I Took CBD Oil for Two Weeks Straight, and Here’s How It Made Me Feel
CBD is the major, non-psychoactive cannabinoid complex from the cannabis plant that offers significant health benefits. I've explored these benefits via skin-care products, body wash, and in my workout recovery routine—but I've yet to take it internally, which many say is the most direct way to absorb it.
Taking CBD oil has been studied to have pain-relieving, inflammatory-fighting, and anxiety-reducing prowess, so ingesting it on the reg seems as though it might not be the worst idea in the world. "A daily dose of CBD will rebalance imbalances within the body and, depending on the specific individual, the benefits manifest themselves differently," explains Emily Heitman, co-founder, COO and CMO of Leef Organics. "As a regulator and a modulator, CBD acts in a dynamic and comprehensive fashion to get to the root of individual issues. I believe it should be part of everyone's daily routine for maintenance and preventative support."
As for how it actually makes you feel, it's more of a subtle effect. "CBD is used and repurposed by your body in the way you need it most, so the feeling by each individual tends to be a bit different," says Heitman. "However, I think everyone feels relief and balance from daily use of CBD."
"If you have pain or anxiety, once the effects of CBD start setting in, it's almost like it's whisked away and it's not there anymore." —Drew Todd
Drew Todd, co-founder of new CBD brand Feals, notes that taking CBD oil is more about what you don't feel. "The way we describe taking CBD is that it's not about what you feel, but it's more about what you don't feel," he says. "If you have pain or anxiety, once the effects of CBD start setting in, it's almost like it's whisked away and it's not there anymore." But it's not about totally changing your current state: "It's not about getting high or really feeling any psychoactive effects; it's more about melting away whatever's getting in your way of living well, so that you can focus on living your life."
Now, obviously, everyone is different, and it's important to remember that you should check with your doctor before introducing something new into your regimen. But given its cred, I was ready to give it a go. Here's what happened when I did.
1. I slept better
I began taking a full dropper of Feals (around 30 mg of CBD) before I went to bed by holding it under my tongue for 30 seconds—which Todd and most all CBD brands recommend as the fastest way for your body to absorb the ingredient. Within roughly 15 minutes, I felt a comforting, warm sense of calm wash over me that was deeper than when I take melatonin. Over the next half hour or so of watching TV, I became increasingly tired and proceeded to fall fast asleep and woke up feeling rested in a way that some sleep supplements don't allow me to (which FWIW, a small study has shown). So yes, it's now a steady part of my nighttime regimen.
Shop now: Extract Labs CBD Oil, $95
2. I became less stressed-out
I hate to admit this, but I'm a very stress-prone person. I've gotta hit several deadlines each day, survive a number of meetings, and juggle a work life, a romantic relationship, and very dear friendships (in other words: I'm like every other person). In the past, though, I've let all of this pressure get to me, and could almost feel coritsol surging in my body. However, I found that taking CBD oil regularly has eased this stress (something it's scientifically proven to do), and I'm able to get through my day without feeling as though the completion of my to-do list is set to the tune of major stress.
Shop now: cbdMD Oil Tincture, $180
3. I was able to focus more
On a related note, I'm also able to focus better when I'm at work. That's likely due to CBD oil's proven effects at relieving anxiety, which therefore results in a clear mind that's better able to cross things off of my to-do list. Before trying out the ingredient, I've often felt overly anxious at work when I have a lot going on at once—but taking CBD regularly (and honestly probably wrapping my head around my to-do list in a healthy way) has allowed me to think more rationally about what's on my plate, rather than sit and freak out about it.
Shop now: Plant People Clear Focus Capsules, $30
4. My muscles were less sore
I've used CBD oil topically to relieve sore running legs, but didn't realize that ingesting the wellness ingredient can have a similar effect. Studies have shown, though, that taking CBD has anti-inflammatory benefits, and muscle pain is a sort of inflammation, so I've found it to help. As someone who works out almost daily, my legs are almost always sore. I traded my CBD topical oil for the kind you ingest, and still felt a very subtle perk of muscle pain relief. The CBD oil helps my body repair itself in recovery mode, fighting that newfound inflammation from my hardcore workouts and allowing me to do it again the next day without feeling like my legs are made out of cement.
After ingesting CBD oil for two weeks straight, I'm now a true believer in the wellness ingredient's superstar prowess. Its calming effects are so legit, but my fave perk of all is that I get better sleep. Nowadays I'm taking CBD right before I brush my teeth at night, and you know what? I'm now a better-rested, more calm person—who just so happens to be on the CBD train.
Shop now: FOCL Premium CBD Drops, $65
To be clear: Hemp oil vs CBD oil are very different things. But in terms of the buzzy ingredient, these are the 6 best CBD products that experts love.
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