Presented by JustCBD
If you’re unfamiliar with Cannabidiol (CBD), you probably feel clueless when it comes to discussing CBD uses–and there are a lot of them. But for transparency’s sake, I’ll only be detailing the reasons why I started to take CBD (insurmountable stress and bouts of anxiety). So if those aren’t things you need to address, it doesn’t mean this feature isn’t for you–it just means I can’t offer specific anecdotes that support or deny those other claims.
What is CBD? Are there dangers of CBD use?
Before you go consuming anything, it’s a good idea to know what it is you’re putting in your body. So for those of you new to this conversation, Cannabidiol is one of the main chemical components found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC (another main element of the marijuana plant), CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high or alter your perception. Its effects, according to the British Pharmacological Society Journals, can help relieve a wide range of symptoms including chronic pain, anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. However, since most of these products are listed as supplements and not medications, both the products themselves and their effects have not been regulated or substantiated by the FDA.
That being said, since this isn’t a federally regulated industry, there are companies that falsify how much CBD is actually in the products, attempting to get away with using synthetics and even going as far as adding obscene amounts of melatonin to CBD edibles so consumers “feel” something.
All of this is gross, so I’m going to tell you how to avoid it: READ THE LAB REPORTS AND INGREDIENT LABELS. I literally cannot stress this enough. Additionally, any reputable company will provide third-party lab results for all its CBD products. Why third-party? Because outside, unrelated labs have nothing to gain from their conclusions. But in order to read the lab results, you’ll need to understand what they mean, so I’ve provided an example using one of my favorite JustCBD products below.
I realize taking something not regulated by the FDA could be anxiety-inducing for some. However, don’t freak out just yet! Because the same can be said for the daily vitamins you take–they’re also considered dietary supplements, so they’re not regulated by the FDA.
If you do decide to try CBD, talk to your doctor first to avoid any potentially negative reactions as it has been known to interact with certain medications like blood thinners, altering the levels of Coumadin in your bloodstream.
My experience with CBD
Now, I’ve said this a hundred times and I’m probably going to say it a hundred more (if you couldn’t guess, it’s very important): I’m no doctor so before ever trying CBD please consult your PCP and/or psychiatrist to make sure it won’t have any effect on the medications you may be taking. Another thing to remember is my experience is purely anecdotal. I can’t tell you what will or won’t work for you (another reason you should consult your doctor first), but I can share what worked for me.
Along with therapy sessions, maintaining a healthy diet (my anemic a$$ really needs her greens), and remembering to drink water, I’ve found that CBD has helped keep me calm and cool as a cucumber. “Relaxed,” if you will. All of this is relatively new to me, even despite the substantial amounts of coping mechanisms I practice.
So for transparency’s sake, I’ll tell you why I have trouble sleeping and then what I’ve had success with in terms of combating this struggle. I’ve been an anxious person my whole life, and I was officially diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder a few years ago. But I’m also a survivor of multiple physical and sexual assaults. Between my predisposition to ruminating thoughts and the traumatic flashbacks, sleep is not something that has come easy for me in the last decade or so.
I’ve tried antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and antipsychotics. None of them were without their own side effects (that, in my case, made my life more difficult to navigate). So with the guidance of my psychiatrist, therapist, and primary care doctor I decided to stop trying medication and switch to a more “holistic” route–mindfulness, an exercise regimen, and regular talk therapy. Again, since I’ve figured out ways to self-soothe and have an array of coping mechanisms that work for combating most of my symptoms, I was afforded the privilege of being able to stop trying medication. This isn’t something I would recommend for everyone, especially not without the oversight of your doctor(s). But it’s what I decided was best for my situation.
Thanks to this approach I’ve been able to get through my days and live a relatively normal life–except for the fact that I still wasn’t sleeping. I’d either be up all night, staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning for hours, or finally falling asleep only to be afflicted with extremely vivid nightmares. It was negatively affecting my life and I had significantly less energy to participate in activities that I enjoyed. I was moody from being overtired and upset that I was scared of going to sleep. Then a close friend of mine asked if I had tried CBD.
He had found success using CBD to help him stop smoking and made sure to mention that it was also giving him some of the best sleep of his life. So I did my research, discovered the potential CBD had to help people relax and sleep, and decided to try it on a whim, thinking “If this doesn’t work, we can add it to the ever-growing pile of sh*t I’ve tried.”
But the pile didn’t grow, because the CBD gummies worked. Within 20 mins or so, I started to feel my stress melt away. The physical tension was easing up too, as I didn’t need to remind myself to unclench my jaw or relax my shoulders. I also fell asleep fast (like within 45 minutes of taking it fast) and I stayed asleep–all night. Waking up the next morning like “Damn, did I really just…sleep?!” It felt like I blinked and when I opened my eyes I was energized and ready for my day. I haven’t suffered from grogginess, and even better, it’s helped me “sleep train” myself so now I don’t have to take it every night (just on the super stressful days). That’s called growth, my friends!
So, with hopes of helping you, below I’ve detailed a few of my favorite CBD oils, gummies, and other products that have helped me to relax and get a good night’s sleep. And as an added bonus, for a limited time, JustCBD has slashed the prices of a bunch of products on its site and for the rest of 2019, our readers can save an extra 30% on their JustCBD order by using the code “dot30” at checkout.
CBD reviews: Best CBD for promoting relaxation and sleep
1) JustCBD Watermelon Rings
Some people enjoy a glass of red wine before dinner because it makes them sleepy. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to sulfur so I can’t put myself down with a bottle of merlot. However, JustCBD’s Watermelon Rings do the trick every single time. With 21.5mg of CBD in each ring, they’re a total KO! I fall into a deep sleep fast, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed (not groggy!).
Price: $19.99+ (regularly $23.99+)
2) CBD-infused Honey Sticks
Perfect for the individual that’s always on the go, JustCBD’s individually wrapped honey sticks contain 10mg of CBD each and provide a relaxed, euphoric vibe to your otherwise nervewracking day. The honey doesn’t have a hempy flavor and it pairs well with any tea, but if you’re specifically looking to up your snooze game I suggest adding one to an herbal or any other caffeine-free tea.
Price: $15 for 10 sticks (regularly $25), $150 for 100 sticks (regularly $250)
3) CBD bath bombs
For those of you who can’t consume CBD because of medications, digestive issues, or whatever it may be, you’re not screwed! CBD bath bombs are a super-effective alternative for promoting relaxation and sleep. Just throw one in your bath, watch it fizz out, hop in and enjoy! The hardest part will be picking your scent–so may I suggest grabbing one of each?
Price: $9.99 (regularly $21.99)
Still not sure about CBD? Need a little more convincing? Be sure to check out our guide to the best CBD edibles and best CBD oil tinctures.
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