Still haven’t pulled the trigger on those CBD products sitting in some miscellaneous cart floating around in your cluttered browser for the past few weeks? No worries - it’s normal to have reservations when it comes to the unknown. Fear of the unknown, as some say, is a very common thing. Reading all of the facts and going through all of the scientific studies can definitely be reassuring and is the perfect place to start, but almost nothing beats hearing about people’s personal experiences. Which is why I’m here to tell you all about how CBD works and how it can make you feel, based on my own experiences, trial and errors, and research.
How Does it Work?
Before I get into how CBD feels, it’s important to talk about how CBD affects the body. Essentially, CBD targets the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body. The ECS is responsible for regulatory functions that affect stress, overall mood, appetite, sleep, pain, inflammation, etc. CBD triggers balance within the human body and your endocannabinoid system wherever you may need it. So in reality, CBD’s effects on each body really depends on a multitude of factors. I know that answer can seem vague and often irritating, but it’s the truth, and accepting this and being willing to find out what CBD regimen works best for you will really pay off in the end.
CBD is just one of hundreds of cannabinoids found in the Cannabis Sativa (or Hemp) plant. CBD products that contain all cannabinoids present in the plant are referred to as full-spectrum products or whole plant CBD. The combination of many different cannabinoids are thought to create an entourage effect and boost overall reaction to the product. Products that remove the THC and potentially other cannabinoids are called broad spectrum products. Our products contain all of the compounds of the plant minus the THC, because we use a gentle extraction process to remove all traces of it. Broad Spectrum can affect you in a similar way, but ensure that you do not ingest any unwanted ingredients. You can also go the CBD isolate route, which many companies specialize in. These products go through the process of removing every other chemical to get to the purest form of CBD. CBD Isolate does not contain other cannabinoids or terpenes, meaning you're not get the benefits of the entire plant paired with CBD, known as the Entourage Effect. The benefits of this effect is why many people choose to go with broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD products, as opposed to CBD isolate. Bottom line? Our responses to CBD are entirely up for negotiation based on what your body responds best to, and the benefits we receive are dependent on the type of product used.
Is CBD Psychoactive?
Contrary to what some think, CBD itself is not psychoactive. It’s only when CBD is combined with THC that you will experience psychoactive effects. And even then, it won’t be experienced unless the THC content is well over 0.3% (the legal limit for CBD products in the U.S). Marijuana products typically contain 15-20% THC and are both psychoactive and intoxicating, ultimately providing the feeling of being “high”. CBD will not get you “high” and will not show up on a drug test, while THC likely will depending on dosage.
How Will You Feel?
Now that we have a good understanding of how CBD affects the body, we can dive into how it will make you feel. The general consensus from CBD users is that CBD sends an overwhelming feeling of calmness throughout the body. Here are a few quotes from our very own Better Conditions customers: Megan said, “They make me feel calm and de-compressed from life’s stresses right away…. I take a couple gummies throughout the day and they help keep my stress down and mood UP.” Another customer Bri says, “Not only does the tincture help my muscles recover but puts my mind at ease before a busy day.” These are just a few examples of how CBD can make you feel.
The best way that I can describe CBD’s effects on me is the feeling of being wrapped in a cozy blanket. It somehow takes the edge off of any problem I’m having in the moment. If I'm anxious, CBD relaxes me. If I'm experiencing insomnia, CBD makes it that much easier to fall asleep at night. I’ve noticed more and more lately that I wake up feeling a little groggy every time I opt out of my nighttime CBD. It’s like CBD extends a helping hand with the small things in life, that turn out to be the big things.
Does it Happen Right Away?
Not to hit you with the same answer, but again, it depends. In terms of how long a CBD product takes to kick in, that is solely based on the type of CBD being used. Oil tinctures are effective almost immediately or with 15 minutes at most when taken directly by mouth. Some oils require you to hold the CBD Oil under your tongue for a certain amount of time (ours does not) to provide immediate results. Taking CBD via gummies and capsules takes slightly longer to be felt (usually between 30 minutes to an hour). Topicals such as creams and lotions can take up to 2 hours for effects to be felt, with the exception of our sports cream and other recovery creams on the market that are formulated to provide immediate pain relief due to the ingredients combined with CBD.
Not only do the effects of CBD depend on the product used, but it also depends on consistency. It may take the body a couple weeks to feel the full effects of CBD. This is all dependent on bodily makeup along with many other factors. It’s important to be consistent with use to get the most out of your products. I always recommend journaling your usage to get a full picture of how different factors may come into play.
It Depends…
I hope that this helps you feel more comfortable with CBD and all its powers. To sum it all up: It depends. It depends on products used, bodily makeup, external environment and so many other things. However, the overall consensus is that CBD can help you feel calm and collected in times of stress and relieve you from pain and inflammation in times of need, it's just a matter of how much and how often. Now it’s time for you to find out for yourself! If you need help figuring out how to get the most out of your CBD, check out my other blog post.
