In this episode, I talk to Gretchen Lidicker, former health editor at mindbodygreen and author of CBD Oil Everyday Secrets: A Lifestyle Guide To Hemp-Derived Health and Wellness. We talk all things cannabis – the differing side effects of both THC and CBD, how they interact together, the current and future state of research on this plant, and she gives some critical advice when selecting CBD products if you’re interested in trying them. Gretchen has a degree in Biology from the Honors College of Charleston and a masters in physiology with a concentration in complementary and alternative medicine from Georgetown University.

We discuss:

• How we have this large yet not often talked about system – the endocannabinoid system – in our bodies that is made up of receptors and endocannabinoids that our body makes on its own. And this system is hugely important when it comes to regulating our body and maintaining homeostasis.
• How there is still so much we don’t know about the cannabis plant and it’s effect on our bodies because it’s been so difficult to study because it’s been classified as a drug for so long.
• How there are two main compounds of the cannabis plant – THC (which is what gets you high and can have negative effects like anxiety and paranoia but also has positive effects) and CBD which does NOT get you high and has a lot of benefits AND can help temper the effects of THC.
• How ultimately it’s a plant… so one of the undeniable benefits of the legalization of cannabis is the ability to look at it and study it from the lens of plant medicine. So scientists will be looking at the different compounds and identifying which ratios of each are best to treat a variety of conditions or issues.
• How the effects and the benefits are very interpersonal – depends on how your endocannabinoid receptors are distributed throughout your body, genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure – so you have to find what works for you… but also, you can’t really make assumptions about what does/doesn’t work for someone else.
• And lastly – remember that if you’re going to try CBD make sure to check the Certificate of Analysis and ensure that it was tested in a third party ISO certified lab.

You can find and follow Gretchen here:
Gretchenlidicker.com
Instagram @gretchen.amanda


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