As a CBD brand, one thing that we get asked often is, “Should I take CBD?” We understand why this question comes up all the time. A lot of people are totally inexperienced when it comes to cannabis, and don’t want to take something that they know little about, especially when it’s only been on the market for a short while.
Well, that’s why we’d like to help.
Do I Need to Be Unwell to Take CBD?
First, let’s clear something up. You don’t need to be physically or emotionally unwell to get something out of CBD. And that’s because of the endocannabinoid system.
For those who are new to CBD, the endocannabinoid system must be explained, as it has everything to do with why hemp compounds work in the way that they do. The endocannabinoid system is a series of cannabinoid receptors that force regulatory actions to take place throughout the body when fed cannabinoids, such as CBD.
These regulatory actions basically ensure that bodily processes that we count on function properly, as our bodily processes can be out of whack in ways that lead to ill health. Bodily processes like pain levels, hormonal balance and mood can all be heavily influenced by the endocannabinoid system.
Taking CBD, therefore, essentially supports the endocannabinoid system’s ability to help the body reach and maintain homeostasis. The endocannabinoid system is always working hard to ensure that your body functions well, whether you’re sick or not. So, that’s why you don’t need to have symptoms in order to use CBD in a way that can be helpful. Taking CBD is not something you only need to do when you are having problems, but can be used as a preventative measure to help your body avoid problems.
Is it Safe to Take CBD?
Let’s also make something else clear. Experts largely determine that CBD is safe. This means that as long as you don’t have a very rare intolerance to the hemp plant, you can take it regularly. Leading experts say that CBD can be taken daily and in large doses without any serious health repercussions.
This is because CBD is nontoxic. Due to how the endocannabinoid system processes it, it seems that an overdose just isn’t possible, because excess CBD is just stored in the body for later use as needed.
That doesn’t mean CBD is completely and always safe for everyone. Every person’s body is different, and some of us simply cannot tolerate certain compounds like others can. Therefore, if you wish to start taking CBD, it’s always best to have a conversation with your doctor.
Can I Take CBD with Another Medication?
One thing that we don’t know too much about right now is how CBD works with medications. We have seen studies that suggest a possibility that CBD behaves similarly to grapefruit in terms of its effects on many prescription drugs that are commonly used. Grapefruit inhibits an enzyme that breaks down ingredients in many major medications, meaning that the drug may stay in your system for a longer period of time, which puts a person at risk of overdose as the last dose does not fully clear before the next one is taken. However, information on the topic as it relates to CBD is limited at the moment.
Again, if you are concerned, speak with your doctor and follow his or her guidance. However, if you do get drug tested I would be very cautious of what CBD products you take. As you have a high likelihood of failing the drug test, mostly due to the product having THC and false product labels.
A CBD Questionnaire to Determine Whether or Not CBD is Right for You, and How to Take it
Now, let’s help you decide if and how you should take CBD depending on what you’re experiencing. There are many CBD benefits, as well as CBD side effects. However, here are the main reasons for you to take CBD products.
#1: Are You Dealing with Pain?
Are you in some type of physical pain? Most of us experience some form of recurring pain, whether it be tension in our shoulders due to poor posture, or a nagging soreness from a past injury. Whatever type of pain you’re in, you might want to give CBD a try.
If your pain affects a localized area of the body, we recommend using a CBD topical twice each day. This can be applied directly to the affected area, where the compounds will basically stay centralized. If you’re dealing with widespread pain caused by a condition like arthritis, you can use a daily internal method and apply a topical as needed for more severe areas of discomfort.
#2: Does Your Skin Need a Boost?
The CBD topical market is primarily targeted toward those who are in pain, but that’s not all it’s used for. CBD is also used by people who are dealing with some kind of skin issue, whether it be eczema, acne or skin irritation. Some CBD creams, such as the Binoid CBD Healing Cream was formulated to give relief of skin irritation, inflammation, psoriasis, eczema, and acne. The cream contains many useful ingredients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, jojobal oil, avocado oil, and more.
If the skin on your body is giving you trouble, then a basic topical like a cream or salve is the way to go. If you’re trying to use CBD for the skin on your face, you can explore the wide array of CBD skincare products that are on the market.
#3: Are You Anxious or Stressed Out?
A lot of people use CBD for stress and anxiety, due to the endocannabinoid system’s regulatory actions involving cortisol production. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, we suggest taking a CBD oil tincture or an edible such as CBD gummies. In fact, our Binoid Drops and Binoid CBD Fruit Gummies are options many people are currently using to help their anxiety.
Both of these products can provide calming effects for up to a few hours, with edibles outlasting tinctures. Tinctures act within 45 minutes, while edibles can take 1 to 2 hours before peaking. And, tinctures are felt more potently than edibles.
If you’re dealing with chronic stress, you can take CBD once in the morning and once at night. If the stress really only kicks in during the evening, and interferes with your sleep, we recommend a tincture before bedtime.
#4: Does Your Mood Need Some Uplifting?
The endocannabinoid system may also influence serotonin levels, which is why it’s so commonly used among people who have a generally low mood. If this applies to you, we recommend taking a CBD gummy at least once a day.
#5: Are You Low on Energy?
If your energy is in need of a boost, try CBD, as the endocannabinoid system also plays a role in energy homeostasis. We recommend taking CBD around the time that your mood dips, whether it be shortly after waking up or during the afternoon hours. A CBD oil such as our Binoid Drops would be best due to their faster-acting nature and long-lasting effects.
#6: Is Your Digestive System Acting Up?
Many people use CBD to ease their digestive tract, thanks to hemp’s anti-inflammatory activity. If your digestive system is not operating at its highest level, try an edible taken once a day, about an hour prior to eating a large meal.
#7: Are You Feeling a Bit Dazed Lately?
CBD’s regulatory effects also work on our cognitive function, which is why so many people take CBD when they need to focus better, or simply feel more alert. A tincture is great for this reason, especially when timed so that the effects peak when you need to be the most mentally active, say during work hours.
#8: Do You Just Feel Off?
When our body cannot achieve homeostasis, we might just feel generally off. Maybe we’re tired, or our body feels a bit more sore than usual, or our mood is not so good. If this is the case, you can make CBD part of your daily routine, regardless of the delivery method, to give the body a consistent amount of cannabinoids.
#9: Are You Nauseous?
A couple drops of a CBD tincture may be able to help you with your nausea. If nausea is a chronic issue, however, try taking an edible once daily in the morning.
#10: Are You Suffering from Seizures?
The FDA has approved a CBD-based drug for epilepsy, thanks to research showing a link between CBD and neurological health. Therefore, if you are having seizures, we recommend that you speak with your doctor about the best way to start a CBD regimen specifically for this purpose.
#11: Have You Recently Injured Your Head?
The neurological effects we discussed earlier can apply to traumatic brain injuries as well. If you’ve recently injured your head, and want to play it safe after seeking medical care, you can incorporate a CBD tincture into your daily routine for a couple of weeks.
#12: Are Your Hormones Out of Whack?
There are cannabinoid receptors within the endocrine system, which is why those with a hormonal balance may find that taking CBD once each day is a smart move. In this case, the delivery method doesn’t matter, as long as your body gets a daily dose of cannabinoids.
#13: Are You Overworked?
If you’ve been working too many hours lately, you may be feeling generally burnt out. CBD is great for this due to its widespread regulatory effects. A daily dose in any form will do.
#14: Are You a General Wellness Enthusiast?
If you have none of the issues above, but simply want to take your wellness routine to the next level, try starting out with a daily edible and see how your body reacts.
#15: Do You Like to Work Out?
A lot of people are taking CBD prior to working out due to its effects on the endocannabinoid system that correlate with our fitness needs.
#16: Are You a Fan of Mindfulness Practices?
When CBD is taken prior to a yoga or meditation practice, it may help a person enter a calmer and more focused state.
Final Opinions
It’s clear from the list of questions above that CBD can be useful in quite a number of surprising ways. Basically, it’s obvious that you don’t need to be in a dire situation in order to get something out of the hemp plant. Therefore, check out the CBD products at Binoid CBD and choose one that can help you reach your personal goals.
