Today’s topic is about a wonderful therapeutic option now available, CBD. Cannabidiol comes from the plant Cannabis Sativa. Now before you get too worried, CBD does not affect us psychoactively, in other words, we do not get high from CBD. The compound that makes us high is tetrahydrocannabinol, or better known as THC, and that is separated from CBD during processing, so there is no worry about getting high from CBD. 

There has been a lot of misinformation spread about cannabis, but studies have shown it to be safe, effective, and work naturally within our own body’s system. Humans have a built-in cannabinoid system called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). It plays a big part in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, memory, and with reproduction and fertility. Phytocannabinoids, or CBD from plants, work naturally with our own built-in system because they are similar in composition. 

Here at Good for Mama we want to give you all the resources we can to improve maternal wellness. Perhaps CBD is an unusual concept for many, but the information we present is based on science, not opinion. 

Here are a few of the benefits CBD can have for postpartum mamas:

• Pain: it is analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
• Eating and digestion: it aids digestion, calms nausea, and is anti-bacterial.
• Neurological: it is antidepressant, calms anxiety, and is neuroprotective.

There are many other sources of cannabinoid-like compounds, and compounds that interact with our ECS system which have similar health benefits in varying degrees.You are already familiar with some of them such as basil, sunflowers, echinacea, and tea.... yes, tea. 

Warm teas are a great way to include CBD in your recovery and therapeutic care postpartum. Ariel recommends High Tea for their selection of holistic and organic blends. Balance, is one of Ariel’s favorite postpartum tea blends. All organic with peppermint, chamomile, and of course 15 milligrams of CBD per tea bag, it is sure to be a favorite. For a sweetner, you can’t go wrong with honey, especially local raw honey, which has many health benefits of its own. If you’re looking for a recommendation, we suggest Hamptons Honey.

Studies have shown no ill-effect associated with the use of CBD while breastfeeding. Of course, it is always best to consult with your physician.

Below we have created a short list of resources with more information for questions you may have about CBD:

• Anti-Aging Therapeutics Volume XVII - Chapter 10 - Nutritional & Medical Applications for Cannabidiol: Hemp Health Benefits Without THC 
• The non-psychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an orally effective therapeutic agent in rat chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain
• Maternal Medications and Breastfeeding
• Marijuana Use by Breastfeeding Mothers and Cannabinoid Concentrations in Breast Milk 
• Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet].
• Breastfeeding and CBD: Is it Safe?
• Center for Mental Health Organization 
• Plants with cannabinoids
• ECS or Endocannabinoid System 
• Cannabidiol definition 
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 
• Cannabis
• Satica vs. Indica: What to Expect Across Cannabis Types 

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Written by: Raquel Araujo and Lily Zara
Edited by: Lily Zara