How Can CBD Help?
The popularity of CBD has exploded over the past decade as people are finding more and more uses for CBD's all-natural healing properties.
CBD has been shown to have endless benefits, from supporting a healthy mood, sleep cycle, easing feelings of depression and anxiety, all while acting as a potent anti-inflammatory. It seems that every day there is a new article in the media supporting the usage of CBD.
Did you know CBD has been shown to support healthy bone growth?
CBD and Osteoporosis
Going forward, I want you to keep one crucial fact in mind. Our bodies endocannabinoid system regulates bone loss. CB2 receptors are found on the osteoblast cells of our bones. Individuals with genetic mutations in the expression of their CB2 receptors have less CB2 receptors, which is associated with osteoporosis and bone loss. It has been confirmed that our bodies' endocannabinoids (our bodies naturally occurring cannabinoids) are responsible for bone loss and formation via activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CBD blocks an enzyme called FAAH. FAAH breaks down your bodies naturally produced cannabinoids. If we block FAAH, we increase the activity of our endocannabinoid system. Increased ECS activity appears to have huge potential regarding new bone growth and healing.
We know quite a bit about bone loss and CBD from females who suffer anorexia. It is hypothesized, that decreased endocannabinoid levels may lead to early onset menopause. Women who are underweight or entered menopause early have lower endocannabinoid levels and reduced bone density.
How much CBD should I take for Osteoporosis?
A standard dose between 10mg and 100mg of CBD per day is recommended by the CBD experts Leinow and Birnbaum in their book “CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis''. Based on the guidelines, we recommend the step-up approach where you gradually increase the daily dose of CBD until the most desired results are reached. The best product would be our full spectrum CBD oil or our full spectrum CBD liquid capsules.
If you choose the oil, each drop represents a certain amount of full spectrum CBD Oil. The higher the mg, the higher the concentration.
CBD and Bone Fractures
Now that we understand the physiology of bone loss let's explore the healing process.
A recent study from Israel (Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University) supports the theory that CBD may promote the healing of broken bones.
Study conclusion: Osteoblasts rebuild broken bones with increased activity of the enzyme called Lysyl Hydroxylase which supports collagen crosslinking. CBD was shown to improve fracture healing and Lysyl Hydroxylase activity in osteoblasts.
How reliable was the study that drew this conclusion?
The study was carried out under a controlled environment with the supervision of eighteen scientists, the Institute for Biomechanics from Zurich, Lund University Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Department of Orthopedics. One of the scientist’s present was Dr. Mechoulam, who discovered THC fifty years ago.
The study was carried out on rats with fractured femurs. The rats were separated into three separate groups.
Group A: The rats were given an injection of THC OR CBD while monitoring the structural and mechanical properties of healing. Healing was assessed with 3D x-ray images.
Group B: The rats were given an injection of equal parts THC & CBD while monitoring fracture callus formation, and bone strength. Strength was assessed by working the bone to failure (bending it until it breaks again).
Group C: Testing the effects of THC and CBD on osteoblast expression and collagen crosslinking. Osteoblast expression was assessed by studying the amount of Lysyl hydroxylase present in osteoblasts of newborn baby rat cultures. THC and CBD were added to the osteoblast cultures.
Three parameters of bone healing were monitored
- Callus formation
- Creation of collagen cross bridges
- Osteoblast cell proliferation
For a bone to heal, first bleeding occurs in the bones blood vessels. Secondly, the clotted blood will provide proteins that will fill in the break. Inflammation will happen (as an essential part of healing). Stem cells, bone marrow, and blood will rush the area of inflammation leading to bone formation and cartilage formation.
Cartilage and soft callus formation will occur after about 8 days. It is not until 3 or 4 weeks after a break that a new mature bone is first formed. The new bone formation is due to the osteoblast which creates new bone and adds minerals to make it strong. Full healing will take between 3 and 9 years.
What were the results of the experiment?
Group A (CBD OR THC): After 6-8 weeks, the callus formation increased in the rats given CBD or THC compared to placebo. This means stimulation of the ECS receptors improved bone healing. It was also concluded that rats given CBD had significantly enhanced mechanical properties and bone strength.
Group B (THC+CBD): After 8 weeks, THC was found to increase the maximal force and stiffness of bone slightly more than CBD.
Group C (Tested the effects of CBD and THC on the expression of osteoblast enzyme lysyl hydroxylase, which promotes collagen cross-linking): CBD was shown to increase mRNA levels of lysyl hydroxylase. This may be a landmark finding. Why? The study shows that CBD can impact genetics (your genes code for the production of proteins and enzymes).
How much CBD should I take for a fracture?
At CBD BioCare, we recommend a dose between 30mg and 100mg of CBD per day. Start slowly with 10mg and gradually increase to a minimum of 30mg per day. The best product would be our full spectrum CBD oil or our full spectrum CBD liquid capsules.
If you choose the oil, each drop represents a certain amount of full spectrum CBD Oil. The higher the mg, the higher the concentration.
The liquid capsules contain pre-measured amounts of CBD oil. You choose either 10mg or 25mg.
Recommended Products
We recommend choosing our full spectrum CBD oil. Each drop represents a certain amount of full spectrum CBD Oil. The higher the mg, the higher the concentration.
