When I first started the blog, I couldn’t go a week without being pitched essential oils. Seriously, it was a bit much. The wellness community was ALL about pushing forward the agenda of all things essential oil. But like the tides, it’s always changing. And these days my inbox is filled with PR emails about one ingredient: CBD. If there’s a space or product to be made, they are trying to make CBD happen. Maybe if Gretchen Weiner had went for CBD instead of fetch it would have stuck? Maybe.
Nevertheless, after my recent chat with Hanna of Autumn Brands, I knew it was time to sit down and have this chat. Today we’re diving into all things CBD. I’m going to give you a brief overview of what to look for when reading labels, what I AVOID when buying cbd, what you don’t need to worry about when shopping and of course, my favorite product. Let’s up in!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. You should consult your health professional if you’re looking to know whether CBD is right for you.
WTF IS CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and can be found in hemp plants. It can also be found in traditional marijuana, however, for the purposes of today’s post it’s worth noting that CBD is derived from hemp (source).
Can you accidentally buy a CBD product that will get you high?
I feel like at the heart of many people’s concerns is this question. Of course, there’s always the exception. But as Hanna explains in the episode, here’s what you need to know. Hemp and cannabis plants are V similar. However, the regulations for selling cannabis are strict. There’s lots of labeling, tracking, verifying and the like. And currently, cannabis can only be sold in the state it’s grown in.
For hemp to be considered hemp, the plant has to have less than .03% THC. Any more than that and it’s legally considered marijuana which requires a license to sell. While there are CBD products that do also feature THC (Hanna gets into detail on how this is made in the episode), it’s not something you’re likely to accidentally buy online from Sephora.
Where can I buy CBD?
According to a recent Harvard article, this can vary depending on the state. But it’s available through A LOT of online distributors. The biggest thing will be how you wish to consume it. If you’re looking for something to curb your anxiety, you’ll likely want an edible or oil. I personally prefer the oil as I find that most edibles are made with refined sugar and that’s not too fab on my body.
What’s the difference between CBD and Weed?
The short answer: THC. The long answer: if a product is strictly CBD, you won’t have to worry about the hallucination issue that comes with weed. There are strains of marijuana that can contain a mix of the two. And it can be turned into a lotion, oil, etc. However, a basic cbd product is more likely to help with anxiety and pain relief than getting you high.
What to know about regularly using CBD
Like any other product, there are side effects that come with regular CBD usage. If you’re looking to take it as an oil or edible, it’s worth noting that it’s not currently regulated by the FDA. Common side effects include nausea, irritability and fatigue (source). There have also been known cases where athletes have tested positive for THC because of frequent use. If this is a concern for you, I’d double check with the manufacturer for more information.
Which products do I recommend?
The two brands I recommend when it comes to CBD products: Lord Jones and Vena. I use the cbd lotion from Lord Jones as well as the sleep combo from Vena and they are my favorites.
Which products to skip?
I’ve been sent quite a few CBD products this year in preparation for this post. Prior to now, most CBD lotion only contained CBD as the primary active ingredient (meaning no other topical numbing bits or menthol). However, I haven’t found this to be the case anymore.
I was recently sent a CBD product that included lidocaine as an ingredient (a topical anesthetic). Side effects of this drug include everything from nausea & drowsiness to cardiac arrest & seizures (source). I’ve also noticed a serious uptick in products featuring menthol. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that running has become a regular part of my routine over the last few months. Additionally, I suffer from the occasional restless legs/muscle cramps. CBD lotion is my go to for quick relief when I’m trying to sleep and my body wants to freak out.
However, I decided to test out the CBD lotion with menthol and regretted it V quickly. For lack of better phrasing, it felt like someone was trying to blow cold air & peppermint into my vagina for the next few hours. Not cute or comfortable. Also, the menthol makes the part of your body you’re trying to ignore MORE noticeable. So be sure to be extra vigilant about reading labels before buying.
How Do I Use CBD And What Can I Expect?
The number one way I use CBD is for pain relief and muscle cramps. On a V rare occasion, I might reach for something for anxiety. But I typically like to go for a run rather than create a habit of reaching for a product/medicine. If you never tried CBD lotion before, it is fast acting. You’ll find that what would take 30+ minutes to kick in will happen in 10/15.
Where can I learn more?
This article from Harvard Health is great.
I’d also recommend The New Chardonnay by Heather Cabot. I’ve been listening to this on Audible for the last few weeks and it’s been a great tool for educating me on how marijuana came to be more mainstream.
Check out the recently WSS Podcast episode with Hanna of Autumn Brands. Her family went pesticide free with their cannabis farm a few years ago. She drops a lot of knowledge in her episode about buying, using and all things marijuana.
Have you tried CBD yet? Let me know in the comments below if there’s a brand you love that I need to try out! I know there are so many amazing CBD products out there that I’ve yet to discover. So I’d love to hear from you. Until next time friends. Sending you all the love and positive vibes. Xoxo, Savvy
