Living a healthy lifestyle is much more than keeping fit. Emotional, physical and mental wellbeing are equal parts of value to a well rounded lifestyle. Increasing in popularity over the years, CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, has hit the scene as the ‘must have’ product to incorporate into a healthy routine. Due to it being a relatively new product on the market, there are lots of questions (and misconceptions) around CBD. Researchers are continuing to test the benefits regarding CBD. What we do know is that CBD has been around for thousands of years. It is one type of cannabinoid (out of hundreds) that is derived from the cannabis and hemp plants.
About CBD and the benefits
CBD is said to have many benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety, to relieving pain, improving joint health and aiding sleep. It works with special receptors throughout the body, called endocannabinoids. These receptors help maintain the complex balance, homeostasis, between the different biological functions in the body. CBD works very effectively within our bodies, as amazingly, it is known to connect moleculary with your body’s endocannabinoid receptors. This means that CBD will naturally be attracted to the body in need of it the most. CBD also works with the hippocampus in the brain to assist with concerns such as stress and anxiety.
A common question asked by new users of CBD is if it is safe and will it get you high? The answer is: yes CBD is safe and no it’s not psychoactive. CBD will NOT get you high (it’s CBD’s cousin, THC, that gets you high!). However, not all CBD is created equal and it’s important to make sure you are getting a quality product. Looking at factors such as is it organically grown? Where is it grown? what type of spectrum the CBD is (broad or isolate)? Does it contain any traces of THC and is it high quality?
Dosage and purchasing questions
CBD is a very personal product. Due to its range of benefits and unique ways of working within the body no two people will experience CBD exactly the same. Because it’s such a personal experience, CBD brands often recommend if you are taking an oil, to track how you feel on a lower dosage of around 25-100mg and then increase the dosage depending on your experience.
Dr Hindocha says: “We know that the beneficial effects of CBD usually come from building up levels of it in the body”. So for more significant health issues, the benefits of the product can take months before being fully realised.
It’s also important to make sure you are purchasing a CBD product that’s high quality. As the CBD industry is rapidly growing, it is still establishing set standards in the market, such as the labelling and marketing of products and percentages. Currently there are various ways brands label their CBD products. This could confuse a consumer to think they are getting a higher quality product than they actually are. When buying CBD products, look at the CBD mg (milligram) per ml (millilitre) not percentage (%) on product labelling. This will tell you the true percentage of CBD the product contains.
CBD comes in various forms: pills, oils, drinks, vitamins and more. We at Healthy Living London have sampled a wide variety of CBD products and brands. Wwe hope to help cut through the market noise and share some options for those looking to incorporate CBD into their lifestyle.
TRIED & TESTED: CBD PRODUCTS
If you’re interested in an oral oil or body balm: Life Spark CBD
Life Spark CBD is based in Lewes, East Sussex. It is a fast-growing online retailer for one of the only fully organic CBD products in the UK. It is one of just a handful to offer Zero THC oils, certified by CTA ensuring effectiveness. We tested the Life Spark CBD Oil, 1000mg and Life Spark CBD Body Salve in 500 mg, 30ml.
As an experienced CBD taker, Life Spark’s products were seriously impressive. Not only do they fit the criteria of a premium and high quality CBD brand, but I could feel the products working right away for both the oil and balm respectively. Their CBD Oil (£49.95) had a very subtle taste. This is an added benefit and sometimes hard to find with a good oil. The brand says this is because their oil is Terpene-rich with all waxes and chlorophyll removed yielding a completely different taste experience. Their CBD oil is also paired with Organic C8 Coconut MCT Oil for extra energy and brain power, while being sustainably sourced and cruelty-free. The dropper was easy to use and measure and the blue glass bottle looked great placed on a windowsill.
Similarly, the Body Salve (£36.95) was the perfect addition to my post workout routine having been formulated to combat stiffness, sore muscles and inflamed joints. On the days where I found myself with aches and pains from my workouts, I simply applied to the area to ease the pain. Similar in consistency to a lip balm, it’s the perfect size for a handbag or gym bag. As an additional plus, it has a refreshing scent, with eucalyptus and lavender oils.
If you’re interested in a CBD tablet with additional ingredients: Naturopathica CBD+ Turmeric
I was very interested in the Naturopathica CBD+ Turmeric (£39.99) capsules as CBD, vitamin C and turmeric all have great reputations in the wellness world. These capsules come in a pack of 30 and are recommended to take 1 tablet daily. Each tablet includes 5mg of super-concentrated, full spectrum CBD as well as a dosage of Turmeric and Vitamin C to support bone and joint health. CBD is great to pair with other ingredients as it’s said to help carry and assist these ingredients to the needed parts of the body.
As with many supplements in tablet form, it was difficult to be able to pinpoint and measure any direct results. However I did enjoy taking the capsules as I felt they were a great addition into my diet and wellness plan. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It is also said to potentially help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis – so it’s a beneficial ingredient, especially coming into the winter months. The pills were on the larger side, but easy to swallow and encased in a clear capsule. If you are looking to include a smaller dosage of CBD into your routine with other great ingredients, I would recommend giving these a try from your local Holland & Barrett.
If you’re interested in a gummy or drink CBD product: Pollen CBD
Some people prefer to get their CBD in more fun types of ways, such as through a gummy or drink. Luckily, Pollen CBD makes products just for you! Pollen believes that CBD should be easy. This is why they created CBD products that fit effortlessly into an everyday lifestyle. I tested both the Pollenade drink (£3.30 each) and their No Pressure CBD Gummies (£35).
The Pollenade drink is described as “a fresh + fruity botanical powerhouse. Made with 15mg water soluble CBD from broad spectrum hemp oil, plus the natural juices of grapefruit, lemon and raspberry. Perfect for on the go, daily usage to recharge and recalibrate.”
The drink had a subtle fizzyness with a very refreshing flavour, similar to what you would get from a typical flavoured fizzy water. It had no aftertaste and was the perfect afternoon pick me up during a stressful work day. I also loved the branding on the can, as it looked very chic on my desk.
The Soothe You CBD gummies were hands down the CBD product I most looked forward to taking every day (this could have something to do with my love for something sweet though!). Vegan, with 10mg of broad spectrum hemp oil and developed with key ingredients of grapefruit, turmeric and cayenne these american made gummies came in 3 delicious mixed flavours: pear + turmeric, berry + peppercorn and mandarin + tonic. The recommended dosage was 3 gummies a day, containing 30 gummies in a single pack. Each gummy is individually infused with CBD to ensure you are getting the most accurate dosage. Similar to the consistency of a gumdrop, with a very sweet and fresh taste these gummies were an enjoyable way to get my daily dosage of CBD.
If you’re interested in a topical body product: Kloris CBD Body Oil
Since I started exploring CBD many years ago, Kloris has been a brand that’s consistently on my radar. It is often recommended by health professionals and colleagues alike. Although I have not been able to trial their CBD Body Oil (£35) first hand, I decided to add their body oil into my roundup as I know Kloris to be a brand that is beloved in the CBD market with great quality and ingredients. As some consumers prefer to avoid taking CBD orally, the CBD Body Oil is a fabulous alternative to incorporate CBD into your everyday, topically. This oil is scented with blood orange, vanilla and oud, making it a truly luxurious part of your day. It contains 300mg of CBD within each 50ml bottle and can be used post shower massaged into the skin.
*Health Advice: It is advisable to consult with your doctor if there are any questions or concerns around taking CBD
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