Cannabis: The Original Super Food

Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for human health and well-being. While the ‘superfood’ label carries no legal, scientific or medical significance, superfoods can deliver large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals while promoting healthy human physiology. Blueberries, salmon, kale and acai are a few examples of foods that have garnered this label.As legalization continues to spread across the globe, research continues to teach us more about the benefits of this amazing plant. Raw cannabis leaves and seeds are powerhouses of essential nutrients that support healthy human physiology.

Superfoods are a special category of foods – calorie sparse, nutrition dense

What makes cannabis an original superfood?Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids

  • Cannabis leaves and hemp seeds contain both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are considered “essential” because the human body does not produce them, they have to be ingested. Essential fatty acids are key to brain health. The human brain is nearly 60% fat, and the right kinds of fatty acids protect it against neurogenerative diseases.

Magnesium

  • Hemp seeds are one of the world’s most potent natural sources of magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral required for a healthy metabolism. Nearly 75% of the U.S. population does not get enough magnesium.

Terpenes

  • Terpenes are found in all plants, and cannabis is no exception.  Terpenes provide different cannabis strains their unique scent and flavor.  In partnership with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, terpenes contribute to the “entourage effect;” multiple compounds working together to produce a particular outcome.

Common Terpenes include:

  • Limonene has a citrusy scent and flavor. It has been shown to promote weight loss, prevent and treat cancer, and treat bronchitis.
  • Myrcene is earthy with a hint of fruity flavors. Myrcene has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory. It also works as a sedative and a muscle relaxer.
  • Linalool is floral with a hint of spiciness. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory, helps modulate motor movements, and can be used to treat liver cancer.

Essential Amino Acids

  • Cannabis contains essential amino acids, which our bodies also do not produce. Amino acids are necessary for cell function, helping cells maintain their structure, repair damaged tissue, and transport nutrients.

Cannabinoid Acids

  • When cannabis is in its raw state, it contains the cannabinoids THC-A and CBD-A. When heat is applied to these compounds that they break down into psychoactive THC and active CBD. While these active compounds have their own benefits, THC-A and CBD-A also have high anti-inflammatory properties and can be consumed in higher doses due to their non-psychoactive nature.

Cannabis was added to the U.S. Pharmacopea in 1850 and was widely used as a medicinal drug, easily purchased in pharmacies and general stores until 1915 when non-medical use prohibition first began. In 2003 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sought and was granted a patent covering the use of non-psychoactive cannabinoids to protect the brain from damage and degeneration.Cannabis has been utilized for over 10,000 years for a myriad of health benefits across cultures globally. Given its rich history and the recent progress made not just in the United States but around the world, we envision a time in the not too distant future when not a single adult is punished for using this superfood to enhance their health.

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory