You’ve likely come across CBD; it’s nearly impossible to miss. It’s become so popular that you can find it in almost any health food store or spa. Its appeal has even extended beyond humans, gaining traction in the pet community.
After hearing countless testimonials about CBD’s benefits for issues like anxiety, pain, stress, and even asthma, I decided to give it a shot. Thus, I embarked on a 30-day journey with CBD.
If you’re curious about what CBD is and how it can enhance your life, keep reading.
Understanding CBD
First, let’s tackle the technical aspects.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive sibling of THC. Let me emphasize that – non-psychoactive, meaning it will not induce a high.
CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis and can be sourced from either the marijuana or hemp plant.
This compound serves multiple roles in our bodies, with ongoing research uncovering more. One of the key functions of CBD is its ability to support the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a vital system that runs throughout our bodies, playing an essential role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting our survival.
Stay with me; we’re getting to the good stuff.
The ECS comprises three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids bind to specific receptors to help regulate bodily functions, while enzymes break down these endocannabinoids once they’ve completed their roles.
Research indicates that CBD inhibits the enzymes responsible for breaking down naturally produced endocannabinoids, allowing them to remain in our system longer and prolonging their soothing and balancing effects.
One such endocannabinoid that CBD helps preserve is anandamide, named after the Sanskrit word “Ananda,” which means bliss. Anandamide regulates serotonin production and uptake, as well as managing pain.
By using CBD, we can maintain higher levels of this bliss-inducing and pain-relieving compound for extended periods.
In addition to alleviating stress, enhancing mood, and relieving pain, CBD supports various essential bodily functions including immune response, sleep regulation, appetite control, metabolism, digestive health, inflammatory responses, memory, pleasure and reward systems, fertility, and much more.
Additional Benefits of CBD
While clinical studies on CBD are still developing, existing research has shown that CBD can:
My Personal Experience with CBD
Now that you have a basic understanding of what CBD is meant to do, let me share my personal journey after using it for 30 days.
(Here’s my review of the CBD oil I used during this period!)
Feeling More Relaxed (Well, As Close As It Gets)
The primary reason I wanted to try CBD was my constant anxiety.
From driving to making travel arrangements, anxiety often overwhelms me.
Not to mention the racing thoughts that lead my mind to explore every possible “what if” scenario, triggering a racing heart and difficulty in breathing.
From the very first dose of high-quality CBD, I felt an immediate sense of calm and a significant reduction in anxiety.
Throughout the 30 days, I timed my CBD intake for moments that typically heightened my anxiety.
While CBD didn’t erase my challenges, it made everything feel more manageable.
Even during those near-panic moments when I struggled to breathe or move, it provided me with a grounding sense of peace and presence.
The anxiety that would usually push me to retreat to my bed was kept at bay, allowing me to face whatever tasks lay ahead.
Less Discomfort and Pain
I’m fortunate not to experience much physical pain in my life, which I truly appreciate.
However, after returning from five months of travel and adjusting back to my routine, I found myself becoming much less active.
I transitioned from walking for miles daily, hiking, and climbing to driving everywhere with little time for exercise.
During my initial month of CBD use, I resolved to start working out again.
The next day, I found my lower back in excruciating pain. After taking a full dropper of CBD tincture, the pain completely vanished.
CBD also made my menstrual cramps and the accompanying discomfort much more tolerable.
Additionally, CBD provided relief from a debilitating migraine – the kind that makes every movement feel like a burden. After using CBD, I noticed significant relief and was able to continue with my day.
Throughout the month, CBD assisted in alleviating stomach discomfort from overeating unhealthy foods. It even helped me maintain regularity, if you catch my drift.
Hangover Relief from Alcohol
In my younger days, I was the one at the bar enjoying straight tequila, without hesitation. Okay, I indulged in shots too.
These days, my alcohol intake is minimal, mostly limited to wine or special occasions.
The 30-day period I experimented with CBD coincided with a couple of weddings. At the first wedding, I found myself taking multiple shots for the first time in nearly two years.
The second wedding was a more relaxed gathering with no vegan options, prompting me to foolishly consume a lot of prosecco on an empty stomach.
I acknowledge that this was a rookie mistake.
The following mornings, I braced myself for a harsh hangover, but CBD came to the rescue.
I took CBD each morning after and managed to go about my day as usual. While I wasn’t at 100%, I felt close enough; no headaches, no nausea, and no need to spend the day in bed.
I’d consider that quite impressive, especially since, after that night of excessive prosecco, I felt so unwell that I had to leave the venue for a walk to avoid getting sick on the ride home.
Relief from Weed Hangovers
I’m not fond of the term “weed hangover” because I believe weed and alcohol hangovers are fundamentally different.
However, I have consistently experienced symptoms after smoking weed, resulting in a sort of “weed fog.”
I don’t smoke often anymore since it usually heightens my anxiety. But at times, with the right strain and environment, I feel fantastic immediately after enjoying some time with Mary Jane.
Nevertheless, I often feel less than great afterward, dealing with brain fog, lethargy, irritability, or the occasional mild headache.
If I smoke at night, I often wake up with these lingering effects the following morning.
However, when I take CBD a few hours post-smoking or right before bed, it feels as if I never smoked at all.
My boyfriend, who indulges in marijuana far more than I do, has also reported similar results.
CBD has the ability to counteract THC’s effects since it acts as a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptors.
In simpler terms, although both CBD and THC bind to CB1 receptors, they do so at different sites.
When CBD binds, it alters the shape of the CB1 receptors, thereby reducing THC’s binding capacity and its psychoactive effects.
This suggests that CBD could also help mitigate the effects of an overly intense high, but I haven’t personally needed to test this theory yet. Nevertheless, knowing I have this option alleviates some anxiety regarding THC use.
Experiencing Reverse Tolerance
Research indicates that, in contrast to THC, CBD does not lead to tolerance buildup. This means that as you continue using CBD, you don’t need to increase your dosage to achieve the same effects.
Some individuals have reported experiencing a reverse tolerance effect with CBD, suggesting that the more they consume, the less they require to feel its benefits.
As I mentioned earlier, I timed my CBD intake around my most anxious moments. In the first week of using CBD, I often found myself reaching for it. The second week was similar, but my overall anxiety levels were lower.
By the third and fourth weeks, I felt significantly less anxious. I would sometimes forget to take my CBD until late afternoon or even evening, or even just before bed.
For any product that reduces my anxiety to the point where I forget to take it, that’s a golden find, in my opinion.
A Touch of Bliss
While I strive to maintain an optimistic and happy outlook, I’ve also battled depressive thoughts and episodes since my teenage years.
Sometimes, these overwhelming moments seem to arise from nowhere – my mind’s unfortunate version of a joke, where I inevitably miss the punchline.
Other times, family-related issues weigh heavily on me because, as an empath, I tend to absorb others’ struggles and feel the need to resolve them.
With CBD, even during these darker times, a sense of bliss envelops me. This small feeling of joy is often enough to motivate me to move forward with my tasks, fostering a deeper sense of appreciation.
Or if I happen to have no obligations, it inspires me to take a walk, paint, or engage in other enjoyable activities, which in turn further elevates my mood.
Improved Sleep and Enhanced Alertness
One of the commonly touted benefits of CBD is its ability to alleviate insomnia, leading to concerns about whether it will make you excessively tired.
On the few occasions I took CBD close to bedtime, I experienced restful nights. However, when taken during the day, it often resulted in heightened alertness and awareness.
Understanding this requires acknowledging that CBD doesn’t function as a sedative when used to promote sleep. Instead, it aids in improving sleep quality by alleviating anxiety and discomfort and restoring balance to the sleep-wake cycle.
Think of CBD as an adaptogen that harmonizes with your body’s natural rhythms to enhance their performance.
When taken during the day, CBD can stimulate wakefulness through its anxiety-reducing and serotonin-enhancing properties. Conversely, at night, it can facilitate sleep by addressing issues that would otherwise disrupt it.
If you’re concerned about CBD making you overly relaxed or not relaxed enough, many brands offer specific formulations designed to help you unwind or energize.
Are There Any Drawbacks to CBD Oil?
After over 30 days of using CBD, I haven’t encountered any negative effects myself. However, I’ve heard some mention that it may impact liver health.
The only research indicating potential liver toxicity related to CBD has been conducted on animals, with adverse effects observed only at extremely high CBD concentrations – far exceeding typical dosages.
Additionally, in studies where CBD was used to treat epilepsy, some participants reported mild side effects like diarrhea, changes in weight and appetite, and fatigue. These symptoms are considerably less severe than those associated with traditional epilepsy medications.
Overall, research suggests that CBD has a positive safety profile for humans.
Thus, the age-old saying “even too much of a good thing can be bad” applies to CBD as well. The key lies in utilizing it effectively rather than misusing it.
Maximizing the Benefits of CBD
To fully leverage CBD’s benefits, it’s vital to select a reputable brand that uses high-quality full or broad-spectrum hemp extracts. This aspect is crucial.
Moreover, experimenting with your dosage is important. I have a moderately sensitive system, so the recommended dosage on the bottle works well for me, but you may require slightly more or less.
For optimal effects, I prefer to hold the CBD tincture drops under my tongue for longer than the suggested 1-2 minutes, and I aim to take it on an empty stomach.
Is CBD Worth Trying?
While CBD isn’t a miracle cure, I believe there’s no such thing.
Yet, CBD has proven beneficial for me, enough so that before finishing the bottle from my 30-day trial, I ordered a refill.
It might sound exaggerated to say that CBD has transformed my life, but it genuinely has.
It feels like I possess a small bottle of superpowers that brings me comfort, knowing that when I face overwhelming anxiety, discomfort from my period, a hangover, or just need a mood boost, I have a natural option at my disposal.
And I can do this in a holistic manner. I think that’s something worth exploring. So, if you’re pondering whether to try CBD, I wholeheartedly recommend it – 10/10.
