Terms to Know
I want to make the uninitiated aware of what CBD actually stands for. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a naturally occurring chemical compound of the hemp plant. Hemp and what we traditionally know as cannabis both come from the same plant, but different parts of it, and they are bred for different reasons.
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, that is somewhat inaccurate. Hemp is grown to contain drastically lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is what gets users “high.” Additionally, hemp’s high CBD content counteracts the minimal amount of THC present in the resulting oils.
According to my CBD oil supplier, Susan’s CBD, hemp itself “is largely misunderstood,” as it “has been cultivated for biofuels, fiber and even food products.” This diverse plant has also been shown to have some amazing benefits, which I’ll get into below.
Disclaimer
Now that I’ve gotten through some of the preliminaries, let me make a disclaimer: CBD oil has, in my experience, been tremendously effective as a pain relief technique. However, it is essential to do your own research and talk to your healthcare provider before you decide to incorporate it into your own wellness routine. This blog is entirely the result of my own research and the research of my supplier, and should not be taken for medical advice.
As an additional note, my supplier has made it very clear that her salves and oils do not contain THC and will not give you any psychoactive effect or cause you to fail a drug test.
Benefits of CBD
Allow me to share with you what Susan has to say about the benefits of CBD oil:
“Increasingly, the hemp plant is being studied and found to have positive benefits for pain relief, both chronic and acute, for such conditions as arthritis, chronic inflammation and soreness. In addition, CBD is an anti-inflammatory and may have healing and therapeutic effects on the skin. Many people have used CBD salves to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.”
She goes on to explain just how CBD oil works when applied to the skin. Skin cells have inherent cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, or the endocannabinoid system. When these receptors encounter CBD oil, they essentially tell nerves to reduce their overactive firing, causing a reduction in feelings of pain and irritation. When applied topically, the CBDs penetrate the outer layer of skin, causing your muscles to begin to relax.
But that’s not all that CBD can offer. According to an article in the Washington Post, multiple studies have found “that the compound can treat epilepsy as well as a range of other illnesses, including anxiety, schizophrenia, heart disease and cancer.” The Journal of Experimental Medicine published a study that found a reduction in chronic inflammation and pain in mice and rats.
What’s more, CBD could have potential in ending the opioid crisis. The oil has been demonstrated to actually inhibit drug-seeking behavior, particularly for those who abuse opioids. And there is a pilot study that suggests CBD could be used to help people quit smoking.
I could go on and on about all of these potential benefits, but instead, I will provide a link to Medical News Today, which I think offers a pretty thorough overview of the benefits, risk, and research surrounding CBD.
My Experience with CBD Oil
I have only recently begun to incorporate CBD oil into my self-care and pain relief routines. This was largely because I was determined to find a no-fuss product that was as pure as possible, with no extraneous ingredients to interfere with its efficacy.
I was thrilled when I discovered Susan’s CBD products, which are made with “a specialized 99% pure form of CBD isolate from hemp,” allowing them to be maximally effective. She notes on her website, “The isolate is a highly purified, crystalline form of CBD from federally legal industrial hemp, which is odorless and has zero THC in it. We professionally lab test our products to ensure that we are putting in an effective level of hemp CBD.”
An absence of THC and quality assurance were an absolute must, but so was an effective level of CBD. If CBD oil or salve is too diluted or impure, it becomes less potent as a pain reliever. With natural ingredients and minimal essential oils, the products I sampled seemed to strike the perfect balance – maximized pain relief, but no “hemp” smell and easy application.
When Susan sent me samples, I was immediately blown away by how effective her oil was at relieving muscle tension and pain. The results were almost immediate, using just a small amount of the product. A gentle cooling, numbing effect reduced my muscle tension, without being distracting in sensation or smell. But it didn’t just work quickly – it lasted for hours. I was continually surprised by the relief it offered, even after using it multiple times. I have since added it to my pain-relief routine, and am thrilled to share it with my clients, for them to incorporate into their own lives. I have also had good results when using the salve. Though the effect is more subtle, I find that it is also a long-lasting, skin-soothing solution to chronic pain.
Using CBD Oil
CBD can be used in multiple different ways, but for the purpose of my practice, I only carry external products, like massage oil, lotion, bath bombs, and salve. This is an easy way to offer those pain-relieving benefits while also addressing issues of dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis.
The oils and salves are especially effective, according to Susan, when they’re combined with heat. Her website states, “You can increase the effect and rapidity of the relief by applying a heating pad to the area, taking a hot shower or bath or soaking the area to be treated in warm water prior to applying the topical.” When I’ve used CBD oil on myself, I’ve found that a little goes quite a long way. A few drops is enough to work on smaller trouble areas, perhaps on the neck or temples, and it can be applied more liberally as needed. Your dosage is entirely up to you and what you think will be beneficial.
You can purchase Susan’s products in my retail space and take the pain-relieving and relaxing benefits of CBD home with you.
I hope that you’ve found this post to be helpful. I look forward to providing you all with new options for pain relief.