The CDC estimates that appx. 300,000 people in the US are diagnosed with Lyme Disease making it the most commonly diagnosed tick borne illness. In this article we will take a look at Lyme Disease, how you can protect yourself, and how CBD can help ease the symptoms.

What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease is transmitted by ticks infected with a bacteria called Borrelia. It progresses in 3 distinct stages:

1. Early localized stage : This stage typically produces symptoms within hours or days following the initial bite. Many times the site where the tick attached looks similar to a bulls eye, but not always. This is the best stage to catch it because many times it can be cured if caught early enough because at this stage the bacterial infection is localized and has not spread throughout the body. Symptoms at this stage can include:
2. Bulls eye shaped rash (rash is not always shaped like a bulls eye)
3. Pain, itching, and/or swelling at the site of the bite
4. Swollen lymph nodes and/or sore throat
5. Stiff neck and headache
6. Inflammation, joint pain, deep muscle soreness, etc.
7. Fatigue
8. Flu like symptoms (fever, chills, restlessness)
9. Early disseminated stage : This stage may present weeks or even months following the initial bite. At this point, the bacteria have spread throughout the body which makes it harder to treat. Flu symptoms at this stage are typically more intense, and other symptoms accompany it such as:
10. Headache
11. Spreading rash that can be painful
12. Chronic or worsening fatigue
13. Weakness, numbness, and worsening pain in the extremities
14. Changes in vision
15. Bell's Palsy (facial paralysis)
16. Heart problems including tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain, etc.
17. Late disseminated stage : If Lyme is not treated effectively in the early stages, the bacteria can do some real damage throughout the body. Symptoms are very hard to treat at this stage and can include:
18. Chronic arthritis, especially near the initial bite site
19. Neurological symptoms including general fogginess, concentration issues, trouble following conversations, depression, etc.
20. Worsening cardiac issues
21. Severe vertigo (dizziness)
22. Joint pain that migrates throughout the body (Some people are diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at this stage)
23. Severe fatigue that can make it hard to get out of bed
24. Severe headaches and/or migraine symptoms
25. Severe insomnia
26. Numbness and neuropathy in hands and feet

How is Lyme Disease diagnosed?
You would think that the best way to diagnose would be to test for the bacteria in the early stages, but diagnoses can be much more complex than that. The CDC recommends a test that looks at the immune response to the bacteria and, since it can take weeks for your body to mount an immune response, the test can be negative in the early stages. With the expense and danger that long term antibiotics can pose, my opinion will always be to take a holistic approach including lifestyle changes to help your body be healthier and able to fight the infection more efficiently. But that's just this girls opinion... ;-)

How can CBD help with Lyme Disease symptoms?
Well, first of all CBD and other cannabinoids have natural antibacterial properties that will begin to help you fight the infection. Second, CBD can help so much with the other symptoms of Lyme. The natural antibiotic, anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, anti-epileptic properties (Just to name a few) of CBD can help you with the symptoms while you are fighting the infection. With all that said, prevention is the best place to start.

What are the risk factors for Lyme Disease?

• Spending time in the woods or grassy areas : Being outdoors is so good for your mental and physical health, but if you do not take proper precautions it increases your risk of Lyme Disease. Ticks are found in abundance in these type of areas in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the US.
• Failing to cover and protect exposed skin : Ticks love our bare skin and covering up (long sleeves, pants, etc.) at least makes it more difficult for the little buggers to find purchase.
• Failing to remove ticks properly & promptly : Checking for and removing ticks soon after they bite greatly decreases the chance of infection. Bacteria can enter your bloodstream in as little as 12 hours, so check your body thoroughly every time you have been outdoors in tick prone areas.

How can I prevent Lyme Disease?
Just like any other disease, prevention is key!



1. Cover up & use insect repellents: If you are going to be in tick prone areas protect your skin. Wear shoes, long pants, long sleeves and hats whenever possible. If you must have exposed skin, protect it with an insect repellent. There is some debate over what sorts of things to use as insect repellent. Some people say that you must use a repellent containing DEET (not to be confused with DDT that was banned in 1972), and others value a more holistic approach using essential oils and other plants. No matter which you choose, just make sure you choose something to put a layeWellr of protection between you and these little infected blood suckers.
2. Try to discourage ticks from your yard: Keep that lawn mowed & keep debris (that tick carrying critters love) out of your yard.
3. Check bodies (including those fur babies) often and ongoing when outdoors in tick prone areas: Deer ticks can be super tiny, sometimes as small as the head of a pin, so they can be very easy to miss if you do not check every nook and cranny thoroughly. Ticks LOVE warm, moist areas so do not forget to check the bathing suit bits, & scalp very well.
4. Shower as soon as you are able to after coming in from tick prone areas: Ticks will sometimes search for hours before they find the spot they decide to call home, so many times showering can wash them off of your skin before they bite.
5. Remove ticks very carefully with tweezers: I always take an alcohol soaked cotton ball and push it on the tick right before I remove it, but whatever method you decide to use just be very careful and make sure you don't leave part of it's little nasty body attached to your skin.