CBD 101: Here's What You Need To Know About It
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CBD is all the rage in the health and wellness world—you can find it in snacks, supplements, skincare products, and so much more. Despite its prevalence, it’s shockingly hard to find clear and reliable information about CBD, especially all in one place. And I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of questions about it! Why are we hearing about CBD now? What CBD products are worth it? What should we be using it for? In other words: What’s the deal?
To get the 411 on this CBD phenomenon, I decided to consult CBD expert, Gretchen Lidicker. Gretchen wrote the book on CBD… literally. As a writer, researcher, and author of the book CBD Oil Everyday Secrets: A Lifestyle Guide To Hemp-Derived Health & Wellness, Gretchen is a highly sought after source on all things CBD.
Here’s what she had to say about CBD’s rise in popularity, its usefulness, and what products she thinks are worth your attention.
Why do you think CBD is something we’re just starting to hear about in the last five or so years?
“In the past, the main compound of interest in cannabis was THC for obvious reasons. THC produced a noticeable intoxicating response, and for that reason, it has sort of stolen the attention over the years. CBD, another cannabis-derived compound, came on the scene when people discovered that it could help children with rare seizure disorders that didn’t respond to other medications. That was around 6 years ago. Now that people are learning more about it and all its potential benefits, we’re seeing it everywhere!”
Do studies show that CBD is helpful for our health? Is it well researched?
“This may come as a surprise to some people, but the only proven benefit of CBD is for rare seizure disorders. Clinical trials have been done on this benefit and shown it to be effective (hence the CBD-based FDA approved prescription drug). Other studies mostly suggest that it may be helpful for different health issues, but have yet to yield any concrete, causal associations. That said, more research is coming out all the time that looks very promising.”
What can you use CBD for? What are CBD’s top health benefits?
“The list of CBD’s benefits is extremely long—it has shown promise for literally dozens of conditions and issues! This includes everything from anxiety and insomnia to chronic pain and depression. What many people don’t realize is that the endocannabinoid system is body-wide, and CBD can interact with the body in so many ways.
I think the fact that CBD can help those with seizure disorders is a medical miracle and certainly a major benefit. Other than that, I’m most excited about CBD’s potential as an anti-inflammatory agent, and its potential role in treating Parkinson’s, anxiety, PTSD, and gastrointestinal disorders. The endocannabinoid system also plays a role in temperature regulation, which could be an interesting avenue of study in the future for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.”
Finally, what CBD products are worth it in your opinion? Are there any brands you love or products that are worth the hype?
“Many companies are trying to capitalize on CBD’s popularity right now. My advice is to not get distracted by the fancy marketing campaigns or people who want to put CBD in everything. In terms of products that contain CBD, I recommend sticking to high-dose CBD tinctures and capsules. I find that tinctures and capsules work best for me, and I know that’s been the case for many people. I take at least 50 mg at a time orally, and my favorite CBD brands are Care By Design and Bloom Farms for CBD tincture bottles.”
A huge shoutout to Gretchen for being our #PJWExpert this week! Make sure to get a copy of her book CBD Everyday Secrets.
In the meantime, head over to our Private Pure Joy Wellness Facebook Group for more expert-approved advice for optimizing your health.
Xo,
Renata