One after another there’s always something buzzing in the wellness industry. From high protein low carb diet to sudden bursts of mindful activities people are always in search of taking their health to the next level.
But one thing that has ruled without any decline in demand is CBD products. From your work wife to childhood prank buddy, everyone is singing its praises these days. Even celebs are entering this industry with their own CBD lineups.
Plus, it’s not all marketing gimmick, there are actually scientific studies and anecdotal reports that vouch for CBD’s wide range of potential health benefits. As a beginner, it makes total sense to wonder how and what exactly CBD does to your body. Well, let’s find out so that you can buy and enjoy your next bottle of the best CBD gummies with peace of mind.
How does CBD Work in your body?
Have you ever wondered why something that comes out of a plant works so well for our body? That’s because we have an inbuilt system to process such compounds. It’s called the endocannabinoid system or ECS in short.
It’s a complex cell signaling network that is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in our body. Cats and dogs have it too, that’s why pet CBD oil is also in great demand.
This ECS mainly consists of CB1 and CB2 receptors, along with certain enzymes to process the endocannabinoids. CB1 receptors are mainly concentrated in our brain region, whereas CB2 receptors are scattered throughout the body, especially in our immune system.
Our body makes two endocannabinoids of its own called anandamide and 2Ag. They interact with these receptors and modulate our pain, anxiety, stress, mood, memory, appetite, sleep cycles, and many other valuable physiological functions.
CBD’s Exact Working Mechanism on Receptors
First, CBD affects the serotonin receptors, which are the same ones targeted by anti-anxiety medicines. That’s why it has such strong anxiolytic effects and works great for improving mood and reducing anxiety.
Next, it reduces the amount of hormone cortisol in the body. Whenever we are stressed, cortisol levels shoot up, Cand BD brings it down and makes us feel less stressed. Also, remember the endocannabinoid we discussed above? Well, when they interact with Cannabinoid receptors, they break down.
CBD increases their production amount, especially anandamide successfully restoring the overall cannabinoid levels in the body and restoring balance. It also slows down the rate at which these neurotransmitters break down. It also impacts the GABA receptors and puts a break on excessive stimulation in our nervous system.
What about pain and inflammation eh? It’s the most sought-after benefit. Well, CBD blocks the pain pathways effectively bringing down discomfort and inflammation. As a result, it works great for people suffering from severe chronic pain conditions like arthritis and fibrosis.
Some say it also improves sleep, well that’s because it kills your anxious thoughts before bed and relaxes you. Also, it reduces the overall discomfort helping you to slide into a deep restful sleep.
Is CBD safe?
Yes, CBD has a very good safety profile. In almost all studies involving its use, there’s never been reporting of any major side effects. The only slightly mild side effects it produces include a change in appetite, a little bit of fatigue, headache, and dehydration.
Usually, they go away once your body gets used to the compound. But if they persist for more than a week, then it’s advised to reduce the dosage or get in touch with a qualified medical professional.
Nursing mothers must also avoid this because we don’t exactly know how it affects a growing child in the long term. Dosing is another tricky aspect – there’s no one-size-fits-all dose, and finding the right amount often requires some trial and error.
Starting low and going slow is the general recommendation. The best thing is, that you won’t get addicted to it, and as long as you buy it from reputed brands and follow dosage guidelines, you’ll be just fine.
Which CBD product should I use for the best experience?
See, the net impact of all products will be almost similar. The actual impact will come from the potency of CBD per serving and your individual chemistry. You have plenty of choices.
If you want a quick onset time, then CBD tinctures can be a great starting point.
They are easy to dose and start working within 15-20 minutes of consumption. However, many don’t find hemp’s odd earthy tinctures and oils good, and most brands don’t sell flavored options.
This is where gummies step in, they come in delicious mouth-watering. Each gummy is precisely measured which makes dosing even more simple than tinctures. Just chew the desired amount and you are good to go.
However, the onset time and bioavailability are very low. To feel the desired calming effects you may have to wait for an hour or two. Though you can increase the bioavailability by taking it along with high-fat foods like cashews, and nuts.
But what if you want to target pain and inflammation in a specific area? For this, you can rely on CBD-infused creams, gels, and balms. You won’t feel full body-calming effects, but it will definitely bring down inflammation and pain in areas you apply it to.
It’ll also rejuvenate your skin and help with itching and redness. The onset time for this is also fast, and you feel some comfort within 20-30 minutes of application. So try all, and maybe use them in combination for the best experience.
Key Takeaways
To sum it up, CBD restores the cannabinoid balance in your body which leads to a reduction in pain, anxiety, and stress levels. As a result, your sleep also improves, especially if you take a few drops of CBD oil right before bedtime.
It improves the working efficiency of the endocannabinoid system in the body, which is responsible for the modulation of our mood, energy, and calmness levels. As a beginner, you should start with a low dose of 5-10 mg, and gradually increase it over time after observing the effects. Well, that’s a wrap, if you do decide to grab some CBD gummies, make sure to get them only from trusted and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.
