Could your thoughts be causing your sleep-less nights?

Hi lovely.

INSOMNIA.

There are many origins. MANY ….

Some include…….

• hormones and cortisol being FLIPPED

• hidden parasites

• retro-viruses

• nutrient deficiency

• blood sugar

• blue lights

• etc etc etc.

THESE biological cause and effects are not the topic for today.

Today we talk about our thoughts and how they apply to rest and sleeping.

As a clinical hypnotherapist, I have learned over the last two years how to utilize my brain (BEST ASSET EVER) to help nourish my mind and sleep relationship.

Notice, it’s tempting to use the word “battle” - but its not a battle, its a relationship I can be a part of.

It’s an equation - and a recipe - and for ALL WOMEN who struggle with sleep - our thoughts about sleep and “not getting enough sleep,” is the ROOT of the problem.

The rest follows. Why?

Because the way we think, feel and then our bodes “DOES” (do) - all links back to the neurochemicals that are released from the brain and body connection.

So let’s get into the framework and quick MIND SHIFT you can start with tonight to help your mind and body relax.

FATIGUE.  SLEEP.  THOUGHTS. 

If we think stress is immune-boosting and build resiliency - the body will respond a certain way. 

If we think that stress is depleting, anxiety-inducing, and causes fatigue, the body will respond a certain way. 

Our thoughts start as an emergency (self-infliction) and cause an EMERGING-(emergency) flood of neurochemicals and reactions that in result, keep you up all night.  

ENTER THE CYCLE.

Resisttance through the thought of “I cannot sleep,” will only make it stronger.  What we resist, persists simply grows 10x’s stronger in the mind and felt in the body. 

Thought Shift: Net-net: Use self-nourishing thoughts versus all the drama. 

SHIFTING self-soothing thoughts to try on instead >>>

I can rest without sleeping. 

I can chill out and restore even if I’m aware I’m not in deep REM sleep.

I will soon be entering into my deeper resting phase, and I’m thankful I have a safe and supportive bed to sleep in.

Tomorrow I will be energized even though I may not yet be asleep.

ENTER YOUR OWN THOUGHT HERE>>>

Another key piece here is that there is a difference between :

Physical fatigue from sleep.

Versus TIRED as an emotion, caused by our thoughts that you’re aleays “tired.”

So that’s it my dear.

My hack is to always start in my mind, and using this to direct my body, and trusting my relationship with myself and self power in my entire mind, body and spiritual ecosystem.

I will say this too, my EVOQ CBN (not CBD) Tincture is a critical component I’ve found to help interfere with the glutamate receptors in the mind trying to send you signals that are rooting in the subconscious mind, pain, etc.

Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about just ONE hypnotherapy session may help you with your sleep. We need to get to the root - navigating the mind first. The rest follows.

Learn more here about hypnotherapy to help sleep!

I’m also happy to send you our CBN to help the process.

ALL MY LOVE!

CORTISOL: THE LOW DOWN ON STRESS, AGING & FREQUENCY

Cortisol is in charge of your bodies response to stress. ⠀ 

In healthy adults, cortisol is at its highest in the morning, giving you the drive and energy to begin another internal cycle within the body at the start of a new day. It is also released whilst we exercise. Well balanced cortisol levels are vital for basic human survival, but when these levels fall out of whack it can have unfavourable side effects. 

Cortisol is a natural steroid hormone created in the adrenal glands, where it then gets into the bloodstream and travels around the rest of your body.

Due to the very nature of the hormone and the fact that there are cortisol receptors within most of your body cells, it can effect everything: Skin, temperature, blood pressure, appetite, memory processes and many other things. Too much cortisol can overload natural body processes, and cause inflammation. 

 Stress & Your Skin
Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. This is mainly down to cortisol preventing the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation, and we all know what unwanted issues chronic inflammation can bring. ⠀
⠀
High levels of perceived stress and increases in cortisol have been found to lengthen the wound-healing time in healthy adults. It also interferes with the testosterone pathway, making sebum sticky and therefore more likely to trap any bacteria build-up in the pores and cause breakouts. 

Your emotions and mental health are so closely connected to your skin and in order to try to keep those levels of inflammation down, its important to take note of what might be causing those cortisol levels to rise, as well as looking into any topical treatments or products. ⠀

Stress is proven to weaken the immune system, which is essential to keeping us healthy! The stress hormone, corticosteroid, suppress the immune function so that our infection-fighting white blood cells are less able to battle the antigens that enter our body. So, you may notice in particularly stressful times that you’re more prone to getting a sniffly nose or adrenal fatigue.

The body’s response to stress increases your heart rate. The stress hormone, adrenaline, that’s triggered by the natural “fight or flight” response, causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to increase. So, constant stress puts your internal self into overload –damaging effects on your health, skin and hair, too! 

HOW STRESS AFFECTS YOUR SKIN HEALTH

ACNE

There are a few reasons why you might notice breakouts on your skin, whether that be in the form of acne, psoriasis or eczema. The release of the stress hormone, Cortisol, throws your other hormones off balance, causing imperfections to appear on the skin. Stress can also affect your gut, by outweighing the good and bad bacteria that sits in it. Uneven bacteria in the gut can cause rashes and hives, as well as unwanted pimples.

There’s the added factor of diet when you’re experiencing stress. When working long hours, it’s not uncommon for you to choose quick and easy food, as well as energy drinks or coffee to keep you going. These dietary choices can show up as pimples and blemishes on the skin, and exacerbate existing skin conditions.

UNDER EYE BAGS

Under-eye bags are far from ideal – they make you look tired and ill, and there’s only so much concealer you can cover them with. When you’re experiencing stress or burnout, there’s a high chance that you’re lacking the sleep you need, which in turn makes you feel more stressed. Sleep deprivation results in higher levels of Cortisol itself, so it antagonizes the body even more!

Bags under the eyes are caused by the pooling of fluid to the area around the eyes, and the best way to fix them is by getting more sleep and staying hydrated. You can also apply serums, which can improve the appearance of under-eye bags. Evoq’s Eye and Lip Cream is proven to encourage the renewal of skin health, reduced inflammation and stagnation and tighten and hydrate the skin so it looks firmer.

DARK CIRCLES

When we are stressed, we can actually break the fragile and vulnerable capillaries under your eyes. The blood can leak into the epidermis and become oxidized, which will result in a dark purple hue and a discoloration of the skin, creating the dark circles – giving that tired appearance.

Not only this but when your body is dealing with stress, blood will be distributed to different, more important areas of the body, which doesn’t include the face and skin. The more stress your body is under, the more likely you are to look pale and drained as the blood is focused on the organs; making sure they keep working correctly. This, in turn, will make the appearance of dark circles more noticeable against the paler skin.

DRY FLAKES & FINE LINES

When we are stressed, our body can react in different ways. We may feel more emotional, lose our appetite, experience mood swings or it can affect our sleep – resulting in difficulty to function throughout the day.

This is when the fine lines and wrinkles can form as a result of your body choosing to produce more cortisol. This stress hormone has been known to break down collagen in your skin, so the more stressed you are, the more the hormone will attack your skin regeneration, resulting in a few new fine lines and wrinkles.

With lack of sleep, you will begin to show signs of fatigue; Fine lines and wrinkles will appear as the elasticity weakens, with your eyes falling victim first.

Dehydration can be dangerous for your inner organs as well as your skin, which is itself an organ. Hydration is a key factor in the body’s production of collagen, which is what keeps your skin looking bright, youthful and plump. Without collagen, wrinkles and fine lines are more visible, and skin may start to sag.

Staying hydrated will also keep your skin from looking dry and flaky – you should moisturize on the outside and stay hydrated on the inside to avoid dry skin! Try Evoq’s Ultra hydrating Youth Renew Oil or Pro-Collagen Cream for full-face hydration – taking the time to quiet your mind and relaxation time you need!

HOW IT AFFECTS HAIR HEALTH

Stress has been linked to hair loss and thinning, but the causes could differ! The same way stress can damage the appearance and feel of your skin, it can also be detrimental to the health of your hair.

HAIR LOSS

There are three stages to the hair growth process: The Anagen stage (growth), the Catagen stage (transition), and the Telogen stage (rest). Stress can trigger what’s known as Telogen effluvium, which occurs when the hair growth cycle stops at the Telogen stage, and the follicles don’t grow any new hairs.

Telogen effluvium is a reversible condition and is just a temporary disturbance to the cycle. With changes to lifestyle, you can stop it.

Alopecia areata is a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing patches of hair to fall out at one time. It’s often associated with experiencing high levels of stress for an extended period. The cause of it is likely to be a weakened immune system, so once you lower stress levels, the hair will stop falling out and in most cases grow back.

If you are experiencing hair thinning, try the powerful Root Revival Hair Health program. It’s proven to promote hair growth using actives that strengthens hair and encourages high cell turnover for new hairs to grow. So powerful, its two times stronger than minoxidil.

Not to forget all negative thoughts low in frequency literally dump maladaptive frequencies and stress producing hormones your body - effecting your health by lowering your immune system.

Is meditation or a cup of hot caffeine free herbal tea calling you?

Net Net:Today’s Epidemic of STRESS is Real - dangerous.  

-  This is mission-critical -

When it comes to your wellness and beauty, do you seek the right techniques that will help you work smarter, not harder - yet you still find yourself stuck in complete overwhelm wanting to cut through the crap and get crystal clear on what’s really going on and what’s really draining you from achieving your deepest desires, goals & dreams? 

Your Mission should you choose to accept is to learn how to master your energy and time on a daily basis so that productivity, serenity, and clarity become a way of life for you. Complete each day having accomplished what you set out to do, feeling fulfilled, at peace and with joy.    

What to learn more about how you can address your stress at the deepest level by integrating quantum health and beauty biofeedback?

CONTACT ME TODAY | kassieannk@gmail.com

Five Secrets to a Stress-Proof Brain (the amygdala hijack)

When you’re stressed out, you feel thrown off balance. Your thoughts race as you imagine negative outcomes. Your heart pounds, and breathing gets shallow. Your muscles tighten. You feel as if you can’t sit still or think straight. Or you zone out with food, alcohol, or mindless TV. 

Alternatively, you drive yourself so hard that you live an unbalanced, unhealthy life. Sound familiar? You may want to get rid of stress, but you can’t. But you can learn to accept your stress and transform the way you think about it so you can benefit from its positive aspects. 

Here I describe how to put a stop to unhealthy responses to stress and become more cognitively and emotionally resilient.

Your Brain’s Stress Response

The first step is to understand your brain and body’s natural stress response.  Once you understand it, you can work on changing your stress mindset with new tools and ways of thinking that you practice every day.  Our brains possess neuroplasticity, which means they can be changed by experience and repeated practice of new ways of thinking.

The stress response begins when the amygdala - an almond shaped structure in the center of your brain - senses a threat.

 It reacts by initiating a cascade of neurotransmitters and hormones - like adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol, that prepare your body for “fight or flight.” If your brain perceives that you can’t fight the stressor, the parasympathetic branch of your autonomic nervous system may initiate a “freeze” response.  The “fight, flight, freeze” response is very rapid. Your body may react to a snake in the path or an oncoming car, before you can even name what you’re facing.  

The “fight, flight, freeze”  response is adaptive to help you survive an immediate danger, but is problematic when you’re dealing with more complex, interpersonal or chronic stressors.  

When your amygdala “hijacks” your brain, you may say things you later regret, send off an angry email, scream at your partner, colleague, or child, drink too much, or behave in other impulsive, destructive ways. To be happy and successful in work, life, or love, you need to know how to get back on track when your amygdala hijacks your brain chemicals

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Getting Back on Track When Your Amygdala Hijacks Your Brain

To get back on track, you need to use another part of your brain, called the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex, situated behind your forehead is the brain’s executive center. Located near the top of your brain, it receives information about the stressor more slowly than the amygdala.  

The prefrontal cortex is like the CEO of your brain. It can send a message to the amygdala telling it that everything is safe now so it can switch off “fight, flight, freeze.” It can also send messages to other parts of your brain to direct a mindful, effective response to the stressor. The strategies below can deliberately recruit your prefrontal cortex to take control of your stress reaction, rather than letting your amygdala be in charge.

Five Ways to Redirect Your Stress Response:

Slow Things Down - Learn to slow down and breathe before responding to the stressor so the prefrontal cortex has time to get on board.  This can help for many different types of stressors like when a colleague or partner criticizes you, when you open an unpaid bill, or when you are waiting for a medical test result.

Stay Mindful - Staying mindful means you deliberately redirect your mind from automatic worries and fears to a compassionate, accepting  “observer” stance. 

You may think: “Hmm, what’s happening here. Anger is arising in my chest.  I’m tempted to say something mean. Would that be a helpful thing to do right now?"  

Mindfulness works best when you have learned the skill by meditating regularly and practicing a mindful state of mind when you are not stressed. Brain studies show that  more mindful people have better communication between amygdala and prefrontal cortex when reacting to an emotional stressor. 

Find a Sense of Control - Studies in rats, monkeys, and humans show that our brains and bodies get more stressed out by uncontrollable, unpredictable events than by events we can anticipate and control.  So think about which aspects of this situation you can control and which you can’t and focus your energies on trying to effect change in the things that you can actually influence (while working on mindfully accepting those you can't).

Broaden Your View - When the amygdala triggers anxiety and negative emotions, this automatically narrows your mental perspective towards monitoring and avoiding the threat. As a result, you don’t think about  positive aspects of your life or creative ways of solving the problem. Is there a way to see your stressor as a challenge or growth opportunity instead? This can help you redirect your brain chemicals and energy towards mastering the stressful situation - which may actually enhance your motivation and effectiveness

Find the Right Mindset:  

Rather than focusing on avoiding stress, focus on what you can gain from the situation and the skills and strengths you have to master it.  When you make avoidance the goal, you will be less effective at solving the problem or finding resources to help. Think instead about active, positive ways to address the stressor and how you might learn and grow from dealing with it.

Gather more insights about the brain, body and beauty on teh @awakenbeautyhq Podcast! 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z-EYBHi_4I

How to Detoxify Harmful Xenoestrogens From your Beauty Rituals | Part 2

Hi dear one!

I hope you’re doing great!  This powerful time together is a carry over [ part 2 ] from our previous conversation about estrogen mimickers called xenoestrogens.  

 Many personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoos, and body lotions, contain  harmful chemicals. For example, one of the most common chemicals found in personal care products is “Fragrance,” which can be made up of hundreds of various chemical compounds. Fragrances are linked to liver and kidney damage, cancer and endocrine disruption which interferes with your adrenal, thyroid and reproductive glands.

When we use these personal care products we can inhale the toxins as well as absorb them through our skin (the largest organ that connects to the inside of our body). 

It’s simple enough just to say “Opt for natural plant-based alternatives with simple ingredients that have names you recognize…” its just as important to know the why and how to recognize the unwanted ingredients damaging our health.  

Before we move forward, make sure you’re read up on how the pesky chemicals mimicking our estrogens succumb us and cause havoc in the first place! 

For a quick review: 

 WHAT ARE XENOESTROGENS?

Xenoestrogens are synthetic substances that mimic estrogen. Unfortunately, unlike estrogen, which the body fully eliminates after its job is done,  xenoestrogens are stored in fat cells where they disrupt the proper functioning of the reproductive system and increase hormone imbalances and the risk of disease in the breast and ovaries. 

Causes of Estrogen Dominance

The body accumulates excess estrogen in two ways:

Endogenously (inside) - We make too much of our own estrogen and it’s not being properly eliminated.

Exogenously (outside) - Excess estrogens enter the body from external sources, such as foods, the environment, toxins, and chemicals, and are not being properly eliminated.

Excess Estrogen Common Catalysts:

Stress - 

Surprise!  The leading cause of endogenous estrogen stems from excessive and prolonged stress which inversely decreases progesterone production to make more cortisol, the main stress hormone. This results in high estrogen levels in relation to progesterone.

Impaired Liver Function – 

Mentioned in part one, we know the liver removes excess hormones from the body, and if not working properly - it leads to estrogen dominance.

Dysbiosis –

A higher count of bad bacteria vs. good bacteria in the gut inhibits the conversion of estrogen into water-soluble molecules.  This causes the estrogens to recirculate back into the bloodstream where it can re-exert its effects. Gut health is very important for the metabolism of all hormones.

Now onto the deeper understanding of  ( Xenoestrogens ) from Personal Care Products

You may be overwhelmed, but trust me - reducing your xenoestrogen exposure through awareness when applied to your beauty products is easier than you think.    The impact is huge, and I have no doubt this will be helpful and clarifying for you and your beautiful health! 

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Two Reasons Why Xenoestrogenss Hidden in Skincare Is Harmful

Increase of Cancer Risk

About 40% of all cancers in women are hormonally driven. When estrogen mimickers are present in our beauty products - it increase the overall levels of circulating hormones. This is why it may also increase our risk for certain cancers, specifically breast cancer.

Breast cancer is estrogen-dependent.  Research has shown that xenoestrogens in personal care products can pose an increased risk of breast cancer.

Fertility 

In women, exposure to xenoestrogens can predispose us to estrogen dominant related health conditions like PCOS, Endometriosis, and Fibroids and fertility.   

Exposure to xenoestrogens is not the sole cause of these fertility, rather it’s constant exposure to these endocrine-disrupting compounds, like in your daily skincare routine that affects these conditions.

When becoming pregnant, xenoestrogen exposure can also be harmful.  In mice, exposure to xenoestrogens during pregnancy has been shown to affect the estrogen levels of the developing fetus. Men are perhaps even more susceptible to the negative effects of xenoestrogens on their fertility than women are. 

Xenoestrogens could be contributing factors to the deterioration of these men’s semen quality, resulting in their inability to conceive.

So, if you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant, xenoestrogens in a beard oil or facial cream should be assessed as a easy way to reduce your exposure to these endocrine-disrupting compounds.

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Which leads me to how to awaken to xenoestrogens in our personal care and beauty products.

Outside-In 

When you consume chemicals internally they are first filtered through the liver before they make their way into the bloodstream, but when you use skincare products that contain xenoestrogens, they may pose risk  through absorption.  

 Top INGREDIENTS To Remove

Phthalates: Are round in cosmetics, cleaning products, food packaging, and detergents, PVC plastic, toys, and plastic wrap.

Buyer beware, the worst part about Phthalates is that Phthalates often times hide in the ingredient list under “fragrance.” Companies are able to vaguely label a group of ingredients as simply “fragrance” in order to protect trade-secret ingredients.

• Phthalate

• DEP

• DBP

• DEHP

Parabens: found in deodorant, antiperspirant, moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup.

Parabens show up in personal care products because they are antimicrobial agents and preservatives.

• Ethylparaben

• Butylparaben

• Methylparaben

• And other ingredients ending in “-paraben”

Looking for a “paraben-free” label is the easiest way to avoid exposure to these xenoestrogens in your skincare products.

Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake-eyelash adhesives and some shampoos. It has been banned in other countries.

Fragrance: Has hormone-disrupting effects. Fragrance is also connected to headaches, dizziness, asthma and allergies. Instead, use products with natural fragrances only.

Lead: A known carcinogen and hormone disruptor found in certain eyeliners, hair dye and lipsticks.

Mercury: A known irritant and allergen that, with body accumulation over time, can impair the brain and nervous system.

Oxybenzone: An active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cellular damage. I recommend wearing skin-protective clothing and using natural minerals or zinc products.

DEA/TEA/MEA (Ethanolamines): Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents for shampoos, hair color, body washes, soaps and topical application. It’s been associated with cancer in animal studies.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, SLES): A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy, it’s absorbed into the body.

Diethylene glycol (or DEG): A central nervous system depressant and potent kidney and liver toxin. Sometimes found in fragrances. 

Note: Glycerin and propylene glycol are sometimes contaminated with DEG, which are common ingredients in personal care products.

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Stay Beautiful Inside and Out by Focusing on Nutrition and Detoxification

In conclusion, reoccurring toxins that build up in the body can adversely impact one’s health, hormones, looks and overall well-being.

I suggest checking your beauty-product labels, eating a plant rich diet, frequent exercise and plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your body naturally flush out toxins not only keeps xenoestrogens at bay but might also deter blemishes and fine lines that show up on your skin. 

If you are having skin issues or any hormonal imbalance symptoms you should have your hormones tested instead of guessing. The comprehensive hormone panel is an excellent starting place for evaluating hormone function. 

Small changes can add up to big impacts, so keep your eyes open for them and continue making healthy choices where and when you can.

To start making confident and empowering decisions today, head on over to www.evoqbeauty.com where you’ll find Xeno-FREE hair, skin and wellness products galore!  

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Awaken Beauty Podcast:
Please like, subscribe if you’re not already part of our tribe and comment what you learned with your 5 star review! 

Want to grab the top most offensive xenoestrogens in youre life? Just head to Awakenbeautyhq.com and find this mini episode with show notes! 

Looking for natural, organic and hormone disruption free skin and body care?  Then you know where to go! Head to Evoqbeauty.com. E-V-O-Q beauty.com and enter “AWAKEN” for your very first order! 

XO Love n’ light,   Kassandra

A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Estrogen Dominance from Xenoestrogens | Part One

Did you know that your stress levels and hidden chemical-laden skincare products may actually be behind your stubborn weight gain to a myriad of other symptoms?

Here, I share informative hormone health tips that I discuss on the Awaken Beauty Podcast.

We explore what happens as a consequence to our inner and outer ecosystem and daily actions that may be putting us at risk when we have “too much” or an imbalance of Estrogen.

Estrogen is what gives us women our beautiful hips, breast and thighs and keeps our entire body well lubricated. Estrogen also increases the health of our bones, plump skin, mood and much more.

Feeling it?

• Irregular or heavy periods

• Water retention

• Acne Breast swelling and tenderness

• Headaches

• Fibrocystic breast changes

• Weight gain

• Mood swings

• Hair loss

Today we review exactly how your estrogen gets out of balance and the critical key actions you can take to become aware and detoxify them!

Listen to the show below (scroll down to watch on Youtube)

How Does Your Estrogen Get Out of Balance?

Based on endocrine research, an imbalance happens in two primary ways.

1. Inability to metabolize hormones.

Not being able to rid our body of excess estrogen is becoming more common and is caused by a myriad of factors including genetics, stress, diet and lifestyle.

These may all contribute to an excess of hormones in the body and known as endogenous (internal).

The leading biomarker to test is if you have a optimal biological function to detoxify efficiently on a daily basis. There are tests to learn more about your personal ability to methylate and what specific detoxification pathways your body engages — good or not so good.

If left unchecked, a long term circulation of hormones can lead to an excess of certain hormones, particularly estrogen, in the body tissue.

2. Exposure to excess hormones in our outer environment.

Exposure to exogenous (external hormones) or hormone like substances can make a woman go crazy - and it’s the consequence of modern day living exposure to hormone like substances on a daily basis.

It’s these excess hormones that are obtained from a coined word knows as “xenoestrogens” that may directly contribute to unhealthy weight gain and other health deficiencies.

How’s this happen? Glad you asked!

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WHAT ARE XENOESTROGENS?

Xenoestrogens are a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic our body’s natural hormone, estrogen. Normally our endocrine system releases an appropriate amount of each hormone for the body to function optimally. When’s the last time you’ve felt fully balanced?

This disruption happens because these chemicals bind to or block our natural hormone receptors.

So these xenoestrogens, in particular, get in the way of our estrogen receptors. This keeps our natural estrogen from binding as it normally would.

This leads to higher levels of circulating estrogen free flowing in our bloodstream, known as estrogen dominance

So in a nutshell, the more xenoestrogens we’re exposed to, the more total estrogen we’ll have in our bodies.

Mimicking estrogens effect on weight gain in a couple ways:

First, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals target signaling proteins to make more fat cells which can promote weight gain.

Next, this can further change the energetic balance and the metabolism of ghrelin and leptin, the chemicals which control hunger and satiety. Errored thinking and a double minded confusion then leads to overeating.

Endocrine Disruptors and Estrogen Dominance

Unfortunately our environment is so filled with these chemicals (both inside and outside our home), our bodies are constantly inundated with and exposed to them.

Signs of this estrogenic excess weight are usually found around the abdomen, thighs, breast and the back of the arms.

Instigating the situation even more, excess estrogen processes an enzyme called aromatase, which converts our adrenal steroids (hormones) into estrogen. MORE ESTROGEN!

See the cycle?

It’s a cruel twist of biological fate, that estrogen prompts the formation of more fat cells, and the cycle just perpetuates itself.

EXCESS WEIGHT = EXCESS ESTROGEN = MORE FAT STORAGE

How about he role of stress?

Cortisol is the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland and can easily sabotage weight loss. This is a basic biological function intended to protect us from starvation. When we experience high levels of stress, we produce high levels of cortisol, and our bodies store fat, sort of like an emergency backup plan.

So if you’re leading a high stress lifestyle, and wondering why you can shed those pesky pounds despite your best efforts, finding a way to de-stress is a must.

Feeling stressed? You can address overwhelm in a matter of seconds. I trust you’ll love the 7-11 breathwork exercise.

Exercice: Take a moment and close your eyes closed and put your hand on your stomach. As you take it deep breath in for seven and release for a count of 11, allow your stomach to gently push your hand out and in until you’ve changed your state into a calm, clear, clean, quiet, powerful and peaceful mind.

Now that we are clear and calm, let’s go in depth and create a plan on how to improve detoxification for overall wellness and weight management.

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5 Steps to Balancing Your Estrogen Naturally

Love Your Liver. Your liver is responsible for metabolizing and releasing estrogen out of the body.

Nutrient density – Eat quality protein
– Eat plenty of garlic and onions
– Take a B complex
– Eat a minimum of 3 cups of cruciferous vegetables weekly

Fix Your Gut.
Once the liver processes estrogen for elimination, it is up to your gut to move it out! If you are experiencing constipation, there is a good chance your estrogen isn't making its way out, but instead, going back into circulation in the body. Figuring out and treating the underlying cause of your digestive issues is crucial in creating optimal hormonal health.

Eat Fiber. Aim for at least 25 grams per day by eating plenty of vegetables and fruits. Fiber will keep your bowels regular and help eliminate waste, including unnecessary estrogen.
Stress Less.

Sleep! Seven hours is the minimum you should be getting nightly. Your body needs sleep and your hormones demand it.

Remove Products Containing Endocrine Disruptors

Front and center, as a formulator, I can see first hand how estrogen mimicking chemicals are traditionally found in personal care products. As I started formulating over 12 years ago- I made sure none of my skin and hair products were free of hormonal disruptors.

I’ll go deeper into Xenoestrogens in beauty products on a upcoming episode, but for today’s purposes, I want to leave you with a overview of the top 3 offenders you can address immediately.

Ready to take action?

The importance here is to bring awareness to our inner and outer everyday trance of “normalcy” by assessment because I want to make sure that you're informed and you know how to support your hormones in every way possible.

So let’s jump into the power of removing these top three!

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3 Most Common Endocrine Disruptors and How to Find Them

1. Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is a chemical that has been associated with cancer, including breast cancer. But beware! The chemicals they use to replace BPA are equally concerning in regards to the negative health effects like sabotaging your fertility, causing your weight to climb, and painful periods.

BPA is Commonly Found In:

• Receipts

• Plastic bottles and containers

• Canned foods

• Food packaging

2. Flame Retardants

Your rest it at night may be in conflict with your hormones!

The tricky thing about flame retardants is that they aren’t just in our couch cushions or mattresses. They are also in our pets beds, find their way into the dust in our home, are in baby car seats, electronics, and on kid’s pajamas.

• Flame Retardants Are Commonly Found In:

• Mattress

• Furniture

• Pet beds

• Children’s Car Seats

How to Avoid Flame Retardants:

• Check the labels on clothes and don’t even touch those synthetic pajamas in the store.

• Check the labels on furniture before you make a new purchase

• Purchase flame retardant free mattress

• Choose pet beds without flame retardant

• Use a HEPA or other air filter in your home

3. Phthalates

Ever wonder why you hear avoid fragrance when it comes to hormones? That’s because fragrances can be a source of phthalates, which are known to cause harm to reproductive health.

Phthalates Are Commonly Found In:

• Personal care products

• Plastic wrap and food storage containers

• Plastic children’s toys

• Fragrances in trash bags, diapers, and candles

• Air fresheners

How to Avoid Phthalates:

• Read labels and avoid products that list phthalates or fragrance

• Eat out of glass, rather than plastic storage containers

• Ditch air fresheners and opt for essential oils instead

• Buy natural, beeswax candles only (or at minimum fragrance free)

• Use laundry detergent that doesn’t have artificial fragrance

Eating organic foods as often as possible

Avoiding Xenoestrogens (like personal care products or cleaning products that can disrupt our hormones)

Avoiding further exposure by not eating out of plastic containers and not touching the paper receipts from the grocery store.

Make sure you're getting a variety of fiber-rich foods that can help you carry waste out. And, at the same time, those foods are supporting your overall hormonal system, your nutrient health, and your liver detoxification.

You can also support detoxification and elimination of chemicals that harm your hormones by supplementing with:

• Diindolylmethane (DIM)

• Broccoli seed extract

• Resveratrol

• Chrysin

• Calcium D-Glucarate

• Folate

• Magnesium

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Well ladies, that’s it! I get pretty heated up around hormone disrupting invaders in our life.

Stay tuned to a story shared with Julie Tebben on Episode 11 and how it directly relates to the importance of our beauty and personal care products we use as women, every day.

Here’s a few facts to preface my next mini episode on Xenoestrogens and products.

The average US woman uses 12 personal care products a day, containing 168 different chemicals

While most men use fewer products, they’re still exposed to about 85 such chemicals daily

Women with higher levels of personal-care chemicals in their bodies experienced menopause two to four years earlier than women with lower levels

Ok, Enough for now. I hope you enjoyed this savvy info.

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Watch on Youtube!

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You can listen to the episode here.

Please like, subscribe if you’re not already part of our tribe and comment what you learned with your 5 star review!

Looking for natural, organic and hormone disruption free skin and body care? Then you know where to go! Head to Evoqbeauty.com and enter “AWAKEN” for 25% your very first order!

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Download the SHOW NOTE PDF HERE!

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Resources:

Dr Jolene Brighten

Thttps://www.energeticnutrition.com

https://www.shechangeseverything.com/blog/2018/11/4/are-chemicals-making-you-sick-the-full-list-of-obesogens

Is Alkaline Water or Hydrogen Water Better?

Hello rays of light!

The issues around water quality are not new, but research that is abrupting the scenes, is. Water quality can detriment a women’s thyroid, to possibly increase fluoride toxicity.

Today’s topic is on the MYTH of pH water, and how H2 Molecular Hydrogen differs.

If you want to tag along via audio, head over to our Youtube channel and LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE so you can be the ‘early adopter’ you are with all the top shelf science and research delivered straight to your handheld.

So let’s dive in with Dr. Mercola’s teardown on H2 and pH Water!

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Alkaline Water or Hydrogen Water — Which One Is Better for You?

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Alkaline water is water that has been separated into alkaline and acid fractions using electrolysis

• Many promoters and marketers claim alkaline water can correct excess acidity in your tissues, which can then prevent or reverse cancer, arthritis and other degenerative diseases, yet this is not supported by science

• The higher the pH, the fewer free hydrogen ions (H+) it has; the lower its pH, the more free hydrogen ions (H+) it has

• Hydrogen ions (H+) are not to be confused with molecular hydrogen (H2 gas); they are completely different from each other. Molecular hydrogen is a gas with very unique and selective antioxidant effects that specifically target damaging free radicals

• The alkaline ionized water fad was an unfortunate outgrowth of its successful use coupled with a misunderstanding or ignorance of the therapeutic property of the water (e.g., benefits falsely attributed to alkaline pH and not the actual H2 gas)

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Understanding pH

The concept of the acidity or alkalinity of your body — or of water — is based on the pH scale. What is pH? It's simply a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions.10 In fact, the acronym "pH" is short for "potential of hydrogen."

The higher a liquid's pH, the fewer free hydrogen ions (H+) it has; the lower its pH, the more free hydrogen ions (H+) it has. One pH unit reflects a tenfold change in ion concentration, so there are 10 times as many hydrogen ions available at a pH of 7 than at a pH of 8.11

The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, and a pH of 7 is neutral. Anything with a pH below 7 is considered acidic, and anything with a pH above 7 is alkaline (or basic).

But the real reason why alkaline water is a scam is that it has no buffers to maintain its pH. The instant the alkaline water hits your very acidic stomach, the pH is neutralized as there are no buffers. Truly alkaline water would have an alkaline buffer like baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which is also our body's natural alkaline buffer.

Some have claimed that as the stomach acid neutralizes the alkaline water, the bicarbonate ions are released into the blood and thus it has an alkalizing effect. This would be true if the alkaline water effectively neutralized all the stomach acid (like baking soda would), but alkaline water doesn't neutralize any significant quantity of stomach acid; the stomach acid completely neutralizes the alkaline water. So, there is no "net alkalizing effect."

Natural water on our planet ranges in pH from around 6.5 to 8.5, depending on surrounding soil and vegetation, seasonal variations and weather, and even time of day responses to sunlight. Human activities further influence the pH of our water, from the barrage of toxic industrial pollutants.

Most aquatic animals and plants have adapted to life in water with a very specific pH and will die from even slight changes. For example, Michigan State University found that when the pH of greenhouse media is too high (greater than 6.5), it increases the chances of micronutrient deficiencies in the plants, and too low of a pH (less than 5.3) results in calcium and/or magnesium and/or manganese toxicity.13

Similarly, Ohio State University Extension Service reports that alkaline water affects a plant's ability to obtain nutrients from the soil and can alter the soil's pH over time.14 Your body also requires a relatively stable pH, or else you'll run into problems. This was demonstrated in a Swedish well water study,15 which found both pH extremes to be problematic.

Notably, pH appears to have a major influence on your mitochondria.16 Research has shown normal cells die under extremely alkaline conditions, as a result of altering mitochondrial function.17

So, as noted by Fenton, "alkaline water is a solution to a problem that doesn't need solving." Indeed, it makes sense that you are designed to drink water that occurs naturally, which excludes alkaline water with pH levels of 9.5 and above.

Early Days of Hydrogen Water Production Shed Light on Alkaline Water Myth

Interestingly, aside from Young taking the acid-ash hypothesis and running with it, there's another piece of history that helps explain why the alkaline water myth gained hold. The Molecular Hydrogen Institute explains the history of electrolyzed reduced water or ERW (the most common term used for alkaline water in the scientific literature):18

"Studies on ERW began in the 1930s in Japan, and in 1965 the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved ERW as a medical substance with potential to improve gastrointestinal symptoms …

Over the ensuing decades, anecdotal and scientific evidence accumulated substantiating many other benefits of ERW such as: protecting DNA from radical damage, increasing glucose uptake, improving diabetes, preventing premature cell death, offering liver protection, preventing lipid oxidation and others. However, it was uncertain as to how ERW was producing these benefits."

Unfortunately, this is how the misunderstanding about pH came about. However, as noted by the Institute, "It is now well-recognized that the primary agent responsible for the benefits is attributed to the dissolved molecular hydrogen gas." So, in a nutshell, the benefits, when there are any, are actually due to the presence of molecular hydrogen, and has nothing to do with the pH of the water. Dr. Kyu-Jae Lee, a hydrogen gas researcher, says:

We later discovered that the benefits in this model were mediated by H2-induced gastric ghrelin secretion via a ß1 adrenergic receptor-dependent pathway. Although hydrogen's effect in Parkinson's disease has now been confirmed in a human clinical trial, more research is necessary to reveal the molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic benefits of H2.

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What Is Molecular Hydrogen?

Molecular hydrogen (H2) — two hydrogen atoms combined together — is a gas with very unique and selective antioxidant effects that specifically target the most harmful free radicals. It works primarily by improving and optimizing the redox status of the cell when needed.

As a result, you see improvements in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels, for example. Not only does hydrogen selectively reduce the most toxic radicals, but it can help prevent an excess (which becomes toxic) of the free radicals from being produced in the first place.

H2 also activates the Nrf2 pathway when needed. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that, when activated, goes into the cell's nucleus and binds to the antioxidant response element in the DNA. It then induces the transcription of further cytoprotective enzymes such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase catalase, glutathione peroxidase, phase II enzymes, heme-1 oxygenase and many others.

A landmark paper  on molecular hydrogen came out in Nature Medicine in 2007, showing 2 percent hydrogen gas was effective at preventing brain damage from ischemia reperfusion and, as an antioxidant, has powerful therapeutic applications.

Hydrogen is the smallest molecule in the universe, and is neutral and nonpolar, which is why its bioavailability is so great. It does not dissociate into its electrons and protons when dissolved in water, so it will not alter the pH of water or your body and has nothing to do with the alkaline water concept.

More than 1,000 peer-reviewed scientific publications have collectively demonstrated that H2 has therapeutic potential in over 170 different human and animal disease models. In fact, hydrogen is shown to benefit virtually every organ of the human body, and the reason for this is because hydrogen actually targets and mitigates the root causes of inflammation and oxidation.

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Hydrogen Water Versus Hydrogen Peroxide

Due to the similarity in names, many confuse hydrogen water with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and I often get asked if one can get the benefits of molecular hydrogen by drinking hydrogen peroxide in water. This is a dangerous mistake to make, so let me make this point abundantly clear:

Never ingest hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution).

Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution) — the stuff you use to disinfect wounds — is not the same as molecular hydrogen or hydrogen (H2) water. Hydrogen peroxide is for topical use only. You could potentially use it is as a mouth rinse for gingivitis, provided you spit it out and do not swallow, and you can pour a few drops into your ear canal as a remedy to combat cold and flu symptoms. But you should never ingest hydrogen peroxide.

Another common misconception is that adding hydrogen to water will form hydrogen peroxide. As explained by the Molecular Hydrogen Institute:23

"Water has the chemical formula H2O, and hydrogen peroxide has the chemical formula H2O2, which by comparison contains an extra oxygen, not hydrogen. So, it does not, indeed it cannot, form hydrogen peroxide.

The fact is, hydrogen gas does not bond to or react with the water molecules, it just dissolves into the water. It does not create some novel molecule like H4O, which would in fact be chemically impossible to form.

Therefore, hydrogen water and hydrogen peroxide are completely different substances. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide cannot be used to generate H2 gas or make hydrogen-rich water."

Alkaline Versus Alkalinity

Yet another source of confusion is the issue of alkaline versus alkalinity. These two words are not interchangeable, as from a scientific standpoint as they refer to different things. This too may be part of why people have placed such undue value on alkaline water. As explained by Mark Timmons, CEO of U.S. Water Systems:24

"To alkalize your body means that you give the body the ability to maintain a proper pH, but in order to do that you need water with alkalinity not alkaline water. pH merely measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity, not the capacity to neutralize acid … You also don't alkalize your body based upon pH, but rather on alkalinity.

Alkalinity measures the ability to neutralize acid with buffers which are the sum of bicarbonates. Alkalinity is measured in mg/L (milligrams per liter). Alkaline mineral compounds include … calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, manganese [and] iron. So, you need to add alkalinity to your body, but you need to realize that pH has no relation to that alkalinity.

Alkaline Water Is an Unlikely Cancer Preventive

One of the purported health benefits of drinking alkaline water is cancer prevention. However, much of the research really argues against alkalinity when it comes to treating cancer.

According to Robert Gillies, who has studied tumor formation and acidity at the Moffitt Cancer Center,25 tumors make their own acidity by their very nature, and they do this even in an alkaline cellular structure.

Scientists developing anticancer agent prototypes that selectively kill tumor cells by interfering with the regulation of intracellular pH also report that alkaline treatments do not have the desired effect, whereas strongly acidic treatments do!26

Even more interesting is a 2005 study27 by the National Cancer Institute, which revisits the use of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to treat cancer. They found that, in pharmacologic doses administered intravenously, ascorbic acid successfully killed cancer cells without harming normal cells.

This is yet another example of cancer cells being vulnerable to acidity, as opposed to alkalinity. So, it seems clear that the relationship between alkalinity and cancer has been grossly oversimplified by those jumping to premature conclusions.

Resource: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/11/12/hydrogen-water-vs-alkaline-water.aspx

Anxiety & Depression. Using CBD for a Happy Go Lucky Life!

Hi!   Get a little anxiety from time to time?  Who doesn't! Living with it daily, is a problem.

I'm staying outside the spiritual and mindfulness  self assessment path on this post - and strictly focusing on the healing benefits of the medicinal plant world that we rely on and share a rich existence with.  

General Anxiety an depression is at all ages and ranges, and has put mental health awareness on the rise.  

Life events, work stressors to menopause hormonal shifts easily effects our brains activity level - in which holds us back from living life at it's best. 

I recently ran across some stressful U.S. statistics:

• 48% of people say stress and anxiety has a negative effect on their life and work.
• 78% experience physical symptoms caused by stress and 73% experience psychological symptoms.
• 48% say stress has increased for them in the last 5 years.

if you’re one of those people, cannabinoid medicine
might be able to help you.

Image: Doen

What Is CBD, and How Does It Work?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found exclusively in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. Because of its increasing evidence of its numerous health benefits. One benefit seen from many of our CBD users, is the experience of less anxiety.

Getting Happy - Go - Lucky.     
How tho?  

Experts believe that it reduces anxiety by influencing what’s going on in your brain. Your brain is an astoundingly complex system that controls every interaction in your body.  Every thought and feeling you have is the result of its billions of nerve cells and chemicals, which are constantly interacting together.

Usually, all these chemical reactions go smoothly and you feel happy and healthy, but sometimes the chemicals cause feelings that you don’t want, like anxiety. Experts believe that when this happens, CBD can be used to change the chemistry in your brain and throughout your body, and get things running smoothly again.

Those who had taken cbd experienced significantly less anxiety and discomfort than those who received the placebo.

Evidence: The anecdotal evidence on CBD is abundant, which has brought many men and women to a fork in the road of choosing CBD a try for their anxiety

Receptor Systems in the Brain

>> The brain contains large numbers of highly specialized cells called neurons.

>> Each neuron connects to many others through structures called synapses.

>> These are sites where one neuron communicates to another by releasing chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters.

A neuron’s sensitivity to a specific neurotransmitter depends on whether or not it contains a receptor that “fits” that transmitter.  If a neuron contains receptors that match a particular neurotransmitter, then it can respond directly to that transmitter. All neurons contain multiple neurotransmitter receptors, allowing them to respond to some neurotransmitters but not others.

Plant Medicine & Receptors

Brain receptors are not only sensitive to neurotransmitters produced naturally within the brain, like dopamine or serotonin, but also chemical messengers produced outside the body, such as plant cannabinoids like THC or CBD.

So when you ingest an edible or tonic, the components travel through your bloodstream, and enter your brain. Once they arrive, these plant-derived compounds influence brain activity by interacting with receptors on neurons. But they don’t interact with all neurons, just the ones that have the appropriate receptors.

CBD and the Receptor Systems [and the misconceptions]

Although it is a cannabinoid, CBD does not directly interact with the two classical cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).  Instead, it affects signaling through CB1 and CB2 receptors indirectly. This partly explains why, in contrast to THC, CBD is non-intoxicating. In addition to its indirect influence on the CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD can increase levels of the body’s own naturally-produced cannabinoids (known as endocannabinoids) by inhibiting the enzymes that break them down.

Even more intriguing: CBD also influences many non-cannabinoid receptor systems in the brain, interacting with receptors sensitive to a variety of drugs and neurotransmitters.  

CBD & Opioids

These include opioid receptors, known for their role in pain regulation. Opioid receptors are the key targets of pharmaceutical pain killers and drugs of abuse such as morphine, heroin, and fentanyl.

CBD can also interact with dopamine receptors, which play a crucial role in regulating many aspects of behavior and cognition, including motivation and reward-seeking behavior.

This raises the intriguing possibility that CBD’s ability to influence either opioid or dopamine receptors may underlie its ability to dampen drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms, effects directly relevant to the treatment of addiction.

CBD and a Happy Serotonin System

CBD’s ability to target a specific serotonin receptor, the serotonin 1A receptor, is associated with a remarkable range of therapeutic possibilities.

Professor Roger Pertwee, a pharmacologist from the University of Aberdeen, spoke with Leafly about this aspect of CBD biology.

“It’s apparent ability to enhance the activation of serotonin 1A receptors supports the possibility that it could be used to ameliorate disorders that include: opioid dependence, neuropathic pain, depression and anxiety disorders, nausea and vomiting (e.g. from chemotherapy), and negative symptoms of schizophrenia,” he said. “One big unanswered question is what the human clinical relevance and importance of each of these potential therapeutic uses of CBD, identified solely by examining data from non-human preclinical research, actually is.”

CBD Partnering with Complex Pharmacology

Understanding CBD’s neurological effects is a complicated business, because of the wide variety of receptors with which it interacts.  But that complexity may be the key to its promise as a therapeutic agent.

Motivational disorders like addiction and anxiety are themselves highly complex; they arise from incompletely understood causes that span multiple receptor systems and neural networks in the brain. CBD’s complex, multi-target effects may therefore be crucial to its potential for aiding the treatment of such disorders. Over the coming years, researchers will continue to further understand this complexity and uncover the full scope of CBD’s therapeutic potential.

So How Do I Use It?

Unfortunately, since CBD hasn’t been officially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for anxiety, there are no official guidelines on how to use it if you decide to do so. Most experts recommend starting with a low dose, and working your way up slowly, taking note of how it makes you feel. Everybody reacts differently to CBD

Studies state 300-600mg per day brings relief.  

A lot of people do seem to be finding their own sweet spot. In a 2017 survey of 2,400 people from the medicinal cannabis community, researchers found that the majority use CBD products, and the most common medical condition they are using it for is anxiety.

Most of the CBD-users in this study reported that CBD works very well, with 42 percent saying that they have actually stopped using traditional medications now that they use CBD. Great news!

As noted, research validates that starting with 300-600mg can benefit the user. From my experience, this is good starting place to begin building on your specific needs.  Most likely, the body's not just experiencing "anxiety." Theres a root origin that intertwines a myriad of physiological and mental symptoms together.  So in conclusion, as an adaptogen like compound, the receptors feed what is most deficient first.  

Find our Advanced Terpene Rich + Broad Spectrum 300MG CBD HERE. 

A little more tense?  Our 1000mg CBD + CBG is a HOT SELLER for instant and long lasting benefits.  This tonic is also infused with additional terpenes and an additional cannabinoid profile for incredible healing power and bioavailability. Find that HERE.

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.What About the Risks?

The good news is that despite the lack of FDA approval, people commonly take CBD for anxiety and a wide range of other health and wellness benefits, and negative side effects don’t seem to be too common.

Many people prefer CBD—clinically tested or not—to other common anti-anxiety drugs since these other options can cause some fairly unpleasant side effects; things like confusion, muscle weakness, and vomiting. Anti-anxiety medications can also be very addictive. In one 2017 review researchers conclude that the potential side effects of CBD are generally much more tolerable than those from alternative medications.

Here are eight lifestyle antidotes to be aware of when addressing anxiety and stress:

Keep your relationships strong. You may have 1,000 Facebook Friends and 500 LinkedIn connections, but do you have at least a few close relationships with people who care about you and whom you trust? These are people where you have regular interactions in more than 140 character sound-bites: where you speak about what’s really going on with you and find support and encouragement.

Resolve conflicts quickly. Do you have unresolved relationship tension that’s causing stress? Are you holding a grudge? Maybe it’s time to deal with these and move on. Trying to avoid relationship challenges is usually more draining long-term than having that difficult but needed conversation now.

Don’t worry. Worrying is stressful. It saps energy, life, creativity and resilience. We all worry; the key is not getting stuck there. There are several ways out:

Ask for help. One way out of worry may involve asking a boss, mentor or co-worker for advice or for a hand in getting something done. Or maybe you find yourself taking too long to complete a task because you’re over-analyzing it. If so, collaborate with a “doer” to help you get to decision and action. Delegate. Pray. Or all of the above.

Be thankful. It is amazing how remembering to be grateful can positively shift perspective and reduce worry and stress. How might you develop and maintain an attitude of gratitude?

Stay positive. With bad news, difficult circumstances, Debbie Downers and Doug and Wendy Whiners all around us, focusing intentionally on the good can be like swimming upstream. Get time with positive people. And mix inspirational reading and reflection into your day so your thought life and attitude isn’t governed purely by your intake of news and entertainment.

Do what’s important. Some of us are addicted to busyness; and it’s easy to get busy with stuff that’s not really important. Clarifying what is important and where we really want to say “yes” makes it easier to say “no” to distractions that just wind up creating more stress.

Take care of yourself. Find an exercise routine that works for you. Eat well. Get the rest you need. These habits make a huge difference when it comes to increasing your energy and preventing and coping with stress.

Resource: https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/what-does-cbd-do

CBD and Breast Cancer [and what research says]

There’s a lot of research out there and it can be overwhelming!   I'm devoted to providing validated research that crystalizes clarity for you to get the information you need to help you and your family live healthier lives.

As you read through, I encourage you to frame this information with gratitude of the present knowledge we have available and the options from both the natural realms - and western medicine opportunities at hand when it comes to addressing cancer.   There is certainly no cure all - but as self advocates, knowledge is king ( ok...queen)!

CBD & Breast Cancer

Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. The great news is that many researchers have found evidence that CBD may be able to slow the progression of invasive breast cancer, which will affect approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women at some point in their lives.

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the stalks, seeds, and flowers of cannabis plants like hemp. 

After breast cancer is identified and diagnosed, the efforts move towards inhibiting the  spread of the cancerous tumor. When reaching beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, it’s considered advanced, or metastatic.  

The great news is that studies over the recent years suggest that CBD may help inhibit metastasis in breast cancer cells. In 2014, researchers from the California Pacific Medical Research Center found that CBD appears to inhibit the Id-1 and Akt genes, which have been known to play a role in tumor growth.  Study: CBD Kills Breast Cancer Cells 

Here’s an excerpt from this study conducted by the  American Association for Cancer Research 

“It suggests that cannabinoid-based medicines may be useful for the treatment of most breast tumor subtypes, stating that “these compounds exert anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic [cell-killing], anti-migratory and anti-invasive actions in a wide spectrum of cancer cells in culture.” 

With a 1 in 8 stat, we all know a family who has been affected by breast cancer.   My hope is that whether we have a chronic or threatening disease, we shift to preventative care by using CBD as part of our self-care routines on a daily basis. 

The United States government has been resistant to recognizing the therapeutic properties of cannabinoids, but has now recently declared in agreement that it has medicinal benefits by creating a pharmaceutical synthetic form of CBD.  Cannabinoids vs. Cancer  

From the TOP - DOWN.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, updated its website to acknowledge the benefits of cannabinoids as a “treatment for people with cancer-related symptoms caused by the disease itself or its treatment.”

In short, the NCI describes CBD as potentially benefiting those with breast cancer in two separate capacities:

• CBD has demonstrated anti-cancer properties
• CBD can help patients manage symptoms related to cancer treatments

In Depth: The Findings of CBD’s Anti-Breast Cancer Properties

In its overview on cannabinoid research, the NCI highlights the findings of studies suggesting CBD is potentially beneficial for fighting and inhibiting the spread of breast cancer.

These anti-cancer effects may be related to CBD’s influence over the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2receptors, as one study confirmed that CB1 and CB2 receptors are potential targets in breast cancer. However, an in vitro study looking at the effect of CBD on breast cancer found that the compound effectively “induced programmed cell death, independent of the CB1, CB2, or vanilloid receptors.”

In that in vivo study, CBD was able to inhibit the survival of breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death. The higher concentration of CBD administered, the greater the anti-breast cancer effects were. At the same time, CBD had little effect on normal breast cells.

The NCI points out that other preclinical studies have found evidence of CBD’s anti-tumor effects in breast cancer. CBD has also shown to increase the uptake of traditional anti-cancer drugs to improve their efficacy for inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, according to the findings.

 “The potential benefits of medicinal [cannabinoids] for people living with cancer include antiemetic effects, appetite stimulation, pain relief, and improved sleep,” according to the NCI page.

Studies have found CBD to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by common cancer treatments like chemotherapy. In several animal models, the compound has also shown to have anxiolytic properties to reduce anxiety and regulate mood.

“CBD, in particular, is thought to have significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic activity without the psychoactive effect (high) of delta-9-THC,” reads the NCI page.

Other Groundbreaking Findings About Cannabinoids

The benefits from daily use of CBD are without bounds.  Attitudes toward cannabis are shifting as credible medical research efforts continue to reveal the plant’s exciting therapeutic potential.

Ample studies over the past decade, medical research has made intriguing discoveries about cannabis and its therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that medical cannabis:

• can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
• reduces the debilitating seizures caused by epilepsy 
• reduces spasms experienced by those with multiple sclerosis 
• minimizes the neurological damage caused by spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries
• can boost bone density and assist in healing.

 OVERCOME FEAR WITH KNOWLEDGE

In conclusion, OVERCOME FEAR WITH KNOWLEDGE and share with friends and family.  Remain updated on the available resources to help you make an informed decision.

We've listened to the many questions people have raised, and have worked diligently to supply a comprehensive cannabinoid education and purchasable phyto-cannabinoids natural and organic medicinal tincture options for you to explore and experience.

Learn how cannabinoids naturally interacts with the body’s systems, and become clear on the quality versus confusion of the array of products available. If you decide cannabinoids are right for you, feel free to reach out with any questions you may have - I'm happy to help!  

This loving plant is here to stay, and while its not the "cure all," it's synergistic value it brings to the formulated components that surround it, bring extreme bioavailability and benefits to those that believe in it.  

All my love -  Kassandra 

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