What Is CBD? What Are The Benefits Of CBD?
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Beginner’s Guide To CBD
On today’s episode of Live Lean TV, I’m answering all your questions on CBD, including what is CBD, what are the benefits of CBD, what are the different types of CBD, and so much more.
Welcome to the beginner’s guide to CBD.
Let’s dive in.
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A few weeks ago, I did a post on the 5 Ways To Reduce Muscle Soreness And Improve Recovery, where I briefly talked about my experience taking CBD and cannabis.
Based on my Instagram DMs, a lot of you asked me to go into more detail on CBD.
I’m going to answer the following questions in this post:
- What is CBD?
- What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?
- Does CBD get you high?
- Is CBD legal?
- Is CBD Safe?
- What are the benefits of CBD?
- What are the different types of CBD?
- How Do You Take CBD?
- When Should You Take CBD?
- What Is The Most Effective Dosage Of CBD?
- What Is The Best Brand Of CBD?
With that said, let’s jump right into it.
What Is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, comes from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp and cannabis plant, and is the second most active ingredient in cannabis.
However, if the thought of cannabis is still taboo for you, hold up.
Experimenting with CBD and cannabis for therapeutic and medicinal uses is quickly growing in the health and fitness field.
However, it doesn’t mean everyone should be taking it.
If you’re looking to reduce pain and stress, so you can become more present, calm, and relaxed, and have a better time, hopefully these first few question and answers will help you open up your thinking around plant medicine.
What Is The Difference Between Hemp And Marijuana?
There are two main kinds of cannabis:
- Hemp
- Marijuana
When most think of cannabis, they probably think of marijuana.
The main difference between hemp and marijuana is the concentration of THC and CBD.
Hemp produces higher concentrations of CBD, while marijuana produces high concentrations of THC.
THC is the psychoactive component that causes the feeling of being high.
Does CBD Get You High?
No.
Since hemp contains more CBD and less than 0.3% of THC, it does not contain a high enough dose of THC to feel the psychoactive properties of marijuana.
Is CBD Legal?
In 2018, hemp became legal in all states in the US, thus making CBD readily available to consume.
However, at the state level, marijuana is still illegal in some states, therefore the legality of CBD depends on the THC content, and if the CBD is derived from hemp or marijuana.
This makes certain states gray areas when it comes to purchasing CBD locally.
However, if you do live in one of these grey area states, you should still be able to order CBD online.
Fortunately for me, I live in California, so we have access to local dispensaries and online delivery.
Is CBD Safe?
For most people, taking CBD is safe.
However, if you have concerns, always check with your doctor
With all the legalities out of the way, let’s talk about what are the benefits of CBD.
What Are The Benefits Of CBD?
To date, there have been numerous health benefits reported from taking CBD.
I first started experimenting with hemp oil back in 2015 to reduce inflammation.
However, I really started to dig into the efficacy behind CBD and cannabis back in 2019 to help reduce my anxiety.
Based on my research, CBD may be effective in helping:
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- Reduce anxiety
- Alleviate stress
- Improve sleep
- Decrease chronic joint and muscle pain and inflammation
- Speed up recovery after training
Even though you’re doing your body justice by training with weights and sprinting with intensity, these workouts do create inflammation and aches and pains in the body.
As Live Leaners, to reduce inflammation and pain, we must:
- Consume the proper healthy foods
- take the right supplements
- recover with sufficient sleep
- follow a smart stretching and mobility plan
CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory to speed up recovery and improve sleep.
Personally speaking, the two areas I needed most help with were my anxiety and sleep.
As an entrepreneur my mind is always going.
On top of this, being a very involved dad of two young kids, my stress and lack of quality sleep has taken a toll on me.
However, once my wife Jessica and I started experimenting with CBD and cannabis:
- I’ve been having more resultful and deeper sleep
- Our intimate relationship has been better than ever
- My anxiety levels continue to improve
I’m honestly amazed at what CBD and cannabis can do and the response it has elicited with my body and mental health.
What Are The Different Types Of CBD?
When it comes to CBD products, there are 3 different types of CBD:
- CBD Isolate
- Full-Spectrum CBD
- Broad-Spectrum CBD
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is processed to be a pure source of CBD.
This means it is 100% CBD, with no other compounds present.
If you’re looking for CBD that does not contain any THC, go with CBD Isolate.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-Spectrum CBD contains all the terpenes and cannabinoid compounds from the plant.
This means it could include some THC.
Some research points that a full-spectrum CBD is the most effective form of CBD.
This is because all the compounds from the plant are still in place, thus they synergistically act together to increase the effectiveness of the CBD.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Similar to Full-Spectrum CBD, Broad-Spectrum CBD contains a wider range of terpenes and cannabinoid compounds than CBD Isolate.
However, unlike Full-Spectrum CBD, Broad-Spectrum CBD has undergone more processing to remove specific cannabinoids, such as THC.
Lastly, there’s a cannabinoid referred to as CBN, that has a greater impact on sleep.
How Do You Take CBD?
CBD can consumed in many different forms.
The 4 most common ways to take CBD include:
- Sublingually under the tongue
- Tinctures
- Inhale through the lungs
- Vaping
- Topical through the skin
- Bath bombs
- Creams
- Gel pens
- Lotions
- Oils
- Patches
- Sprays
- Orally
- Beverages
- Capsules
- Extracts
- Gummies
If you’re looking to reduce inflammation or relieve muscle and joint pain, a topical CBD cream, lotion, oil, or bath bomb may be the best option.
However, from an absorption perspective, using a CBD tincture sublingually under the tongue is an effective way to allow the CBD to directly enter into the bloodstream.
When it comes to vaping, although the absorption is high, I don’t personally like the potential negative effects on my lungs.
What Is The Most Effective Dosage Of CBD?
As mentioned, since CBD is not yet regulated by the FDA, there is no official dosage recommendations for CBD consumption.
I recommend you first follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the first week, then access how you feel with that dosage.
You can then experiment from there.
Remember, we are all different, so we may have different genetic responses to cannabis.
When Should You Take CBD?
It really depends on the reason why you’re taking CBD.
If it’s to improve your sleep, take CBD before you go to bed.
Or if it’s to decrease anxiety, take it 30 minutes before a stressful situation in your day.
What Is The Best Brand Of CBD?
When it comes to buying CBD, it’s buyer beware.
Currently, the FDA does not regulate the purity of CBD, since it is marketed as a supplement, not medication.
Based on this, if you’re going to try CBD, make sure you get it from a reputable source.
Personally, I’ve tried a handful of different brands over the years and have experienced differing results.
To find one that works for you, you need to experiment.
If one brand doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean CBD doesn’t work for you.
It’s up to you to do research and find a brand that what works for you.
What Brand Of CBD Do I Use?
Recently I’ve been experimenting with a CBD brand called VRB Labs.
I’ve been using a full-spectrum CBD sleep product called VRB Rest, 30 minutes before I go to sleep.
In addition to CBD, this also contains the cannabinoid CBN, which has an even greater impact on sleep.
Since I’ve been taking it, I notice I fall asleep faster and wake up in the morning more alert and less groggy.
You can use my affiliate link with coupon code: Brad20 to get 20% off your order.
10% off all profits also goes to support veteran military causes.
During the day, they also have product called VRB Work that promotes calm and focus, while decreasing stress and muscle and joint inflammation.
I haven’t tried this one yet, but let me know in the comments if you want another post on how productive I felt during my work hours, while taking it.
Keep Living Lean.
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Question Of The Day:
- Have you ever tried CBD?
- If so, how long did you take it, and what were your experiences?
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Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.
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