Alongside a variety of other habits and routines, such as yoga, meditation, journalling and using essential oils; I consider taking CBD oil on a daily basis a fundamental element of my wellness practice. CBD has risen hugely in popularity over the last few years with people using it for a variety of ailments from pain relief to anxiety, but there is still a lot of confusion as to what it really is and how proven its benefits are.
CBD oil is also known as cannabidiol and is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, Cannabis Sativa. CBD does not contain THC (the cannabinoid that holds psychoactive properties) and so, it cannot cause a sensation of getting high, and is also legally able to be sold in the UK. Many people after learning this fact are encouraged to understand how CBD and THC affect the brain in different ways, and how to use the products to their advantage. Regular users of CBD oil do so for a variety of reasons, from relief of chronic pain, epilepsy, inflammation or depression and anxiety. There are also a variety of different ways that you can take CBD, from via a vape pen, to a dropper under your tongue, to capsules, to gummies, sprays and teas. As CBD increases in popularity, so too have the range of products or uses – with the skincare industry embracing CBD for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. We know that hemp seed oil is a great ingredient for skincare as it’s so natural and rich in fatty acids, but CBD oil is extracted from hemp usually via CO2 extraction which is how it differs from hemp oil products.
I’ve been taking CBD oil for about two years now on a daily basis. I find that it generally makes me feel calmer, less anxious and helps me sleep better. I take about 4-5 drops a day – there are some useful articles for working out what dosage to use – I found this Medium article particularly helpful but most people recommend starting with a small dosage and working up to whatever works for you. I’m currently taking a 10%/1000mg CBD oil from For The Ageless. (£69.90*).
This CBD oil contains 1000mg of CBD oil (the purer and more concentrated the CBD oil, generally the higher the price). I always research the extraction methods of the CBD oil before purchasing and this product has the CBD oil extracted using Supercritical CO2 extraction, which is considered to be the ‘gold standard for hemp oil extraction’ – because it is cold pressed, preserving the whole-plant benefits of Cannabis Sativa. Biopurus produce a range of different oils and their hemp is grown on farms in the Czech Republic, so they’re grown under EU standards. I found it to be a high quality CBD oil that more than compares to other CBD products of a higher price. Because it is a whole-plant oil the taste is a little stronger than other oils that I’ve tried, but that’s indicative of its quality and extraction methods.
I would definitely recommend trying CBD oil to see if it fits with any health/wellbeing concerns you might have. I think over the next few years we will see the CBD industry continuing to grow, and I believe there will be many more tests and studies continuing to prove the healthcare benefits that so many people personally experience.
*Product gifted by For The Ageless, all opinions my own