteworthy academic medical articles on the health benefits of CBD.

Acne

Addiction treatment

Anxiety

Arthritis

Depression

Diabetes

Inflammation

PTSD


 

"3 out of 4 respondents using CBD to manage arthritis symptoms said it was either effective or very effective in relieving several symptoms"
– 2019 Arthritis Foundation

 

Getting started with CBD

It’s important to talk with your doctor about using CBD as a treatment option for your foot and ankle ailments. The medical professionals at Healthmark Foot and Ankle can work with you and any other physicians you are seeing to determine what type of CBD products are best for your conditions.

It is important to start slow with CBD products to see how this introduced substance will affect your mind and body. It is suggested to begin with a few milligrams of CBD no more than twice per day. It is vital that you do not stop your current prescribed medications and understand how your current regiment of meds may interact with the introduction of CBD into your routine.

Topical and ingested CBD products are encouraged over vaping and smoking since these methods of inhalation may cause lung damage and other pulmonary disorders. After a week of regular low dose, you can consult with your doctor about increasing the dosage in relation to what health issues you are treating.

If you experience any unwanted side effects from a CBD product (or any pharmaceutical for that matter) you should immediately discontinue use and contact your doctor for further solutions.

Legality

Is it legal? While many states have legalized the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, CBD falls into a different category of legality. CBD derived from industrial hemp is not classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, but if hemp contains more than 0.3% of THC it is classified as non-hemp cannabis. Each state has different laws dictating the amount of THC that’s allowed in hemp and cannabis products including CBD products.

IMPORTANT: Your doctor isn’t a lawyer and while they may understand the legality of CBD in the states that they practice medicine, it is important that you as the user take responsibility and understand the legal ramifications when beginning to use and possess cannabis and CBD health products.

Where Do I Begin?

If you’re interested in seeing if CBD is right for you, the first step is to talk with your doctor. Your Healthmark Foot and Ankle podiatrists understand the best treatment options and how to incorporate CBD into your current regiment.

Topical us is a good place to start because it has a more concentrated effect onto the area in which it needs to target such as the heel, ankle, or joint. Ingested CBD is often very effective, but is suggested at low doses to begin with and should be the next step after topical treatments have been used.

Since there are currently limited to no FDA regulations on CBD products, it is very important to buy CBD products from a reputable company that tests their products consistently for the substance’s potency, purity, safety, and total ingredients. A good company will provide certificates of analysis and have independent laboratories perform the tests on their products.

All of the CBD products available at Healthmark Foot and Ankle meet and exceed the common standards for consistently pure and effective medical grade CBD. Many of the CBD you can expect to find with Healthmark Foot and Ankle are designed by pharmacists, doctors, growers, and scientists who all stand by (and use) these brands.

 


Glossary of Common Terms Associated with CBD
 

Cannabis– a plant species originally from Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent containing the active compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin.
 

Marijuana- the variety of the cannabis plant that typically is rich in THC. The female plant is often dried and used recreational and medicinally to treat various ailments.
 

Hemp – also known as industrial hemp, is a type of cannabis this is grown for its fiber, oil, and seeds. It contains less than 0.3% of THC and has a multitude of applications in textiles.
 

Cannabinoid- a class of chemicals found in cannabis. There are over 100 known variations of this chemical found in cannabis.
 

CBD – or cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid chemical found in cannabis that is not intoxicating or pyschoactive and does not create the euphoric “high” feeling.
 

THC – or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive chemical cannabinoid that typically creates the “high” euphoric feeling in marijuana.
 

CBD Oil – a cannabidiol extract from the cannabis plant containing no psychoactive “high-inducing” chemicals. CBD oil can consumed through topical use, inhalation, and orally.
 

Medical CBD for Foot and Ankle Treatment