CBD, or cannabidiol, is becoming a household name. In the last several years, this derivative from the hemp plant has received a lot of press and notoriety. While research is still being done to properly explain how CBD positively impacts the mind, body and soul, sometimes this compound gets confused with it’s closely related sister compound THC.
We are not doctors or scientists and don’t claim to know all the ins and outs of how this powerful plant extract works on the body’s various systems. We are very aware you can visit your friend Google to learn more about the details! What we hope to shed light on is a very basic understanding of CBD, take away any stigma about its effect (spoiler alert: you will NOT get high from pure CBD!) and educate you on how this powerful product can help you in your every day life.
WHAT IS CBD?
“A safe, non-addictive substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred ‘phytocannabinoids’…” [1] CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and affects the endocannabinoid system in our bodies [2]. By using this substance as an ingestible oil, edible or topical cream, it can have many therapeutic effects on the body without causing the “high” like THC-based products cause.
OK, BUT REALLY, ISN’T CBD THE SAME AS MARIJUANA?
NO! While CBD and THC have similar chemical compounds, the way they bind with chemicals in the brain differentiate their impact on our minds and bodies. THC binds in a way that causes psychoactive effects, such as a sense of euphoria or a “high” [3]. CBD on the other hand, binds weakly and doesn’t have the same type of psychoactive effect [4], although it does produce many of the same medical benefits such as aiding with anxiety, inflammation, mood-swings and pain [3].
HOW CAN CBD HELP ME?
CBD can be used to improve many mental and physical ailments without causing any debilitating side effects such as sleepiness or intoxication [3]. As an In Demand Woman, you have a lot of demands on your time and responsibilities in your life. We often hear women in our community comment that they “just don’t know how to get it all done”. Or, “I want to do it all but I just get so overwhelmed that I often freeze up and can’t get started.”. And most often, we hear “I just want it to get easier and get a break.”
In our experience, CBD is not the be-all, end-all for your In Demand life, but it can absolutely be a tool to help you calm down, take a deep breath and feel more confident in your everyday lifestyle. We like to describe the feeling of CBD as though it gives you the ability to take a meditative breath, know that everything is going to be OK and help you be the bad ass, IDW you are!
SO WHERE DO I GET IT AND HOW DO I USE IT?
There are many retailers both online and brick-and-mortar (i.e. specialty health food stores, apothecaries) that sell CBD products. It is important to look at how the CBD you purchase is made/extracted to know if it is a high-quality product. You can find it in tincture form (oil), edibles (gummies, drinks, cookies, etc.) or as topical creams. You should consider what ailment you are hoping to treat when you decide what kind of product to purchase. For mental-health related issues, such as anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, we find the tincture oil to be most effective. If you are looking for aid with physical pain, such as muscle pain, inflammation, etc., a topical CBD cream might be your best option.
As with any supplement, it’s important to start off slow and learn what effect it has on your particular body (and mind!). It might take a little experimenting with different brands, dosages, frequencies, etc. to determine what works best for you, as each person is unique.
We hope this article has helped shed some light on how CBD can be a positive influence in your life. We have found it to be a game changer for insomnia, anxiety and general stress and want to provide you as much information as possible so you can leverage this powerful substance to maximize its effectiveness for you!
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