As CBD is legalized in more and more places, it may seem like it is everywhere! You may be surprised to find CBD in the most unexpected places. Next time you go to the spa, you might learn that you have the option to include CBD in your facial or pedicure.
You can add it to your bubble bath as a CBD bath bomb at home! Or, you may notice a menu option to add CBD to your favorite latte at your favorite local coffee shop. We've even seen restaurants include CBD in a salad before!
CBD is surely here to stay, and we love the benefits! As it becomes more popular and available, you may feel overwhelmed. This situation can leave you unsure about what information is fact or fiction. You want to be able to see past the hype and get to the truth.
If you are wondering what CBD is and if you should try it, we are here to guide you. We aim to give you the facts and walk you through all the basics. This way, you can confidently find the best CBD solution for you and your needs.
What is CBD?
Most people are familiar with Cannabis in its recreational form. CBD is a Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a compound found in both the Hemp and Cannabis plants. Cannabis has many other compounds (over 100, in fact), including THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is what causes a “high” or a feeling of being stoned.
If you are unfamiliar with the difference between CBD and THC, you may have avoided CBD in the past because of its association with weed or marijuana.
Many people are surprised to learn that while CBD contains many of the medicinal health benefits of THC, CBD does not cause a high. This is because THC is considered psychoactive, meaning it can influence your reasoning and state of mind. In contrast, CBD is a non-psychoactive substance. It does not have any intoxicating effects. So, you will get all the perks without the high.
In the past, many people have been excluded from the benefits of the Cannabis plant due to laws restricting THC in their state. Luckily, CBD is becoming much more mainstream, easier to access, and legal in the U.S.
So, even if your state has not yet legalized medical marijuana, you may be able to get the same relief for your health symptoms from CBD. Be sure to check out your state's laws regarding CBD to learn more about your options.
Why Do People Use CBD?
CBD users turn to its benefits for a wide variety of reasons. You may be familiar with CBD if you struggle with pain or anxiety. But these benefits only scrape the surface of CBD's potential. Here we will break down the most common benefits of CBD.
Pain
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be very helpful for pain management. CBD can do wonders for physical symptoms such as arthritis or any typical aches and pains you may experience. It is also known to be beneficial for people who have arthritis in tandem with other pain management strategies.
Anxiety
Did you know that 1 in 13 people around the world lives with an anxiety disorder? Although the research is preliminary, the connection between CBD and reduced anxiety is promising. There is evidence pointing to the therapeutic potential of CBD to help with anxiety management, especially in collaboration with other anxiety management tools.
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a disorder that may occur in people who have seen or experienced a traumatic event. It can last months or even years. Anxiety, depressed mood, heightened reactions, nightmares, and insomnia are common symptoms of PTSD.
Due to the severity of these symptoms over time, many people with PTSD are looking to alternative forms of relief, including CBD.
A 2019 study found that PTSD patients experienced a decrease in PTSD symptom severity over 8 weeks. Patients used CBD with traditional counseling support, and the initial results were encouraging.
Seizures
If you are considering CBD for seizures, you will definitely want to consult with your doctor before making any decisions. CBD offers lots of benefits for those who experience seizures. There is even an FDA-approved CBD drug called Epidiolex. This drug treats seizure disorderswith a high potency of CBD. Be sure to work with a healthcare professional to determine the most effective use of CBD for your particular needs.
Addiction
News Medical reports increasing evidence to support that CBD may be useful in helping with addiction. It has the potential to help people with drug and alcohol addiction during the rehabilitation process. Experts believe that CBD can reduce stress and anxiety. This can help support individuals in their addiction recovery journey. While more research is necessary, the preliminary studies have been promising.
General Well-being
While CBD can definitely support specific health concerns, some people simply use it as a preventative wellness tool.
Rather than using it to treat a specific need, it is being more common to utilize CBD as part of a well-balanced lifestyle. It can help you stay calm, sleep better, recover from workouts, and even improve your skin's health!
Including CBD into your routine can ensure you give your body everything it needs for optimal health, immunity, and wellness.
Who is CBD Not For?
While CBD is popular, it may not be right for you and your body, and that's okay! Each of our bodies and systems is unique. Your body and endocannabinoid system may not respond well to cannabinoids like CBD due to genes, your body's chemistry, or your metabolism.
Lastly, CBD is not for recreational purposes. If you are looking for a high, this is not the place to find it.
How Does CBD Work?
You're likely familiar with systems, including the body's digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems. But, did you know there is a system in the body many people aren't aware exists? It's called the endocannabinoid system.
You may remember this fancy word from your high school biology class: “homeostasis.” The endocannabinoid system helps to maintain homeostasis or balance in the body. In addition, it aids in various other purposes, which leads it to be helpful to sleep, pain, mood, and appetite.
This system actually creates its own natural cannabinoids called endocannabinoids. These are internal cannabinoids, while CBD is an external cannabinoid.
Our bodies have cannabinoid receptors. THC and CBD have different impacts on the body and mind because they do not affect the same receptors. While THC will interact with receptors to make you feel “high,” CBD simply helps your body and receptors to use your natural endocannabinoids better.
There are two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.
- CB1 receptors are connected to the nervous system and typically help with memory, mood, and good brain function. When THC binds to a CB1 receptor, the psychoactive properties of THC are present.
- CB2 receptors are linked to the immune system and help our body decide how to respond to bacteria and viruses. THC actually binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CBD does not bind to any receptors. CBD simply influences the receptors by activating them. It can also help nurture the body to create more of its own natural cannabinoids.
CBD and THC behave differently in the body. Interestingly, CBD taken with THC helps to mute the negative side effects of THC by decreasing anxiety and memory impairment.
The ability to influence or bind to our body's receptors is why cannabis compounds have the potential to heal both the mind and the body. CBD activates receptors of the endocannabinoid system, and it also interacts with serotonin and dopamine receptors. This makes it very promising for psychiatric health.
Simply put, CBD can help your body do its job even better, enhancing your overall well-being without psychoactive effects.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
When starting out, it is best to begin with, a small dose. Most CBD products contain about 10 mg per serving, depending on the form. It is recommended that you start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed. Since most CBD is ingested, it may take 45 minutes to two hours for the CBD to go through the digestive process, so it is wise to be patient and allow the effects to be completely absorbed.
The amount of CBD that is right for you varies from person to person. We all have different responses, sensitivities, and experiences.
Before taking a CBD supplement, you will want to consider these factors:
- Age
- Weight
- Metabolism
- Dosage
- CBD tolerance
- Your unique health goals
You should also consider the potency of your CBD and your unique tolerance to CBD. This handy tool can help recommend an appropriate dosage for you and your needs.
Different Forms of CBD
There is a seemingly endless supply of CBD forms in today's market. CBD comes in a range of sizes, dosages, shapes, and formats! Keep reading to find information about some of the most convenient, common, and popular forms of CBD available.
Capsules or Pills
You can take CBD just like you would a daily vitamin or medication! Pills and capsules are super convenient and are more consistent than other options like drops. A drawback to capsules and pills is that they sometimes take longer to kick in than oils. This is because they have to make their way through the body's digestive system before they reach the bloodstream,
Oils and Drops
Oils are available for consumption and can simply be dropped under the tongue to receive the benefits of CBD-infused oil. Drops are a perfect option for people who don't enjoy pills. They may also be best for people who cannot swallow tablet and pill versions of CBD.
Drops have benefits; however, they can be a bit less consistent than other forms of CBD. Drops can be imprecise. The plus side of drops is that oils tend to be absorbed into the body a bit faster. There are lots of tiny capillaries under the tongue that absorb CBD quickly, so it reaches your bloodstream sooner.
Edibles or Gummies
Gummies are one of the most popular ways to take CBD since they areeasy, portable, and discrete. Plus, they're tasty and seem more like a treat than a health aid! Be sure to check for natural flavorings such as fruit or vegetable extracts for optimal health benefits.
Gummies often come in a variety of strengths and flavors, so you can find the product that is just right for you. Most people will take 1 or 2 gummies at a time. Usually, gummies will have about 10 mg of CBD per serving.
Vape
You can inhale a vaporized version of CBD with a vape pen or an e-cigarette. Some people enjoy this method because the CBD goes directly from the lungs into the body. If you do choose this method, just be sure to be cautious. Not much research is being done to learn about the potential health risks of inhaling CBD. It could potentially be damaging to the lungs, especially over time.
Topical Lotions or Creams
CBD is not only for internal use. You can actually use it topically on your skin. Topicals may be water-based, which allows them to absorb faster, while others are oil-based and absorb deeper. Many people find that topical CBD can be helpful for symptoms of eczema psoriasis. It may offer relief in ways that other topical solutions cannot.
Also, many people who suffer from arthritis symptoms will rub these CBD creams around the joint areas. This canreduce inflammation and pain in these regions.
If you have sensitive skin, always start by applying sparingly to one region of the body first. You will want to observe if you have any negative reactions before using it more liberally.
CBD is also becoming more common in beauty products and is believed to have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. It is an effective way to soothe and moisturize your skin, whether you have a skin issue or not.
Explore Many Different Forms
Because CBD continues to grow in popularity, there are many new and convenient ways to take CBD. It is wise to explore all CBD options to find the right fit for your lifestyle.
If you are not receiving the expected benefits from CBD, you may look to alternative delivery methods as some forms will work better with your body composition.
What to Look for When Buying CBD
Full Spectrum CBD
There are many different kinds of CBD. “Full-spectrum” is best because of something called the entourage effect. The Entourage Effect is the theory that all of the compounds of Cannabis work best in combination. This means that when you combine compounds, you can get superior results.
Taking a full-spectrum CBD means that the manufacturers took the time to create a complementary fusion of CBD and other cannabis compounds. This is done to bring out the best and most high-quality results. THE PRODUCT WILL BE MORE EFFECTIVE when CBD is combined with other cannabinoids (such as CBC or CBA) or terpenes (like pinene and myrcene).
Hemp Extract Type
It's important to know the origin of the hemp used in your CBD product. Usually, hemp grown in the United States is more reliable and has higher quality. Purchasing hemp grown in other countries can be riskier and less consistent, so be cautious. These growers may not maintain the quality or standards that you have come to expect from the products you purchase.
Hemp Seed Oil vs. CDB
Hemp extract and CBD are not the same things. While both come from the hemp plant, CBD is typically more expensive and effective as a health aid. While hemp seed oil has benefits, it is much cheaper and does not offer the same results.
Hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the cannabis plant. While it is useful in cooking or beauty products, it is not as powerful as CBD. Hemp usually has less than 0.3% THC.
Due to the “green rush” of cannabis products, many companies take advantage of the fact that hemp and CBD are related. The “green rush” boomed in 2015 when the U.S. began to approve CBD and related products in the form of pills, lotions, and other items. The industry has continued to grow.
As a result, companies will often market their products with cannabis leaves. They may falsely lead their consumers to think the product will offer the high-impact benefits of CBD or THC. It is important that you look closely at the label to make sure CBD is truly in a product before buying. Just having hemp or hemp seed oil on the label is not enough.
If a product doesn't clearly label the number of milligrams of CBD present in the product, it is not considered a true CBD supplement.
Lab testing
Peace of mind is everything when it comes to the products we use for our health. Since a specific entity like the FDA does not monitor most CBD products, it is important to look for validity. CBD companies demonstrate their product quality by seeking out a third party to lab test their product.
Daily CBD explains that third-party labs will test the quality, purity, and potency of CBD. This is a non-biased lab that will give a straightforward and untainted assessment of the CBD's quality and efficacy. This ensures you, as the consumer, can feel more confident about your purchase.
Ingredients
Most CBD products include other ingredients besides CBD. You may include these additives to improve flavor, maintain consistency, or provide added health perks.
It is important that you are confident in the quality of these additives. Some companies may cut corners and include cheaper ingredients that have the potential to be toxic, especially over time.
You will want to make sure that there aren't any non-natural chemicals in your CDB product.
Two chemicals have been commonly found in lab tests for CBD. These include dextromethorphan (DXM) and 5F-ADB, which are harmful in high doses. This is yet another reason why third-party lab testing is so important!
How to Include CBD in your Daily Routine
For the most effective results, it is recommended that users take CBD consistently. You will first want to find a consistent time of day to take your CBD. This helps to ensure lasting, long-term benefits.
Taking CBD should become a habit, just like any new health regimen. Just as you would intentionally add a new workout routine or diet to your life, the same goes for introducing CBD into your daily rounds.
Habits are best implemented when done in tandem with another pre-established habit. You may decide it is easiest for you to take CBD simultaneously as your daily multi-vitamin. This is especially ideal if you find CBD energizes you in the morning.
Or, you may prefer to take CBD at night if it tends to have a more calming effect on you. You might decide to take it right before you brush your teeth at bedtime to help you wind down for the evening.
Summary
CBD is a cannabinoid that works with your body to provide you with many benefits. It is used to treat a variety of ailments. As it becomes more mainstream, CBD is being used to maintain and optimize general health and immunity goals. CDB is convenient to take and comes in a wide variety of formats. This makes it easy to add CBD into your daily life and routines.
We hope this article has inspired you to try CBD for your own health needs. It is important to shop for a product with high standards. Now you should feel confident to navigate the CBD market with all the tools you need!
