You’ve heard about CBD and have started to see it everywhere from your local pharmacy to the gas station. Just like many of us, you are still wondering what exactly do people use CBD for and more importantly does it really work?
For starters, high quality CBD products can be a very effective solution for reducing daily anxiety, relieving pain, and boosting your mood. Let’s dig in!
What is CBD and How does it work?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. When applied topically or consumed, CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid (en·do·can·na·bi·noid) system. When your body receives a dose of CBD, your endocannabinoid system sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis and immune system. That’s how our bodies process the benefits of CBD.
While research is still somewhat limited, self-reports and research in humans suggest CBD can help with anxiety, stress, pain, and mood.
3 Tips For Starting a CBD Routine
Most people know CBD is a non-psychoactive molecule that should not make you feel high, but rather help you feel better. If you are starting to use CBD for the first time, here are some things to keep in mind so you can get the most out of this plant-based wellness tool.
- Consistency, we’re talking daily use. Just like taking a supplement, your body’s endocannabinoid system needs daily nourishment for you to see improvements in how you are feeling.
- Choose a delivery method that doesn’t feel like a task. Your delivery method is how you take CBD, so choose something that you look forward to.
- Listening to your body and adjusting over time. We change and so do our needs, that translates into how much CBD you may need and when you take it.
The first and overriding element when it comes to feeling benefits from CBD is regular use. You can not sporadically use these molecules and expect them to improve wellness. In addition, you can not expect to start using CBD when you are sick or stressed and think it can be a cure-all.
You need to build a routine that is simple, approachable, and can be consistently maintained. Decide on a routine and stay consistent for a minimum of 30 days before you adjust. Keep it simple and stay focused on consistency.
The Most Popular CBD Delivery Methods
There are so many different ways to use CBD, here is a guide to the most popular.
Tinctures – Tinctures are made of hemp extract mixed with a carrier oil.
CBD tinctures are commonly taken sublingually, meaning the oil is dropped underneath the tongue and held for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. During this time, absorption occurs through the blood vessels and sublingual glands in the mouth, which can lead to higher bioavailability of CBD. This type of dosing, typically in a dropper, allows you to easily adjust the dose as needed and gives you the ability to add the oil to food like smoothies. Pro tip – look for tinctures that use a long chain triglyceride (LCT) oil like olive oil for increased absorption and effectiveness.
Gummies – CBD Gummies are edible candies that contain cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Gummies are an easy way to take CBD with you during day-to-day activities and offer tasty flavors like strawberry, watermelon, and lemon. They come in a variety of concentration options that offer clear dosing and are discrete and easy to take.
Gummies are the most popular delivery method and most people’s first introduction to trying CBD.
Topcials – If you are looking to reduce inflammation and experience localized relief, explore a topical application. Topicals are creams, lotions, or bath bombs infused with CBD that is absorbed through your skin. Topicals are known to reduce muscle aches and pains, and soothe joints. You can expect topicals to deliver 3-4 hours of relief before needing to be reapplied.
One topical delivery method that is quite effective but lesser known is the CBD bath bomb. This full body topical application allows your entire body to be submerged in CBD and absorb the cannabinoids like a sponge for intense pain relief.
Conclusion
Using high quality CBD products can reduce stress, improve your mood and give you a plant-based wellness tool that you can use daily to feel better.
When you use plants for their target effects, the experience is unlike using pharmaceuticals, which you just take daily and go on with your life. With cannabinoids like CBD, you are on an ever-evolving journey, but consistency, checking in and making adjustments are key elements to developing a CBD routine that can decrease stress and improve the mind/body connection.
It’s important to remember that using CBD and feeling better may not be this huge event. Our wellness and improvements are often smaller, simple moments we overlook. Feeling less stressed with current events, sleeping better, or being able to enjoy the present more, are a few indicators that your CBD self-care routine is working.