Let me break it down for you: CBD
The WHO just classified COVID-19 as a pandemic and therefore I figured today might be a great day to tell you about CBD and how it can help you cope in times of stress. I have been using CBD since before I was diagnosed with autoimmune last year and it has helped me drastically in not just inflammation but mood, sleep and anxiety.
Lets start with the basics……
What is CBD?
CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine. CBD itself is non-psychoactive so it does not produce a high like you would experience with THC but both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic benefits. In fact our bodies actually produce CBD that is responsible for a variety of functions including pain, appetite, mood and inflammation but when we become sick, tired or fall victim to extreme stress (like with autoimmune) our bodies are no longer able to produce the required amounts. This is where supplementing with a high quality product can be beneficial.
What are the benefits?
Help with anxiety
Supports mood including lowering severity of depressive emotions
CBD is an anti-oxidant which decreases the oxidative stress on our bodies
Eye health - CBD acts as a vasorelaxant which means it relaxes the muscles and tissues around the eyes. This is big for people that are struggling with Thyroid Eye Disease like myself.
Decreases Nausea
Strengthens the bones and increases new growth of bone tissue - again this is great for Graves disease since our bones become depleted especially if you were undiagnosed for a long time.
Reduces Inflammation a major culprit of autoimmune.
Prevents build up of plague in our arteries & heart.
Helps with pain management
How to use it?
This part is important because there are so many brands in this space and not all of them are created equally.
To get the above health benefits of CBD you have to find product made using the whole plant - Single molecule CBD is NOT the same as CBD rich whole plant cannabis. Meaning that HEMP only CBD that you find at every corner store in LA won’t actually work
This is because of something called the ‘entourage effect’ and it says that in order for CBD to ‘activate’ there has to be a certain amount of THC. The compounds act synergistically together.
Now you may be wondering what is the best ratio to see the most benefits and the answer is it really depends. Everybody will experience the effects of cannabis differently and also depending on what you are using it for. It is possible to experience the benefits without any of the negative effects or intoxication of THC but you may enjoy a certain level of buzz. Its totally personal for everyone!
There are many different forms to ingest CBD. Whether it’s a pen, gel caps, tinctures or edibles and you can experiment with what you like. You can also experiment with different times of day you want to dose. Depending on which form you use there will be a significant difference in how long it takes to feel the effects.
my experience:
I have been using CBD since the birth of my daughter when my anxiety went through the roof. (Looking back I now see that was Graves disease but I did not get diagnosed for another year and a half) I literally thought I was going crazy.
I was seeking relief from severe anxiety, lack of sleep and the worst PMS symptoms.
Luckily our friends here in LA own a very holistic dispensary called MOTA (medicine of the angels) and they were so supportive and informative in helping me learn how I could manage some of these symptoms using CBD. They were the ones that taught me the entourage effect and how important your sourcing is; they also made me really respect the science behind medicinal cannabis & CBD which made me feel better as a mother using a ‘drug’. Since then I have experimented A LOT and learned what products work for me, when I enjoy dosing and the ratio that enjoy most.
For me I always try to have as much CBD as I can find with no more than 2g of THC. This way I activate the CBD but I also get very very subtle buzz;). I would describe it as a body high that creates a calmness and then I definitely notice my mood increases with this amount of THC. I have to be careful not to have much more than 2g or else I find the opposite effect happens and my anxiety increases so finding the right dose is key. Of course if you are experimenting on your own start slow and build up to get the perfect blend for you but definitely start slow!
I take my CBD 20 minutes before bed or I will also use it a lot for social anxiety or just anxiety in general. I find before bed it puts me in a really good sleep and when out in public it just sort of takes the edge off but doesn’t make me tired.
I have all sorts of products that I enjoy and use them at different times. I usually use tinctures the most because they are made without sugar but I also have some fun things like mints, teas and even real fruit chews (god bless California right).
I know for a lot of people cannabis is still taboo but things are really changing and I believe is a much healthier option than many pharmaceuticals. If you are seeking relief from pain, anxiety and inflammation I hope you can keep an open mind and do the research to find a high quality product you can feel good about.
Stay stress free out there you guys!!