Know What You’re Getting Into With CBD

Big Pharma is worried…

A recent survey determined that more Americans trust CBD companies than the pharmaceutical industry.1

And 42% of people say that after trying cannabis products, they stopped taking a pharmaceutical drug. Another 38% said they used less of a drug after trying cannabis.2

That’s an $18 billion hit to the industry’s bottom line.

But Big Pharma is fighting back. They’re doing everything in their power to demonize and downplay the incredible healing power of this plant.

The latest attack on marijuana’s medical benefits comes from a study published in the journal Cell. This report claims that THC will double the risk of heart attacks.3

It’s just more misinformation.

If you do a little digging, the study’s real intentions become crystal clear…

Fleshing out Big Pharma’s manipulation

You see, the study also claims that a soy-based compound called genistein can lower your heart attack.

And guess what? Two of the study’s authors have a direct link to Big Pharma firms currently turning the soy supplement into profitable new heart drugs.

But the deceit doesn’t stop there.

The researchers’ claims that cannabis doubles heart-attack risk comes from manipulating the numbers.

Their study found that just 1% of cannabis users had a heart attack. That compares to 0.8% of subjects who didn’t use marijuana.

Anyone who can do math will tell you how easy it is to double a number – and create the appearance of a crisis – if the number is small, to begin with.

In fact, the real difference between users and non-users of cannabis who had heart attacks is so small – less than 0.5% – that it’s not even statistically relevant.

This is just another example of the dark hand of Big Pharma trying to manipulate the benefits of natural herbs to its advantage.

Now I’m not suggesting you use medical cannabis. That’s every person’s individual choice.

I simply believe research into the therapeutic value of THC and CBD should continue without Big Pharma’s interference.

Know what you’re getting before you buy

If you do choose to use medical marijuana in states where it’s legal, I recommend you always purchase from a state-licensed store.

And always choose the lowest dose to treat your symptoms. That way, you can avoid any major psychoactive effects of THC.

But you should also take care when choosing the right CBD product. There’s a lot of hype out there now. Here’s what I recommend to my patients…

    1. Avoid CBDs that are made using chemicals like propane, butane, pentane, or hexane, as they can leave behind dangerous contaminants.
    2. Look for a Certificate of Analysis. It should be printed on the bottle or label. Every COA verifies that the ingredients have been evaluated to prove they contain the proper contents in their proper quantities. But COAs also tell you what’s not in the ingredients. They confirm they’ve been tested and found to be free of toxic heavy metals.
    3. Read the ingredient list. Look for products with high-quality ingredients. Avoid corn syrup, GMOs, pesticides, trans fats, or artificial additives.
    4. Don’t buy “cheap” products. It’s expensive to produce high-quality CBD. Super low prices, as you find in gas stations or convenience stores, should be a red flag to stay away from.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD, CNS

References:

1. “Consumers trust CBD manufacturers more than Big Pharma.” gwi.com Accessed on June 15, 2022.
2. “Many users prefer medical marijuana over prescription drugs.” https://news.umich.edu Accessed on June 15, 2022.
3. Wei T, et al. “Cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist genistein attenuates marijuana-induced vascular inflammation.” Cell. 2022 May 12;185(10):1676-1693.e23.