In the past we’ve talked about how CBD can help with stress, what it can do for your skin, and even how it can help you sleep, but why do people take CBD? Here’s a closer look at some of the benefits and the main reasons you might consider adding CBD to your daily regime.
The ECS
Let’s start with science, biology, to be specific! Our bodies have what is known as an endocannabinoid system, a widespread neuromodulation system that helps keep things working exactly as they should. This molecular system helps maintain certain bodily functions such as the way we sleep, our mood, our appetite and our memory. Through research and scientific study, we have come to understand that the ECS is composed of three parts; the endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes; together this naturally occurring system supports our overall health and wellbeing.
Within the ECS, we have several cannabinoid receptors, but the two major ones are the CB1, which can be found in the central nervous system, and CB2, a receptor that’s present in our peripheral nervous system, digestive system and cells in the immune system. Various receptors of the ECS are found throughout the body, and all play a significant part in regulating our body health.
Cannabinoids, including CBD, are one of the compounds found within cannabis, our ECS receives signals from cannabinoids that modify the way that enzymes work. So, what does this all mean when it comes to CBD?
Taking CBD
CBD comes in different forms and strengths. Getting the right dose for your needs can take some experimenting, and it’s certainly not a case of one-size-fits-all. CBD generally takes a while to get into your system, so using it for a period of time will allow you to identify which types of CBD work for you, and how much of it is needed for you to consider it an effective health supplement. CBD is now readily available in a variety of forms including:
• Sprays (both oral and topical)
• Oils (with or without tinctures)
• Vape juice
• Gummies
The use of CBD is quite versatile, many of the ways to take it involve oral ingestion, this is a great way to allow CBD to enter the body. Vaping is the fastest way to get it into your system, but we suggest sampling a few different products to find the method you like best. Experimenting with dose, strength and different methods of taking CBD will allow you to discover what works best with your individual routine and needs.
Pain management and relief
Thanks to our endocannabinoid system, studies have shown that CBD may help with pain management, giving some relief due to its impact on our ECS receptor activity. When CBD interacts with our ECS it can help to reduce inflammation. Studies have shown promising results in regard to the benefits of taking CBD for chronic pain.
It can take some time to figure out what to take, how often to take it and what works best. Using CBD won’t cure illness or disease, there’s also no guarantee it will work, but giving CBD time to get into your system and finding your preferred way to take it is a great place to start.
People take CBD to help with general pain, inflammation and discomfort related to their health conditions. Studies have suggested it can help with chronic pain, arthritis, managing pain related to cancer treatment, migraines and more. Keep in mind that it’s not designed to cure anything, but it could be a great addition to existing treatments.
One study published in 2018 showed that while further research was needed, people who take CBD reported that it treated their conditions effectively. Predominant reasons reported for taking CBD included pain, anxiety and depression, 36% of respondents reported that CBD helped treat their condition.
Anxiety
There have been several studies that have pinpointed the benefits of CBD for those with anxiety disorders. In one of our most recent blogs, how CBD oil can relieve your stress, we touch upon how CBD works within our bodies to help with anxiety, depression and stress. People take CBD to help with general anxiety disorder (GAD) PTSD, social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or panic disorder.
While further study is needed, one retrospective study showed improvements in anxiety-related issues and sleep issues of participants. Another study, published in 2015 showed that CBD has great potential for treating anxiety disorders.
A 2019 study into using CBD for anxiety when public speaking found that taking CBD daily helped to reduce symptoms of anxiety in the 57 male participants.
If you are considering trying CBD for anxiety, start off at a lower dose to begin with and go from there. If you vape and want something that works quickly, using CBD vape juice will give fast-acting results. If you choose to go with oil or edibles, you can expect to feel the effects within 30 minutes to two hours when ingested.
Fitness
One of the major reasons people take CBD for exercise is to help relieve DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) after working out. CBD is perfect for workout recovery, taking something after you exercise can help overworked muscles recover. Taking CBD can potentially relieve pain and inflammation, perfect for self-care when you’ve been working hard in the gym.
You can use CBD before, during or after your workout. It’s fine to use at any stage during exercise, and during competition (unless specifically prohibited in a particular event). CBD can also help with sleep giving you a restful recovery and a good night’s rest.
CBD can also alleviate symptoms such as nausea, whilst reducing inflammation and muscle soreness during workout recovery. A study completed in 2020 showed that CBD can have a ‘significant influence on delayed onset of muscle soreness.’
Try incorporating it into your routine for a few weeks and experimenting with dosage to see what works best for you. You can add a few drops of oil to your post-workout recovery drink or eating a gummy as a treat quickly and easily when leaving the gym. Using CBD as part of your workout routine means you should be able to get back to working out faster when using it in addition to your regular self-care routine. CBD should also support your sleeping regime, encouraging better rest, enabling you to recover faster and feel better after exercise.
We publish the lab results of all our products on our site so you can have peace of mind when ordering from us. If you have any questions on products, dosage or need any advice, contact us and we’ll be happy to help. Check out our blog for more information and keep your eye open for new posts as we talk more about CBD and the latest from Moonlit.
