CBD-The Health Hack that changed my life….
As you know by now I am a half-a-hippie mom who does her best to stick with natural solutions whenever possible, but for quite some time I thought I might have to give in to big Pharma in an effort to handle my anxiety. So when it’s no surprise that when I heard about the benefits of cannabinoids, I was quick to jump on the CBD-train.
I first experienced the benefits of nutraceuticals in 2013 when I started incorporating ancient eastern superfood, and herbal nutrition into my diet. Since I was a healthy eater before, I was truly amazed at the huge differences I started to see in my weight, energy, skin, sleep, stress levels, and mood. I have had a new appreciation for natural botanicals and phytonutrients ever since, and even made a business out of it.
While my anxiety was pretty much under control thanks to my nutrition and diet, in 2017 a yoga inversion sparked a vertigo “attack” (for lack of a better word) that literally sent me into a tail spin. Imagine the world spinning as if you are on the fastest merry-go-round on the planet. THAT is what vertigo feels like and it’s debilitating. While the cause of my vertigo was benign (crystals traveling into my ear canal,) the stress of worrying when it would happen again triggered my anxiety once again. I was able to control the vertigo with some vestibular therapy and visits to a specialized chiropractor, but the anxiety lingered for months and started to affect my daily life. That is when I stumbled across CBD and I have been raving about my results ever since.
So what is CBD-
CBD is short for cannabidiol, and is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It is extracted from the resin and diluted with another oil like MCT. It can come in various forms (capsules, tinctures, and tongue sprays.). You can also purchase topical CBD products, and even dog treats! More and more new brands are popping up EVERYWHERE, but not all are the same, and there are some important things to look out for which I will discuss in a bit. CBD is completely non-psychoactive. This means that we can enjoy the benefits without the negative side effects of getting “high.”
What does it do?
CBD inherits many of the medicinal benefits of cannabis (anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiolytic) which provides NATURAL stress, anxiety, and even pain relief. CBD also interacts with certain receptors in the body. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, and I don’t want to get all “sciencey” on you so just know that CBD affects how these receptors signal the body its chemicals.
Here are just some of the health benefits associated with CBD—
1. Relief from chronic pain
2. Calms childhood epilepsy
3. Reduces anxiety and depression
4. Reduces Inflammation
5. Reduces oxidative stress
6. Improves heart health
7. Promotes healthy weight
8. Improves some skin conditions
9. Can slow tumor growth with certain cancers
How to choose what CBD is right for you:
With so many different brands and options out there the CBD shopping process can seem overwhelming. What dose do I need? Where is it grown? Is it organic? Broad or Full Spectrum? The list goes on.
Here are my tips for making sure you are getting the safest, most effective CBD oil.
1. Know what you are getting– ONLY purchase from companies that can produce 3rd party lab results on their products. This ensures that there are no harmful contaminants AND that you are getting the amount of cannabinoids that you are paying for.
2.Where is the hemp sourced and how. Colorado is known for cultivating some of the best quality hemp around and ALWAYS make sure you are purchasing organic CBD products that are 3rd party tested to ensure purity. Pesticides are toxic no matter how you slice it.
For my top pick for a 3rd party tested, organic, non-GMO, and AFFORDABLE CBD oil click here.
I’m so excited to share my free tips on how to create more health and happiness in your life, the Half-A-Hippie way! Join my mailing list to receive my Health, Wealth and Happiness Newsletters, recipes, and other Half-A-Hippie health tips!