Cannabidiol (CBD) products have burst onto the market this decade, and we are being told that they can help with all kinds of conditions. While the scientific research is still limited, and we certainly don’t suggest using CBD as a substitute for your current medication, there are a number of intriguing benefits of this non-psychoactive cannabis component that could prove helpful in our day-to-day lives.
In this article, we’ll draw from conclusive scientific facts about CBD, and present a few situations where you might be thankful for having a bottle of CBD oil or a pack of infused gummies.
Settling pre-flight nerves
It’s not uncommon to get a bit nervous before a flight, and for the mind to start circling through various worst-case scenarios. Society’s main choice for such a situation is alcohol, and you’ll find plenty of bars and pubs throughout the terminal – but an intoxicating beverage is hardly the healthiest or most sensible thing to take if you’re anxious.
CBD, in contrast, has shown great promise as an anti-anxiety tool, in studies on the brain, and when compared against a placebo. Another great benefit of CBD is that with the right product, such as a tincture oil, the benefits can be detected just a few minutes after taking it. Carry a hemp-based CBD oil in your bag, and you’ll have an on-demand anxiety-reducing agent that’s legal in all 50 states.
Improving your complexion
If there’s one product that you should apply to your skin on a regular basis, it’s a CBD cream. The endocannabinoid system in which CBD functions has been long neglected, having not been discovered until the 1990s, but the skin contains cannabinoid receptors that can be activated to alleviate inflammation. This suggests that CBD may be an effective natural remedy for acne, which causes oily skin and pimples.
CBD also has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help to treat skin infections. An infused cream could also be applied to protect a healing wound.
Furthermore, CBD is packed with antioxidants, which could be vital to slowing the aging process, and preventing the skin from becoming saggy and wrinkly before time.
After exercising
Exercise is very important, and over the past few years, scientists have discovered that a good workout helps to increase levels of anandamide in the brain, an endocannabinoid that works to boost our mood. However, while the natural buzz from exercising is great, the aches and pains we suffer from afterwards can ultimately put us off.
CBD may be useful here, as well. The compound has been shown to alleviate pain, seemingly through indirect interactions with the CB1 receptor and the TRPV-1 receptor, which operates outside of the ECS. Topical products, such as the pain rub from Hemp Bombs, can help to soothe aching areas and also protect against inflammation and muscle damage. Runners may benefit from CBD’s effects, as the activity is notorious for being hard on the knees.
In the morning
We all need something that gives us a bit of ‘get up and go’ in the morning. The caffeine in coffee or a soft drink is great for waking us up, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be in a good mood afterwards! The antidepressant properties of CBD are, therefore, just what’s needed in the morning, to give us the motivation and overall frame of mind to smash the day ahead.
For those who work in an office, the discretion offered by CBD capsules and edibles makes them a good mid-morning snack. Vapers may like an e-liquid infused with CBD – this could either be in the form of a standalone e-juice, or as a vape additive.
In the evening
A small dose of CBD is nice for a morning lift, but in the evenings, a larger and more relaxing dose is likely in order. CBD is a biphasic substance, which explains why the effects can vary so much, depending on how much is taken. Some studies have been conducted on CBD and stress, with research showing the cannabinoid can reduce levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone that is released when we’re stressed.
The calming, anxiety-relieving and stress-busting effects of CBD are a perfect combination for getting mind and body into a state that’s good for sleep. When winding down at night, consuming an edible, capsule or any slow-release product about an hour before bed will help make you sleepy, but not intoxicated. Another benefit of CBD is that it’s non-addictive, unlike some sleeping tablets.