According to recent market studies, the CBD industry is expected to grow at a rate of about 107% per year. Rarely have holistic products geared towards natural wellness grown at such a rapid rate.
Why is there so much interest surrounding CBD? Who, exactly, can benefit from using CBD in their daily routine?
CBD may offer benefits that you will enjoy. However, getting started with CBD can seem a bit intimidating. Which CBD products are best for you and how much CBD should you take?
We’ll answer these questions and more in our guide to CBD and how to incorporate it into your natural wellness routine. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
What Is CBD?
CBD is shorthand for “cannabidiol,” a chemical compound derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. In laymen’s terms, it is a substance that comes from the plant most of us know as hemp, a close cousin of marijuana.
All mammals, including humans, possess an endocannabinoid system. This system is designed to signal cells to regulate all sorts of necessary functions, from sleep to appetite to mood and memory.
Scientists are still uncovering the link between CBD usage and endocannabinoid functioning. Currently, it is believed that CBD helps to protect the endocannabinoid system from breaking down, allowing it to do its job more regularly and efficiently. Others believe that CBD may bind to a receptor in the endocannabinoid system, although this receptor remains unknown.
Ultimately, CBD is a natural substance that appears to interact with natural functions in the human body. This produces benefits that many individuals enjoy.
Does CBD Make You “High”?
We often hear people asking if CBD makes you high. After all, it seems to have a pretty close relationship to the marijuana plant, right?
Not exactly.
CBD is found in the marijuana plant as well as the hemp plant. However, the chemical compound responsible for the “high” feeling we associate with marijuana is THC. THC produces psychoactive effects that may include sleepiness, confusion, and euphoria.
CBD, on the other hand, does not produce these effects. Some CBD products do contain trace amounts of THC while others make sure that no THC is included. In addition, products that combine the two are growing in popularity for those who want both the psychoactive effects of THC and the calming effects of CBD.
What Kinds of CBD Products Are Available?
As the CBD industry booms, the types of CBD products available on the market continues to expand. What started with a small array of oils and balms has exploded into a vast and oftentimes creative variety of products. Let’s take a look at some of the CBD products you can purchase today.
Oral CBD Products
Oral CBD products refer to any that can be taken by mouth. Some of the more popular oral CBD products include oils and gummies.
In addition to these more mainstream CBD products, you’ll find all kinds of edibles infused with CBD. Some bakeries have begun adding CBD brownies and pastries to their menus while dispensaries are selling tons of different brand name candies with a CBD twist. Now, you can even find CBD honey sticks to add to your tea, oatmeal, or other pick-me-up snacks.
Oral CBD products are designed to target a number of symptoms. It often makes sense to shop for CBD products based on what you’re hoping to treat, whether that’s anxiety, pain, or other ailments.
Topical CBD Products
Topical CBD products refer to any that are used on the skin, rather than ingested. These include things like CBD lotions, CBD balms, and even CBD chapsticks.
Generally, topical CBD products target one of two things: pain or issues with the skin. You may find topical CBD products that are designed to be used directly over areas affected by pain. You may also find topical CBD products that are designed to provide deep moisturization and skin cell rejuvenation.
You are unlikely to find topical CBD products that target symptoms of anxiety or other neurological issues.
Smokable CBD Products
Some users prefer the fast-acting benefits of smokable CBD products. Some dispensaries and online companies offer CBD vapes (both disposable and refillable) as well as CBD “joints.”
Smokable CBD products are not a great starting place for anyone who is new to CBD. Unless you are used to smoking marijuana or are looking for a way to quit smoking cigarettes, we recommend starting with oral or topical products, instead. Smoking CBD is one of the more intense ways to approach CBD use and it may be harder to gauge how much you are taking when you are smoking CBD.
What Are Possible CBD Benefits?
Because CBD is a relatively new area of interest, we are still unlocking the benefits of CBD, how they work, and how effective CBD is across the board. However, early studies look promising and many people have had success using CBD to find relief from a variety of symptoms.
To give you an idea of what we’re finding out about CBD, let’s look at some of the possible benefits that are being discussed today. Remember, CBD should be used to supplement your current wellness routine. It has not yet been proven to cure any of the ailments we will discuss below, but instead may offer some relief from individual symptoms.
Pain Relief
Some CBD users find that using CBD regularly helps to reduce pain. This has been the case for individuals who struggle with chronic pain as well as individuals who are experiencing temporary pain as the result of an injury or surgery.
It is believed that CBD may relieve pain by interacting with certain endocannabinoid receptors and reducing inflammation.
Calmness
Many mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia can create feelings of discomfort, agitation, and nervousness. Generally, mental health disorders are treated with a combination of pharmaceuticals, cognitive therapy, and healthy lifestyle changes.
It may turn out that CBD can also contribute to the fight against mental health disorders. CBD appears to trigger the brain’s serotonin receptors, and serotonin helps to promote feelings of calmness and happiness.
Skin Treatment
Skin conditions often arise from factors such as genetics, bacteria, inflammation, and the production of sebum, an oily substance in the skin. These are the factors responsible for things like acne and eczema.
CBD may interact with the sebaceous glands responsible for producing sebum, lowering the amount of sebum that your skin produces. It has also been found to lower inflammation. As a result, using oral or topical CBD may lead to less acne, less redness, and less irritation in the skin.
Heart Health
High blood pressure is a condition that can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome. Managing high blood pressure is an important way to maintain good heart health and lower your chances of serious ailments.
Some studies have found that people who take CBD have lower resting blood pressure. It is believed that this effect is linked to CBD’s possible calming effects, as stress and anxiety can cause spikes in blood pressure.
How Much CBD Should You Take?
If you’ve read through this guide and decided that you’re interested in trying CBD, you’re probably wondering how much CBD you should take. Finding the perfect dosage doesn’t come down to an exact science, especially when body types, uses, and types of CBD all come into play. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should take into consideration when deciding on the right CBD dosage for you.
Start Low to Test Your Sensitivity
Tolerance is a big part of figuring out the right dosage for you. We generally think of tolerance as something that builds over time, but it can also vary from person to person.
When you first start taking CBD, start on the lower end. For example, if your tincture of CBD oil recommends taking ten drops twice a day, start with five drops twice a day. Continue doing so for at least one week to see how your body reacts to CBD before upping your dosage.
Consider the Different Factors in Play
There are a lot of different factors that will affect your proper CBD dosage. These include your height and weight, the type of CBD you’re taking, the concentration of CBD in your product, and the effects you are hoping to receive.
Generally, people with larger bodies (both in terms of height and weight) may need to take a bit more CBD than people with smaller bodies. Some men may find that they need larger doses than women. Older adults may find that taking less CBD still produces the desired effect.
Consider What Symptoms You Hope to Treat
The symptoms you’re hoping to treat can also change how much CBD you should take. Let’s take a look at a chart that offers a general rule of thumb:
- Anxiety: 300 to 600 mg a day
- Pain: 50 to 600 mg a day, depending on the severity of pain levels
- Sleep issues: 25 mg a day
Of course, this does not cover the entire range of symptoms you may hope to treat with anxiety. Our goal is simply to reveal how much your proper dosage can change based on what you hope to treat.
Talk to a Professional
We recommend talking to a professional about your proper dosage. Going to a CBD dispensary the first time you purchase CBD is a great place to start. The staff will understand the products and can offer insight into how much of their products you should take to achieve the desired effects.
In addition, you should speak with a medical professional, especially if you are receiving medical treatment.
Does CBD Interfere With Prescription Medications?
Many people wonder if CBD will interfere with the prescription medications they are already taking. The answer is that it is a possibility that CBD will interfere with your medications.
If you are receiving medical or pharmaceutical treatment, consult with a medical professional before taking CBD. As with any supplement, natural or otherwise, it is important to understand the way CBD may interact with your medications. It is possible for supplements to increase the side effects of a medication or dull the desired effects of a medication.
Other Possible CBD Side Effects
Are there other possible side effects of CBD? One of the reasons that many people enjoy supplementing their wellness routine with CBD is that side effects are rare and generally not severe.
That being said, make sure you do monitor the way your body interacts with CBD. On occasion, users have reported feelings of nausea, irritability, dizziness, and sedation.
If you feel any adverse effects that you think may be caused by CBD, stop taking it and allow your body to self-regulate. If these adverse effects dissipate after CBD uses ceases, it is possible that CBD isn’t quite the right fit for you.
Find Out If CBD Is Right for You
CBD products are becoming more and more popular and the CBD industry is continuing to grow rapidly. We hope that our guide has given you the insight you need to understand what CBD is, what it may be able to do, and how much CBD you should take. Now, it’s time for you to find out if CBD is right for you!
Looking for more helpful tips and tricks? We’ve got plenty of content covering CBD and other natural wellness products as well as other helpful lifestyle guides. Take a look around and see what speaks to you.