How Does Exercise Effect The Brain

When it comes to exercise, your brain isn’t always the main priority. After all, for a lot of us, it’s about that hot summer bod or living long enough to see our grandkids. But there are some indirect and direct ways that exercise can benefit your brain that may give you even more motivation to hit the gym.

Exercise And Disease

One of the indirect ways that exercise helps improve your brain’s health is by reducing the risk of developing a disease or helping to reduce the severity of an illness you already have. Strokes, heart attacks, and even having diabetes can all make your cognitive function decline, but exercising can help you get back in control.

Exercise And Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes increases your risk of damaged blood vessels, including the ones in your brain. Studies have shown that diabetes also affects the white matter in your brain, which is where all of your nerves send transmissions to one another. If your diabetes has done enough damage to your brain, you can develop vascular dementia or vascular cognitive impairment.

People who have type 2 diabetes have too much glucose in their blood either because they are insulin resistant or because they don’t produce enough insulin to help control glucose levels. When you exercise, your muscles use glucose without insulin, meaning that even if you have problems with your insulin levels exercising can help regulate the glucose in your blood. Not to mention, exercising can also help you lose weight and reduce insulin resistance which is a huge contributor to type 2 diabetes.

Exercise And Stroke

When you have a stroke, it is when you lose blood flow to your brain. Depending on where the stroke happens and how severe it is, it can cause:

• Paralysis
• Vision problems
• Changes in behavior
• Memory loss
• Speech problems

If the stroke happens in the brain stem opposed to one of the sides, it can cause someone to go into a “locked-in state” where they are unable to move below the neck or speak.

When you exercise, it helps to strengthen your blood flow. Studies have shown that those who exercise more are less likely to have a stroke, and for those who have already had one are less likely to have one again. Exercising also promotes plaque stability and strengthens the vascular wall functions which are a huge contribution to stroke prevention or management after a stroke.

Exercise And Heart Disease

Atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries, and arteriosclerosis, which is when the arteries stiffen with age, are heart issues that exercise can help with and also cause damage to the brain by contributing to heart disease. Because there is a lack of healthy oxygen-rich blood going to nourish the brain, heart disease can also cause brain damage.

When you exercise, it encourages your heart’s arteries to dilate more readily. Exercise also helps the sympathetic nerve system to become less reactive, which is the system that controls your blood pressure and heart rate.

Exercise And Depression

Depression might not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to illnesses that exercise can help with, but depression can be just as dangerous as other diseases. Studies have shown that people who have depression have hippocampal shrinkage caused by this illness which impairs your memory and emotional regulation.

When you exercise, the first thing it does is give you a break from feeling miserable by giving you a runner’s high. A bunch of feel-good chemicals are swarming in your brain, something you might not get to feel very often because of depression.

Studies have shown that low-intensity workouts that you repeat over time have the most value when it comes to treating your depression. Because exercise supports cell growth and improves nerve connection, it helps to repair the hippocampus and relieve the symptoms of depression.

Boosting Your Brain With Exercise

So, you now know how exercise can indirectly help with your brain’s health by preventing or reducing the severity of diseases. But what if you aren’t at risk for these diseases? Can someone who is generally healthy still benefit mentally from exercise? Absolutely.

Exercise And Your Memory

The parts of the brain that control thinking and memory have shown in studies to be larger in people who exercise than those who don’t. Exercise also helps with certain things that cause cognitive impairment like stress, anxiety, sleep, and your mood.

Exercise And Grey Matter

The grey matter in your brain holds regions of the brain that have to do with muscle movement, memory, emotions, and sensory perception. This is a part of the brain that commonly degrades with old age. Studies have shown that exercise is a potent treatment option to enlarge grey matter in the brain helping to improve cognitive function and behavioral issues associated with brain atrophy.

Exercise And Brain Cell Growth

Studies have shown that when you exercise, it promotes the production of a chemical called BDNF. This is like your brains version of fertilizer, helping to encourage cell growth and restoration in your brain. The increase of BDNF in your brain can improve cognitive functions as well as help with depression and anxiety.

How Do You Work Out Your Brain?

There isn’t any one perfect exercise that will boost your brain. Everyone is different, and everyone needs something different. Though, there have been studies that have reported better brain health in aerobic exercises like swimming or cycling and low-intensity mind-body exercises like yoga and tai chi.

Pair Exercise With CBD For Optimal Brain Health!

CBD oil may also help with your brain health, help with exercising, and reduce the severity of or slow down the progression of an illness. By interacting with our body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD oil has shown in many studies to help promote regulation throughout the body helping to make your body function more efficiently.

CBD Oil And Heart Health

CBD oil may be able to help with your brain-boosting workouts by promoting a healthy heart. CBD oil has shown to lower blood pressure at low doses; it may help with heart arrhythmias, and reduce the inflammation of the heart.

CBD Oil And Diabetes

If your body is resistant to insulin, it may be because of a hormone called resistin being overproduced. CBD oil has shown in studies to inhibit the production of this hormone, helping your body to produce more insulin to control your glucose levels. CBD oil may also be able to help with weight loss as well as the cell damage that is caused by diabetes.

CBD Oil And Strokes

If you are at risk for a stroke, researchers have found that CBD oil may be able to help prevent the cell death caused by strokes. In rodent model testing, they also found that CBD oil helped improve blood flow in the cerebral cortex.

CBD Oil And Depression

Do you remember the chemical BDNF that is elevated by exercising? Studies show CBD oil may be able to elevate this chemical as well along with other chemicals that are normally lacking in people who have depression. CBD oil also elevates an endocannabinoid called anandamide which has shown to have mood-boosting properties helping with some of the emotional symptoms of depression.

CBD Oil And Memory

Is your memory something that you are trying to improve? CBD oil may be able to help. In studies, scientists found that CBD oil indirectly interacts with the hippocampus, helping to enhance its functionality. It may also be able to repair the damage that may be causing memory issues.

CBD Oil And Brain Fog

Exercise is a great way to combat brain fog, and you can take it a bit further by adding CBD oil. Brain fog is an umbrella term that covers cognitive issues caused by things like fatigue, depression, or fibromyalgia. CBD oil may be able to help with brain fog by:

• Easing symptoms of the illnesses that cause brain fog
• Promoting neuroprotection to reduce damage
• Promoting neurogenesis to repair damage already done

CBD Oil And Muscle Recovery

CBD oil isn’t just a great way to boost your brain power; it may also be able to help you with the workout itself. If you struggle with having muscle strain even after low-intensity workouts, using CBD topicals on your muscles can help relieve pain and tension.

CBD Oil And Energy

If you are struggling with getting into the workout routine because you are exhausted or struggle with fatigue, CBD oil may be able to help. CBD hemp oil has shown in studies to be a wake-promoting agent at small doses, as well as promoting the REM stage in your sleep at higher doses potentially aiding with energy from both sides of the spectrum.

Talk To Your Doctor

Whether you are just trying to boost your brain power or help recover brain power you have lost, be sure to let your doctor know what you are trying to accomplish. They may also be able to help you tailor your diet to helping your brain power to tackle this issue from all ends.

If you are adding CBD oil to your workouts, be sure to let your doctor know about this, too. They can help monitor your progress as well as make sure you don’t experience any of the uncommon side effects like nausea or drowsiness.

[author name="Sarah Potts" bio = "Sarah Potts has been writing about the wonderful benefits of cannabis for CBD Instead since 2017. Medical cannabis has changed her life and her goal is to show others how it might help them as well." email="pottscontent@gmail.com" twitter= "pottstato"]

Dementia is commonly something that develops in people who are over the age of 65, but there are cases where people can develop symptoms of this illness sooner. Early onset dementia can drastically impact someone’s life in more than just their health, but with their financial and social lives as well. With the limited treatment options and few resources for younger people with dementia, many are turning to CBD hemp oil for early onset dementia.

CBD oil may be able to help with early onset dementia by helping with the mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, helping to detox the brain and body, protecting cells from further damage, and helping with symptoms like memory loss and brain fog. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, CBD oil may have the potential to help with many factors involved with early onset dementia.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a disorder that is progressive and affects your cognitive abilities like motor functions, memory, visual perception, time-management, and focus. This can be caused by changes in the brain like a build up of tau proteins that cause Alzheimer’s or from an injury like vascular dementia.   

What Is Early Onset Dementia

Early onset dementia is a term used to refer to patients who start developing dementia before the age of 65. Dementia can be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other diseases and conditions, and people who have early onset dementia may be in any stage of it be it early, middle, or late. Most commonly, the symptoms begin to show in the person’s 40s or 50s and start to get worse over time.

Signs And Symptoms Of Early Onset Dementia

• Short term memory changes
• Hard time finding the right words
• Mood changes
• Apathy
• Confusion
• Hard time completing normal tasks
• Poor sense of direction
• Repetitiveness
• Difficulty following storylines
• Struggling with change

Common Risk Factors Of Early Onset Dementia

Not everyone will develop dementia, and not everyone will develop it early. Scientists aren’t entirely sure what the cause of this illness is, but they have noticed some key risk factors that may increase your likelihood for developing early onset dementia.

Genes

Your gene pool plays a huge role in how healthy you are going to be. There are certain rare genes that people can inherit that bring on dementia-like symptoms in as early as their thirties. When Alzheimer’s disease is caused by these genes, it is called “familial Alzheimer’s disease,” and multiple generations down the line can be affected.

Alcohol

Alcohol can cause liver problems, mental health issues, and brain damage which may be why chronic drinking has been a common denominator in many patients with early onset dementia. A study showed that 57% of the participants with early onset dementia also had chronic drinking issues.

Depression

Scientists have also figured out that people who have early onset dementia may also most likely have issues with depression. Studies have shown that depression may cause brain damage in places like the hippocampus which is where a part of your memory is controlled.

Stroke

Research shows that a third of stroke survivors suffer from developing post-stroke dementia. If you have a stroke at a younger age, this means that you are also more likely to develop dementia.

Difficulties Of Getting Dementia At A Younger Age

Dementia isn’t easy for anyone young or old. But there are different obstacles that younger people have to face when it comes to developing dementia that the elder community doesn’t have to worry about.

Misdiagnoses

When someone goes to the doctor because they are feeling brain fog or confusion, the first thing a doctor thinks isn’t going to be dementia. Some doctors may not feel comfortable diagnosing early onset dementia or know how to diagnose it at all. Getting an accurate diagnosis can be a long and frustrating process.

Lack Of Services

Many of the dementia services are targeted toward seniors. This can cause a unique set of problems for people who are under the age of 65 because these potentially helpful programs aren’t as tailored to their needs.

No Financial Care

A lot of people who have dementia are living off of retirement and social security. If you are in your forties and have dementia, you’re likely still working and unable to retire. People under 65 likely do not have Medicare to help with their funds as well as help them find services suitable for them. If the person working is fired or leaves their job before getting a diagnosis, work disability might not be formally recognized.

Treatment For Early Onset Dementia

When you get your diagnosis for early onset dementia, there are several options that you can take to help manage your symptoms. Dementia isn’t treatable, but there are ways to slow down the progression of the disorder and make it easier to live your life.

Cognitive Training

Cognitive training can be done with a therapist or at home, but it is more successful when done with someone who has an understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s. This activity is when you do activities to help boost your cognitive performance like memory and spacial awareness. Studies have shown that cognitive training helps to boost cognition, activities of daily living, and decision-making.

Antioxidants

If the dementia is caused by toxin build-up and oxidative stress like Alzheimer’s antioxidants may be suggested. Antioxidant therapies have shown in studies to be successful in helping to fight toxin build-up in the brain and help reduce oxidative stress.

Medication

Often doctors will prescribe medication that can help with the patient’s mood and maintain mental function. Of course, like most medications, there are some side-effects that can be undesirable. But what do you choose? Your mental clarity with the off chance you gain weight or another side-effect or watch your brain fade? Some people choose neither by choosing CBD.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical that comes from the cannabis plant. Unlike the chemical THC in cannabis, CBD oil doesn’t get the user intoxicated. This chemical has been under much research because of it’s long list of health benefits, attractive side-effect profile, inability to get the user high, high tolerance, and no chances of addiction. The way that this chemical can be so effective is because it interacts with our endocannabinoid system.

What Is The Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system is one of the main things that keep you up an running. This system helps to make sure that all of your other systems are working well, also a process known as homeostasis. CBD oil interacts with this system by opening pathways in the brain, stimulating certain receptors, and elevating endocannabinoids which bind to cannabinoid receptors.

Cannabinoid Receptors And Endocannabinoids

There are two cannabinoid receptors that we know a good information about today, the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptor mainly binds with the endocannabinoid anandamide, and it helps to control the neurological functions of your body like your mood, sleep cycle, sensitivity to pain, and appetite. The CB2 receptor mainly binds to the endocannabinoid 2-AG and helps to mediate your immune functions.

How Can CBD Help With Early Onset Dementia?

CBD For Memory Loss

CBD has shown in studies that it may be a beneficial treatment to people who have memory issues. By encouraging cell repair in areas of the brain like the hippocampus, CBD oil may be able to help people who are starting to lose their memory.

CBD And Neuroprotection

The reason that dementia is progressive is that over time, your brain cells start to die out. Studies have shown that CBD hemp oil has neuroprotectant effects meaning it may be able to help prevent further damage.

Detoxing Your Brain With CBD Oil

Cannabidiol has shown in studies to be a potent antioxidant. By taking CBD oil, you may be able to reduce the toxicity and oxidative stress that is happening in your brain that could be contributing to the damage causing dementia.

CBD For Depression

Studies have shown that CBD oil elevates chemicals in the brain that are usually lacking in patients with depression as well as promote cell growth in damaged areas. Taking CBD may be able to help prevent early onset dementia caused by depression as well as help with the symptoms when dementia has already developed.

How Do You Take CBD Oil For Early Onset Dementia?

When it comes to what works best for dementia, it depends on what is best for you. There are methods that work quickly and last for a few hours, such as tinctures and vapes. There are also products that take a while to kick in but work for up to eight hours like pills or edibles. Both methods may be able to offer protective effects, so it’s really up to you how you want to take it.

Remember To Talk To Your Doctor

Always involve your doctor when you are changing something about your health regimen. Whether it is your diet or medication, they need to know what you are putting in your body. They can help determine whether or not other medications will interfere; they can also help monitor your progress to know if this is the right route for you to take. Don’t go in scared to talk about cannabis; your health should be their only prerogative.

Do you or someone you know have early onset dementia? What were some of the struggles you had to deal with? What are some things you think our society can do better? Leave your ideas in the comment section below!

Have you ever had the feeling that you just can’t think? You can sit there and read something, but you just can’t comprehend it. You can’t for the life of you remember where you set your keys. Or you realize that someone has been talking to you for the last five minutes and you have no idea what they were saying. This is what brain fog is like, and CBD oil may be able to help.

What Is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is a generalized term for having cognitive issues. You can get brain fog when an area in your brain called the limbic system starts to malfunction. Oxidative stress can cause inflammation in the brain which can cause malfunction.

Damage to the brain also causes damage to something called phospholipids which are in our brain cells to help mediate activity. Phospholipids also create membrane barriers that protect you from charged particles. When these phospholipids begin to degrade, it can cause the brain to start malfunctioning.

This is most common with men and women who have hit menopause or andropause because of the hormonal changes. Sex hormones help regulate the stress hormone called cortisol which affects neurotransmitters in the brain. This causes blood circulation and your metabolism to slow down.

Other Causes Of Brain Fog

• Leaky gut syndrome which can cause brain inflammation
• Fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome
• Stress, depression, and anxiety which all impact brain function
• Anemia which can cause a lack of oxygen in your body
• Thyroid disease
• Sleep deprivation or disturbances
• Diabetes which can impair your primary energy source, glucose
• Dehydration or brain malnourishment
• Magnesium, vitamin B12 or amino acid deficiency
• Memory and concentration dysfunctions from taking medication

Brain fog is more than just being confused. Having a lacking in connectivity and protection in the brain can cause a whole bunch of symptoms that can make the condition even more challenging.

Symptoms Of Brain Fog

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Difficulty remembering and understanding spoken language or information
• Lack of mental clarity
• Difficulty with problem-solving
• Low motivation
• Difficulty with routine situations
• Hard time focusing on tasks or conversation
• Difficulty making plans
• Hard time drawing or recognizing shapes

What Do You Do When You Have Brain Fog?

If your cognitive issues aren’t taken care of and managed, your condition can get worse and start to affect your work, social, and personal life severely. If you notice these symptoms or have any of the common illnesses that can lead to brain fog, the first thing you need to do is talk to a doctor.

Talk To A Doctor

If you are noticing any of these symptoms, you need to talk to a doctor right away before it starts to become an extreme burden. They can help determine how you started developing cognitive issues and then help establish the right treatment plan. There are a few things you can do at home that may help remedy some of the symptoms as well.

Sleep

When you are in the REM stage of your sleep, your body is repairing itself. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, this could be the cause of your brain fog. Let yourself sleep for eight to nine hours a night to help repair the brain, especially the hippocampus which is a part of the limbic system.

Avoid Alcohol

Drinking alcohol has shown to cause damage to the brain, including the hippocampus. It also acts as a depressant, making mood disorders harder to manage if that is something you struggle with. If you are on any medications form an illness that could be causing brain fog, you should definitely stay away from consuming alcohol.

Learn To Manage Stress

Are you overworking yourself? Do you give yourself time to relax and let your plate not get too full? If you are stressed out all of the time, it can cause a decline in your cognitive performance making you experience brain fog. Learning how to handle day to day life with as little stress as possible is something you should learn to do.

Exercise

Exercise isn’t just good for your body; it is good for your mental health and self-esteem as well. Committing to regular physical activity can help improve your cognitive performance, as well as help alleviate some of the symptoms from illnesses that can cause brain fog.

Exercise… Your Brain

To exercise your brain, you have to use it in a way you don’t all of the time. This could be learning something new like an instrument or how to build a birdhouse. This could be completing puzzles or doing volunteer work. Make your brain work out like you would your biceps to help improve its ability to function.

Eat Brain Food

There are certain foods that you can eat that have been linked to better brain performance. Try adding these foods to your diet:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Fatty fish
• Berries
• Tea and coffee
• Walnuts

CBD Oil For Brain Fog

Another way that you may be able to help clear your brain fog is by using CBD. CBD may be able to help with brain fog because of its relationship with the endocannabinoid system. By indirectly interacting with this system, studies have shown that it has an impact on our brains including cognitive performance.

What Is The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is so important because it helps to keep our body regulated. It makes sure that cells stay healthy and that any outside invaders don’t do you any harm. The main components that make the endocannabinoid system work are endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors.

Cannabinoid Receptors And Endocannabinoids

The two cannabinoid receptors that have been studied the most are CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptor is mainly stimulated by the endocannabinoid Anandamide which helps to mediate neurological functions like sleep, appetite, pain, and emotions. The CB2 receptor is primarily stimulated by the endocannabinoid 2-AG which helps to mediate your immune functions. This activity is stimulated by the chemical CBD found in the cannabis plant, which is how CBD oil may be able to help with brain fog.

How CBD Oil May Be Able To Help With Brain Fog

CBD For Neuroprotection

One of the reasons we get brain fog is because of damage that happens in the brain. CBD oil has shown in studies to act as a neuroprotectant, which is why it has been looked at as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. CBD oil may be able to help with brain fog by protecting the cells from damage.

CBD For Depression

Depression causes issues in the limbic system which may be a reason that it can cause brain fog. CBD oil has shown in studies to help alleviate symptoms of depression as well as promote neurogenesis in areas of the brain like the hippocampus. It also elevates chemicals that are normally lacking in people who have depression which may contribute to its effects on symptom relief.

CBD For Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can cause inflammation in the brain that can lead to brain fog. This stress and anxiety is born in the amygdala, which is your body’s fear response. Studies have shown that CBD oil can reduce the overactivity of the amygdala, helping to relieve anxiety symptoms which may include brain fog.

CBD For Fatigue

Being fatigued is more than just being tired, it is when your entire body including your brain is completely exhausted. You may feel that even after a full night’s rest you still don’t feel 100%. This is a common symptom in many illnesses ranging from fibromyalgia to depression, but CBD oil may be able to help with fatigue by acting as a wake-promoting agent.

CBD For Fibromyalgia

When many people think of fibromyalgia, they just think about an illness that involves invisible pain. While this is true, fibromyalgia can also cause cognitive issues. Studies suggest that CBD oil may be able to help with fibromyalgia which may effectively help with the brain fog that comes along with it.

CBD For Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is when someone becomes resistant to insulin because of an increase in a hormone called resistin. Cannabidiol has shown in studies to help reduce this hormone which can help reduce your body’s resistance to insulin. CBD oil may also be able to help you lose weight and improve your heart health which can contribute to and be symptoms of diabetes.

CBD For inflammation

One of the main reasons that CBD is used is because of its ability to mediate the immune system with the CB2 receptor. Considering that illnesses can cause inflammation in the brain, CBD oil may be able to help reduce this inflammation helping to protect you from further damage.

CBD For Memory

Cannabidiol may also be able to help improve your memory to help reduce the impact of brain fog. Studies show that its interaction with the hippocampus may be able to help with recall, long-term, and short-term memory.

Talk To Your Doctor

If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor before implementing CBD oil into your routine. There are some medications that it interacts with that can make the medication you are already on less successful. Your doctor also has the ability to monitor your condition to make sure this is the right route for you to take toward a healthier life. Stop by our shop today to get an awesome product that may be able to help you with your brain fog!

Have you suffered from brain fog? What are some ways you have gotten rid of it? We would love to hear about it in the comment section below!

[author name="Sarah Potts" bio = "Sarah Potts has been writing about the wonderful benefits of cannabis for CBD Instead since 2017. Medical cannabis has changed her life and her goal is to show others how it might help them as well." email="pottscontent@gmail.com" twitter= "pottstato"]

Does your child or loved one have Asperger’s Syndrome? It can be a challenging journey, but with therapy, medication, and a strong support system, you and your family can do anything. One medication you may not have considered until recently is CBD hemp oil which may be able to help with symptoms of Asperger’s.

There is no cure for Asperger’s, but CBD oil may be able to help. Cannabidiol (CBD) interacts with the endocannabinoid system to help promote regulation in your body. Through these health benefits, CBD oil may be able to help with certain issues people with Asperger’s Syndrome face like depression, anxiety, and other illnesses that are often comorbid with this disorder.

What Is Aspergers?

Asperger’s is a developmental disorder that affects social skills and is considered to be a form of high functioning autism. Asperger’s was once considered its own diagnosis, but psychologists today put it on the autism spectrum even though there has been evidence that the two disorders show a biological difference.

The part of the brain that controls language is more curved in the brain of someone with Asperger’s, which is a distinct difference from high functioning autism. People who have Asperger’s are more likely to meet language milestones and can be more articulate than those with autism.

Asperger’s is something that your child will have from birth, but it isn’t always easy to tell at first. But some signs and signals can indicate you need to get your child checked out by a doctor to see what kind of diagnosis they may receive.

Signs Your Child May Has Asperger’s

• Not making eye contact
• Awkward in social situations
• Showing few emotions
• Only talking about themselves
• Repeat themselves often, especially on topics that interest them
• Dislikes change to the point of tantrums
• Have a lot of intensity on a single subject

Once you know your child has Asperger’s Syndrome, it is a good idea to get educated on the illness. This disorder comes with many side-effects and symptoms that can make your family’s quality of life suffer if you don’t know how to adjust.

Symptoms And Side-Effects Of Asperger’s

Depression

Many children and teens with Asperger’s have a difficult time making or keeping friends. Because of their lack of social skills, they also lack in the romantic relationship department as well. The frustration of not knowing how to express your feelings or ideas can start to become an emotional burden. This perfect storm can bring on depression in people with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Anxiety

People who have Asperger’s have a dysregulated amygdala, which is what controls your fear response. If your amygdala is dysregulated, it can cause you to have anxiety. The amygdala detects threats that are present, making your body become alert and you on edge. People with Asperger’s can become frustrated with this feeling and start acting out because they don’t know how to express their emotions.

Social Anxiety

Anxiety and social anxiety are very similar, but you can have one without the other. Because people with Asperger’s Syndrome have issues with their social life, they can begin to feel uncomfortable in social situations. This can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, and depression.

Asperger’s can also come along with other disorders. The most common disorders that are comorbid with Asperger’s Syndrome are:

• Tourette’s Syndrome
• ADHD
• Bipolar Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Tic Disorders

Treatment Options For Asperger’s Syndrome

So what do you do when your child has Asperger’s Syndrome? There are many treatment options that you can choose from, and each have their own benefit. One thing that can be beneficial to both your child with Asperger’s and your family is therapy.

Types Of Therapy For Asperger’s Syndrome

Social Skills Training

Social skills training can be done in a group setting or one on one. This type of therapy is meant to teach children how to interact with others as well as how to express themselves appropriately. This can also be beneficial to adults with Asperger’s whoa relearning how to be in the work world.

Speech-Language Therapy

Speech-language therapy is meant to help people with Asperger’s learn and improve communication skills; this includes learning social cues like facial expressions or body language. They can also learn how to inflect their voice when they speak instead of being monotone. Speech-language therapy can also help people with Asperger’s Syndrome learn how to keep up a two-way conversation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is meant to help with changing the way your child thinks. CBT helps teach your child with Asperger's how to control their behavior and emotions. People who complete CBT may notice that they have less of an issue with obsessions, outbursts, meltdowns, anxiety, and depression.

Parent Education And Training

Parent education and training can be extremely beneficial for you. This is meant to teach you how to handle situations and events that can transpire at home or out in public. You can learn how your child is feeling so you can be more empathetic, learning how to deal with the situation calmly and compassionately. You can also learn coping mechanisms that you can teach your child and help them practice them regularly.

Medication

No pill can cure Asperger’s Syndrome, though there is medication commonly prescribed to manage the symptoms. Often times antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants are prescribed for Asperger’s Syndrome, but you may find success in using CBD hemp oil considering it has some of the same potential benefits.

What Is CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical we extract from the cannabis plant. CBD products come from cannabis plants that have no THC, making them legal in all 50 states. Unlike THC, CBD oil doesn’t get the user high because it interacts with the endocannabinoid system more indirectly.

What Is The Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system is in charge of your body’s homeostasis. This means that it is the system that keeps everything running normally. CBD interacts with this system by elevating chemical production, opening pathways in the brain for easier travel, and stimulating receptors. One of the main ways that CBD works is by elevating endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors.

Endocannabinoids And Cannabinoid Receptors

There are two cannabinoid receptors that are well studied that we know of today, the CB1 and CB2 receptors. You also have two main endocannabinoids that interact with both of these receptors called anandamide and 2-AG.

Both endocannabinoids bind with both cannabinoid receptors, but there are some connections that are stronger than others. Anandamide has the strongest bond with the CB1 receptor, which is in charge of neurological functions. 2-AG has the stronger bond with the CB2 receptor, which helps mediate your immune system.

How Can CBD Help With Asperger’s Syndrome?

There has yet to be any evidence that CBD hemp oil can cure or treat Asperger's Syndrome directly. Though, scientists have discovered that CB2 receptors are significantly increased in patients with autism disorders, including Asperger’s Syndrome. This leads scientists to believe that the CB2 receptor should be a focus for treating these disorders, but there isn’t a definitive answer quite yet. But studies have shown that CBD oil may be able to help with some of the symptoms and comorbid illnesses that come along with Asperger’s.

CBD And Depression

Cannabidiol has shown in studies that it may be a beneficial treatment for depression. A rodent model showed that within just 30 minutes, the rodent subjects started to experience antidepressant effects. Chemicals in the brain that are normally lacking in people with depression were elevated, and a chemical that promotes neurogenesis was elevated showing promise for future treatments.

CBD And Anxiety

A dysregulated and over-active amygdala causes anxiety, but CBD oil may be able to help. Studies have shown that CBD hemp oil reduces the overactivity of the amygdala, helping to create antianxiety effects. CBD oil also helps to strengthen areas in the brain that cause overthinking, helping to reduce any anxious thoughts that continually play over and over.

CBD And Social Anxiety

CBD hemp oil may be able to help with social anxiety in the same way it helps with general anxiety. Studies have shown that people who took CBD before speaking publicly had a lower heart rate as well as decreasing the level of discomfort.

CBD And Tourette Syndrome

Because CBD interacts with the areas of the brain affected by Tourette’s, it may have the ability to reduce the body’s compulsion to complete tics. CBD hemp oil has also shown to help with psychological symptoms that are common with Tourette Syndrome.

CBD And ADHD

CBD oil may be able to help with ADHD in several different ways. Studies show that it may be able to help improve focus and concentration, as well as reduce hyperactivity. Substance abuse and impulsivity are also common in people who have ADHD, which CBD hemp oil may be able to assist with as well.

CBD And Bipolar Disorder

CBD oil may be able to help with the psychosis symptoms involved with bipolar disorder. While studies have suggested it isn’t effective for manic episodes, it has shown to help with depressive episodes and minor mood swings.

CBD And Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

CBD hemp oil may be able to help with OCD by reducing the activity in the brain that causes the obsessing. It may also be able to help with the feeling that drives people to continue habits known as compulsions.

Talk To your Doctor

If you want to try CBD oil for your loved one with Asperger’s, make sure to talk to their doctor first. If they are on any other medications, CBD oil may interact with them in a way that makes them less effective. The doctor can also monitor their progress and check for any side-effects to make sure this is the right route to take.

Have you used CBD oil for your loved one with Asperger’s Syndrome? We would love to hear about it in the comment section below.

[author name="Sarah Potts" bio = "Sarah Potts has been writing about the wonderful benefits of cannabis for CBD Instead since 2017. Medical cannabis has changed her life and her goal is to show others how it might help them as well." email="pottscontent@gmail.com" twitter= "pottstato"]

Studies have suggested that CBD oil may be able to help patients with schizophrenia. But how much CBD do you have to take for it to work? While everyone is different, there has been a study that has a general guideline for schizophrenia and how much CBD you should take to notice the desired effects.

Why Does CBD Oil Work For Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder where there are changes in both grey and white matter in the brain. One of the things that these changes create is low dopamine levels. Scientists believe that this plays a role in the psychosis experienced by patients. Studies suggest that CBD oil may be able to help strengthen activity of dopamine in the brain.

What Is Dopamine?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain. A neurotransmitter is a chemical that your brain uses to send a message from cell to cell. Dopamine plays a large role in the reward system, pleasure sensations, movement, and emotional response.

Studies On CBD And Schizophrenia

Because schizophrenia patients have shown to have disturbances in their dopamine transmissions, researchers believe that CBD hemp oil may have therapeutic benefits because of the way that it interacts with the mesolimbic pathway that dopamine travels through.

Cannabidiol has shown to strongly modulate the mesolimbic dopamine system, also known as the reward pathway, which leads scientists to believe that it may be able to help people who suffer from psychosis with schizophrenia.

Cannabidiol has also shown to be an agonist for dopamine receptors. This means that it helps to activate the receptors making them more efficient. In the study where they were testing subjects with schizophrenia, they figured that 800 to 1000 milligrams a day orally gives the best results.

How To Take CBD For Schizophrenia

800 to 1000 milligrams of CBD a day is a lot of CBD. If you or your loved one are thinking about using CBD, one of the best ways to do it is by getting CBD isolate and making your own pills. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to use CBD because you get it in its concentrated form and you can control the dose as needed. Stop by our shop today and message us about bulk orders today!

Remember: Always talk to your doctor when you are considering taking any type of medication, even one like CBD hemp oil.

Have you used CBD for your schizophrenia? We would love to hear your story in the comment section below!

If someone has regular seizures, they would go bankrupt every time someone called an ambulance if they live in America. If someone stuck a spoon in their mouth, they might wake up with a chipped tooth and some confusion. It’s always good to know what to do in a situation before it actually happens. But first, you need to know what a seizure looks like.

What Does A Seizure Look Like

The Beginning

Before a seizure, many people experience what they call an aura. It is when their brain starts going haywire before the physical movement takes place. They may be blanked out and not speaking. You can wave your hand in front of their open eyes, and nothing happens. And right before the seizure starts coming in, they faint.

The Middle

Their body will become as hard as a board because all of their muscles clench. Then their body will start to have jerking movements which is when most people start to freak out. Eventually, the jerking movement will stop.

The End

After the seizure, the world around them won't be so clear. They can come back fuzzy and confused.

So what do you do?

What To Do When Someone Has A Seizure

Give Them Room

They don’t need a bunch of people surrounding them. A crowd of worried faces looking at them is the last thing they need to wake up to. They are confused, and the reactions of others can make the situation worse.

Soften The Fall

If you can, before they fall, make room for them, so they don’t hit their head on anything hard or sharp. If you can, try to guide them down to the ground. If you have a jacket, pillow, or anything soft, put it under their head.

Loosen Clothing Around Their Neck

If they have clothing that is restricting their breathing, try to loosen it if you can.

Time The Seizure

This is useful information for the person who is having the seizure to have. If they have them often, they can gauge whether or not they are getting worse. This can also help you determine whether or not you need to call an ambulance.

Turn Them On Their Side

After they are finished seizing, turn them on their side. This can help them breathe better.

What Not To Do

Don’t Put A Spoon In Their Mouth

Please don’t put anything in their mouth. You cannot swallow your tongue when you have a seizure, so this is just a myth that doesn’t help anyone.

Don’t Try To Stop Movement

The seizure is going to happen regardless. Don’t try to restrain them or stop their movements.

When To Call 911

There are times when 911 is the right call. Even though this is extremely expensive and shouldn’t be called for just any reason, sometimes a seizure means something is really wrong. Calling 911 is acceptable if the following happens...

• When you know it’s their first seizure
• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes
• Another seizure happens soon after the first one stops
• The person doesn’t wake up after they stop jerking
• The fall caused an injury
• The person is pregnant or diabetic
• The person stops breathing
• The person has a high fever
• The seizure happens in water

Do you have seizures? What is something that you would like people to know when you have them? We would love your insight in the comment section below.

[author name="Sarah Potts" bio = "Sarah Potts has been writing about the wonderful benefits of cannabis for CBD Instead since 2017. Medical cannabis has changed her life, and her goal is to show others how it might help them as well." email="pottscontent@gmail.com" twitter= "pottstato"]

Memory loss can come from degenerative diseases and physical or emotional trauma. Whether it is hitting your head too many times on the football field, experiencing a traumatic event overseas fighting for the freedoms of this country, or developing Alzheimer’s, all of these things can make your memory begin to slip. With the current research on how CBD effects the brain, can CBD oil help with memory loss?

Your memory comes from your limbic system, more specifically, the hippocampus. Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown in studies to have neurogenesis properties, which may be able to help with memory loss issues due to damage to the limbic system.

What Causes Memory Loss

Studies have shown that people who suffer from memory loss have damage to their hippocampus. This includes PTSD, Alzheimer’s, brain trauma, drug abuse, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Damage to the hippocampus can do more than make your memory begin to fade; it can also hinder your spatial navigation and emotional control.

How CBD May Help

Scientists believe that CBD may be able to help with mood and memory disorders because of its ability to repair cells in the hippocampus. They found that when giving rodent models CBD, they found that the proliferation of cells was increased in the hippocampus thanks to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor activation, which also provided antianxiety effects.

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor is located all over the body, but it is mostly found in the brain. This cannabinoid receptor helps to mediate neurological functions by binding to the endocannabinoid anandamide. In the previous study mentioned, they found that anandamide levels were high in the hippocampus, which leads scientists to believe that anandamide plays a role in neurogenesis. CBD hemp oil elevates the levels of anandamide, which is why it may be a valid treatment option in the future for memory loss.

Talk To Your Doctor

While cannabis has been known to make you forget where you put your keys two seconds ago, these findings show that the cannabinoid CBD may actually help with your memory. If you are having issues with memory loss, talk to your doctor about using CBD. If you decide to take it for memory loss, your doctor can help monitor you closely and make sure that you aren’t mixing the CBD hemp oil with any medications that might cause adverse effects as well as making sure this treatment plan is right for you.

If you have found that your memory loss has become less severe after using medical cannabis like CBD hemp oil, we would love to hear your story in the comment section below!

[author name="Sarah Potts" bio = "Sarah Potts has been writing about the wonderful benefits of cannabis for CBD Instead since 2017. Medical cannabis has changed her life and her goal is to show others how it might help them as well." email="pottscontent@gmail.com" twitter= "pottstato"]

Have you had your noggin knocked around through sports or other activities that can cause minor or severe concussions? You may be vulnerable to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE. This is when your brain starts to die off and stop functioning, but lucky for us, CBD oil has shown it may be able to help in that area of illness.

CBD oil has shown in studies that it may have the ability to help the body protect itself against this type of trauma, as well as help in the areas where the brain is failing. By elevating chemicals in the brain, CBD oil may be able to help treat CTE as well as make the symptoms like memory loss and aggression more manageable.

What Is CTE

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in people who experience frequent brain trauma. This isn’t just full-blown concussions; this also includes asymptomatic subconcussive hits which don’t offer any symptoms after the trauma.

People Who Can Develop CTE

• MMA Fighters
• Boxers
• Martial Artists
• Motorcross Racers
• Professional Football Players (Retired And Current)
• Military Veterans
• People Who Played Sports In High School Or College

Repeated brain trauma can cause progressive degeneration in brain tissue as well as a build up in a protein called tau. These changes can begin in a few months, but they can also take decades since the last trauma to start developing.

Common Symptoms of CTE

• Memory Loss
• Confusion
• Impaired Judgement
• Impulse Control Issues
• Aggression
• Depression
• Thoughts Of Suicide
• Parkinson’s
• Progressive Dementia

How Do You Know You Have CTE?

If you are experiencing these symptoms and you used to live a lifestyle that brought on head trauma, it is likely you are developing CTE. Before, it used to be that you had to be dead to have a definitive diagnosis, which really isn’t the best way to find out. But now, doctors believe that they can scan the brain and find the areas that have lost brain mass to indicate a CTE diagnosis.

What Are Treatment Options?

Currently, there are no treatment options for CTE. Right now, it is all about preventative measures, so be sure to wear your helmets! But as studies continue to prove how good CBD is for the brain and injuries that occur, it CBD hemp oil could be the future of CTE treatments because of its neurogenesis properties.

What Is CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical that is found in the ever so controversial cannabis plant. At CBD instead, all of our products come from the hemp plant, which means there is very little THC in the product, less than .03% in fact. CBD hemp oil doesn’t show up on drug tests, and you don’t feel the same sensations you would smoking a THC heavy cannabis product like the munchies, drowsiness, or that euphoria known as being high.

CBD has been heavily studied in the medical community because of its medicinal properties and the inability to get the user high. It has even shown that you can’t get addicted to it, there are no reported overdoses, and unlike many medications on the market, you don’t build up a tolerance to it.

What makes CBD so interesting is that it doesn’t do any of the healing, it makes your body do it instead. By elevating chemicals that already exist in your body, stimulating receptors, and opening pathways, CBD has shown to enhance what is called the endocannabinoid system which is why it’s list of healing benefits is becoming so long the more it is studied.

Endocannabinoid System

Our endocannabinoid system is what keeps us running efficiently. It controls our body and mind in a way that keeps us regulated and healthy. When you get a paper cut, your endocannabinoid system is the reason you don’t get an infection or bleed out. When you get angry, this system is the reason that your anger doesn’t last forever. The parts of the endocannabinoid system, the endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, are how the endocannabinoid system helps you stay functional.

Endocannabinoids

Your body makes chemicals called endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors to help mediate certain functions in your body. Cannabidiol has shown to be so effective because it enhances these endocannabinoids, helping the endocannabinoid system work more efficiently. The two endocannabinoids that are the most well known are Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).

Cannabinoid Receptors

You have two cannabinoid receptors, and possibly a third, that are all over your body. They are found in your skin, organs, brain, and bones. The first, CB1, primarily binds with the endocannabinoid anandamide and it controls the functions of your neurological system. These functions include your appetite, sleep cycle, mood, and your sensitivity to pain.

The CB2 cannabinoid receptors bind primarily with the endocannabinoid 2-AG. This cannabinoid receptor helps to regulate your immune system. The 2-AG endocannabinoid binds to the CB2 receptor and can help control how many attack immune cells are sent out, helping to reduce inflammation when it occurs.

CBD And The Brain

CBD And Tau

In patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, they also have an issue of tau build up. This build-up of proteins starts to change their behavior as it deteriorates their brain. Studies have shown that CBD may be able to help inhibit the production of tau in the brain.

Cannabinoid Receptors And Brain Health

Research has shown that once the cannabinoid receptors are activated through binding with endocannabinoids, they provide protection for the brain. Because CBD elevates these endocannabinoids, it may be able to help make that protection more effective. CBD hemp oil also activates the 5-hydroxytriptamine1A receptor which has shown to have neuroprotective effects when activated. Some studies have even suggested that CBD may reduce brain cell death after administration.

CBD And The Symptoms Of CTE

Depression

Researchers believe that people who have depression have brain damage in their medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Studies have shown that CBD hemp oil may be able to elevate chemicals that are lacking in people with depression, as well as elevate a chemical called BDNF which helps with brain growth and repair. The best part is that scientists believe that CBD could be a fast-acting anti-depressant, which is an exciting discovery for those who are looking for something that works quickly.

Memory Loss

The limbic system is a system in your brain that controls your memory along with other things like emotion, motivation, and learning. When you have brain damage that involves memory loss, it may be because it has damaged parts of the limbic system.

The hippocampus is part of the limbic system and having damage in this area may contribute to memory loss. Studies have shown that cannabidiol may be able to help with memory loss by repairing the cells in the hippocampus.

Aggression

Another part of your limbic system is your amygdala, which is in control of your fear response. Aggression is closely linked to anxiety, which comes from fear. When the amygdala takes damage, it becomes overactive creating a stronger fear response. Cannabidiol may be able to help by reducing the activity in the amygdala.

Impulse Control Issues

The hippocampus also plays a role in impulse control. With damage to this area, someone may find it harder to control themselves. Considering that cannabidiol may be able to help with the damage done to the hippocampus, it may be able to help with impulse control as well.

There Is Still Much To Learn

Considering we just recently have been able to find a way to discover if someone has CTE before death, there is still much to discover about this illness that is affecting so many people. There has yet to be a definitive study that relates CBD oil and CTE. Though, there are former NFL players who have found relief using CBD and are trying to convince the NFL to use CBD oil instead of painkillers for their ailments, including trauma to the brain. But until the research papers exist, it isn’t likely that anyone will be prescribed cannabis anytime soon for their CTE.

If You Have CTE

If you have CTE and you are thinking about taking CBD to help with your symptoms, talk to your doctor about it. The best thing you can do is go in prepared with what you do know, which is that CBD may be able to help repair the damage. Have your studies on hand, and your doctor can assess whether or not CBD is the right treatment for you. They can also help you monitor your condition more closely than you would at home because of their knowledge of your body as well as the tools they have available.

Have you used CBD oil for CTE or another brain injury? We would love to hear if it was effective for you! Leave your story in the comment section below, and you may be able to help someone who is also going through these issues.

[author name="Sarah Potts" bio = "Sarah Potts has been writing about the wonderful benefits of cannabis for CBD Instead since 2017. Medical cannabis has changed her life, and her goal is to show others how it might help them as well." email="pottscontent@gmail.com" twitter= "pottstato"]

There are a few diseases that are caused by your brain cells degenerating. Losing mass in parts of your brain can cause you to lose control over your muscles, speech, and mind. It’s a terrifying thing to go through, but thanks to cannabis, it might be a thing of the past. Research suggests that cannabinoids like CBD can help with neurodegenerative diseases.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown in multiple studies that it has the ability to protect cells and help repair them. It has even elevated chemicals that help brain cells grow. Our brain cells are constantly dying and being replaced or repaired, and CBD may be the solution for when a disease speeds up that process.

Types Of Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Alzheimer's
• Lewy Body
• Parkinson’s
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Huntington's
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

What Are Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a loss of neurons in a particular region of the nervous system causing a decline in motor or cognitive function. This can happen because of environmental toxins and mutant genes that have been linked to the progressive nature of the disease. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory abilities, researchers believe that it may offer as a useful treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

How CBD May Help With Neurodegenerative Diseases

Antioxidant

Cannabidiol has shown to be a potent antioxidant which may be able to help with neurodegenerative diseases. Considering that environmental toxins may be a cause behind this disease, CBD oil may be able to help fight off the free radicals that are causing damage to the cells. Scientists believe that CBD may play a role in protecting and preventing neurodegenerative disease.

Recovering Memory

A rodent model study showed that CBD might be able to help with recovering memory and recognition memory. They found that the use of cannabidiol in the rodent models who were given iron to induce neurodegeneration helped recover their memory loss. They also found that the rodent models who weren’t given the iron didn’t have these same effects making it seem as if CBD oil only repairs what is broken in the brain.

Neuroprotectant

Another rodent model where the subjects were given iron to induce neurodegenerative disease showed that the CBD brought the levels of certain affected chemical and parts of the brain back to normal. This makes scientists believe that CBD may be able to protect neurons and help prevent or treat neurodegenerative disease.

Talk To Your Doctor

These studies are still in early periods of their life and haven’t been deemed as conclusive just yet. This is just a window into how exciting it is that cannabis is receiving this kind of attention from researchers and what could happen should they dive into this information further. If you feel that you would like to use CBD to help with a neurodegenerative disease, speak with your doctor first. CBD oil can interact with certain medications, and your doctor will be able to help you monitor you more closely so you can know if this treatment plan is right for you or not.

There are two different main types of strokes that we experience today. The first is the hemorrhagic stroke. This stroke is when a blood vessel ruptures, causing internal bleeding. This type of stroke can be due to high blood pressure, but also aneurisms and malformation in your arteries can cause this to happen.

The second type of stroke is the ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is the most popular way to have a stroke, and it is because of blood clots depriving your brain of oxygen and nutrients. You can also experience what is often called a mini-stroke, where you have blood clots but they don’t block the path of the blood for long, and there is usually no permanent damage.

Within minutes of losing access to oxygen and blood, your brain cells will begin to die. Our cells are dying all of the time, but when they are pushed to die faster than our body can replace or repair them, that is when you start to see some brain damage.

Researchers believe that they have found a way for us to prevent brain damage from strokes through CBD. In an animal model test, they discovered that rat models had lower levels of inflammation in their cardiovascular system. They saw a 66% reduction in cell death with these test animals.

Another study where researchers tested mice found that CBD can help with the neural damage as well. They found that that cerebral cell death was significantly lower in mice that were dosed with CBD. They also found that cerebral blood flow was increased.

Scientists are excited about what this could mean for stroke treatment. Many people have to deal with the repercussions their whole lives, wouldn’t it be amazing if we could give them their functionality back? If you’ve experienced brain damage or a stroke, talk to your doctor about CBD today. CBD could be the piece of the puzzle you’ve been missing.

One of the most common conditions affecting the brain is epilepsy. A new phase of treatment has hit the labs and doctors offices everywhere, and it’s all about medical marijuana. The American Epilepsy Foundation even confirmed that cannabidiol (CBD) has helped treat patients with seizures in an observational study. If you’re thinking about using hemp oil as a way to manage your seizures, it’s best to get educated before making any decisions that concern your health.

What Happens During A Seizure

Every seizure is different from person to person. Some can feel the seizure coming hours or days in advance, while others will have no warning and the seizure erupts suddenly. These warning signs are called auras. They are not considered part of the actual seizure, but they are considered a part of the seizure process. Auras are good indications that a storm is coming and you need to seek emergency care or reach for your treatment.

Warning Signs Before A Seizure

Changes In Senses:

• Smells
• Sounds
• Tastes
• Sight

Emotional or Thought Changes:

• Feeling fear or panic
• Unexplained good feeling
• “Strange” feeling
• Racing thoughts
• Déjà vu (Feeling like you experienced something before but you haven’t)
• Jamais vu ( Feeling like something unfamiliar is familiar)

Changes In The Body:

• Head Aches
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Feeling like the stomach is rising
• Nausea
• Numbness or tingling in parts of the body

The middle of the seizure is called the ictal phase. This is the time between when the first symptom occurs, like an aura, to the end of the seizure activity. It represents the time of the electrical seizure activity.

Symptoms During A Seizure

Senses and Thought Changes

• Loss of awareness, or blacking out
• Confusion
• Problems with memory
• Distracted
• Loss of consciousness, or passing out
• Sounds may be strange or nonexistent
• Unusual smells and tastes
• Blurry or loss of vision
• Visual hallucinations
• Tingling or numbness in the body or feeling like you’ve been electrically shocked
• Feeling detached
• Out of body sensation
• Body parts feel or look different
• Pleasant feelings
• Feelings of panic
• Déjà vu
• Jamais vu

Physical Changes

• Difficulty speaking
• Unable to swallow
• Unable to move eyes, repeatedly blinking
• Loss of movement and muscle control
• Convulsion
• Losing control over urine and stool
• Change in skin tone
• Sweating
• Dilatated Pupils
• Biting of the tongue
• Heart racing
• Difficulty breathing

Some people who suffer from a seizure can recover instantly, others can take up to hours to feeling back to normal. Depending on the severity and what part of the brain was impacted dictates the recovery time.

Symptoms After A Seizure

Senses and Thought Changes

• Slow to respond or not able to respond right away
• Sleepy
• Confused
• Memory loss
• Difficulty talking or writing
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Feeling upset or sad
• Scared
• Anxious
• Frustrated, embarrassed, ashamed

Physical Changes

• If they fell during the seizure, could develop small wounds like cuts and bruises
• May feel tired, exhausted, or sleep for minutes or hours
• Pain in the body or head
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Thirsty
• Weakness in the whole body or just one side
• Needing to go to the bathroom or losing control of their bladder

What Is Happening In The Brain?

The way our brain communicates is through electricity. Neurons hold charges that send signaling and messages to other neurons, making a beautiful coexisting community that runs the wonderful you. But when the signals are abnormal, it can create a chain reaction like triggered explosives.

If the abnormal message stops at one neuron, that’s okay. This low amount of overcharged activity does not cause a seizure. A perfect storm must occur where all neurons are excited, they are closely connected to other neurons, and the message has to be big enough for the other neurons to react and act the same way. This message can stay contained and affect one part of the brain, or it could spread and affect the entire brain.

What Causes A Neuron To Create Abnormal Messages?

• The neuron is damaged
• Too many or not enough neurotransmitters
• Slow ion channels that take longer to turn off messages
• Receptors are not functioning correctly, making it difficult for the neuron to know when to stop sending signals

How CBD Helps With Epilepsy

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound that is extracted from either a cannabis sativa or industrial hemp plant. It is the primary component in cannabis holding a wide range of healing properties. Unlike THC, hemp oil has no psychoactive effects. This is in part because of the way it interacts with our brains.

The Endocannabinoid System

CBD interacts with a system called the Endocannabinoid System. This system maintains the body’s homeostasis. It regulates the appetite, blood flow, cell growth and a lot in between. It is made up of three major parts:

• CB1 and CB2 Receptors: CB1 receptors are located mainly in the center and peripheral nervous system. CB2 receptors are mostly found all throughout the body, regulating the immune system.
• Endocannabinoids: These chemicals are made organically from the brain and mimic cannabinoids found in cannabis. Using retrograde signaling, they travel backward and help traffic flow in between neurons in the synapse.
• Metabolic Enzymes: These enzymes are the cleanup crew. They remove any dead or unwanted cells and help promote cell growth and regeneration.

THC has psychoactive effects because it directly binds to CB1 receptors. Since CBD uses indirect methods of communication, it nullifies any psychoactive properties the chemical could have. CBD indirectly stimulates the two receptors by activating pathways and other receptors in the brain. This activity also encourages neurotransmitters and other chemicals to be active when they are needed or suppressed when they are over excited.

CBD Helps With Epilepsy By Regulating

The way researchers stumbled upon the endocannabinoid system is by discovering the first endocannabinoid, anandamide. This chemical is almost identical to THC, which is a reason THC can bind so perfectly with the CB1 receptor. This compound gives natural feelings of euphoria, reduces pain, regulates appetite, and can even help promote cell growth.

During seizures, they found that the brain produces more anandamide. This is thought to be a defense mechanism created by the brain for malfunctions much like adrenaline rushes or feelings of pain are for survival. CBD increases the levels of anandamide produced which in turn helps regulate the brain’s communication system and makes the existing anandamide more efficient. CBD can help calm down the neurons, and stop the over-excitement from spreading which causes the full-blown seizure.

CBD Can Help Heal Brain Injuries

Epilepsy can damage the brain which is no surprise because it is an electrical nightmare beneath the skull. By overloading and shutting off parts of the brain multiple times, this can eventually take its toll. Many people experience epilepsy after receiving a traumatic brain injury and are also turning to CBD to treat their symptoms. There is evidence that CBD has regenerative properties in our brain’s cells.

In high-stress situations in the brain such as seizures, CBD enhances brain’s chemicals that promote cell growth and regeneration. By promoting regulation through the body, CBD can react appropriately to what the brain needs. The brain recognizes malfunctions, and during seizures, it activates the endocannabinoids. By increasing the production of chemicals like anandamide, hemp oil makes it more useful in helping the cells recover and mediates the electrical currents flowing between cells.

CBD Can Protect Your Brain

The way these endocannabinoids travel is called retrograde signaling, which means they travel backward. While signals are being sent from other neurons, the endocannabinoids act as a buffer to make sure that the receiving neuron isn’t over activated.

When a neuron has a message to send, they emit an electrical pulse that causes chemicals to swim through the space between neurons called the synapse. The receptors hang off the receiving neuron, waving around in the synapse trying to catch on to any information. Endocannabinoids leave the receiving neuron and tells the sending neuron what is needed. If the sending neuron is pushing out too much, CBD can help the receiving neuron to send the message to calm down.

This protection very well could be a reason CBD helps with seizures. Hemp oil could be preventing the overactive neurons from spreading their plague through presynaptic calcium channels. By cutting off their source of communication, you get the disorder at its source.

CBD Can Help Your Furry Friends

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system. This means our pets at home can also benefit from medical cannabis. If you have a pet that is experiencing convulsions and seizures, giving them CBD treats or tinctures can help calm and eliminate their episodes.

Like any medication, CBD comes with side effects. Though side effects with this medicinal herb are rare, it is always suggested to speak with a doctor before making any changes to your medication. Now that you are educated on how medical marijuana can help you with your seizures, you can be confident in the discussion about your health. If you have already spoken with a doctor and you are ready to take your next step, check out our shop for tinctures and edibles that are perfect for people struggling with seizures.