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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Are Mycotoxins Making You Sick?

What Are Mycotoxins? Today we're talking about these toxic byproducts of mold, what they are, where they come from, how they can affect your health, and what to do about them.

If you would have mentioned the word, mycotoxins” to me years ago, I wouldn’t have had a clue what you were talking about. However, over the past few years, I have had to learn what mycotoxins are because my life was turned upside down by them.

Mycotoxins damaged my health and they were the result of mold damage that we had in our house. We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were living in a moldy environment.

We couldn’t see mold in the livable space in our home, but it was in our attic. Mold exposure can cause a wide range of symptoms. However, it wasn’t until we moved out that I began to realize that mycotoxins were still impacting my health.

When we moved out of our old home, we took everything with us. Once we moved into our new home and started to unpack the items, I smelled a familiar smell…

I came to learn that mycotoxins travel. They especially like cloth and porous material.

Once in our new home, I began to feel better since I wasn’t living in the moldy environment, but I was frustrated because I wasn’t getting completely better. It was at that point that I finally realized it was the mycotoxins that were continuing to harm me.

I ultimately had to get rid of most of the items we had moved in from our old house.

So What Are Mycotoxins Anyway?

The term “mycotoxin” hasn’t been around very long and it isn’t very well known; however, it’s more common than most people realize.

Scientists coined the term in 1962 after a crisis resulting in the death of 100,000 turkeys in England. Their deaths were linked to a peanut meal contaminated with secondary metabolites from a fungal toxin. According to the US National Library of Medicine,

“mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals.”

However, they also mention that “mycotoxins are not only hard to define, they are also challenging to classify.”

In other words, mycotoxins are a toxic chemical that some molds produce. In fact, you know that “new car smell” or even the smell that dryer sheets leave on your clothes or that smell that comes from dryer vents that you can smell when you're out for a walk and pass by a home where they are doing laundry? Yuck–those are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In fact, mycotoxins are VOCs as well. They are similar in structure to ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. You can see more about the concerns about these components of artificial fragrances here.

Mycotoxins Are Dangers to Your Health

There are over 400 mycotoxins.

Some mycotoxins are mildly annoying, resulting in allergy-like symptoms, but others can make you very sick and even be life-threatening. (source) Diseases caused by exposures to mycotoxins is known as mycotoxicosis.

Everyone responds differently to them, making it hard both yourself and for medical professionals to diagnose what is going on with your body and whether it is related to mycotoxins or not.

Some people don't exhibit much, if any observable response to mycotoxins. The reason being is partly due to genetics.

A quarter of the population has a gene (HLA-DR) that makes them more susceptible to mold toxicity. People with this gene have “difficulty recovering from mold and other toxin exposures.”

This explains why two people living in the same moldy environment might react differently. In fact, that is how it was in our case.

I became extremely ill due to our mold exposure, while my husband only had minor symptoms that didn’t interfere with his daily life. Dr. Jill Carnahan is someone who sadly knows firsthand the impact that mold and mycotoxins can take on someone. She states,

when you’re made sick by mycotoxins you’re basically being poisoned. This is called mycotoxicosis.

The symptoms of mycotoxicosis differ depending on the type of mycotoxin you’re exposed to, how long you’re exposed to it, the amount of the exposure, and your personal attributes such as age, gender, and health.

She believes that mold and mycotoxins, along with other indoor air pollutants, may contribute to over 50% of her patient’s illnesses.

Mycotoxins can be acutely or chronically toxic–depending on the type of fungus and amount of exposure. They are fat soluble, so they can be stored in organs and tissue, resulting in mold toxicity and many serious health effects, including skin and lung infections.

Mold poisoning can also affect the liver, kidneys, and brain and the entire nervous system. Mycotoxins can also suppress the immune system and lead to death.

How Mycotoxins Get Into Your Body

Mycotoxins can enter your body through your digestive and respiratory system, and even through your skin.

It's not a pleasant thought, but mycotoxins can cause neurotoxicity impacting your brain. They can also damage your DNA and cause mitochondria (cell) dysfunction and suppress the immune system.

Mycotoxins in Food

Mycotoxins can be found in crops that have a long storage process, such as grains.

Some of the foods which they can be found in are:

corn

wheat

barley

oats

rice

peanuts

coffee

cereals

grain-fed meat

When it comes to food, Dave Asprey, who has also been negatively impacted by mold and mycotoxins states,

between soil-destroying pesticides and abhorrent factory farming practices, the US has the most severe mycotoxin problem of any country.

What he means is that our soil has been so badly depleted by modern farming techniques, that the “bad guys”, including mycotoxins, are unable to be kept in check by the good microbes in the soil, leading to a proliferation of toxic components in the food that you eat on a daily basis.

It makes sense that if you’re dealing with mold and mycotoxins, you should consult with a physician who understands mold toxicity and consider following a low mold diet.

Mycotoxins in the Air

It is estimated that over 50% of buildings in the US have water damage. You can see evidence of this everywhere–water stains on the ceiling, stains on the carpet, water dripping from ceilings, warped floors peeling paint. These aren't all definite signs of mold but they should be investigated.

And when you spill something wet on a carpet, even though you mop it up quickly, the moisture seeps through to the padding and gets trapped there, leading to mold. It only takes 48 hours for the mold to start growing–and then the mycotoxin damage begins.

Since modern houses are more tightly constructed, the toxins can build up more quickly. Additionally, modern houses in most countries are made with drywall, which is a great breeding ground for mold once it is wet.

Mycotoxins Through Your Skin

Mycotoxins can also enter the body through the skin, but this is a less common issue unless your skin is in regular contact with a source (think moldy clothing or a moldy body lotion, for example).

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.

Testing for Mycotoxins

There are a few different ways you can test for mycotoxins in your system. One of the ways they can be measured is in your urine. You can have a complete panel of urinary mycotoxins run through Real Time Labs or Great Plains Labs. There are also blood tests which can help pinpoint if you are experiencing health challenges due to these toxins.

Another great company is Life Extension. They are very reputable and they have a mold toxicity test, plus a wide range of supplements that are highly regarded around the world. Just use this link and search for “Mold Illness Panel” and you can see the tests that they offer.

How to Address Mycotoxin Exposure

Test Your Home for Mold

If you have health challenges which doctors are unable to explain, I would highly recommend checking your indoor air environment. Test for mold.

If you know you have been exposed to mold, the best thing is to get out of that environment, do what you can to remediate the problem, and then work on preventing future mold exposure while you work on your health.

For Mold Testing helps please visit this post on Andrea Fabry's Mold Story.

Work with a Practitioner Who “Gets” Mold

In addition to removing yourself from the environment, you will need to get the toxins out of your body. There are different protocols which can assist with removing the toxins from your body.

I highly recommend working with a healthcare professional whenever you try to detox. Detoxification is typically considered to be a good thing, but if your body isn’t healthy enough to detox, it can create problems. Think about it–if you can't get rid of the toxins, but you are mobilizing them (moving them around) in your body, they can end up circulating and going to places where you don't want them (think brain or other organs), or just overall making you feel worse.

Regardless, when you detox you will want to really support your detoxification system to avoid Herxheimer reactions as much as possible. To see more about this topic, you can read this post on Herxheimer reactions from candida.

Binders, such as activated charcoal and bentonite clay, which can help you bind the toxins to get them out of your body. You will also need to treat infections that come as a result of the exposure.

If you or a loved one you know suspect that you’re being impacted by mold or mycotoxins, I highly recommend seeing a functional medicine doctor who is familiar with mold illness, or another professional who is familiar with environmental illness. They can diagnose the situation and help put you back on the road to improved health.

Help for Mold Toxicity

The following book is written by one of the most well-respected mycotoxin experts in the world. It's worth considering as a resource when dealing with mold illness.

I hope this post has helped you to realize how much of a problem mold and mycotoxins can be and that you can use this information to improve the health of yourself, your family, and your loved ones.

Did you know about Mycotoxins before reading this post? Have you suffered from reactions to mycotoxins?

The post Are Mycotoxins Making You Sick? appeared first on Whole New Mom.

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Snoring: It’s Time to up Your Cardio Game

Everyone knows how important it is to get a good night’s rest. Although, it is not all that simple for everyone. When taking into account that stress and anxiety are rapidly increasing in today’s day and age and that sleep conditions such as sleep apnea and snoring are not uncommon, quality sleep may seem like […]

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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4 Awesome Tips on How to Achieve a Beach Body

What exactly comes to your mind when we talk about beach body? Lean and muscular physique with defined abs for both men and women. And how to achieve it largely depends on where you stand at the moment, where you want to go, how much time you can devote per week exercising and doing healthy […]

4 Awesome Tips on How to Achieve a Beach Body is available on: http://www.wellnessgeeky.com

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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How To Stay Healthy While Preparing for a Certification Exam Cisco 200-125

Cisco Certified Network Associate, also known as CCNA, is a certification program offered by Cisco. It is a good idea to stay healthy and preserve your sanity while while studding for the exam! The CCNA Routing and Switching credential is an associate-level certificate. This is the basic type of certification required to kick start your […]

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Osaki Massage Chair Brand: Whole Product Line, Review & Comparison

If you arrive the airport a few hours early not because you’re worried about the security line, but because the thought of twenty minutes in the massage chair before you’re hustled into the main cabin makes your knees buckle, you’re in luck: there’s a better way. Get yourself a chair from Osaki. Now, de-stressing in […]

Osaki Massage Chair Brand: Whole Product Line, Review & Comparison is courtesy of: Wellness Geeky LLC

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Best Portable Massage Table & Stationary Bed Reviews. Top Rated Professional Equipment [April 2019]

When you’re in the field of massage and bodywork, owning a high-quality massage table is a must. It’s one of the more significant investments that you’ll make in your business outside of your massage school training. As a massage therapist, you want your clients to be as comfortable as possible, so having a table that […]

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Best Lumbar Support For Car Use: Top Back Pillows [Apr. 2019]

Twenty-five years ago, I acquired a bulging disc in my back, and it was one of the most painful experiences I've ever had. It took months of physical therapy and rehab to gain my mobility back, and as a result, I made many lifestyle changes, including using pillows and cushions for driving and sleeping. Once […]

The blog post Best Lumbar Support For Car Use: Top Back Pillows [Apr. 2019] was originally seen on: Wellness Geeky

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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What is Coolsculpting? What You Need to Know About The Procedure!

Reader’s Digest reports that six million people have undergone a nonsurgical procedure referred to as cryolipolysis since being approved by the FDA in 2010. Frequently referred to as CoolSculpting, it offers a way to contour the body to provide a leaner look, as many people find that even following a strict diet and getting regular […]

The blog post What is Coolsculpting? What You Need to Know About The Procedure! was first published to: http://www.wellnessgeeky.com

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Best Infrared Sauna For Home Use Reviews [April 2019]

Quick Navigation JNH Lifestyles Freedom 3 Person Cedar Wood Infrared SaunaJNH Lifestyles Joyous 3 Person Canadian Hemlock WoodJNH Lifestyles 2 Person Infrared Sauna2 Person Hemlock Deluxe Infrared SaunaDYNAMIC SAUNAS AMZ-DYN-6210-01Low Cost Alternative: Radiant Saunas BSA6310DangersSauna for Weight Loss Top Infrared Saunas Reviews Best for Three People [Updated: May 2018] JNH Lifestyles Freedom 3 Person Cedar Wood […]

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Best B12 Supplement For Vegans & Vegetarians: (TOP 3 Brands)

Though most Americans hope to stick to USDA's nutritional recommendations, there are only a few who manage it. Things are looking even tougher for vegans who eliminate meat and dairy products from their diet. Majority of vegans choose not to eat animals for ethical reasons. If you are a vegan, you might want to explore […]

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Best l-Glutamine for Leaky Gut Syndrome: Brand TEST [2019]

The leaky gut syndrome can be quite difficult to understand for the average person! The condition is spreading like a crazy epidemic and what’s sad is that people don’t even know they’re suffering from it internally. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend sleepless nights wondering how the condition might affect your body. Not if you’re […]

Best l-Glutamine for Leaky Gut Syndrome: Brand TEST [2019] is available on: http://wellnessgeeky.com

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Almond Butter Fruit Dip (vegan, dairy-free, sugar free)

This Healthy Almond Butter Fruit Dip a clean-eating alternative to the HFCS-filled fruit dips in the store. It's great not only as a dip, but also as a glaze or eaten right off the spoon.

Bonus–this dairy-free fruit dip also special-diet friendly–it's vegan and low carb with a nut-free option.

I love dips of all kinds.

And there's a good reason why.

Dipping makes everything taste better. Don't you agree?

I'm sure all of the parents out there would agree that while it can be hard to get kids to eat a lot of veggies, when you pair those exact same veggies with a dip, the veggies are more apt to disappear.

And that goes for adults too.

I mean, I love vegetables, but I really don't like eating them plain. And I very much dislike eating them raw and plain. But pair them with this delicious Avocado Dip or this Sesame-free Hummus, or this Vegan Ranch Dip, or some other delicious dip, then those same not-so-tempting vegetables will be gone in a flash.

Of course, there are those people who don't like dips. Our oldest is one of those. I don't understand it, but he doesn't really like dips. Well, let's qualify that–he doesn't like dipping things into dips, and he doesn't like dressing on his salads, but but he will eat dips on rice, plain, or he'll spread them on breads, wraps, and such.

I think it's a texture thing, but that doesn't totally make sense since he will eat the same texture in another context, he doesn't like them.

So my non-dip-loving son, loves this dip, but he doesn't like dipping things into it. But he'll eat it with a spoon or he'll drizzle it onto Buckwheat Pancakes or Teff Waffles, or he'll even put it on Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream, but no way will you find him dipping any kind of fruit in it.

Come to think of it, he doesn't like fresh fruit anyhow so…..

I digress.

Anyhow, no matter your dipping desires, this Dairy-free Fruit Dip is delicious. In fact, it's almost always gone super fast whenever I make it.

The Need for a Healthier Almond Butter Fruit Dip

I used to love those ooey gooey super sweet caramel apple dips when I was younger, but wow are they loaded with all kinds of things that I don't want to or can't eat anymore.

high fructose corn syrup (linked to cancer!)

partially hydrogenated oils

disodium phosphate

mono and diglycerides

potassium sorbate

white sugar (causes all sorts of issues)

Ick.

Since we've changed out lifestyle to be whole food and lower-carb, there was really no way I was going to be buying that for myself or my family. And truly, I never have. By the way, they are pricey too! And homemade dip is not. Frugal whole foodies, you will love this vegan fruit dip!

This dip, though it's not a caramelly dip, is really tasty. And is made of only healthful ingredients.

And it's super fast to make! My kind of busy mom–kids need something yummy to eat now–recipe.

How This Healthy Vegan Fruit Dip Came to Be

Most of the vegan fruit dips out here are loaded with dates. I love dates, but they are super high in carbohydrates (and sugars), something that is a no-no for those of us struggling with candida. So I wanted to develop a recipe for a fruit dip that would work for our family. Since our oldest has a life-threatening allergy to dairy, it needed to not only be low-carb, but it also needed to be a dairy-free fruit dip.

I found several versions of nut butter based dips on a few websites, thought about what I liked about each of them, and then made a number of versions until I found just the right flavor.

This is it. Just right sweetness with a touch of cinnamon to add the perfect extra something.

We even made a special trip to buy some apples to go with it since we didn't have any in the house (what was I thinking–making a dairy-free fruit dip without apples???)

My youngest son was totally thrilled about the whole thing. First of all, he loves apples. Second, he had never had a fruit dip before (and he really liked this one), and the grocery store we went to has a really fun mechanical horse that kids can ride on for just 1 penny! He rode with dad and brother while mom shopped.

How nice to have extra blessings added to an otherwise mundane las minute apple-buying errand.

Ways to Use this Super Versatile Almond Butter Fruit Dip / Sauce:

Fruit dip (of course) for apples, pears, bananas, strawberries. Please note that strawberries are loaded with pesticides. Choose organic or non-sprayed if possible.) Apples, pears, and bananas taste the best.

Nut Snack Topping (use soaked and dehydrated, if possible)

Oatmeal or Hot Cereal Drizzle or your favorite breakfast cereal like this Homemade Cream of Rice (see my post on soaking grains.)

Syrup Alternative for pancakes or waffles like these Teff Waffles or these Buckwheat Pancakes

Cake Drizzle–this would taste fantastic on cakes like this Oatmeal Cake (my husband likes this option since he's not a frosting fan at all). A friend of mine told me that she added chopped pecans to this recipe to make a “German Chocolate Cake” type of frosting for her favorite gluten free cake and she said it was great. Sounds like a fantastic idea! It would make a great lite frosting on these Paleo Carob Cupcakes too.

Popcorn Topping – how about dipping popcorn in this dip–or just drizzle it on top!

Baked Good Topping–on recipes like Focaccia Flax Bread or Oat Bran Muffins or Paleo Gingerbread Cookies

On a Spoon!

One nice thing about this Almond Butter Fruit Dip is that you get the wonderfully rich taste of almond butter with about half the calories and fat since you're thinning out the almond butter. Of course, these are good fats, but all things in moderation and if you are needing to watch your caloric intake, this really helps.

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.

Recipe Notes for this Almond Butter Fruit Dip

Nut substitution: You can substitute other nut or seed butter as desired or needed. See my post on Homemade Nut or Seed Butter. Pecan would be especially nice. Sunflower will add a more peanutty taste to the final product.

Coconut milk alternative: Any other non-dairy milk such as coconut milk can be used instead of almond milk. My Easiest Almond Milk and Easiest Coconut Milk are great make-your-own options. Coconut and cashew milk will yield a creamier final product.

Sweetener alternative: You can use 2 Tbsp of any other healthy sweetener instead of stevia. However, if you use a liquid sweetener you may need to use a slightly different amount, so read this post for help with substituting sweeteners. Vegetable glycerine is a good option.

Alcohol-free vanilla extract option: In case you need to avoid alcohol (since it's not cooked off in this recipe, here is a link to an alcohol-free vanilla extract.

Topping Tip: Feel free to add more non-dairy milk to the dip to make a thinner dip or sauce for topping pancakes, hot cereals, and more.

You can alter this recipe as you like.

Some great variations include:

Use maple syrup for a more mapley taste (is that a word?)

Add chocolate or carob for a chocolatey treat! Start with 2 Tbsp or carob or chocolate and go from there.

Add shredded coconut for a coconutty / nutty blend.

Add chopped nuts for a chunky topping / dip.

Add cacao nibs or chocolate shaving for a chocolatey nutty dip or topping.

Almond Butter Fruit Dip | Dessert Sauce (low carb, dairy and sugar free)

This Easy Healthy Fruit Dip is dairy and sugar free. Great not only as a dip, but also as a glaze or eaten right off the spoon!

1 cup organic almond butter ((see notes for nut-free alternatives))

1 cup coconut milk ((or other non-dairy milk))

2 scoops pure stevia extract powder ((1/16 tsp))

3 Tbsp xylitol ((see notes for alternative sweeteners))

1 tsp organic vanilla extract

1/2 tsp organic cinnamon

Place all ingredients in food processor or blender.

Mix until combined and smooth. (this is super quick in a Vitamix or other high-powered blender.

Add additional non-dairy milk if desired.

Serve with fruit or other dippers, or on top of desserts.

Store whatever you don't manage to polish off in the refrigerator.

I so hope you enjoy this healthy Almond Butter Fruit Dip as much as we do!

How will you most likely use this ? As Dip, Spread, Drizzle, or on a Spoon :-)?

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Don’t Let Your Health Get in the Way of Your Healthcare Career

As a physician, you have the power to keep people healthy and happy, so you should also be healthy and happy. This looks different for every individual, but there are some practices that you can start as early as today so that you can stay healthy and continue your practice. Below are some things that […]

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Best Supplements for Runners (2019 Update) | Recovery & Training!

Runner athletes can take various supplements, but be warned: these don’t have magical powers. You still have to train hard and yes, run that extra mile. Diet is an essential part of the process too. The supplements below have proven benefits, and they all work because they give you an energy boost, plus the nutrients […]

The following blog post Best Supplements for Runners (2019 Update) | Recovery & Training! is republished from: http://www.wellnessgeeky.com

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Perfect Keto Review: Is That a Taste Buds Paradise or NOT?

Buying supplements are not easy! Especially not when you’re looking in the realm of something as saturated as the industry of Ketogenic supplements. I’ve been there... I know how it feels to be unable to pick the right product from what it seems like an ocean of viable alternatives. In fact, I bought my first […]

Perfect Keto Review: Is That a Taste Buds Paradise or NOT? is republished from: www.wellnessgeeky.com

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helatherwhite · 6 years ago

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Copaiba vs CBD Oil

Have you seen the CBD vs copaiba oil debate about which is better? I'm going to set the record straight with a detailed analysis of both products to help you cut through the marketing hype and be armed with everything you need to know.

Today we're going to tackle a tough topic–CBD vs Copaiba Oil. Both CBD oil and Copaiba oil have been getting a lot of attention these days. People are excited (with good reason) about the benefits that they are seeing from these products, but it has led to some confusion about which is better–and it's also led to a lot of marketing hype.

Now, buckle up and make sure your thinking caps are on straight, because this post is going to get technical.

Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD-rich hemp oil is all the rage these days and is touted as being a help for many health issues and other concerns.

Personally, our family has seen AMAZING results with CBD oil.

Truly, what has happened has literally been nothing short of miraculous and I've been thrilled to help some of my readers (and local friends) see great results as well.

Here are some of the benefits that we've seen personally and heard about from others:

My son used to have panic episodes VERY regularly, and has had almost NONE since starting on CBD oil

More restful sleep

Improved organization skills and motivation

Brain fog lifted

More focus

Improved energy

Relief of head tension

and more

Clearly, this is a health revolution.

However, there is some confusion in the marketplace that needs to be addressed.

I Love Essential Oils

First of all, if you've been on my blog for any time at all, you all know that I LOVE essential oils and have been using them for a long time.

We use them pretty much every day–from lavender for sleep, this DIY cough essential oils blend, and we also love this DIY Thieves® blend, and I use these essential oils for hair growth every day. Clary sage is another essential oil that I use often for hormonal help and these Essential Oils for Adrenal Fatigue work great as well. Almost too many to name!

Suffice it to say that I. love. essential. oils.

But something is going on in the essential oils world that needs to be addressed and it has to do with copaiba essential oil and how it is being compared CBD.

What Is this CBD vs Copaiba War About Anyway?

In a nutshell, CBD oil has become a super hot product. People are hearing about the amazing benefits of CBD and as demand grows, so does supply. The market sees that there is money to be made and they are pursuing the profits.

Seriously–it seems like everyone (including essential oil companies) is selling CBD oil these days. However, some essential oil companies aren't selling CBD oil, but they are jumping on the bandwagon in a different way.

They say that they have something even better than CBD oil–and that something is copaiba oil.

Some essential oil reps and companies are claiming that they have an essential oil that is WAY better and “more powerful” than CBD–and that it's less expensive too.

These claims have created a lot of confusion about CBD vs. copaiba oil.

In fact, it's gotten so confusing that I've even seen people say that they are using CBD, when what they are using is Copaiba Oil.

The truth is that CBD and copaiba are not the same thing.

Just like I have attempted to clear up other issues like is stevia safe and is erythritol safe and the issue of xylitol and tumors, and the rumors about rotten Costco coconut oil, today I'm going to address the CBD vs. Copaiba Oil issue.

But before we get to the comparison, here are some terms that you need to know.

What Is CBD Oil?

To start with, CBD oil is not an essential oil. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is an endocannabinoid.

The endocannabinoid system is a series of cell receptors that respond to certain kinds of agonists (something which initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor). There are two primary cell receptors that comprise the endocannabinoid system (ECS)–Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2). The keys, or the things that unlock these receptors are endocannabinoids.

CBD oil is either CBD rich oil extracted from industrial hemp, or an oil made from CBD isolate in a carrier. The word “isolate” sounds like the word “isolated”, and CBD isolate is just that–CBD only–while the CBD rich oil that is not made from isolate is full spectrum, meaning it is (typically) complete with the other endocannabinoids and terpenes that are naturally parts of hemp.

What Is Copaiba Oil?

Copaiba is an essential oil derived from the resin of the copaiba tree. The copaiba balsam is processed to make copaiba essential oil, much like other plants are distilled to make essential oils.

Essential oils are not like olive or coconut oil, but they are oils distilled from plants. For more information on this, read Essential Oil Facts.

What Is Beta-caryophyllene (BCP)?

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a component of both CBD oil and Copaiba oil.

People touting that Copaiba is better than CBD oil focus on Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) which is part of both CBD oil and copaiba oil. Say “Beta-caryophyllene” with me. Or maybe don't.

While many in the essential oil business talk about BCP as if it's a cannabinoid, it is not��Beta-caryophyllene is actually a terpene. Terpenes are aromatic organic compounds–meaning that they have a smell.

Side note, while many essential oils are known for their strong smells, and terpenes are responsible for the fragrance in essential oils, even though copaiba oil is rich in some terpenes, copaiba oil has a gentle smell, so don't expect to be overpowered by it. ??eliminate??

BCP is also found in clove, rosemary, melissa, essential oils. This is of interest since clove essential oil is often touted as a help for dental issues and is used by many mainstream dental practitioners to help with dental discomfort including sore gums. What is odd, is that it's also found in feces and saliva. Ewwww…

CBD vs Copaiba Myths

So let's get this sorted out.

Following are the arguments that need to be addressed regarding the comparison of CBD and Copaiba Oil.

Myth: Copaiba is better because it has more Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP)

1. BCP Isn't Really a Cannabinoid

In my post on Is Coconut a Nut?, we talked about how coconut is a nut, fruit, and a drupe (yeah, you'll have to read the post to learn about that). In a similar manner, BCP can be classified as both a terpene and a cannabinoid, but it's really a terpene.

Those on the Essential Oil side might tell you that BCP is a cannabinoid, and then those on the CBD side will tell you that BCP is a terpene. Technically BCP is a terpene, but it can be referred to as a dietary cannabinoid because of its action on the endocannabinoid system.

Copaiba oil does, in fact, contain a significant amount of BCP–typically around 55-60%, while CBD-rich hemp oil usually contains between 2 and 30%.

Essential Oil companies are touting that copaiba oil as a far superior solution to CBD, because…get this...it has WAY more of one of the terpenes found in the cannabis plant: beta-caryophyllene (BCP). But note–that is just one component.

2. CBD Oil's Other Components

Yes, Copaiba Oil has more BCP than CBD Oil has. However, full spectrum CBD oil has a lot of things in it that Copaiba doesn't have.

This is like saying that oranges are better than blueberries since oranges have way more vitamin C than blueberries. But we all know that there are other things in blueberries that make them beneficial for good health.

CBD oil (provided it is not made from isolate), has many other beneficial components in it that contribute to what is called the “entourage effect”–meaning that they each help the other parts work better. Those parts include cannabinoids, bioflavonoids, and other terpenes.

Copaiba Oil's Other Components

On the other hand, Copaiba oil is not just made up of BCP alone. Copaiba oil has other beneficial compounds in it as well–namely copaene, bergamotene, and humulene which have benefits. But wait, CBD oil has humulene and bergamotene too. The moral of the story here is that both have benefits and the main arguments being made aren't the whole story.

Higher Bioavailability of Certain CBD Oil

While it's true that there is more BCP in Copaiba oil then in CBD oil, this doesn't take into account the fact that there are certain CBD Oils that have a much higher bioavailability. Nano technology and water solubility greatly increase the bioavailability of the components of CBD Oil as such, these CBD oil benefits would clearly outpace that of copaiba oil.

At this point, it seems from research that CBD Oil's health applications are much wider than those of Copaiba Oil.

Myth: Copaiba Oil's Direct Receptor Interaction Is Preferred

Facts:

1. Direct action on 1 receptor is not necessarily better than indirect action on both.

Those who argue that Copaiba is better than CBD oil state that BCP works directly on the CB2 receptor, where CBD only has indirect action on both CB1 and CB2 receptors. (source)

CBD is an Allosteric Modulator

Furthermore, CBD performs complex actions on the body. CBD is known as an allosteric modulator, meaning that it can enhance or inhibit how a receptor transmits a signal by changing the shape of the receptor it's acting on.

This is a chemical phenomena which has extensive benefits. Additionally, CBD actively stimulates vanilloid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors. It is a completely gross misrepresentation of nearly 30 years worth of data to insinuate that CBD is not beneficial due to its inability to directly stimulate cannabinoid receptors.

One example is that CBD is a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor (helps the GABA receptor work better) and is a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor, so that one doesn't get psychoactive effects when using CBD.

The CB1 receptors are mostly located in the brain but also throughout the body, while CB2 receptors are in the immune and GI system mainly, but also a bit in the brain.

Myth: There are 70 Studies on Copaiba Oil So It's Better

The above is something that has been pointed out by a certain MLM Essential Oil company.

Well, there are loads of peer-reviewed studies on CBD as well.

Myth: CBD Oil Has a Lot of THC in It and Will Get you High

Fact: CBD Oil Isolate has no THC in it. Full Spectrum CBD Oil that is sourced from industrial hemp has little to no THC in it and has no psychoactive effects.

Now, it is the truth that even a small amount of THC could possibly result in a false positive drug test result, depending on the sensitivity of the test. CBD Oil without THC should not do this ever. One thing to remember is that poppy seeds and some other foods and OTC medications, can also result in false positive test results.

Usage Safety Concerns

Most essential oil experts agree that you should not use essential oils internally unless you are under the care of a physician or aromatherapist. And make sure you read about essential oil emulsifiers before making anything with Copaiba oil.

In fact, there is actually a study on rats showing that ingesting copaiba essential oil increases bilirubin and can cause liver damage. (source)

Yes, go ahead and put Copaiba in your diffuser, or dilute it and apply it topically. But please don't ingest it.

Most CBD oil, on the other hand, is meant to be ingested. You can use CBD oil topically in a salve, or you can vape it, but most people like using it orally, typically in capsule form or as sublingual drops. But please speak with your physician before trying CBD oil in any form, particularly if you are taking medications. You might wish to do this before using Copaiba Oil as well.

Is Copaiba Cheaper than CBD oil?

Quite possibly. It all depends on how much of each product you need and how you will use it and of course if it works for you. Cheaper doesn't mean anything if it doesn't work. My son sees great benefits using a very small amount of CBD oil. So far, we haven't seen much benefit using copaiba oil, but we haven't done much experimenting.

Legal Questions

I don't know of any federal or state regulations regarding copaiba oil. There are some regarding CBD oil, but typically that is only for CBD oil that is sold in stores and/or that has more than .3% THC.

Why Not Try Both?

My question is–why does this have to be “my oil is better than your oil” fight at all? Why not try both?

For you, CBD oil might work better than Copaiba Oil or vice versa.

In fact, Copaiba Oil is supposed to help amplify the effects of other essential oils and has been said to amplify the effects of CBD oil as well. So both is almost always going to be better than using only one.

Conclusion

Copaiba Oil is not the same as CBD oil and the main beneficial ingredient that is getting so much attention (BCP) isn't even an endocannabinoid.

Copiaba oil and CBD oil are two different thing and they're both good.

If we're going to argue about this, what's next–a war about which is better–avocados vs oranges?

I say try them both and enjoy the benefits of each. Instead of perpetuating the CBD vs Copaiba war, let's understand the benefits of both and consider using both for a comprehensive formula to improve wellness.

Where to Buy CBD-rich Hemp Oil and Copaiba Oil

While there are many places to purchase both CBD oil and Copaiba oil, you ]want to make sure that you are buying pure versions of each. There is known to be adulteration in the essential oil arena, and there is also a lot of monkey business going on in the CBD oil industry.

If you'd like to try the oils that my family is using, I am happy to help you with that. You can read more in my post about our CBD Experience. And this series talks about where we buy our essential oils from (the final post is here).

Also, I do my best to stay on top of these industries, so stay tuned–you can subscribe to my newsletter here for updates on this and other topics.

Have you used CBD Oil or Copaiba Oil? Tell us what your experience has been in the comments.

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