Get High On Health – The Hempseed

Ah, the infamous hempseed. The plant of choice for the non-conformists, and epitome of doom for the disciples of the law.

Ok, that is actually much more dramatic than the reality of the hempseed. Truthfully, hemp is 100% legal and relished worldwide for its glorious health benefits.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is part of the Canabaceae family, and is one of the most cross-functional seeds on the planet. Not only is hemp a nutritional source of amino and fatty acids, but it may be used for clothing, body oil, paper, insulation, and even fuel (1, 2).

No Susan, hemp will not get you high – you are thinking of his prohibited cousin, Mary Jane. Although don’t get me wrong, hemp will arouse your body with nutrients and protein… but I would not suggest rolling up a fatty full of these bad girls.

Over the last decade, hemp’s popularity has grown vastly over North American culture. Why?

It’s is likely due to the rise of information and knowledge on the subject. Yes it is true, hemp has been used for thousands of years… but only recently has tangible evidence come forth that proves its significance.

Below I have listed the 6 most important reasons to add hempseed to your diet. Lets dive in.

1. Nutritional Value

Fun fact: hemp is technically a nut. Its composition contains over 30% of oil, 25% carbohydrates, and 25% protein. It has remarkable quantities of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including:

• Vitamin E
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Sulphur
• Calcium
• Iron
• Zinc (20)

As you may already know, hempseed comprises cannabinoids – a class of compounds that alter the brain’s neurotransmitters, uniquely found within cannabis plants (21).

The most prevalent of the cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive molecule of cannabis that only has trace amounts in hemp, rendering no mind-altering potential.

CBD (cannabidioil) is the prominent cannabinoid of Hemp. While it may not illicit immediate relief, CBD is associated with anticonvulsive, anti-epileptic, and anti-microbial properties (10).

 

2. Essential Fatty Acids

Hemp seeds are heavily suffused with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are the precursors for biosynthesis on behalf of many regulatory functions of the body. They are rich in omega-3s and omega-6s, both of which are irrefutably valuable to health (3).

Omega-3s play a vital role in providing energy for the body. Moreover, they enhance the functions of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, and endocrine systems. The properties of Omega-6s contribute more in suppressing inflammation, vasoconstriction, and platelet aggregation (4, 5).

Generally, the ratio of omega-6:3s in western diets hovers around 20:1-30:1. This ratio is actually highly disproportional, and is thought to be the cause for various diseases such as

• Coronary artery disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Inflammation
• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancer

The omega-6:3 ratio in hemp is 3:1 – the central reason regarding so many of its nutritional benefits (7).

 

3. Cancer Support

I want to make it clear that hempseed has not yet proven to be effective in the cure of cancer. There is no conclusive evidence that suggests hemp hinders the proliferation of cancer cells in humans. It certainly does, however, alleviate the pain from many of the symptoms.

Notably, many of hemp’s anti-cancer benefits have only been researched through its sketchy cousin Mary Jane… a.k.a. the devil’s lettuce, kush, dank, reefer madness, dope, sticky icky… Yes, I am talking about marijuana. Hold on to your chair Susan, this pill may be hard to swallow.

In animal models, cannabinoids displayed strong anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effects against cancer cells. This is likely due to their ability to regulate the cellular signalling pathways of cancer cells, which is critical for survival (16).

It is additionally recognized that cannabidioil extract (CBD) derived from hempseed effectively inhibits breast cancer cell progression and migration in animal models (14).

Various studies of CBD oil with THC (the psychoactive ‘high’ molecule of cannabis) effectively palliated chemotherapy-induced pain, nausea, and vomiting. Furthermore, they reduced the symptoms of chronic and neurotropic pain associated with inflammation, nerve injury, and bone structure (17).

Gliomas, cancer in the glial cells of the brain or spine, are some of the most malignant forms of cancer. Current treatments are considered futile, and point blank ineffective. This poses a great opportunity for the development of a new therapy. Some studies suggest that cannabinoid-based therapies, in conjunction with other alternatives, may pose some value (15).

It is becoming more and more apparent for doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to cancer patients, as it alleviates many of the symptoms and holds much less side-effects than typical pain-killers.

It is a darker side of the pharmaceutical industry – the pain-killing properties of cannabis are next-to-none. The typical opioids prescribed (morphine, codeine, oxycodone) may temporarily subside the pain, but they propagate 2 fundamental issues:

1. They build a tolerance at an extremely expedited rate
2. They create a dependency that just adds to the pain

Of course, cannabis should not completely replace the drugs used to treat cancer. But patients should have the statutory right to work with cannabis in union with other therapies.

 

4. Cardiovascular Health

Hemp seeds contain high levels of arginine, an amino acid, which has strong cardiovascular benefits that are exemplified through blood pressure regulation (6).

In a 6-week diet intervention study of 11 healthy middle-aged participants, research showed that diets high in hempseed reduced total cholesterol by 15%. This additionally endorses hemp’s blood pressure regulation properties (8).

Diets high in omega-6 are linked to a lower risk of contracting coronary heart disease and show no adverse effects. Conversely, diets with less than 5% omega-6 are associated with a higher risk (7).

Some research suggests that polyunsaturated fatty acids have remarkable cardio-protective effects against ischemia, a condition where blood flow to the heart is extensively reduced. 

One study on rats examined this thoroughly. After 12 weeks of fatty acid administration, the ischemia-affected rats displayed almost complete eradication of their symptoms. It is hypothesized since humans have a more intricate and hypersensitive nervous symptom, they may experience even greater benefits (18).

 

5. Anti-Inflammation

Studies show that the anti-inflammatory properties of hemp may improve inflamed skin conditions. 

Omega-3s are understood to possess attributes that prevent the development of acne. A 10-week study indicates that omega-3 fatty acid supplements resulted in an ample improvement of acne lesions (9).

One study measured the effects of the combination CBD with the antioxidant ‘moringin’, since inflammation and oxidative stress are closely related. The results indicated an encouraging therapeutic potential in this combined application for inflammatory diseases (19).

 

6. Muscle Building

Protein is the prominent nutritional source required for building muscle. When combined with some sort of physical activity, it helps retain lean body mass.

A high protein diet stimulates protein synthesis, which is the tearing and rebuilding of muscle tissues that lead to further growth. Amino acids are necessary for protein synthesis to operate accordingly, making hemp even more valuable as it supplies them abundantly (13).

One serving of hempseed (30 grams) provides up to 11 grams of protein – that is surreal. To put this in perspective:

• 30 grams of steak = 7.5 grams
• 30 grams of chicken = 9.3 grams
• 30 grams of eggs = 3.9 grams

Hemp is in an exclusive category of protein-dense plant-based supplements. It shares this department with only a few other foods, including chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. It truly has never been more convenient to build muscle on a vegan/vegetarian diet (11, 12).

Conclusion

Hemp provides a bounty of benefits and is a commendable source of plant-based protein.

Although the stigma is improving, it is frightening how so many can disregard the nutritional values of hempseed based on its ties with another plant that is deemed ‘illegal’.

Hemp seeds and oil pose fundamental benefits regarding anti-inflammation, enhanced metabolism, resistance to cancer, cardiovascular health, and nutritional value. 

I hope to one day see a future with greater environmental sustainability and nutraceutical ailments, both of which hemp can attest to. With the rise of knowledge and information, I am confident hemp will one day become a commodity.