5 Ways to Use CBD Oil to Improve Your Lifestyle

If you're reading this, you're already someone who is curious about cannabidiol and perhaps CBD oil more generally. We hear lots of anecdotal evidence from those who claim cannabidiol has helped them in a multitude of ailments, from anxiety, to skin conditions and even chronic pain. Interestingly, research shows that the most common use of CBD products is due to anxiety.

In this guide, you will learn about the holistic approach to cannabidiol use, as well as looking at the various myths associated with CBD. We will then dive in to the 5 main benefits that we at i-Cann see as exploring the main ways that you can incorporate cannabidiol or CBD oil to get the maximum effect and benefits from the famed cannabinoid.

SO, WHAT IS CANNABIDIOL?

Those who are new to CBD, may benefit from learning some of the basics. CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid found in cannabis sativa and hemp plants. Its cannabinoid cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC for short) is the psychoactive compound responsible for giving people that 'high' and intoxicated feeling that is so commonly linked with cannabis use.

It is worth noting that any legal CBD product here in the UK is derived from hemp - and not the cannabis plant. This is because there is no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cannabinoid present in hemp, and there is also a higher concentration of cannabidiol in hemp.

All CBD products in the UK are derived from hemp and come in a variety of forms, from capsules, gummies, tea, topicals such as CBD balm cream, CBD e-liquid, and of course - the most popular form of all - in the form of an oil - CBD oil or a CBD Tincture.

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS BEHIND CANNABIDIOL

Contrary to popular belief, cannabidiol doesn't get you high. In fact, this cannabinoid can actually reduce the side effects of feeling intoxicated. This is because CBD products made with CBD isolate like CBD oil, CBD gummies and CBD topicals do not contain the THC cannabinoid (tetrahydrocannabinol). i-Cann's CBD oils and skincare products are made with fully certified purified CBD isolate from the hemp plant.

It is important to note that whilst cannabidiol can prove to be effective for many people, it may not be as effective for others. The benefits that each individual feels are going to be very different from person to person. There are so many factors to take into consideration - from taking the right CBD dosage for your body type in terms of metabolism, to your tolerance levels, and whether you've used any form of cannabidiol in the past. If you're new to cannabidiol then it will also differ in terms of how long the CB2 receptors will take to react to the presence of cannabidiol in the body.

SO, WHY SHOULD I TAKE CBD OIL?

a lady taking cbd oil

1. IT COULD HELP WITH SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Several researchers have investigated the benefits of CBD for mental health in recent years. Some people report that cannabidiol can actually boost concentration and focus, unlike its more famous cannabinoid cousin, THC.   CBD appears to calm the brain and support the hippocampus, which has an important role in processing healthy emotions and storing memories. Therefore, it is believed that daily consumption of cannabidiol can boost our well-being and promote emotional health.  

The benefits of CBD for physical and mental health have been well documented. According to studies, cannabidiol may stimulate human endocannabinoids. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) consists of receptor sites and cannabis-like chemicals located in the brain, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and gut. Every aspect of our health is regulated by the endocannabinoid system, including appetite, reproduction, mood, sleep, cell growth, and immunity.

Several studies have shown that cannabidiol can help some people ease anxiety and depression symptoms by supporting their mental health.

- Anxiety - There are many people who suffer from anxiety disorders.  CBD has been found to alleviate anxiety symptoms in some studies. There is evidence that cannabidiol may reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder due to its possible neural basis.

 - Depression - A potential antidepressant effect of cannabidiol has been investigated. The brain contains receptors for serotonin, which works as an antidepressant. It is believed that low levels of serotonin contribute to depression, and animal studies suggest cannabidiol impacts serotonin receptors, thereby producing antidepressant effects.

According to a study published in 2018, CBD can produce antidepressant-like effects by regulating serotonin levels in the brain. It appears that cannabidiol does not increase levels of serotonin in the brain, but rather affects how it responds to serotonin already present.

2. CBD OIL FOR SPORTS ENDURANCE AND SPORT RECOVERY

CBD has the potential to offer health benefits and can be an effective treatment for sports injuries for the average athlete. Inflammatory conditions such as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) can be treated with CBD's anti-inflammatory properties. DOMS occurs when muscles are rubbed against each other and torn when exercising. the use of cannabidiol can help in this instance as the inflammation needs to ease in order for your muscles to ease heal.

i-cann sports endurance

A recent study has reported, "Cannabidiol seems to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, anxiolytic, and pain-relieving properties which can be potential mediators of recovery in athletes during regular training and competition."

3. PAIN RELIEF WITH HEMP BASED CBD OIL

Cannabidiol is great an option for many pain sufferers to help relieve their symptoms, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In recent years, CBD oil has become one of the most useful supplements. The antioxidant properties of this plant make it suitable for treating inflammation in joints and reducing pain and stiffness. Furthermore, CBD can reduce pain perception by acting as an analgesic in the brain.

Aside from relief from muscle and joint pain, anecdotal evidence has suggested that cannabidiol is effective for many health conditions such as arthritis, migraines, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and various forms of Cancer. It is worth noting that much more research is needed into the effectiveness of CBD for these conditions and you should always consult your doctor before trying alternative remedies such as CBD.

pain relief with CBD

Unlike over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories you may have become accustomed to, CBD doesn’t cause damage to the stomach lining or increase your chance of having a stroke.  If you've got some aches and pains then CBD oil may actually be a safer alternative to pharmaceutical drugs with fewer negative side effects, it is a natural solution which is gentle on your system and can be used regularly without the added health implications.

4. SOOTHE SKIN CONDITIONS WITH CANNABIDIOL

With new CBD products emerging in retail almost every day now, it's plain to see that there is a definite demand for hemp based CBD skincare products.

A 2019 study has shown that CBD is useful in the treatment for some common symptoms of skin conditions, such as dryness and itching. CBD's anti-inflammatory properties have shown to be especially useful in reducing triggers of eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

CBD oil and skincare products have been shown that they are a promising treatment option for sufferers of acne. CBD's anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to hinder oiliness by regulating sebum production makes it the perfect solution for acne-prone skin.

5.  CAN THE OIL HELP TO IMPROVE SLEEP?

CBD may also prove useful in treating sleeping disorders because it has a calming effect. Despite the importance of sleep to our mental health and well-being, many of us don't get the recommended amount of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation is associated with mental health issues like depression, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

CBD for sleep

One study has shown that after taking 25mg of CBD daily, 65% of adults with anxiety symptoms reported improved sleep quality. Of course, it's not a secret that a good night's sleep has an overall positive effect on other processes such as your mood, health, weight and appetite.  So, taking care of your access to a regular sleep pattern can offer many health benefits.

OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR CBD-INFUSED PRODUCTS

Cannabis-derived products - or medical cannabis has received a lot of media attention in recent years as it is now a medically accepted treatment for conditions such as Epilepsy (more specifically Dravet syndrome). Other conditions that CBD use has been proven to help includes cancer, PTSD and Endometriosis - to name a few! Again - more research is needed, and we urge you to consult your doctor before trying alternative remedies for any health conditions.

WHICH CBD PRODUCTS ARE RIGHT FOR ME?

Choosing a high quality CBD brand is imperative. Here at i-Cann we can verify that our CBD is indeed high quality and it has been third-party tested by approved labs here in the UK. All of i-Cann's products are manufactured at their purpose-built premises that have held an EU GMP pharma-grade license for over 25 years. This demonstrates our ability to go that extra mile in assuring you that i-Cann delivers the best quality CBD products in the industry.

i-Cann's CBD oil UK is the finest quality and our customer reviews on Trustpilot show this. You can read them for yourself here.