The stigma that surrounds cannabis has been slowly dissipating over the years, following the revelation that one of its compounds, cannabidiol (CBD), has the potential to help with numerous health conditions.
Recently, CBD is a buzzword in the medical field for a while now due to the potential health benefits that it provides. More and more people are wanting to try it out for themselves and wonder how they can use CBD in their everyday life.
CBD: What Is It?
The cannabis plant contains over 60 cannabis-specific compounds known as cannabinoids. The two major and well-known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC is responsible for the ‘high’ feeling associated with the marijuana plant. Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, so you won’t get the same high when taking CBD.
The most studied and proven health benefit of CBD is the reduction of epileptic seizures. In fact, the FDA approved a medication, Epidolex, that contains CBD. This medication is used for patients with Dravet and Lennox-Gastraut syndrome, which are two rare forms of epilepsy. Such findings have prompted researchers to look into other possibilities.
CBD is also believed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, as well as easing mood and psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Meanwhile, government-backed clinical research shows positive results concerning the potential of CBD for treating Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition, some studies even found out that CBD may have cancer-fighting properties.
Other possible applications of CBD are reducing acne breakouts, managing heart health, diabetes prevention, and as a treatment for substance abuse, among others.
How Does It Work?
In order to understand how CBD offers various solutions, you need to understand the ECS (endocannabinoid system). The ECS is a part of the mammalian central nervous system. Think of it as the regulatory committee of the body.
The ECS mainly influences your memory, mood, cardiovascular health, immunity, and appetite. Whenever something gets unbalanced, this system will step up to bring order; this is the process called homeostasis.
Now, the body produced endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced cannabinoids. There are two networks of receptors for these cannabinoids:
- CB1: Mostly found in organs, connective tissues, gonads, and your nervous system.
- CB2: Found on the immune system and related organs
As we age, our endocannabinoid production tends to slow down.
CBD, being a phytocannabinoid (cannabinoids produced by plants), can be an alternative for the missing endocannabinoids in our system. It can mimic the endocannabinoids, AEA and 2-AG, that are naturally produced by our bodies.
Once ingested, cannabidiol works by targeting our ECS. It’s said to bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. It’s also thought to interact with the body via several other biological pathways, producing therapeutic effects by activating several pathways at once.
Ways To Use CBD
So, now you might be more convinced to try CBD and enjoy its potential health benefits. To help you out, here’s how you can add CBD into your everyday life.
1. Drink It With Your Favorite Beverage
Whether you’re a water person or want something refreshing, you’ll be glad to know that CBD oil can be infused with any beverage you like.
Add it to your morning coffee to improve mental awareness while reducing anxiety, insomnia, and the usual jitters associated with consuming too much coffee.
If you’re not a coffee person, you’ll be glad to know that CBD complements tea as well. You can also add it to your sparkling water or fruity water.
Now, if you want to experience the full benefit of CBD in your drink, we suggest that you go with a full spectrum CBD oil. This type of CBD contains all the beneficial compounds of cannabis, including terpenes, flavonoids, and even a small amount of THC. While CBD is beneficial on its own, its therapeutic effects are much stronger when it’s working with other cannabis compounds–this is known as the entourage effect.
2. Incorporate With Your Meals
Pancakes? Grilled Fish? Caesar Salad? Boost your meals with a few drops of CBD. You can drizzle here and there, allowing you to consume its potential health benefits with your hearty meal.
Just be careful about the amount you add. CBD is reported to have an earthy, grassy taste and can alter the flavor of your finished recipe. Fortunately, you can find flavorless CBD oils on the market that allows you to drizzle as much as you want, without a significant off-flavor in your meal while boosting it with extra nutrients.
3. Take A Vape Hit
Due to the recent popularity of vape, vaping CBD has also become a common thing. You can find CBD infused with all kinds of e-juice flavors so that your experience could be enjoyable.
CBD needs to reach the bloodstream to experience its effects. Vaping can get the active ingredients of your CBD oil into your system instantly and in high concentrations. Hence, vaping or inhaling CBD is the fastest way to feel its effects.
Inhaling CBD avoids the digestive system and gets absorbed through your, lungs which contain millions of alveoli and are surrounded by miniature blood vessels. As blood cells pass through your lungs for oxygen, CBD is also transferred from your alveoli into the bloodstream, and into your endocannabinoid system.
4. Boost Your Skincare Routine
We all want smooth, shiny, and youthful skin, which is why the beauty industry offers all kinds of beauty and skincare products for keeping it that way. Whether you’re obsessed with keeping your face and skin glowing or just want to keep signs of aging at bay, you probably have some skincare routine every night.
CBD face creams, lotions, toners, and more are now available in the market, which may help boost the advantages of regular beauty products. Although it still requires more research, studies show positive results of CBD used topically. It’s said to help reduce inflammation, making it valuable for reducing acne breakouts while giving your skin a lift. In addition, those dark bags under your eyes, as well as a puffy face, can be reduced, making you stay and looked refreshed.
5. Snack on CBD Treats
From CBD gummies and candies to CBD cookies and CBD brownies, there’s a CBD edible you can snack on when you feel hungry in-between meals, need some healthy dessert, or need a sweet boost when stressed at work.
These delicious CBD-infused treats are the simplest and easiest ways to introduce CBD into your daily routine. However, since CBD edibles are processed by your digestive system, it takes a while for CBD to break down and allow you to feel the effects. So, unlike vaping or drinking, snacking on CBD edibles won’t be able to deliver the effects instantly.
With that said, you should be careful not to overconsume CBD edibles just because you don’t feel anything after a few hours after ingesting. Instead, do your homework and know the proper CBD dosage for you.
6. Meditate or Soak With CBD
You deserve a break from all the stress at work. A simple meditation routine in the morning or a warm, relaxing soak in the bathtub at night can help ease the tiredness and stress away. Additionally, you can level up the stress-reducing factor with CBD.
Along with other essential oils, you can add CBD oil to your diffuser while doing yoga or meditating. Essentials oils are said to help relieve stress and induce relaxation. When paired with the anti-anxiety and anti-depressive properties of CBD, you may take your meditation to a whole new level of de-stressing and unwinding, making you feel refreshed and alert for the day.
After a tiring day, you can also turn your bathroom into a calming spa with CBD-infused bath bombs or salts. The warm water and essential oils help release the stress from your mind, while CBD may help provide relief from aches and pains of the body. As a result, you may get the ultimate comfort and relaxation you need.
7. Power Up Your Fitness Routine
CBD is also said to be beneficial for your workout routine. As researchers continue to investigate the benefits of CBD, some studies suggest that CBD may be useful as a stimulant and provide a boost of the much-needed energy.
So, by adding CBD to your protein shake or getting CBD-infused protein powders, you may power up your workout performance.
Also, an intense workout can take a toll on your muscles, leaving you with soreness, pains, and aches that need some healing and rest. CBD-infused rubs and balms may help. These products may help reduce pain and aches, allowing your body to recover faster so you’ll be ready for your next workout session.
In addition, there are CBD products infused with other ingredients, such as eucalyptus oil, to provide a cooling and soothing effect, giving relief to overworked and tired muscles.
Conclusion
Whether it’s your first time trying CBD or looking for new ways to add more CBD into your life, you can now start using CBD in your everyday life with the above tips, allowing you to enjoy the advantages it may provide.
