CBD, Pain and Anxiety

Michael Ventresca • January 17, 2019

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Over the past year, CBD (cannabidiol), a specific plant chemical from the hemp plant, has caused quite a stir. For many who suffer with pain or anxious feelings, CBD oil has been a godsend, providing significant relief with little or no side effects. Unfortunately, this is not what caused the stir. In the summer of 2018, news reports suddenly began surfacing claiming CBD from hemp was illegal, causing a panic among those who had found it to be so helpful.

Thankfully, last December, the 2018 Farm Bill was overwhelmingly passed by Congress and signed into law making CBD from hemp legal in all 50 states at the federal level.

Now, let’s look at what makes CBD so effective for pain and anxious feelings.

Most of the research focuses on phyto-cannabinoids, like CBD, and their effects on the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a network of receptors in the bodies of all mammals that helps maintain a healthy balance and overall well-being. The ECS helps regulate functions such as sleep, immune system responses, and pain among others. Recent research has shown consuming a CBD oil product can be beneficial for a variety of conditions, including anxiety, autism, inflammation and seizures.

If you are considering trying a CBD from hemp product, one brand I highly recommend is Charlotte’s Web by the Stanley Brothers. (Available here on Shop.VChoice.com). Charlotte’s Web offers full-spectrum hemp oil extracts rich in CBD, as well as other naturally occurring phyto-cannabinoids, in a variety of strengths. For more information on this or other CBD products available, stop in today!

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
By Michael Ventresca • October 14, 2026
Have you ever eaten a meal with garlic or onions, and almost instantly had stomach upset? Does it seem like just about everything you eat causes gas, bloating or indigestion? If this sounds like you, or if you’ve been told to try a FODMAP diet, today’s article could be the missing piece to a very frustrating puzzle. I know it was for me. Most people have heard of lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, but far fewer are familiar with fructan sensitivity. Fructans are naturally occurring carboyhydrates found in a wide variety of foods but in especially high concentrations in everything from garlic and onions, to asparagus, wheat and even watermelon. For people who have difficulty digesting fructans, these foods can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes diarrhea. The frustrating part is that fructans are found in so many seemingly unrelated foods that it can feel like almost everything you eat is causing a problem. That was my experience for years. Over the years, I tried a number of digestive enzymes. While many of them helped, none of them were a perfect match for the garlic, onion and pasta found in some of my favorite Italian meals. Then I stumbled across a product called FODZYME. FODZYME contains three digestive enzymes, including fructan hydrolase, an enzyme specifically designed to help break down fructans. FODZYME is a tasteless powder that you sprinkle directly on your food just before eating. The enzymes mix with the food and begin breaking down the fructans as you chew, before they cause problems further down the digestive tract. For me, the difference has been night and day. I am finally able to enjoy foods I have avoided for years. It’s important to note, there is still some trial and error involved regarding dosage. Because the amount of fructans varies from meal to meal, I find I need to adjust how much I use. Sometimes, one scoop is plenty, other times, I’ll use two. But if garlic, onions, wheat, or other high-fructan foods consistently leave you feeling miserable, FODZYME may be just what you need to start enjoying the foods you love. To learn more, or to try FODZYME, please stop in today. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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