What is anxiety?
Its May and Spring is truly here with the beautiful sunshine and warmer weather naturally bringing a smile to all our faces. However, the weather doesn’t always bring us the happiness that we desire and stress and anxiety can still be a part of many peoples lives. We will be looking at how CBD and other natural remedies such as exercise and diet can help relieve this problem. I’ve also got a great mood boosting recipe for a quick pick me up and finally the TLE journey, what’s been happening behind the scenes.
So what is anxiety and why do so many people suffer from it?
While we don’t normally think of anxiety as desirable, it’s actually a critical adaptive response that can help us cope with threats to our safety and welfare. These responses help us recognise potential threats; it literally activates flight or fight mode! In modern day this could help to motivate us to take action to improve our situation (work harder, pay bills, improve relationships, etc.). The problem arises when we don’t manage these natural responses effectively, they can become maladaptive and impact our work and relationships. This can lead to clinically diagnosable anxiety-related disorders. We’ve all heard the saying, “stress kills.” And It’s true! So we need keep an eye on what we are feeling and learn to read the signs.
More than four million people in England are long-term users of antidepressants.
Data released under the Freedom of Information Act shows that more than 7.3 million people were prescribed antidepressants in 2017-18, 4.4 million of whom also received a prescription for such drugs in both of the two previous years.
1.6 million people prescribed antidepressants in the past year were “new” users, meaning they were not being prescribed such drugs in either 2015-16 or 2016-17.
According to The Guardianthey examined data from NHS England, so these figures exclude drugs prescribed or dispensed by hospitals, prisons and private practice.
NHS figures released to The Times show some 1,844 children aged under 10 are taking the drugs. And more than half a million people aged 18-24 were given antidepressants last year, 11 per cent of the age group. (Independent UK)
I also discovered that the mental health organisation in the UK carried out a survey and the results were staggering.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/children-antidepressants-prosac-school-age-drugs-pills-brain-doctors-a8458236.html
74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
§ 81% of women said this compared to 67 percent of men.
§ 83% of 18-24 year-olds said this compared to 65 percent of people aged 55 and over.
32% of adults said they had experienced suicidal feelings as a result of stress
§ 35% of women said this compared to 29 percent of men.
§ 39% of 18-24 year-olds said this compared to 25 percent of adults aged 55 and over.
16% of adults said they had self-harmed as a result of stress.
§ 18% of women said this compared to 13 percent of men.
§ 29% of 18-24 year-olds said this compared to 6 percent of adults aged 55 and over.
In my opinion I feel the reason for the huge number of people feeling like this is due to the amount of environmental influences that we are faced with on a daily basis which we just didn’t have before. The fact that we can be reached 24/7 with the invention of mobile phones, increasing pressures on the young with exams and the society’s obsession with social media putting utmost stress on the youth of today. We have access to everything but so many people feel lost and out of control of their situations.
What is truly worrying is that we are turning into a society that craves quick fixes and more doctors are prescribing numerous drugs to treat anxiety-related disorders, to both the young and the old. Unfortunately, we have no idea of the detrimental long term effects especially for these younger patients. In my opinion the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Zoloft to tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax maybe a short term answer for some severe cases but definitely should be avoided at all costs and not prescribed to any youths at all.
So what is CBD and how can it help us ….
CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of the naturally occurring 118 compounds found in the cannabis/hemp plant, the plant with an infamous history which is finally making a comeback thanks to the undeniable amounting evidence supporting its medicinal benefits. When I found out about the miraculous properties of this plant I made it my purpose in life to change the perception of this plants current image. CBD is now being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world as a safe, non-addictive substance. This is one of the “phytocannabinoids,” along with THC, CBG and CBN which are unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile and ultimately perfectly synchronises with our endocannbinoid system.
Recently CBD has generated a tremendous amount of interest among consumers, clinicians, and scientists. The fact is that there are thousands of testimonials online supporting its beneficial effects and numerous animalstudiessuggest that CBD has powerful anti-anxiety properties. It also appears safe, well-tolerated, and may be beneficial to treat a number of serious health issues and one of them being anxiety-related disorders, including:
• Panic disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Social phobia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Depression
CBD exerts several actions in the brain that explain why it could be effective in treating anxiety. Future research comparing CBD and SSRIs effect on neurogenesis could open up promising new avenues in how we understand anxiety and how to most effectively treat it.
EXERCISE FOR NOT ONLY THE BOSY BUT FOR A HEALTHY MIND TOO ..
Exercise should be a part of every body’s life and it certainly helps stimulate the endocannabinoid system improving mood. No one has ever said I regret doing that work out. Keeping activate is a great way to push the troubles out of your mind. Spend time in nature, do some meditation or join us at Dynamic Gym, they have a number of great programs that could help combat stress including JUIJITSU.
Natural Remedies are the best … foods to help combat Stress and Anxiety.
When clients come to visit me I always recommend diet and exercise alongside any CBD combination to help improve the absorption and effectiveness of the cannabis plant products.
· Turkey, bananas and oats: These are good sources of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted to serotonin in the body and may promote relaxation and anxiety relief.
· Eggs, meat and dairy products: All provide high-quality protein including essential amino acids that produce the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which have the potential to improve mental health.
· Whole Grains – Chia, Hemp Seeds, Brown Rice and complex carbohydrates:Chia seeds are another good source of brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help with anxiety.
· Citrus fruits and bell peppers: These fruits are rich in vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation and prevent damage to cells that may promote anxiety.
· Almonds: Almonds provide a significant amount of vitamin E, which has been studied for its role in anxiety prevention.
· Walnuts:Theses help reduce depression, are a good source of protein and its omega 3’s supports brain health.
· Blueberries: Blueberries are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, such as flavonoids, that have been studied for their ability to improve brain health and thus help with anxiety relief.
· Fatty Fish: Mackerel, blue fish, wild salmon, and tuna. These are rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids. These fish have amazing brain boosting properties, improve circulation and overall risk of heart disease.
· Dark Chocolate:Helps release serotonin and relaxes the blood vessels of the cardio vascular system.
· Green, Chamomile & Hemp Tea:Rich source of antioxidants.
· Spices:Turmeric improves mood and is an anti inflammatory.
Foods to avoid ….
· Processed grains, such as white bread
· Alcohol (specifically, chronic use or binge drinking)
· Refined sugar
· Trans fats
· Foods fried in vegetable oil
· Non-organic foods that contain pesticides
Anxiety and stress are things that we will always have to deal with, its how we address them. The most important factor is finding the strength within and by using a combination of natural therapies including CBD and hemp based products we can help combat these sensations and experiences which will help us lead a happier and more balanced life.
Self Love Smoothie
This is a super smoothie to help you boost your mood and ease anxiety, enjoy anytime you feel the need for a bit of self love.
½ AVOCADO
¼ BANANA
6 BLUEBERRIES
SQUEEZE OF LEMON
1/4 TEASPOOON TUMERIC
1 DROP OF TLE CBD TINCTURE
200ML HEMP MILK
400ML ALMOND MILK
Blend and pour over ice … enjoy.
Tara Flethcher 39, London
“I have been using the 5% TLE elite tincture for 1 month now. I have found that its improved my sleep, I feel calmer and more focused, the diet recommendations really helped as well.”
TLE … THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
After a hectic month of meetings and interviews finally we will be able to launch our new range. We are still fighting legislation issues due to the fact that it is part of the cannabis plant. Unfortunately, due to the nature of this industry and the huge pharmaceutical influence in the government this is looking like there will be constant challenge. There will be changes that we will have to address as they arise, but we will not stop as we believe in the power of the plant and the benefits that it can bring to its consumers and the sustainability of the planet.
Our great new products include new strengths of TLE organic tincture 20% and Organic hemp capsules 3,5% for ease of use. Limited edition reusable glass jars are available to help us save the environment. We’ve also crafted a fantastic muscle rub, and soothing body lotion to ease pain and inflammation whilst addressing a number of other skin related issues.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at www.theleafelite.comor by email theleafextracts@gmail.comregarding the featured subjects and or new products…. Belief in the leaf.