We’re living in a weird time, and it’s bound to take an impact on our mental health. Now more than ever we need to find ways to practice self-care.

I’ve been using CBD for the past two years and it’s a daily part of my routine for managing my mental health and sleep schedule. If there ever way a time to try CDB, it’s now! It’s no surprise that people have felt a shift in their mood or destroyed their sleeping patterns since having to stay home.

What Is CBD?

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a product derived from cannabis. CBD is growing in popularity because of it’s calming properties. It’s the THC in the plant that makes people high, so people trying CBD don’t have to worry about getting stoned.

CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid system, which regulates bodily functions such as; memory, appetite, sleep, and mood. The name comes from the fact that it was discovered when investigating the effects of cannabis on animals.

CBD is commonly found in the form of CBD oil which contains a percentage of CBD in an oil base, which is often hemp or olive oil. However, there are many CBD products available from supplements, to teas, and edibles. There are even topical CBD products such as skincare products and vapour rubs.

3 Types Of CBD

As I said before, I’ve been using CDB for a long time, but it’s not as simple as just going to a health store and picking up the first vial of CBD oil you see.

There’s three types of CBD oil; full-spectrum, isolates, and broad-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD oil is a product that contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids in a cannabis plant, but this doesn’t mean they’re full of THC. Good quality full-spectrum CBD is high in CBD, has race amounts of other cannabinoids, and less than 0.3% THC (which is the legal limit in most places)

CBD isolate is usually a solid or powdery substance that is almost 100% pure CBD, without other substances found in cannabis and hemp.

Broad-spectrum CBD is CBD which has been removed from the plant along with other natural extracts – except for any amounts of THC.

The dosage in the CBD starter pack varies from 5% to 20% CBD. I would recommend starting low and building up as you develop a tolerance as a higher dose straight off the bat might make you feel a little out-of-it (not high, just tired). 5% is a good jumping-off point for first-timers.

Benefits Of CBD

CBD is praised because it can help ease anxiety, depression, and even manage pain.

Personally I take it to manage anxiety, and to sleep better.

For me, CBD doesn’t outright curb a panic-attack, but since incorporating it into my life, overall, I feel like a much calmer person. I also sleep much better with it; not only is it easier for me to fall asleep when I take CBD before bed, but I wake up feeling more well-rested and refreshed than when I don’t take it. The effects are subtle but important for me, whenever I go without CBD for awhile I go back to having a poor sleep schedule, feeling exhausted, and getting more overwhelmed- so for me, CBD is an essential part of my lifestyle.

One study found that those taking CBD before public speaking experienced less anxiety than those who were taking a placebo.

CDB as a way to help treat acne is also a promising prospect! As CBD is anti-inflammatory, it’s made it’s way into a lot of skin-care products already.

How To Use CBD Oil

CBD oil is taken by putting a few drops under your tongue and leaving it sit for a minute before swallowing. When you put it under your tongue, the product bypasses the digestive system which means that the benefits are not lowered by digestion.

Things To Keep In Mind Before Trying CBD

If you’re taking any medications, check with your doctor before taking CBD products first to ensure that it wouldn’t have any adverse effects.

Make sure to buy from a reputable brand first, just because it says it’s a certain percentage on the bottle or is free from THC doesn’t always mean it’s the truth.

I once found a 10% bottle in a not very trustworthy shop with what I thought was an absolute steal of a price point compared to health shops and pharmacies. I think I was just sold peppermint flavoured olive oil because I felt absolutely nothing from it!

Give it time to take effect, and follow the instructions carefully. If the bottle says take 2-3 drops two times a day, that’s the best way to take CBD oil.

What Does CBD Oil Taste Like?

I’ve tried a lot of brands, from flavoured to unflavoured, and the taste of the unflavoured ones vary depending on what oil base they’re using. The unflavoured CBD products don’t taste bad, but it is a taste that requires getting used to as it’s quite grassy.

You might prefer a flavoured product if the idea of putting something that tastes like that under your tongue is unappealing.

The Bottom Line On CBD For Wellness

A lot of CBD products can be quite expensive, and as I said early, something that seems too cheap to be true is bound to be too cheap to be true, so it’s understandable to be hesitant about trying something if you’re not sure if will work for you.

Have you ever tried CBD oil? If so, how did you find it? You might also like these wellness ideas to feel refreshed in the new year, and mental health books.