Cannabidiol or CBD is having its moment in the spotlight, and it doesn’t seem like interest is going to die down anytime soon. CBD’s growing popularity has a lot to do with the varied applications it has and the benefits it can provide. People all over the spectrum from athletes to seniors are turning to it as a supplement that can provide relief for different kinds of distress.
What makes CBD even more versatile is that it can be ingested in several different ways, each with their own benefits. For instance, vaping CBD and taking CBD capsules may lead to similar long-term benefits, but in the short term, they affect the body in different ways. If you’re looking to try out CBD and confused about how to go about choosing the right product, it might help to first ask why you want to take it in the first place. Here’s a conclusive list that’ll help you make the best choice.
For Immediate Pain Relief: CBD Balms
There could be several reasons why one would require quick pain relief: a physically strenuous job, a rigorous workout routine, or just aches and pains associated with aging. Whatever the cause, CBD balms can definitely help. Most muscle and joint pains are caused by inflammatory responses. This essentially means that when stress is placed on a part of the body, the tissues in the area draw blood to the site so it can heal. Inflammation is a necessary part of tissue repair, but excessive inflammation is what causes prolonged pain.
CBD balms work by penetrating the skin and delivering the compound to endocannabinoid receptors underneath. These endocannabinoid receptors control a lot of things: healthy oil production, healthy hair growth as well as inflammation. Research suggests that a healthy ECS can also reduce pain by lowering activity in overactive nerves. This is great for two reasons. First, you only need to apply the balm on the source of pain for it to work. Second, a potent CBD balm can make its way down to the lower layers of the skin in as little as 10-15 minutes so you don’t have to wait around.
Related: Different Ways to Consume CBD You May Not Know
For Immediate Stress Relief: CBD Vape Oil
Everyone’s had moments when they feel like they’re beginning to spiral. Whether it’s a painful conversation or a hard day at the workplace, these times call for something that can curb racing thoughts. Most people that vape CBD oil love its ability to work almost instantly to achieve CBD oil benefits.
How exactly does CBD oil help with relaxation? Research suggests that a healthy endocannabinoid response can boost serotonin signaling, which promotes feelings of calm. Some animal studies also suggest that CBD is a neurogenerative compound, which means it promotes the growth of neurons in areas of the brain associated with stress responses, another CBD oil benefit. The reason CBD oil works so fast is that when it is vaped, it enters the bloodstream through the lungs similar to the way oxygen is absorbed by the body when breathing. This means that it can be dispersed through the body within minutes, and provide relief almost instantly. Try CBD oil for quick pain relief.
For More Restful Sleep: CBD Drops
Not being able to sleep at night isn’t just annoying, it’s also downright harmful. In addition to daytime sleepiness, a lack of sleep is associated with several common health issues, such as heart disease and obesity. By supporting the endocannabinoid system, CBD could help with sleeplessness. The best product for this would be a few drops of CBD an hour before bedtime.
People that use CBD for stress believe that the lowered stress makes it easier to sleep at night, while others say that CBD helps with pain that used to keep them awake. However, research suggests that a healthy endocannabinoid system can have a direct impact on sleep as well. A few endocannabinoid receptors play a role in a healthy sleep-wake cycle. This means that a healthy endocannabinoid system can not only help you sleep better at night, but also feel more alert during the day, which is something that is hard to achieve with traditional sleeping medicines. To try CBD for sleep, place a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue, wait for 60-90 seconds and then swallow.
To Feel Healthier Overall: CBD Capsules
The amount of processes that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in is astounding. Research suggests that it can promote a healthier gut flora, better immune response, lower inflammation, better stress responses, healthier skin and hair, and healthy hormone production – to name a few. Supporting the endocannabinoid system with a daily dose of CBD could be an easy way to give your body and mind some reinforcement. With regular use of CBD, you could be well on your way to feeling more active and more relaxed with fewer aches and pains. If you already take vitamin supplements, simply adding a CBD capsule to your daily intake will do the trick. Capsules may take longer to take effect, but they provide prolonged benefits for day-long wellness.
To Power through a Workday: CBD Edibles
Some days at the office can be harder than others. If you’re under stress, short on sleep, or otherwise distracted, it can make the day difficult to get through. Several CBD users claim that taking CBD has helped them discover their ‘flow state’, which is a state of complete immersion in one’s task in a way that is focused and very satisfying.
Taking a CBD edible at the start of a workday will allow a slow release of CBD through the day but in consistently low amounts. Research suggests that at low doses, CBD can be a stimulant and because of the way that CBD is metabolized in the digestive system, taking a high dose at the beginning of the day can be akin to micro dosing. Opt for a CBD edible that is infused with CBD, not dipped or sprayed. Keep one in your desk drawer whenever you need to get into your flow!
All of this aside, there really is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to take CBD. People that vape CBD oil pain will also derive health benefits from it and people that take capsules will also feel calmer overall. Feel free to experiment with the different CBD products and strengths out there till you find what works for you. However, with the misinformation in the CBD industry, make sure you find a brand that conducts third-party lab tests on their products for safety and potency. It’s the only way to ensure that your label isn’t lying, and your product doesn’t contain any harmful toxins or pesticides in their CBD products. Have fun on your new journey to all-around wellness!
