What To Expect When Taking CBD

The age old question: what is CBD really and how will it make me feel? While the effects can vary from person to person, many report that it’s what CBD helps them not feel that’s the real reason they take it. Studies have shown that CBD may help with everything from reducing anxiety and aches and pains, to potentially aiding in restful sleep and perhaps even improving focus during the work day. So, how is it that the same product could possibly provide so many different benefits?  

What is CBD?

To fully understand how CBD works, we need to have a better understanding of what it is. Short for Cannabidiol, CBD is a chemical found in the Cannabis sativa plant, otherwise known as marijuana or hemp. Although it is from in the cannabis plant, CBD does not have psychoactive properties and will not give you the “high” feeling typically associated with THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.

While scientists are still researching how exactly CBD works, it is thought to function within the endocannabinoid system, a network of cannabinoid receptors present in the body that impacts functions such as sleep cycles, mood, memory, and appetite. While THC binds to certain receptors creating the feeling of being “high”, CBD seems to work by preventing the breakdown of these receptors which attributes to the general feeling of well-being.

If it doesn’t get me high, what does it feel like?

Because CDB works in your endocannabinoid system that is responsible for so many functions, your body is able to use it in the way that it needs it the most. This might explain why if you take CBD at night you may notice a better night’s sleep, but if you take it in the morning it can help you to stay more alert and focused. Two seemingly contradictory outcomes coming from the same source.

Like most things, the effects of CBD will be different for every person but generally, users of CBD report feeling an overall sense of calm and well-being. In addition to simply “feeling better” other reasons people are turning to CBD are to potentially help with:

• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing inflammation in the body
• Reducing anxiety
• Reducing general aches and pains
• Increase alertness and attention during the work day

Another factor that contributes to how CBD can make you feel depends on the method in which you use it. Many find that taking a tincture subliminally, or under your tongue, is the easiest and fastest method of consumption. When the tincture is placed under the tongue the CBD Oil absorbs directly into the bloodstream, allowing for quicker results. Others prefer to take it in a capsule, eat as gummies, adding it to tea, coffee, or other food items, as well as using topical balms.

Research regarding CBD is ongoing and more is being discovered daily but there is still a lot to learn! What we do know is that the use of CBD is more than just a trend and it isn’t going anywhere any time soon.