I'm guessing that by now most people have heard of CBD. They may not all know exactly what it is, or what it does, but they have seen the three letters on TV, in magazines, in adds online, or on signs atop the storefront of countless shops popping up all over urban and suburban areas. You may know someone who uses it and either swears by it, or stopped using it because they were unimpressed. I want to give you a brief overview of what it is, what it does, and the qualities to look for CBD and other hemp derived products to ensure improvement in overall health and quality of life.
CBD stand for Cannabidiol which is one of the cannabinoids derived from hemp. In the 1980's it was discovered that humans had an important system of receptors which they named the Endocannabinoid System. This system regulates mood, sleep and pain responses (among many others). Our body naturally produces cannabinoids and can easily recognize and supplement with plant based (or phyto) cannabinoids. Interestingly, the entire system was named after the plant after recognizing the affinity these compounds had with our own body!
When we have deficiency in our own cannabinoids and supplement with CBD (or CBG, CBN, CBC or other phytocannabinoids), it becomes like the perfect puzzle piece replacement for what is missing and can make a huge difference in the way we feel. This is why CBD can often seem like snake oil- we wonder how it could possibly help with sleep, and pain, and mood etc. Often you can begin using it for one purpose and end up improving other areas of health. We like to refer to these as "side benefits" (as opposed to side effects). And side note: hemp derived cannabinoids are not psychoactive and cannot make you "high."
When looking for a quality CBD line, you should make sure the product is full spectrum. Full spectrum products use the whole plant, natural clean extraction, natural cannabinoids and terpenes (aromatic compounds). Pharmaceutical CBD products are often isolates which contain only one cannabinoid, and use chemical fillers and synthetic ingredients. Broad spectrum products are highly processed requiring harsh solvents. You should also know the bioavailability of the formula. Cannibidiol is an oil and often the body can only absorb up to around 6%. Technology which increases the water solubility makes the product up to 94% bioavailable and can subsequently be found in the blood stream within minutes and lasting up to 12 hours.
I have found it extremely helpful when beginning a regimen of CBD and related supplements to let that be the lone change you make at first. If you change your diet, exercise program, quit smoking etc, you won't know which of these changes are affecting the way you feel. It may be helpful also, to track or journal subtle changes you notice- more energy, better quality sleep, reduced stress, improved mood, etc. You may have to experiment with dosage at first to find what works best for you. It may not always be the case that you'd need to increase your CBD dose, but instead incorporate another cannabinoid to increase the "entourage effect" or the combination of benefit for other body systems and functions.
If you have any questions regarding the CBD products I am carrying, feel free to explore my replicated website or reach out to me at any time.
