On CBD — What, Why, & How

CBD... it's been a hot topic the last year or so, but I find there are still so many questions and so much skepticism.  What is it? Does it work?  Does it get you  high? How do you use it?  ... As someone who has used it pretty much daily for almost a year now, I'm going to dive into the topic and hopefully clear up some of the fog it's surrounded by!

What Is CBD?

Technically called cannabidoil, it's a compound found in the flower of the cannabis plant.  CBD is just one of the many phytocannabinoids found in the plant, which is known for its many therapeutic properties.  Just like we have a nervous system, we have an endocannabinoid system which helps regulate and balance many systems in our body including memory, appetite, sleep, stress, mood, immune response and more.  The ECS is neat because it has the ability to override while restoring balance and calm when anxiety is signaling the brain to our emergency/fight-or-flight responses.

Cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) help to nourish and stimulate the endocannabinoid system, which helps it better maintain or restore balance in our body.  While CBD is related to and has healing & therapeutic effects like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another cannabinoid compound the plant is famous for, it is quite different and has different effects on different receptors in the brain & body.  THC will get you high/stoned, but CBD doesn't have such effects and is legal in all states, so it's an alternative for those wanting the therapeutic effect of cannabis without feeling intoxicated.

Will It Get You High/Intoxicated?

Since it is a different cannabinoid compound that interacts with our brains and bodies in different ways than THC, no.

Does It Work?

By work, it depends what you mean.  There are many things CBD is being claimed to help with, but many aren't proven yet.  Since it does nourish and stimulate the endocannabinoid system, it does do a pretty good job helping with pain, sleep issues, and anxiety.   I personally use it daily because I find it does a fantastic job in taking the edge off of stress & anxiety.  I find they often manifest as a nervous/unsettled feeling, usually in my chest and/or gut, and when I take enough CBD it can make the feeling disappear nearly completely.   I've also used it to help me get better sleep at night when traveling or just having trouble getting quality sleep.  Obviously every person is different, but I've had it provide great relief personally through having a relaxing effect  and even had friends switch to it from anxiety medication and have great success.

How Do You Take It?

There are so many ways you can get CBD into your system... I'm going to do a post dedicated to diving into this more in depth, but you can eat it via candy or tinctures, vape it, apply it via creams, drink CBD water, chew gums with it, wear patches... heck there are even CBD bath bombs!  While the efficacy and speed of relief does differ with the different ways of consuming it, there are many options depending on your preferences.  As far as dosage and frequency, I tend to take around 50mg 2-3 times a day.  That said, I would highly recommend starting at about half that and working your way up as needed, and of course talking to your doctor first if you're taking any sort of mediation or are experiencing a lot of anxiety that has you wondering if CBD and/or medication are right for you.

Favorites CBD Products

Again, going to do a full post on different ways to take CBD, but for now, here are a few favorites:

Mineral Balance Tincture - Super concentrated and has CBN, CBG, and uplifting Terpenes

Foria Vape Pen - High quality, all natural & organic, no fillers/additives, very long lasting, aesthetic

Winged CBD Gummies - One of my favorite gummies because of taste & other ingredients for overall wellness

The Good Patch - A 12 hour patch that's extremely effective.  There are different focuses for different patches!

Grön CBD Chocolate - Some of the best tasting chocolate I've had in general, let alone with CBD.  Their gummies are delish too!

Sweet Reason CBD Sparkling Water - I love the cucumber & mint!  It's low dose but still a really nice and slightly relaxing alternative to plain water!