How to Use CBD in Your Daily Routine
10 Underrated Health Benefits of CBD Oil
As many countries and several states in America start to legalize and welcome marijuana and hemp products, it’s no surprise that CBD has made its way into everything from grooming products to yoga studios. If you’re curious but not quite schooled on the best practices for implementing CBD goods into your routine, it can be intimidating to get started.
First things first: What is CBD? Founder and CEO of Ojai Energetics Will Kleidon explains that CBD products are those that contain the compound cannabidiol (CBD for short) that’s produced from the cannabis plant. There’s a huge variety of options and levels, but the most important differentiator is that CBD products should contain less than 0.3 percent THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol.
Why does this matter? THC is what gives you that high feeling when you smoke pot or eat a weed brownie. This is partly what makes CBD products so widespread and accepted, since they can target a whole slew of issues without feeling out of control. “All vertebrates — including humans — have endocannabinoid systems and they are fueled by full spectrum CBD-rich extracts. The endocannabinoid system’s job is to make sure every other system of the body is working properly. CBD can help!” Kleidon explains.
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From helping you zen out to treating skin issues, here are effective ways to use CBD products, recommended by the top experts.
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Balance and Normalize Your Body
You’ve likely never thought much about your endocannabinoid system’s functionality, but Dr. Jacqueline Nguyen, founder of Ensohara, explains that these receptors for cannabinoids promote our balance for overall health and wellness. These include CB1 and CB2, and are definitely worthy of your attention.
“CB1 receptors are located in the brain, lungs, nerves, muscles, vascular system, and gastrointestinal tract. CB2 receptors are present in the immune system, bones, spleen, colon, pancreas, and liver,” Nguyen explains. When we use CBD products, either topically or via supplements, we actually work to stabilize and normalize all of these various areas, helping to make daily life — from thought to movement — that much smoother.
Anti-Inflammatory for Acne and Redness
Sadly, there’s no age limit on acne, since plenty of people suffer from flare-ups well into adulthood. Other folks may battle redness or other abrasions, and often find themselves searching for answers. You might find a solution in CBD oils, according to Mills Miller, founder of MINERAL Health. He explains that a dime-sized amount to your problem area uses the plant-based anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD to work its magic. Just make sure you’re mindful of how you apply to avoid any irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.
“Most CBD oil products use a fat-soluble carrier to increase bioavailability in sublingual applications,” he states. “Applying a sublingual topically can be as effective, but the excess oil should be removed after the skin has had an opportunity to absorb the cannabinoids.”
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Start or Enrich Meditation
Some people (read: many) are guilty of not being able to fully relax in a yoga class, before they nod off to dreamland, or well, any time. Miller says a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue followed by 30 seconds of absorption and deep breathing can result in a near-instant flood of relaxation. While you should definitely check the laws in your state before you pack the drops into your yoga bag, this little addition to your flow could allow you to reach deeper — both in your body and in your mental capacity, Miller adds.
Strengthen Your Heart
Nguyen explains men especially face a range of health issues that includes high blood pressure and cholesterol, and when left untreated or ignored, they can cause potential debilitating effects. In addition to maintaining regular visits to your trusted physician for heart scans, calcium score, and CT angiograms, Nguyen says men might also see a dramatic difference in this all-too-important organ with the use of CBD hemp oil.
“CBD has receptors in all these parts of the organs, and after one to three months of use, my patients noticed that blood pressure, blood sugar, prostate, and cholesterol levels went down,” she explains. Though, sure, everyone’s experience is different and every body is unique, if you’re worried about your heart, it could be worth looking into.
Fight Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Whether your 9-to-5 is more like a “until your eyes bleed,” or you’re a new parent, or both of the above, nearly everyone battles seasons of increased stress. Though some people are able to get through the rocky periods without the assistance of prescriptions, Nguyen says far too many people become dependent on antidepressants or other medications.
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She explains when meds are used long-term, the side effects can impact every part of your life — from sexual performance to increasing your likelihood to develop other issues. As a natural alternative, Nguyen says CBD oils and products have been clinically proven to fight against mental illnesses from depression and anxiety to PTSD and so on. When implemented into your routine, you may feel more at ease, your heart rate could slow down, and your mind clearer to face whatever comes your way.
Improve Your Public Speaking
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Social Anxiety Disorder impacts an estimated 15 million adults — or nearly 9 percent of the population. In fact, Nguyen says public speaking is a grave fear of many people — even leading executives. If you want to get a step ahead in your career or finally be able to talk in front of a crowd without breaking out into a sweat, Nguyen suggest using CBD.
“Research shows that pure CBD tincture makes SAD patients more comfortable with speaking in public, even with a better reaction from their audience,” she says. It makes you more confident thanks to its effects on the limbic and paralimbic brain areas, making it unnecessary to picture everyone naked before you open up your speech.
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Promote Healthy Hair
Losing your hair may be an inevitable truth for many men, but there are ways to promote collagen and elastin in your locks while you have them. Steven Looi, director of strategy and investments for White Sheep Corp, explains that when a CBD oil formula rich in amino acids is applied to your scalp, it may result in stronger, thicker hair. And it can go a step further, perhaps even protecting your color, based on certain ingredients.
“Tyrosine, one of the amino acids found in CBD oil is responsible for melanin, the absence of which can cause your hair to go gray,” he explains. “The antioxidant properties of CBD oil also help reduce environmental and other oxidative stress and damage to hair.”
Ease Stomach Ache or Digestion
The use of medical marijuana has been allowed in many states and countries far before legalizing was ever a discussion. For those in chronic pain, and more specifically, those going through chemotherapy, this drug can make it easier to manage. As Looi explains, CBD has been shown to have anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties, helping cancer patients to rest and heal more comfortably.
If you’re suffering from a stomach ache or a digestive issue, CBD can restore your gut health and keep you from running to the bathroom over and over again. It can be so effective for those who suffer from autoimmune struggles, says Jonathan Teeters, general manager of the CBD division for Azuca, noting, “Many people with sensitive digestive tracts consume CBD daily.”
Add to Lube to Last Longer
Most CBD oils use coconut oil extracts or other all-natural, gentle ingredients, making it a solid alternative to lube. Though you’ll want to be mindful of any sensitivities, Teeters shares that it can reduce inflammation on sensitive tissues, you can go for longer, and have a more pleasurable experience for everyone. If you’re part of the one in three men who sometimes finishes a bit too quickly, CBD expert and author Brandon Nolte recommends allowing this all-star ingredient to get you out of your head and into the bedroom.
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“I've found that many men report using CBD to help them calm down if their mind is worked up or stressed,” he says. “This helps them get out of their head and more into their body, which puts them in the mood and makes sex more enjoyable.”
Sleep Better
Allowing you to stop cycling through the day’s to-do list and to let go of any anxiety lingering in your mind, CBD can help you catch those Z’s faster and sink into slumber more deeply, according to Nolte. It’s one of his go-to tools for insomnia or sleep ailments.
“Especially if I'm working late on a project and I try to go to sleep, it’s hard to turn my brain off. That's where CBD comes in. I keep a CBD tincture by my bed, and 10 to 15 minutes after use, I can feel a calming sensation in my mind that really prepares me to sleep,” he explains. “I try to use it only as needed, but when I do use it, it works quickly and doesn't leave me feeling drowsy in the morning.”
With all the uses of CBD we know about, it only makes sense that its popularity is climbing. Remember to check your state laws and availability and to ask your doctor before making any big CBD additions to your daily routine.
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