So many of us experience (at minimum) a steady hum of low-grade anxiety as we move about our days. I know I do on the daily!! And who could blame us, right? Our schedules are jam-packed, we’re chasing career goals, tending to our personal relationships, juggling finances, dealing with all things COVID and (if we’re lucky) squeezing in a little time to pursue our hobbies and passions.

These ever-constant feelings of anxiety not only hinder our productivity, they steal our pure, unfiltered, in-the-moment joy. It can be a challenging beast to tame, which is why so many people have been turning to a yoga practice as a way to calm down, go inward, and let go.

But yoga isn’t the only tool in our coping tool belts. With the increasing legalization of marijuana and hemp-derived products across the country (Thanks 2018 Farm Bill), the stressed-out among us are exploring new ways to cope with anxiety. If the word “cannabis” brings to mind terrible-tasting brownies, it’s time to take another look at a now-booming industry. Although bakeries are now whipping up marijuana-infused cookies, gummies, drinks, and even baklava, there are also companies working to spread the gospel of hemp-related products without the high.

It all comes down to CBD, a cannabinoid compound found in the cannabis plant. Although CBD shares some similarities with THC, hemp’s better-known cannabinoid, there is one big difference: CBD has no psychoactive effects and won’t get you high. What CBD does deliver on, however, is a calming, gently relaxing vibe that has truly been known to make a difference in anxiety sufferers.

If the words “calming and gently relaxing” are sounding a lot like your favorite yoga practice, that’s no coincidence—as many yogis are discovering, CBD products and yoga go together like bolsters and yoga blankets: Two great ideas that are wonderful alone, but totally dynamite together. Because using CBD won’t get you high, it’s entirely safe and acceptable to use during a yoga practice or any other regular activities. Benefits of using CBD include:

• Pain relief
• Relief from anxiety and depression
• Relief from overthinking
• Decreased inflammation
• Increased mood

CBD is a natural fit for a yoga class.  It can help to enhance your experience and tame that wandering mind. It can also aid those with sore joints and muscles.

Here’s how: The different cannabinoids in hemp, such as CBD, work in different ways with the cannabinoid receptors in the body, located throughout the endocannabinoid system. This is the same system that triggers your brain when you’re experiencing pain. When taking CBD, it interacts with the ECS aka endocannabinoid system and encourages it to produce an increased number of natural cannabinoids, which help to balance the system and produce an anti-inflammatory response. Therefore, helping to relieve those post-yoga sore muscles.

CBD can also help to prolong the savasana feelings of bliss after you leave the mat.  When we are feeling good, our brain naturally produces and releases a neurotransmitter called Anandamide.  In Sanskrit, ‘Ananda’ means ‘bliss’, which is why Anandamide is aptly named the ‘bliss molecule’. Like all neurotransmitters, Anandamide is fragile and breaks down quickly in the body, which is why it doesn’t produce a perpetual state of bliss. It’s been found that CBD suppresses the enzyme that breaks down Anandamide. Thus creating longer lasting effects from the naturally occurring Anandamide in our system. In other words, that blissful feeling you get from your flow session can be enhanced even more by incorporating CBD into the mix

** PS: On the above, I had to do some further research on this info as I am definitely not a yoga master and not familiar with these terms and practices; however, I love learning and sharing all things CBD! **

How to Get Started

To nip any assumptions in the bud (see what I did there, ha)—no, it doesn’t need to be smoked. CBD products can be applied to the body as a lotion, salve or oil… or ingested via tinctures. The rule of thumb with CBD is to start low and go slow, so I would suggest starting with a 10-15mg dose and increasing with comfort level and familiarity.

Remember, tinctures begin acting faster  —about 15 minutes, on average.  The lotions, oils and salves can be a beautiful part of a self-care routine, and are particularly nice when applied after a shower, before or after yoga, or just before bed. I like to use it all… all day long 🙂

Always remember and keep in mind that CBD isn’t a miracle “cure” for anxiety. (And BTW — neither is yoga!)

I always tell customers to not go in with expectations. Take the product(s) consistently for a week+ and see if you feel any different.

Consistency is key here; sporadically taking CBD when you feel like it, or remember, won’t yield the beneficial results of a regular regimen.

 

Do you take CBD after eating or on an empty stomach?

Maybe you’ve never given any thought to when you take CBD, but studies have shown that it could make a big difference in its effectiveness.

And if you find CBD isn’t working as well as you’d like, this could be the reason why.

Breakfast burrito anyone?

This study, published in the journal Epilepsia, tested eight adults who were prescribed capsule CBD for epilepsy-related seizures. In the first part of the study, half the subjects were given their CBD dosage first thing in the morning, before eating anything. The other half ate a high-fat breakfast burrito (containing around 850 calories and 52% fat) within 30 minutes of taking CBD. The two groups switched after two weeks.

The results were clear.

Blood samples showed that the burrito group saw their maximum levels of CBD increase 14 times compared with the empty stomach group – the total amount of CBD absorbed quadrupled when taken with the morning meal. WOW! I am truly learning something new everyday with this industry. 

The conclusion…

The researchers concluded that, for maximum absorption, CBD should be taken with a meal – preferably a high-fat one. Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, so the high-fat content may help CBD move into the bloodstream.

And you don’t have to eat burritos every day…

According to the study, to maximize its absorption and effectiveness, we should take CBD with meals rich in healthy fats, such as:

• Avocados
• Olive or sesame oil
• Coconut oil
• Nuts
• Fish
• Eggs
• Tofu
• ALSO NOTE: Green Compass uses MCT oil as our carrier oil. MCT oil is a saturated fatty acid and great for your overall health! 

With everything we ingest, our bodies process CBD in different ways and its effects can vary massively.

But, if you find CBD isn’t working as well as you’d hoped, it could simply be down to when you take it. Try taking your dose after a high-fat meal and noting any differences.

When do you find to be the best time to take CBD?

What foods do you combine CBD with?

Comment below and let us know. Also, please send us any unique CBD recipes you cook 🙂

 

What is the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil?

First, it is important to note that there is a lot of confusion around the names of these products. “Hemp oil” is another way that people can refer to CBD oil. However, some people may also refer to hemp seed oil as hemp oil.  It can be very confusing and lead people to believe they are buying products that contain CBD and in reality, these products have ZERO CBD.

Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are very different products.

CBD oil uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant in its production. These contain a higher concentration of CBD, which is a compound with numerous potential health benefits.  People may use CBD-derived products for:

• epilepsy
• pain and inflammation
• anxiety and depression
• addiction management
• inflammatory skin conditions
• neurodegenerative conditions

Meanwhile, hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The seeds do not contain CBD, but they still have a rich profile of nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds that can also have health benefits.  It contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, and other nutritional antioxidants. It is also high in B vitamins and vitamin D.  People will not get high when using hemp seed oil, as it contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and little to no CBD.

When manufacturers add hemp seed oil to nutritional products — such as snack bars, breads, cookies, and yogurt — it provides an excellent source of nutrients. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids.  Hemp seed oil also has several possible benefits, including:

• relieving constipation
• providing cardiovascular health benefits
• modifying the immune system
• improving skin conditions
• improving gastrointestinal conditions

Some other possible benefits of hemp seed oil include:

• anticancer effects
• antioxidant effects
• anti-aging effects

Bottom Line:

Hemp seed oil and CBD oil both derive from the cannabis plant.  CBD oil comes from the flowers, leaves, and stems, while hemp seed oil uses extract from the seeds of the cannabis plant.

 

 

Today, August 8th, is officially National CBD Day.

The holiday, founded by cbdMD in 2018, aims to bring awareness to what CBD (cannabidiol) brings to millions of people annually.

Over the years, hemp-derived CBD (cannabidiol) has made quite a name for itself in the wellness world. Since a growing number of products – from tinctures to topicals to gummies– hit the marketplace, CBD continues to be shoppers’ favorite option for holistic alternatives. Another reason so many people love CBD is that it is naturally sourced and extremely versatile. Try swallowing it, vaping it, rubbing it on your skin, or bathing in it. You can even give it to your pets!

How do you benefit from the powerful properties of CBD and experience the wealth of natural relief and recovery? 

I love to use and try it all – hence the name The CannaBoss Mom 🙂

My daily CBD routine is pretty standard.  I take our 750mg (33.33mg per 1mL dropper) sublingual tincture in the morning and at night before bed- sometimes I add the cinnamon too to the mix so I am get 57mg of CBD when I do that.  Mostly I am double dripping if I am having a day and feel like I need a bit more due to anxiety and/or body aches and pain.  In addition to my morning tincture, I use our new immune BOOST.  With all the crazy germs and cooties circulating, everyone should be getting their BOOST on somehow.

I also carry my hand sanitizer and chapstick everywhere!!! It is a purse staple.  During a creative spurt, I made a few essential oil rollers infused with CBD. I made these before we came out with our roller set, but once they are all used up, I will be purchasing our kit to add to my purse must!

 

 

 

 

 

Hello readers! If you are here, you saw my FB/IG post and possibly curious if CBD can help shed off those unwanted pounds, right?

While there is still a lot to know about the full capabilities of CBD, let’s see what science says, and whether or not CBD products can help with your weight-loss goals.

CBD as a Metabolic Booster 

Remember the mitochondria from elementary school biology? They are cell membranes that transform the proteins, fats, and sugars in our food into energy.

Once the mitochondria cease to work efficiently because of disorders, all those sugars and fats begin to build up. They don’t convert into energy, and the body’s metabolism slows down. The end result? We get easily tired, overweight, and unhappy.

But when you add CBD into the mix, it becomes an entirely new affair. It begins to activate the endocannabinoid system, which regulates the mitochondria better.  All the proteins, sugars, and fats then get converted into energy, which boosts the metabolism.

 

CBD as an Appettite Suppressant

As dictated by conventional wisdom, cannabis makes you hungry. Sales of potato chips are at an all-time high (pun intended) among recreational users, who constantly get the case of the “munchies.”

CBD, however, is the polar opposite of its psychoactive cousin THC. It all lies in the body’s CB1 receptors, a part of the brain that affects bodily functions like sleep and appetite. THC activates these receptors upon interaction, but CBD does the exact opposite. It controls other molecules to block them, resulting in the suppression of appetite.

As stated in the link above (NCBI/NLM/NIH). “The CB1 cannabinoid receptor has attracted much recent interest because of the observation that CB1 receptor antagonists have efficacy in treating metabolic syndrome and obesity.”

So the next time you’re having those junk food cravings especially while in quarantine, CBD is your best bet for squashing them.

 

The Verdict: Can Does CBD Work For Weight Loss?

So does CBD work for losing weight in a safe and healthy manner? Based on scientific findings, all signs point to a resounding yes. By consuming the right dosage, CBD can help in a major way in achieving your body goals.

But I CANNOT stress this enough to drive the point home: CBD is a mere supplement for weight loss. Using it as a standalone vitamin WILL NOT get you to your desired number on the scale. You’ll need a strong foundation comprised of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a generous amount of sleep.

The endocannabinoid system and the treatment of obesity