Understanding CBD

CBD and other hemp derived cannabinoids are growing in popularity by the day. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 7 adults in the United States take CBD regularly. If you aren’t familiar with CBD, you may be wondering what all the hype is about and whether CBD truly lives up to said hype. We are here to tell you that it most definitely does. 

 

How can it be possible for one plant to have seemingly endless benefits? Keep reading and we’ll tell you!

What is CBD

 

To first understand why more and more people are turning to, you first have to understand how and why it works. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 known cannabinoids found within the hemp plant. It is one of the most readily available compounds in hemp which, along with its potential health benefits, contributes to its popularity over other hemp derived cannabinoids.

 

CBD works by interacting with your body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system (ECS).  The ECS is responsible for regulatory functions like sleep, hunger, pain, stress, and more. Unlike THC which binds directly to cannabinoid receptors in the body and is best known for the ability to make the user feel ‘high’, CBD has more of a passive influence on these receptors and does not provide that same euphoric feeling.

 

Because CBD does not bind directly with CB1 or CB2 receptors, it has an overall calming effect within the endocannabinoid system which leads it to provide the tangible effects that it does on the physical body and mind. One of the most important aspects of CBD is that it will not get you high. 

 

The Top 3 Reasons People Take CBD

 

So now that we have a better understanding of how CBD works, let’s dive into the potential benefits of CBD and why so many people choose to take it.

 

CBD for Chronic Pain

 

Unsurprisingly, the number one reason why so many people choose to take CBD is to help manage pain. As of April 2020, 64% of regular CBD users turned to the cannabinoid to help reduce their pain. 

 

When it comes to pain, CBD is thought to work in two different ways. The first, is that it may increase the neurotransmitter, adenosine, in the brain which inhibits the feeling of pain in the body. Secondly, CBD may also work to block pain signals from being processed which therefore reduces pain.

 

If you are thinking of turning to CBD to help manage your chronic pain, knowing what kind of CBD to use may be overwhelming. The type of CBD you should take for pain can vary depending on the type of pain you are experiencing. If you are suffering from localized pain, you can opt for a topical treatment applied to the specific area. This approach works well for those experiencing joint pain due to injury or arthritis. If you are experiencing pain in more than one area of the body or more intense localized pain, you can opt for both a topical and ingestible treatment or an ingestible alone, such as a tincture or soft gel.

CBD for Stress and Anxiety

 

Considering that 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety, it is not surprising that it is the second highest reason people are turning to CBD. In fact, as of April 2020, 49% of all CBD users were looking for help managing stress and anxiety.

 

When it comes to CBD for stress, it works in a similar way that it works for pain. CBD essentially calms the entire endocannabinoid system which is thought to boost serotonin and provide an overall feeling of calm. 

 

When turning to CBD for anxiety or stress, opting for a tincture may be a good choice. CBD tinctures can be taken sublingually which allows them to enter the bloodstream quickly providing a swift result. However, the fastest way to get CBD into your bloodstream would be inhalation via vape.

 

CBD for Sleep and Insomnia

 

Coming in close behind stress and anxiety, 42% of all CBD users choose CBD to help them manage insomnia and sleep issues. Since CBD provides that overall feeling of calm, it makes sense that it can also help induce a better night’s sleep. Additionally, our endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating sleep cycles. CBD’s influence on this system can also work to produce a healthy circadian rhythm to promote better sleep and reduce insomnia.

 

When turning to CBD for sleep, any method of ingestion will work, but we prefer opting for a CBD and melatonin combination for optimum benefits. A top choice for this is the Source CBD CBD Soft Gels with Melatonin and CBD.

 

When it comes to CBD, there are clear reasons why many turn to the cannabinoid to help with things like sleep, pain, and anxiety. However, there are many other reasons people turn to CBD as well! Some of these reasons include:

 

• Headaches
• Depression
• Acne
• For their pets

 

Lastly, some people turn to CBD simply to feel better overall and as a preventative health solution. Each person is unique which means that CBD will work differently for everyone which is why we always recommend consulting a medical professional before. When starting a CBD regimine, we recommend starting with a smaller dose and working your way up until you find the right solution for you!

 

Coastal Hemp Co. offers a wide variety of CBD and other hemp derived tinctures, balms, soft gels, edibles and more for sale.