CBD is the product of the moment. In the last couple of years, CBD products are everywhere. Beauty companies are rushing to make products with CBD, and coffee shops are offering CBD lattes while spas are offering CBD facials. And everybody from your frustrated colleague to your dad, who has joint problems, wants to get their hands on some CBD capsules.
But while CBD is infiltrating every part of our health and wellness world, a lot of people still find it CBD confusing. They don't know how CBD can improve their lives, how to use it, how to determine whether the stuff they are buying is legit, among other things. Dive deep as we explore CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the more than a hundred compounds found in cannabis. Of all these compounds, CBD is the second most prevalent. Cannabis is famously known for its psychoactive compound, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is actually the most prevalent compound in cannabis and is the one that causes the euphoric feeling after smoking marijuana. However, CBD is not psychoactive and doesn't cause euphoric effects. You won't get ‘high' by using CBD products.
So, where does hemp come in?
You have probably heard the terms marijuana, hemp, and cannabis being used in relation to cannabidiol. Cannabis Sativa has two major species – marijuana and hemp. Both species have cannabidiol. However, hemp has a higher concentration of CBD and fewer amounts of THC compared to marijuana.
You have probably heard about hemp oil several times, that's an oil extracted from hemp seeds. Hemp oil does not contain THC or CBD. Hemp oil mostly contains healthy fats and is normally used in beauty products due to its moisturizing effects.
CBD products are available in what forms?
Cannabidiol products are available in various forms. They include:
- Pure CBD oil and tinctures – CBD is extracted as an oil from hemp or cannabis. You can consume CBD oil by placing it in the mouth using a dropper. It is then quickly absorbed in the mouth.
- Pills and capsules – They are just like any other pills and capsules you buy from a pharmacy.
- CBD edibles – These are probably the most prevalent form of CBD products largely due to their ease of use. CBD gummies are the most popular CBD edibles – they are affordable, easily portable, discrete, and come in various tastes. You can even customize CBD edibles at home – you just need to add a few drops of CBD oil to your meal.
- CBD topicals – this is a form of CBD that is mostly used for cosmetic purposes. Like other cosmetic topicals, CBD topicals are applied to the skin. CBD topicals can also be applied to the skin to alleviate muscle soreness after an intense workout.
What are the benefits of CBD?
1. CBD can help you stay calm in stressful situations
Can you remember what it was like in college when you were trying to decide on a major? Good for you if you are one of the lucky few who always knew what they wanted to do in life. For most people, it was trial and error. But such is life. We are always faced with some stressful situations, whether at school, work, or home.
Whether or not you are where you want to be in your career, work-related stress is expected. Think of the never-ending gigs with tight deadlines and the ever-streaming work emails, client meetings, colleague meetings, and business trips. Surely, even if you love your job too much, there will always be stressful situations.
However, managing stress is necessary as it helps you remain focused and be productive at work. One of the major benefits of CBD is that it helps you to remain calm and collected during stressful situations. And it is not just work-related stress; you can use CBD products to calm your nerves in any other stressful situation.
2. Improved sleep
Enough and good quality sleep is necessary for your overall well-being. Think of those Saturday mornings when you have no agenda for the day, no kids, neighbors, or the garbage people to disrupt your sleep. Such quality sleep improves your memory, concentration, and helps to boost the immune system.
Are you getting a good night's rest? Consider these questions and answer them honestly. How much time does it take you to drift away? Do you wake up in the dead of night? Do you feel relaxed when you wake up? Or you feel exhausted? Do you have a consistent sleeping schedule? If you struggle with most of these things, you need to improve the quality of your sleep. CBD can help with that. CBD helps the body to remain calm and prepares the mind for rest. CBD also reduces daytime sleepiness, which helps to improve the quality of your night sleep.
3. CBD helps to relieve muscle pain after intense workouts
If you want to live a healthy life, consistent workouts are non-negotiable. Exercise helps to maintain health, strength and longevity. To do that, you will have to make a few visits to the gym every week or run a few miles every day, among other things. But sometimes, muscle soreness will occur after an intense workout, which is normal.
But should you stop exercising because of sore muscles? You need to keep moving. And to do that, you have to find a way to reduce muscle soreness after workouts. CBD helps to speed up the muscle recovery process after an intense workout. With CBD, you can continue with your workout schedule without worrying about muscle pains.
Other benefits include:
- Keeping the skin moisturized
- Helps to support cartilage and joint functions
What you need to know when shopping for CBD products
Shopping for CBD products can be a daunting task, especially when you are not conversant with matters to do with hemp and cannabis. Do you need CBD pills, gummies, oil, or vapor? What is the concentration of THC in the oil, in case of any? How many milligrams do you need?
Fortunately, there are a lot of quality CBD products in the market from reliable and reputable companies like Elite Health Products that are looking to help people find natural solutions to their health and wellness issues. On the flip side, you need to realize that there are some shady sellers who are looking for quick profits from the green boom. The following tips will come in handy when shopping for CBD products.
4. Check the THC content.
What does the law in your state say regarding cannabis and CBD? While CBD products have been legalized in most states, there are still restrictions on the amount of THC in CBD products. If you are looking for CBD products with more than 0.03% THC concentration, make sure you are in a state where recreational cannabis is allowed.
5. Check the ingredients
Make sure you read the ingredients when comparing different products. There are CBD products with additional ingredients that offer their own benefits, such as melatonin. On the other hand, you may come across a CBD product with potentially harmful ingredients such as vegetable glycerin, which is usually present in some CBD vape oils.
6. Understand CBD terms
Reading the ingredients is enough to ascertain what you need to know. However, it still helps to understand the terms that are normally used on packaging.
- CBD Isolate – this is CBD, which has been extracted from the plant and isolated from other compounds, including THC. It is 99% pure.
- Full Spectrum CBD – this type of CBD has not been isolated from other compounds. It will include THC, which increases its potential health benefits but makes it illegal in some states.
- Broad Spectrum CBD – it's CBD which has been extracted from the plant but has not been isolated from other compounds, such as fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes, apart from THC.
7. Are the products lab tested?
Check out whether a third party has tested the CBD products. Reputable companies will provide such information on their site to prove that their products meet the highest standards.
8. Does it have a batch number?
Remember how you check your bagged lettuce each time there is a recall to ascertain the one you have will not make you sick? It should be the same for CBD products as well. A batch number is a great indicator that the company is following high manufacturing standards.
Endnote
Without a doubt, CBD products are not going anywhere. The many health and wellness benefits mean the demand for CBD products can only rise. And although CBD is legal in most states, don't jump on the bandwagon without doing some due diligence. Know why you need it and what to look for in a brand.
Disclaimer: Content from the ConsciousLifeNews.com website and blog is not intended to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this website is intended for general consumer understanding and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. As health and nutrition research continuously evolves, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented on this website.
