January happens to be National CBD Month, the perfect time to familiarize yourself with its wide range of natural health & wellness benefits. From tinctures to capsules, salves and balms, CBD is now available in a variety of delivery methods, making it easy to find the one that’s right for you.
First and foremost, what is CBD? Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, is one of the 104 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. You may be more familiar with Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC is responsible for the sensation of getting “high”; typically associated with marijuana. However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive – meaning it won’t alter your state of being, or get you high.
The human body contains a specialized, internal regulatory system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for managing a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response. The body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system.
This is all just an elaborate way of saying that our bodies are designed to work with CBD in a way that impacts endocannabinoid receptor activity. That means, CBD can help reduce inflammation, and ease anxiety as well as chronic pain, among other things. This makes CBD an excellent alternative for folks seeking a more natural form of pain relief and stress management.
CBD for anxiety and depression
According to Johns Hopkins, Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders in America. So much so, that an estimated 26% of Americans, ages 18 and older – about 1 in 4 adults – will suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year.
To make matters worse, treatment for mental health disorders has somehow garnered a bit of a stigma over the years. Many people feel a sense of guilt or even shame when it comes to experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it difficult to seek treatment. More often than not, anxiety and depression are typically treated with pharmaceutical drugs. These of course, can come with a number of side effects including drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, headache – the list goes on.
However, with CBD now readily available, a more natural form of treatment is on the table. CBD’s natural ability to act on the brain’s serotonin receptors – the neurotransmitters known to regulate mood and social behavior – makes it a promising treatment alternative for those suffering from anxiety and depression.
CBD for pain relief
A European study, published in the European Journal of Pain, showed that topical CBD helped lower arthritis-related pain and inflammation. The CBD oil was applied as a transdermal topical to rats who had developed arthritis, and after a few days, the inflammation and symptoms associated with arthritis had subsided significantly. Similarly to the way CBD works with anxiety and depression, it does the same for the brain’s neurotransmitters that act as pain receptors, while also diminishing inflammation in joints.
Other studies have reported positive effects for individuals taking CBD to ease their fibromyalgia pain, many of whom only experienced mild side effects from this chemical compound, such as dry mouth, drowsiness, and dizziness. Even with mild, naturally-occuring side effects, many consider this to be a much better trade-off than some of the side effects associated with pharmaceutical prescriptions.
Is it safe?
According to a Harvard Health Review:
Side effects of CBD can include nausea, fatigue and irritability. CBD can increase the level of blood thinning and other medicines in your blood by competing for the liver enzymes that break down these drugs. Grapefruit has a similar effect with certain medicines.
So, there you have it, CBD is about as harmful as a grapefruit! In all seriousness, keep in mind that people taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. However, many non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have this same effect. So, you should let your doctor know if you are regularly using CBD.
At the end of the day, CBD simply doesn’t carry the risk for harm that most of our pharmaceutical prescriptions do. That said, anyone looking to make the switch to a more natural, alternative method of treatment, should always consult with their doctor before discontinuing any current medications.
Different forms of CBD
When just getting acquainted with CBD, the three most important terms to know before making a purchase, are: CBD volume, hemp oil volume, and CBD concentration. The second and third items are the most critical, because they indicate the oil’s potency.
For those looking to CBD as a natural alternative, you might explore:
- CBD oil, which is the “more potent version and delivery system of CBD”
- CBD oil topical solutions, enabling the user to use it on a more targeted area
- CBD oil tinctures, which are alcohol-based cannabis extracts that can be ingested orally, and the most popular CBD oil choice
- CBD dietary supplements, or capsules containing CBD oil in in a powdered form
The CBD solution that’s right for you will likely depend on the location and severity of the pain or discomfort you’re looking to treat. If you want to target a specific area, an oil or oil topical may be the best. However, if the pain is all over, then a tincture or dietary supplement may be the way to go.
Also, if you’re new to using CBD oil, it’s recommended that you start small, with a dose of only 10 milligrams per day to establish a safe, effective and comfortable amount for you.
Ways to celebrate CBD this month
One of our long-time, personal favorite CBD brands is Dani Pepper, which is dedicated to women’s sexual health and wellbeing. Not only do they create clean products with no no chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers, GMOs, heavy metals, or mycotoxins, but they promote self-care and shatter long-held stigmas through education and awareness.
One of their most popular products is “O” By Dani Pepper™ CBD Orgasm Enhancer. A combination of pure CBD and an intoxicating aphrodisiac blend made of 100% plant-based ingredients make good sex glorious by keeping you moisturized, while soothing any pelvic pain or irritation.
Another way to treat yourself while celebrating CBD this month, is with our very own Downlinens CBD Pillow Protector. We’ve worked hard to bring you the best possible sleep experience, and this naturally-infused pillow protector takes relaxation to the next level with pure cannabidiol that gently releases while you sleep. This has been one of our favorite products to develop, we’re excited to introduce the calming effects of CBD in the bedroom.
For the month of January, we’re celebrating National CBD Month by offering our famous pillow cover at 20% off!
If you’ve been curious about the health & wellness benefits of CBD, there’s no better time to explore your options. Remember, if you are hoping to wean off of pharmaceutical treatments completely, it is always best to consult with your doctor before discontinuing your prescribed medications.
That said, an alternative treatment option may be a great, natural fit for you, but you won’t know until you give it a shot. The benefits and holistic healing properties are well-documented, but may require a bit of trial and error to find the right fit for you and your health needs.
We’d love to hear about your experience with CBD!
