If you’ve been out and about anywhere lately you’ve probably seen or heard about CBD. It’s being sold and promoted everywhere from gyms, spas, medical offices, and convenience stores.
But what is it?
CBD is short for cannabidiol and is one of over 100 chemical compounds derived naturally from the cannabis plant. CBD is made by extracting cannabidiol from the marijuana plant.
Even though cannabidiol comes from the marijuana plant it does not promote any form of intoxication or “high” like another cannabinoid most commonly known as THC.
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and is the active “psychoactive” ingredient in marijuana that could impair your judgment or get you “high”. They come from the same plant but have opposite effects.
There are many benefits to using cannabidiol to help treat conditions like pain, insomnia, and anxiety. These are pretty much all of my mom-life ailments and I knew that CBD was something I wanted to explore and research more of. I own a wellness spa so finding ways to better oneself has always been a passion of mine.
The daily grind of being a stay at home, full time small business owner/mom can lead to exhaustion, stress and restless sleep.
This is why I use CBD.
When I was younger I was in a car accident that resulted in chronic neck and back pain. I spent two years going to physical therapy to learn how to handle my daily aches and pains and tried several anti-inflammatories. I continued to manage my pain and flare-ups with heat, ice, massage, and CBD on a regular basis.
I primarily use CBD in the evenings to help reduce pain and inflammation, lessen daily anxiety and promote restful sleep. It doesn’t make me feel high or any different it just takes the edge off a little and allows my body and mind to wind down. But there are many other uses and benefits that people are finding from CBD.
One of the first mainstream medical uses of CBD came with the treatment of epilepsy. Recently the U.S Food and Drug Administration advisory panel unanimously recommended approval of the CBD medication Epidiolex to treat two rare forms of epilepsy often found in children.
You can buy and use CBD in many different ways. They have CBD gummy bears,
drinks, tinctures, topicals, lotions, and bath bombs just to name a few. I like the gummy bears at night for a sweet treat and also like the capsules and water for quick consumption. I’ve also found pain relief from using lotions and topicals that contain CBD and other natural ingredients and essential oils.
Cannabidiol is not federally regulated and products could be inaccurately labeled or marketed. A general rule of thumb is to look for products that are third party tested and offer the results to their findings.
*For any questions or health concerns always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment. I am not a doctor or medical professional and am sharing the benefits I have personally found from using CBD.
