From pain management to reducing stress, CBD oil is now the in thing as far as health and wellness is concerned. Everyone, including celebs, has taken notice of this cannabis-derived compound thanks to the numerous benefits it has to offer. Much like swapping green tea for coffee or meditating early in the morning, CBD is proving to be a viable natural solution to all our wellness needs.

So, what is CBD?

CBD is an acronym for cannabidiol, which is a naturally-occurring compound found in cannabis plants. It is much similar to THC in that it provides numerous therapeutic benefits, but without the high, psychoactive effect. Much like THC, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for managing pain, appetite and mood.

Types of CBD oils available

We have three types of CBD oils. These include:

• CBD full spectrum
• CBD isolate
• Broad or partial spectrum

As suggested by its name, full spectrum contains the active compounds found in the cannabis plant, including small quantities of THC. CBD isolate comes in oil form, while broad or partial spectrum, on the other hand, contains all compounds in cannabis, but without THC.

Out of these, full spectrum CBD is the most beneficial because of its entourage effect. The synergistic interaction between CDB, THC and other compounds amplify the therapeutic effects of the plant.

The use of CBD in pain management

According to a study done in 2000 on arthritis in mice, scientists found out that cannabidiol could help slow down the progress of the disease significantly. In essence, the active compounds in CBD can help stop inflammation by telling the body to stop attacking itself.

Another 2012 study showed that cannabidiol targets the receptors in the brain and spine, thus inhibiting pain response. This goes a long way to block out discomfort and help with pain management.

Various researches also show that CBD can help manage pain associated with chronic conditions such as cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, IBS, sclerosis and nerve pain. 

So in short, CBD stops inflammation while at the same time it blocks pain response.

Using CBD to reduce stress

If you feel like your brain is racing and there is this nagging voice inside your head, then it is high time you turn to CBD. Kristen Bell, Kim Kardashian, and a throng of celebs are already using CBD to help manage stress and anxiety.

This natural compound directly interacts with the serotonin receptor in your brain to lower stress response. Much like anti-anxiety drugs or anti-depressants, CBD can chill you out by slowing your racing heart and brain.

Using CBD to nourish skin and treat breakouts

In case you haven’t noticed, CBD is now an integral ingredient in many skincare products. The reason for this is that it contains active compounds that are effective in fighting and treating various skin ailments. 

Since CBD ‘tells’ the body to stop attacking itself, it can be extremely effective in treating autoimmune inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

The trinity of cellular anti-acne actions report indicates that people with acne can also benefit greatly from using CBD to treat breakouts. It works by regulating the amount of sebum on your face thus preventing clogged pores and flaky skin.

Can CBD help me sleep better?

Sleep is critical to both your physical and mental health. However, you can’t have adequate and quality sleep if you are struggling with aching joints, stress, and anxiety. This is where the importance of CBD comes into play. It helps reduce stress and anxiety and delay pain response.

Although CBD can make you more alert, combining it with cannabinoids sedatives such as CBN can help you sleep better.

Is CBD ideal for everyone?

CBD might not work for everyone. However, this all comes down to hitting the sweet spot as far as dosage is concerned. If you want CBD to work for you, it is important to consume the right dosage. Too much or too little of this cannabinoid might not create the desired effect. Considering this, you should experiment with dosage until you find the right amount that works for you.

How to use CBD effectively

You can add CBD oil to your tea, coffee or any hot beverage to enjoy its benefits without interrupting your everyday routine. If you want to feel the full effect faster, then take a few drops underneath your tongue and allow it to absorb for at least 30 seconds before swallowing.