Cannabinoids As Antioxidants And Neuroprotectants: How CBD Oil Protects Cells From Oxidation?

When one is in good health, the body is able to manage oxidative stress fairly well. The body addresses oxidative stress at the cellular level. In addition to dealing with oxidative stress, the body is also able to combat against free radicals, which are waste products that occur in the body when stress and environmental toxin exposure impact one’s body.

The body reacts to free radicals and oxidative stress by using antioxidants. The trouble is, sometimes there are too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants to deal with the free radicals. As a result, the remaining free radicals can cause significant damage to one’s health and overall well-being.

One way that men and women can reduce the impact of oxidative stress and free radical damage is to ensure that there are enough antioxidants in their system. Even though antioxidants are produced in one’s system, they can also be found in food. They also come in the form of minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, enzymes, and so much more.

When there are enough cannabinoids in one’s system, they generate a “network effect.” According to The Antioxidant Miracle: Your Complete Plan for Total Health and Healing, by antioxidant researcher Lester Packer, antioxidants support one another and work together and as a result, they are more powerful in groups than on their own. The ultimate effect of their combined efforts is that the body receives the most benefits.

Two powerful, and often overlooked antioxidants, are THC and CBD. These antioxidants have been patented by the US government, in US Government Patent 1999/008769. The patent specifically covers the antioxidant properties of these substances.

The patent states,

“[T]he ischemic or neurodegenerative disease may be, for example, an ischemic infarct, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Down’s syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), dementia, myocardial infarction, or treatment and prevention of intraoperative or perioperative hypoxic insults that can leave persistent neurological deficits following open heart surgery requiring heart/lung bypass machines, such as coronary artery bypass grafts.”

Concerning cannabis’s antioxidant properties, the patent states that it “includes cannabinoids that act as free radical scavengers for use in prophylaxis and treatment of disease.” The patent suggests that the government views cannabinoids as a method to treat disease and to prevent it.

It is important to opt for a diet that is rich in powerful antioxidants. Foods such as cloves, acai, dark chocolate, red beans, cranberries, nuts, garlic, and pecans. Cannabis may be a prime addition as well for those who are looking to experience the full benefits of antioxidants, and especially cannabidiol. Keep in mind, though, that there is no conclusive research on the matter – but where current things stand, it looks like things are heading in the right direction.