How to Use CBD for Pain, Anxiety, and Sleep
Image courtesy of American Sleep Association.
Have you just recently started exploring the world of CBD? Keep reading to learn what you might use CBD for. Although there are a variety of conditions that CBD may be able to help with, we’re going to talk about three of the most common--pain, anxiety, and sleep. If you find yourself looking to CBD for relief from these issues, you’re not alone! Many people are struggling to find relief from pain, anxiety, and sleep troubles, and have found that treating them with CBD has proven to be effective. If you have questions about how CBD may be able to help you, you’ve come to the right place! In this post we’re going to discuss:
- What the benefits of CBD are
- How CBD can help with pain
- Ways that CBD helps with anxiety
- How CBD may give you a better night’s rest
What are the Benefits of CBD
What do you use CBD for?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural plant cannabinoid found in hemp plants. It is non-intoxicating (unlike its relative THC) and safe to use as a tincture, topical, or ingestible. But why would you be interested in using it and what are its benefits? CBD has seemed to have burst onto the scene because of its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving (analgesic) properties--making it a natural way to get relief from pain. Instead of relying on over the counter or prescription medications, people can now get the relief they need without having to deal with the negative side effects of traditional painkillers.
But CBD doesn’t just help with painful muscles and joints. It also delivers feelings of calmness to the mind, making it very helpful to ease anxiety. As CBD unwinds and soothes the body, it can also help the mind relax and stay focused. Because CBD can have these effects on both mind and body, it is also helpful for getting restful sleep. Sleep troubles affect a lot of people--68% of Americans report having trouble with sleep at least once a week. You can use CBD to help prepare for bed and enjoy how it allows your mind and body to relax, promoting a healthy sleeping experience.
How does CBD do this? CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid system, binding with receptors to limit the response to pain, inflammation, and anxious thoughts. Now, let’s go a little deeper and discover how CBD can help with these three conditions.
CBD for Pain
How can CBD help with pain?
As we mentioned earlier, CBD is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Depending on how you take it (topical or ingested) it can either affect the muscles and joints of a targeted area (topical), or work to decrease painful sensations throughout your body (ingesting). This is because CBD works with the receptors in your body to limit its response to inflammation, which many times is the source of pain. When inflammation is not the reason for pain, CBD can still work with the nervous system to decrease painful sensations.
What types of pain does CBD help with?
If you’re dealing with aches in your joints or muscles on a daily basis, you are not alone. Adding CBD to your daily routine--either as a topical, tincture, or ingestible-- could be just what you need to find relief. CBD can be used for pain that you deal with daily, or on a frequent basis--but it can also be used when you overdo it in an activity such as walking or jogging, or when you’re dealing with long term or chronic pain. No one should have to deal with pain, so whether you decide to use it regularly or just when you need it, CBD has got your back.
How much should you take for pain?
Your level of pain and the CBD product you use will dictate how much you take for pain. If you’re dealing with a painful shoulder each day, you might want to consider using a combination of a tincture and topical, to treat the pain at the site as well as from the inside out. Or, just use one or the other! It really depends on what works for your lifestyle.
Depending on the level of pain, you can choose to use a product with a low amount of CBD like 100mg or a large amount of CBD, such as 1500mg. You’ll have to experiment and find what strength works to bring you relief, and what product serves you best.
What types of products help with pain?
You can choose which products work best for you, but these are our recommendations for using CBD for pain:
Get deep relief just where you need it! Using 500mg of hemp-derived CBD, arnica, menthol, and wintergreen, this balm brings cooling relief to sore muscles and joints. It’s easy to apply anytime, with no mess, just the soothing results you need.
This cream is designed to bring relief for intense pain when nothing else seems to work. Take advantage of the 1500mg of hemp-derived CBD, arnica, menthol, and shea butter, this cream goes on smooth and absorbs quickly.
Made with 500mg of hemp-derived CBD, menthol, arnica, turmeric, and peppermint, this easy to use roll on can bring relief whenever you need it. Apply where you need it and allow the CBD and other ingredients to go to work and decrease pain.
CBD for Anxiety
How can CBD help with anxiety?
CBD can not only help with your body’s pain, but it can also help quiet anxiety. Whether your anxiety is a result of muscle or joint pain, or it has another source, CBD works with serotonin receptors to help relax the mind and reduce anxiety-induced behaviors. A small amount of studies have shown that including a dose of CBD can help reduce feelings of anxiety or worry. This is great news since anxiety conditions are very common.
How much do you need to take for anxiety?
If you’re using CBD to help with anxiety, you’ll want to choose a product that you can ingest so that it can get into your bloodstream and get to work. This means you’ll want to use a tincture or an ingestible. How much CBD you take will depend on your level of anxiety, and whether you decide to use a tincture or an edible. Tinctures are fast-acting and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes under your tongue. Start off with a low amount and gradually increase it until you find yourself getting relief.
You can also choose to use an edible, but remember that since they go through your digestive system, they can take longer to work. However, edibles may give you relief from anxiety for a longer period of time. You should also start out with a small amount, then see how you feel after an hour or two. You can then determine whether or not to take an additional dose.
What types of CBD products help with anxiety?
These fast-acting drops will go right to work to help out with your anxiety. Simply take your dose and wait to feel the effects. Bliss Broad Spectrum tinctures come in two strengths, 1000mg of CBD and 1500mg of CBD. You can also choose between a peppermint flavor and unflavored.
A delicious gummy in a bright berry flavor (that are also vegan and gluten-free), these are a convenient and discreet way to take CBD. Each gummy has 10mg of CBD, and are an easy way to calm your mind from anxious thoughts.
A cool and refreshing way to help sooth your mind is with CBD mints. With 10mg of CBD in each mint and a crisp spearmint flavor, you’ll have no problem getting rid of anxious thoughts and welcoming a sense of calm into your day.
CBD for Sleep
How can CBD help with sleep?
Many people struggle to get a good night's sleep. Whether it’s difficulty winding down, waking up many times throughout the night, or insomnia, not getting adequate sleep can have consequences. If you’re not getting sleep because you’re dealing with pain or anxiety, CBD could be just what you’ve been looking for. We know that CBD can help decrease pain while it relaxes your mind, making it a great choice before bed. But how exactly can CBD help keep you asleep?
Some studies have shown that CBD can affect the release of cortisol (which keeps people up at night and increases nighttime wakings), and actually acts as a sedative. If your poor sleep quality is caused by pain, anxiety, or increased cortisol levels, CBD can help get you back on a better sleep routine.
How much do you need to take for sleep?
You can use a topical, ingestible, or tincture to help you get better sleep. Depending on which product you choose, we always recommend starting out low, and then working to increase your dose until you get the relief you’re looking for. Since you want to use CBD to help you get better sleep, it makes sense to use your product of choice close to bedtime. Rub a relaxing CBD cream on your skin or take your tincture as you’re winding down for the night. If you plan on using an ingestible, just be aware that it can take some time before the effects start. We suggest taking them 30 minutes before sleep.
What types of CBD products help with sleep?
Enjoy the relaxing aroma of lavender and the calming effects of CBD. Made with 150mg of hemp-derived CBD, lavender, white cedar, and sandalwood this rollerball is designed to be applied to your pulse points such as the temples, wrist, or the nape of the neck. Or, wave under your nose and breathe in deeply for an instant feeling of relaxation.
This fast-acting tincture made with 1500mg of hemp-derived CBD is perfect to use before bed to usher in a sense of soothing calm. The wonderful peppermint taste will help both your mind and body prepare for bed.
What better way to prepare for bed than by applying a warming cream anywhere on your skin? Made from 150mg of CBD, shea butter, melatonin, and lavender flower, this cream will have you drifting off to sleep in no time!
CBD can help with pain, anxiety, and getting a good night sleep. It's a natural alternative to other medications and is safe to use. Regardless of why you need CBD, once you feel the results, you’re sure to be glad you chose it!
