With up to 58% of veterans complaining of chronic pain, anxiety, sleep depravation, and depression, and with alcohol, fentanyl, and opioid abuse, mainstream medicine and the V.A. are recognizing the need for naturopathic non-pharmacological approaches to helping Veterans. Naturopathic medicine focuses on treating the underlying causes of health issues rather than simply alleviating symptoms. Naturopathic doctors consider the individual as a whole, recognizing the interconnections of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They blend traditional healing practices with modern medical science to develop personalized treatment plans that promote healing and restore balance in the body without addictive Schedule 1 drugs.

The V.A established the Integrative Health Coordinating Center (IHCC). Work is in process with the VHA Directive 1137, approved on December 13, 2022, to bring Complimentary and Integrative Health services to every VA facility. https://www.research.va.gov/topics/cih.cfm There are gaps and we will help filling them!

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is partnering with several of our partners to compile data for best practices and best services for our Veterans who need assistance.
• Texas Regenerative and Integrative Centers of Health works with Veterans providing services and supplements tailored to individual need.
• Feed the Future – another 501 (c)3 committed to teaching people how to grow food and be self sustaining. Our goal is to teach veterans skills for calming purpose.
• Eden Grow Systems – owns the technological grow towers for our mission.
• Empowered Network – will assist us with educational materials, training, and getting our mission out through their extensive network of stakeholders.

• Mindful Awareness – Mindful awareness is about noticing what is happening when it happens. It is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.
• Purposeful Body Movements using Tai-Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga. These have been proven to reduce high blood pressure, help with focus, and improve strength, flexibility, and balance.
• Feed the spirit and soul by addressing challenges, practicing forgiveness (especially that of self), practicing gratitude, serving others by volunteering, practice compassion, discover what matters to you, and try to build meaningful connections with others.
• Hemp, CBD, CBG, and CBN products have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, pain, sleep disorders and other symptoms related to PTSD.
• Your mind affects your body, and your body affects your mind, perhaps more than we realize. This relationship between our mind and body can improve our health or make it worse. Mood and thinking patterns can either positively or negatively impact our health and well-being. In this way, the mind has great power. Research has found mind-body approaches, such as relaxation, breathing, or guided imagery & meditation can help treat many health conditions.
• Chiropractic, massage, sound, and acupuncture therapies are also becoming more and more mainstream as they are being integrated into traditional medical treatments.

Yes, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, a survey they did in 2017, https://rdcu.be/dVu6F , 84% of veterans are interested in using alternative therapies, over 1/3 are already using some form of CIH (Complimentary and Integrative Healthcare), and 1:5 veterans use Hemp or CBD, CBN, or CBG for alleviating pain and ailments associated with their service and PTSD. 57% of those veterans have reported significant relief with hemp products including edibles and topicals. The National Library of Medicine has many published articles including this one: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38973138/

Generally. The 2018 Farm Bill https://www.congress.gov/index.php/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5485 establishes a new federal hemp regulatory system under the US Department of Agriculture which aims to facilitate the commercial cultivation, processing, and marketing of hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill removes hemp and hemp seeds from the statutory definition of marijuana and the DEA schedule of Controlled Substances. It even makes hemp an eligible crop under the federal crop insurance program. The 2018 Farm Bill also allows the transfer of hemp and hemp-derived products across state lines provided the hemp was lawfully produced under a State or Indian Tribal plan or under a license issued under the USDA plan. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive compound of cannabis. Businesses may sell it throughout Texas as long as its THC concentration is less than 0.3%.

While the FDA has not approved CBD, CBG, CBN, or other hemp products for use or treatment of disease, treatment of PTSD, or other medicinal uses, The Mayo Clinic, a highly respected medical nonprofit, writes that hemp and CBD products from reputable companies, are generally safe and well tolerated, and there is evidence to show that it may treat the symptoms of many diseases, alleviate pain, and help with many of the symptoms of PTSD. Hemp Items can still impair driving and some thought processes.