What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol – a type of cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant, marijuana’s cousin from the ‘cannabis sativa’ plant family. You can’t get ‘high’ from CBD as it contains little to no trace of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants that creates those mind-altering effects. CBD does, however, boast a heap of therapeutic benefits that can calm the mind, provide pain relief and help you get a better night’s sleep.
While CBD might be considered a relatively recent discovery, its medicinal healing properties have been used for thousands of years by ancient civilizations. Once considered a taboo, new research, celebrity endorsements and an affinity towards a more natural way of living have seen CBD rise to become a power player in the wellness industry.
CBD’s high-profile fans include Gwyneth Paltrow – often credited with the introduction of CBD to the mainstream beauty and wellness industry, Kim Kardashian, who claims she’s ‘obsessed’, plus Whoopi Goldberg and John Legend, who both have stakes in CBD brands.
How does CBD work?
Our bodies contain the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of neurotransmitters our cells use to communicate with each other. Endocannabinoids and their receptors are everywhere – our brains, immune cells, connective tissues, glands, and organs – and have an influence on our nervous system and immune system regulating mood, appetite, pain, memory, and reproductive health.
Any imbalances in our ECS can lead to things like anxiety, stress, chronic pain, nausea, epilepsy, and even cancer. CBD mimics the natural production of endocannabinoids in our body, activating the receptors to support healthy bodily function, hence the long list of CBD benefits for our mind and body.
CBD products are now popping up everywhere, so it’s easy to choose one that suits your lifestyle. Choose from topical treatments in soothing skincare products like lotions and serums, take orally with CBD oil tinctures under the tongue or even adding a few drops to your food and drink, as well as cute edibles in CBD gummies. It’s described as “nutty” in taste, but it’s so mild that it’s often undetectable.
CBD benefits for your skin
The natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD mean clearer, smoother, more nourished skin. CBD calms chronic skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, broken capillaries and sunburn, and helps to balance congested, oily complexions to reduce breakouts. For acne sufferers, it can be a lifeline to mediate pain and reduce inflammation to soothe and clear skin. CBD helps to regulate skin’s sebum synthesis meaning fewer pimples and blackheads.
CBD not only calms and relieves skin but is also highly effective for anti-aging. Dr. Michelle Green, a dermatologist based in New York City says, "It’s a botanical antioxidant, which makes it a powerhouse for anti-aging, protecting from environmental damage and improving the skin’s texture and tone." Antioxidants in CBD work by counteracting free-radical damage to reduce the physical signs of aging like wrinkles and dullness to reveal a youthful, radiant glow with smoother, more supple skin.
Flora & Bast, a cannabis-skincare and wellness brand, says, “CBD also helps increase the rate at which our skin cells turn over, and upregulates apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in tissue that is compromised or unhealthy, resulting in the reduction of everything from lines and wrinkles to dark spots to saggy skin.”
Let’s not forget the knock-on effect on your mood either – if your skin is brighter, complexion smoother, and hair more luscious, you’ll not only feel calmer but more confident too.
CBD benefits for mental health
Natural and non-toxic, CBD regulates stress responses easing symptoms of anxiety and stress to help you feel more relaxed. Acting as a mood-booster, CBD helps you to feel lighter, brighter, and more present in the moment – a key aspect to mindfulness and coping mechanism that healthcare professionals advise as an antidote to improve low mood.
Mary Biles O’Mahoney, author of The CBD Book: The Essential Guide to CBD Oil, says, “One of the most popular reasons people take CBD is to help get better sleep and manage symptoms of anxiety. Thankfully, science is now backing up these anecdotal reports with a number of preliminary studies suggesting CBD can indeed reduce feelings of anxiety and improve quality of sleep.”
CBD increases happiness and wellbeing by interacting with serotonin in the brain – the receptor that regulates mood – acting as a natural anti-anxiety remedy and antidepressant. In 2011, a study on generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) found significantly decreased anxiety for people that were given an oral dose 400mg of CBD compared to those who received a placebo. on generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) found significantly decreased anxiety for people that were given an oral dose 400mg of CBD compared to those who received a placebo.
More people are turning to CBD as a way to calm the nerves and feel more relaxed in an increasingly overstimulated, pressurized world. Increased choice and the prevalence of digital devices and social media seeping into every part of our lives make it much harder to switch off. Consider this natural route to self-healing and add CBD to your self-care routine to quieten your mind and attract some much-needed zen.
CBD benefits for sleep
Welcome news for insomniacs – CBD also improves sleep! Getting enough sleep is crucial to leading a happy, balanced lifestyle. Between 7-10 hours of sleep per night is recommended for regulating energy, mood, and focus throughout the day, increasing productivity levels, and improving cognitive function. Who doesn’t want to be a brighter, more efficient person with an extra oomph in brain power?
CBD can help you to fall asleep faster and reach a deeper REM sleep, which means less waking up throughout the night. Insomniacs often have trouble falling to sleep because of stress, a racing mind, and even anxiety-ridden panic attacks, but in regulating the stress receptors, CBD promotes relaxation to help you get some shut-eye and wake up fresh-faced, ready to tackle the day.
Adding CBD to your night-time routine could be just what you need to help you wind down and chill out before bed.
CBD benefits for pain relief
CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory for pain relief from menstrual cramps to headaches and migraines, muscular pain to joint pain, arthritis to chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Emma Franklin, a blogger recovering from chronic illness, is happy to have discovered a natural healing treatment for chronic pain. She says, “I have been taking CBD oil for the past two years to help relieve chronic pain and fibromyalgia due to inflammation from chronic Lyme disease and mold illness. Since using CBD, I no longer need high doses of prescription medications for pain relief. I can manage my pain levels with CBD.”
Powered by plants, CBD can also improve gut health to tackle IBS, vomiting, and nausea. Its anti-inflammatory benefits calm the stomach to soothe digestive problems and help to re-balance – especially useful during times of the month when you feel a little off-kilter because of hormone imbalances; the perfect pick-me-up.
Pain or anxiety during sex? Botanical infused lubricants can calm inflammation and regulate stress receptors promoting muscle relaxation and increased blood flow which can lead to feeling aroused more quickly.
Is CBD safe?
CBD affects everyone differently, although The World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2017, reported that there are no negative side effects to taking CBD and that it is safe to do responsibly, provided it is not taken with any other medication. Just look out for the ‘grapefruit warning’ and check the dosage.
WHO reports (2017) that CBD could treat Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, psychosis, anxiety, pain, depression, cancer, hypoxia-ischemia injury, nausea, IBS, inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetic complications.
Multi-purpose, fast-acting, and easy to manage with a myriad of proven benefits, CBD could be the natural, calming elixir you need to add to your self-care routine in a busy world for your mind and body.
