General wellness has become a hot topic in recent years. A healthy lifestyle not only helps you feel better on a day-to-day basis, but prevents chronic health issues like high blood pressure, inflammation, and more.
Unfortunately, ‘wellness’ as a concept is rather vague, and it’s easy to become misled by false advertising and scams. Many different products can be marketed to increase your overall wellness, but not all of them are scientifically proven.
Before investing in any vitamins or supplements, it’s important to do your own research and build a routine that fits your needs.
One supplement has been gaining traction in discussions about wellness: cannabidiol, or CBD.
Research into cannabinoids is still ongoing, but CBD has shown enormous potential in both formal and informal studies, making it the golden girl of cannabis research. For years, people have vouched for CBD’s efficacy in managing stress and discomfort, and now it’s finally gaining mainstream attention.
As a result, CBD is quickly becoming part of many Americans’ wellness routine. Products like oil tinctures and gummies make it easy to incorporate CBD into your daily life, and the results can be astounding. With the proper dosage, you can enjoy better sleep, lower anxiety levels, and more.
Before building your CBD wellness plan, you’ll need to know the facts. CBD isn’t the only cannabinoid; there’s an entire spectrum to benefit from. So, to better understand CBD and its sister compounds, it’s important to have the full picture.
An overview of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound derived from the Cannabis sativa plant.
These compounds can also be found in things like licorice and liverwort, but they’re most abundant in cannabis — hence the name ‘cannabinoid’.
The human body produces cannabinoids too; endocannabinoids are used by the body to regulate functions like sleep, metabolism, and appetite. They are processed through the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, where they go on to influence the rest of the body.
Some scientists speculate that a shortage of endocannabinoids can lead to problems like insomnia and anxiety. In these cases, supplementing with phytocannabinoids harvested from plants can help restore balance and improve your wellbeing.
There are over a hundred active cannabinoids, but only some of these have a measurable effect on the human body. CBD is one of the most well known examples, along with CBN, CBG, and CBC.
However, the most well known cannabinoid besides CBD is also the most controversial: tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
What sets CBD apart
In the United States, C. sativa plants are separated based on their THC content. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana, which has been the subject of intense discussion and regulation.
Cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC is considered marijuana, and regulations vary depending on state law. Plants that fall below that threshold are considered industrial hemp, which is legal at the federal level.
The most notable difference between CBD and THC is that CBD does not get you “high”. Like most cannabinoids, CBD influences the body through the endocannabinoid system and peripheral nerves. THC bypasses both of these, sending signals straight to the brain through the central nervous system. This leads to psychoactive side effects, including intoxication, paranoia, anxiety, hunger (“the munchies”), memory loss, and dry mouth.
For many years, CBD and other cannabinoids were restricted alongside THC. Many people challenged these strict regulations, citing CBD’s value as a supplement. Formal research confirmed many of these reports, revealing just how different CBD truly was, and how beneficial it could be.
The benefits of CBD
Cannabinoids affect everyone differently, which makes it difficult to gauge how effective they’ll be. However, CBD has been at the center of countless studies, and researchers have linked it to improvements in mood, sleep, and general wellness.
Depending on what troubles you, CBD can have the following benefits:
Minimizing stress
This is one of the primary reasons people choose CBD as a supplement. Stress does more than weigh on your mind; it can raise your blood pressure, cause hair loss, weaken your immune system, and more.
As time goes on, the side effects of stress only worsen, contributing to chronic conditions like fatigue and depression. CBD minimizes stress by relaxing the body, allowing you to unwind and better enjoy your downtime.
CBD isn’t the only cannabinoid for stress-relief. Cannabinol, or CBN, works on a deeper level to improve how your body responds to stressors, making it easier to cope with things as they come along.
Lower anxiety levels
Another reason people seek out CBD is for anxiety. Like stress, anxiety has an insidious effect on the body, taking a toll on other areas of your health. Physical manifestations of anxiety can include muscle tension, stomach trouble, and headaches.
CBD may be helpful to you in reducing these side effects, and slow down thoughts contributing to your anxiety. This can thne help you regain control over your nerves, making you better equipped to handle situations that make you nervous.
In a study involving public speakers, those who took CBD for anxiety felt more prepared and confident about speaking to an audience. On a day-to-day basis, you may find that CBD makes it easier to go out, talk to others, and perform tasks that used to make you uneasy.
Better sleep
The majority of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep. Plus, stress, anxiety, and pain can reduce the quality of that sleep. Without time to recoup, the body quickly becomes sore and tired, and the mind begins to fall into certain patterns of thinking.
CBD’s relaxing properties make it a valuable supplement for those struggling with fatigue and insomnia. On its own or combined with a natural sleep aid like melatonin, a nightly dose of CBD may help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and have more restful sleep.
When you begin sleeping better, you’ll likely find that your mind is clearer, your energy levels are higher, and your overall mood is better. Additional cannabinoids like cannabichromene (CBC) can also help with neuroprotection and regeneration, rejuvenating your brain while you sleep.
Controlling discomfort
Everyone experiences occasional pain and discomfort, but like stress and anxiety, chronic discomfort can wear you down over time. It can be difficult to relax and fall asleep if you’re uncomfortable, and lack of sleep only feeds the vicious cycle.
CBD can help you manage your symptoms, taking your mind off minor aches and pains. Additional cannabinoids, like CBG and CBN, can also boost feelings of pleasure and encourage deeper, more healing sleep, so you can break free of fatigue and feel well-rested despite your discomfort.
Boosting appetite
Most people know that THC causes “the munchies”, but CBD has a much more subtle, healthy effect on appetite. Instead of making you hungry, CBD works alongside your body’s natural endocannabinoids to regulate appetite. This means you’ll feel hungry when you need to eat, and full when you’re finished.
Reducing inflammation
Stiffness, soreness, swelling, and pain are all hallmarks of inflammation. Most people will experience some form of chronic inflammation as they get older, often caused by injuries, wear and tear, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
CBD can not only potentially help manage discomfort, but it may also be helpful in alleviating the inflammation causing pain. Even minor cannabis compounds have their benefits. Cannaflavin A, a flavonoid found in hemp, is currently being studied for its anti-inflammatory properties, which have been compared to aspirin.
Improving skin health
When taken orally, CBD doesn’t provide many obvious benefits for your skin. Instead, it improves your overall health, which in turn can boost the health of your skin. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions have all been linked to inflammation and stress, and a CBD wellness plan may be helpful to you in managing both.
There is also a growing interest in topical CBD. These include creams, ointments, and moisturizers containing CBD and other cannabis compounds. Applying these to problem areas can potentially reduce redness and itching, and reduce future breakouts.
Easing chronic illness symptoms
People with chronic illnesses were some of the loudest and proudest advocates for CBD, and for good reason. Stress, poor sleep, discomfort, and inflammation are common among people with chronic illnesses, and CBD is a natural alternative to heavier medications. In some cases, it comes with fewer side effects and risks, making it preferable for long-term use.
While CBD and other supplements should never replace proper treatment, they can provide another solution for those struggling with chronic illness. When your symptoms seem ongoing and endless, it’s good to have options.
Supporting addiction recovery
When recovering from addiction, moments of peace are few and far between. Many people fall off the wagon because they cannot find relief from cravings and withdrawal, making it difficult to maintain sobriety.
Combined with a proper rehabilitation program, CBD can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, providing some much-needed solace.
The CBD spectrum
Before choosing a CBD product, you have to decide what compounds you’re willing to take.
CBD is just one cannabinoid in a long lineup of cannabis compounds. Throughout the article, we’ve touched on a number of other cannabinoids, including CBC, CBG, CBN, and THC. There’s also flavonoids and terpenes, which provide subtle nuances to each strain of cannabis.
These compounds come together to form a spectrum. CBD products typically fall into three categories: CBD isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum.
Like the name implies, CBD isolate only contains one compound: CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD includes a select variety of other compounds, while full-spectrum CBD contains them all – including a trace amount of THC.
When discussing the presence of THC in CBD products, it is important to understand how the spectrum comes together. When taken in tandem, cannabis compounds build off one another, creating something known as the entourage effect.
The entourage effect not only heightens and enhances the experience, but it unlocks the full potential of the CBD. The fuller the spectrum, the fuller the effect.
Removing the THC from the spectrum is like removing a color from the rainbow; the experience just isn’t complete without it. That’s why Yummy CBD includes a trace amount of THC (in line with federal regulations) in every gummy and tincture. This amount is too small to induce intoxication, but just enough to make the CBD last longer and work better.
Yummy CBD Wellness
Yummy CBD products are perfect for building your CBD wellness routine. All of our CBD is derived from organic, industrial hemp, and batch-tested by a third party to ensure dosage and quality.
Currently, we offer oils and gummies, though our catalog is constantly expanding. Both products come in two varieties: one for the daytime, and another for bedtime.
CBD oils
If you’ve never tried CBD before, oils are a good place to start. Every bottle of Yummy CBD oil comes with a measured dropper, making it easy to measure out your dose and increase it as needed.
- Orange Zest Organic CBD Oil contains 33mg of CBD per mL, totalling about 1,000mg per bottle.
- Mellow Mint Sleep CBD Oil contains 33mg of CBD per mL, for about 1,000mg of CBD total. To improve sleep, 1mg of melatonin is added per every mL.
To take CBD oil, empty the dropper under your tongue and hold the oil in your mouth. The capillaries under your tongue will absorb the CBD into your bloodstream, where it can quickly begin working.
Yummy CBD oils are designed with your experience in mind. Every tincture is made with MCT coconut oil and flavored with natural sweeteners, making them easy to hold in your mouth.
CBD gummies
If you’re looking for something more sweet and discreet, Yummy CBD also carries gummies. Made with MCT coconut oil and natural sweeteners, every pouch contains a variety of flavors, including grape, watermelon, pineapple, and green apple.
- Fruity Delight Original Gummies contain 24mg of CBD per gummy, totalling 720mg per pouch.
- Renew Full Spectrum Sleep CBD Gummies also contain 24mg of CBD per gummy, but with an added 1mg of melatonin.
Like other edibles, gummies have to be partially digested before they can take effect, so time your doses with this in mind. Keep the gummies out of direct sunlight, and store them out of reach of any pets or children.
Ready to try full-spectrum CBD for yourself? Check out our Buyer’s Guide to learn more about your Yummy CBD options, or head over to the SHOP to pick out your first product.