What Do I Need To Know About CBD?

On August 8, National CBD Day recognizes natural hemp products that have taken the nation by storm…and for good reason! Over the past few years, Cannabidiol (CBD) has made quite a name for itself in the spheres of wellness, health, and beauty. Consumers have latched onto CBD as a natural, holistic alternative for a variety of uses. Here at Shea Brand, we incorporate CBD in our products to enhance our formulas and provide our customers with a tool to empower them to incorporate self-care into their lives and feel beautiful in their own skin.

What is CBD?

CBD is found in hemp and cannabis plants. It is a naturally occurring substance that works with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which has receptors all over your body.
What’s so great about CBD?

CBD allows you to reap many of the benefits of cannabis without getting high! Unlike its fellow cannabinoid, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is not psychoactive. Because it lacks the ability to get you high, CBD is great for anyone dealing with pain, anxiety, inflammation, or tension on an everyday basis.
How do you use CBD? How does your body absorb CBD?

Since CBD is received by the ECS, and the ECS receptors are present in all different systems in your body, CBD can be used in many different ways. At Shea Brand, we champion CBD in our products because of its powerful ability to fight inflammation, balance oil in your skin, ease joint & muscle pain, soothe cramping, improve digestion, reduce anxiety, and boost your overall mood. And it does it all naturally!

These are the main ways that you can use CBD:

1. Eat it – Ingesting CBD is possible through edibles, beverages, and tinctures. Once eaten, CBD molecules enter your bloodstream where they are carried to ECS receptors all over the body. Ingesting CBD is best for those who need neurological or overall effects – like when dealing with anxiety, insomnia, general pain, indigestion, or inflammation.

Edibles & beverages are a great option for those who may need a constant, discrete supply of CBD throughout the day to manage general pain or anxiety. The ability to eat an inconspicuous snack that delivers long-lasting pain relief is a huge benefit for many people. The only downside of CBD edibles is that they can take a long time to kick in – anywhere from 20 – 120 minutes – since they have to pass through the stomach and liver before entering the bloodstream.
Taking a tincture or oil, like our CBD Full Spectrum Oil Drops, is another way to ingest CBD that has a faster effect. These tinctures are meant to be taken “sublingually” meaning held under the tongue for at least 30 seconds. This allows the CBD molecules to absorb more quickly into the bloodstream as there are more blood vessels readily available under the tongue.

2. Apply topically – Putting CBD directly on your skin delivers targeted effects. When it hits your skin, CBD molecules are immediately received by ECS receptors on your skin cells, in your glands, on your nerve endings, and in your muscles & joints. Topical application of CDB is excellent for handling irritated skin, wounded skin, acne, muscle soreness, muscle & joint pain, and headaches.

Our CBD Natural Pain Reliever and CBD transdermal patches are star products of ours because they can help with so much at one time. The CBD in this formula works alongside arnica oil and menthol to deliver immediate relief from pain and soreness. CBD and nourishing shea butter also work to reduce inflammation, heal wounded skin & acne, balance oil production, and encourage the growth of healthy new skin cells. We use it pretty much everything!

CBD can also be applied in a targeted way for specific results. Our CBD Headache Roller and CBD Menstrual Cramp Roller are both designed for this use. Just roll a little bit of CBD, arnica oil, and menthol where you need it most for instant pain relief. Our CBD oil lip balm is also wonderful for repairing chapped lips and ensuring your lips stay soft, smooth, and healthy.

3. Smoke it – Smoking CBD is similar to ingesting it in that it gives an overall effect on the body. When CBD is inhaled through your lungs it enters the bloodstream and quickly heads for the brain. Whether you are using a vaporizer to inhale CBD extracts or smoking CBD flowers, this is a great option for dealing with anxiety or overall pain.

When people ask us, why is CBD so great? Our answer is always because it has incredible potential to improve our lives and empower us to be our best selves. By soothing our anxieties, relieving us from pain, and helping us to live a little bit easier, CBD is an effective holistic alternative medicine.

We do want you to keep this in mind, though; due to it’s illegal classification for many years, CBD has not been sufficiently studied in widespread, properly controlled scientific studies. While there are some hopeful studies and lots of anecdotal evidence, the CBD industry still requires more research. CBD has the potential to treat many common health issues, but it does affect everyone differently, which is why you should always consult a doctor if you are unsure about how using it will affect you.