CBD: What’s All The Buzz About?

 CBD Kuel Category Expert: Susan Crews

Here is a secret…I have been in the health and wellness industry for 16 years teaching people how to eat for our health and about plant-based diets and products. But, when I heard about CBD I thought it was snake oil! There was no way one product from one plant could do all the things people were claiming.  

So, I set out on a journey to learn about CBD, the industrial hemp plant, cannabis, and the truth. Here is what I learned… CBD IS THE REAL DEAL! CBD will cure nothing, but could help with pain, anxiety, sleep, focus issues, mood, stress, and inflammation to name a few. 

What Is CBD? 

CBD stands for “cannabidiol” which is a compound found in the cannabis plant. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is legally extracted from the industrial hemp plant, a cousin to marijuana, which is grown for high CBD and low THC. THC is the compound that has the psychoactive effects of marijuana. And, CBD has great medicinal benefits without the psychoactive effects. 

The Buzz About CBD – Why It Works:

“we already have cannabinoids in our bodies that work to keep our bodies in homeostasis”

Everyone has an Endocannabinoid System; which is a cell signaling system that works with other systems in the body. What we know is the ECS has three components that work: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. CBD interacts with these components to work in the body. Researchers continue to study the relationship between the ECS, the other systems, and the benefits of CBD as a supplement. 

Another interesting fact is that we already have cannabinoids in our bodies that work to keep our bodies in homeostasis. Homeostasis  simply means our body is in a balanced state with very little inflammation. Many of us are cannabinoid deficient. So, when we add CBD to our daily regimen it begins to rebuild cannabinoid levels. This works to bring the body to homeostasis and reduces inflammation. When inflammation is reduced many of the symptoms of ailments are reduced or eliminated. 

Interested? Where To Start:

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any medications that will react with CBD. There are some out there and you want to ensure you won’t have a negative reaction with your prescriptions. 
2. Read the label of the product you are considering. Know where it is from and what is in the product.
3. Ask if a Certificate of Analysis is available. This is a third-party test result that shows what THC level (if any) and the cannabinoids that are in the product.
4. Determine if you want a full spectrum tincture which has up to the legal limit of .3% THC, or a broad spectrum, or isolate based product which has no THC present. 

How Much Do I Take?

“start with a small dose and pay attention to how you feel”

This is the hardest question to answer because everyone is different. What works for me might not work for you!  So, the best answer is to follow a nurse’s saying, “start low and grow slow”. Truthfully, you should start with a small dose and pay attention to how you feel. And, since it is not a magic pill you need to take your CBD consistently for a few days/weeks to know if it is working. If you are not experiencing any changes in the way you feel, you may need to increase your dosage. Ask the person you purchase your product from to give you suggestions on how much to start with depending on the CBD strength in the product. 

Until the science and research catches up to the usage of CBD, customer testimonies are currently a great way to track the effectiveness of a product. Over and over again, I hear stories of how CBD reduces pain, helps one sleep through the night and wake up well rested, heals gut issues, enables better focus, or simply an improved sense of wellbeing. These success stories bring hope to many and a healthier, happier life to CBD users. 

About the Author:

Susan Crews is the President/CEO of Huntsboro Hemp Company – a company dedicated to producing high-quality CBD products from locally grown industrial hemp to help improve the wellbeing of customers globally.

She is a trusted entrepreneur and sought-after speaker whose mission is to educate people about the industrial hemp plant and the benefits of quality CBD products as well as the importance of taking care of yourself in midlife. Susan is passionate about health and wellness and empowering midlife women to embrace healthy lifestyles to live your best life.