CBD oil was discovered almost 80 years ago. However, it’s only been in the last decade or so that CBD products have risen in popularity. CBD now comes in all forms. Beyond CBD oil tinctures, we see salves, lotions, and creams to apply CBD topically on problem areas of the body such as aching joints. We see CBD vape juices that even come in fruity flavors. Many users prefer to consume their CBD in candy forms such as lollipops, gummy bears, and chocolate chews. 

And as CBD culture becomes mainstream, it was only a matter of time before cafes started to infuse CBD oil into coffee. We already know that coffee alone offers many health benefits. There’s much research that shows that moderate coffee consumption may protect you from type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease. It also may improve cognitive function, energy levels, and mood. 

But what happens when you combine the benefits of coffee with the benefits of CBD? 

CBD + Coffee Combo: Good or Bad? 

While both coffee and CBD are known to offer amazing benefits, some question whether combining the two will result in a superfood bursting with nutritional value. There’s also some confusion over what will happen when the stimulating effects of caffeine meet the relaxing effects of CBD. 

We know that caffeine improves alertness, increasing the heart rate, and helping people stay awake. CBD, on the other hand, has been used throughout history as an alternative medicine and believed to help calm people and promote better sleep. After drinking coffee, you feel energized and attentive. You drink coffee to feel that buzz to help you start or get through your day. So why would you introduce CBD to the mix knowing it may counter what you love most about your coffee? 

However, some argue that caffeine and CBD is the perfect combination, particularly for those who are sensitive to caffeine’s stimulating effects but can’t resist a cup. We all respond to coffee differently. An expresso may leave one person jittery and up all night while it has little to no effect on someone else. Therefore, coffee infused with CBD may offer someone the kind of balance they seek – the right amount of alertness complemented with relaxation. 

There’s also the concern of whether adding CBD to food or heating it affects the potency of the CBD. CBD oil does degrade over time even at room temperature and therefore, loses potency over long periods of time. As with most foods or drink, a cause of degradation is exposure to air at elevated temperatures; the same applies to CBD. Therefore, mixing in CBD in hot coffee may overheat the compound, causing it to lose its beneficial properties. 

Ultimately, the best way to discover if CBD coffee is good for you is to try it yourself. It all boils down to how your unique body responds to CBD-infused coffee, and if you still enjoy the benefits of both. 

A good place to start would be to add a few drops of CBD tincture to your favorite cup of coffee. You never know, but a CBD + caffeine combo might just be your new favorite way to enjoy a break. At URTH CBD, all our CBD tinctures are available in 30ml bottles and blended using CBD distillate in 3 strengths; active CBD levels 300mg 500mg and 1000mg. 

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Thanks to the legalization of hemp-derived products on a federal level, the stigma of cannabis products is disappearing, and CBD oil has gained mainstream popularity. Even celebrities, professional athletes, and public figures are open about their CBD use, allowing themselves to be quoted on how CBD helps with everything from anxiety to chronic pain to insomnia. 

As CBD becomes widely accepted, more research and evidence surface about the benefits of CBD. And one of the most fascinating and exciting discoveries is that the benefits of CBD may extend to help our dogs as well. As it turns out, humans and dogs have very similar endocannabinoid systems; dogs also have CB1 and CB2 receptors, which can be found in the brain stem, liver, pancreas, and so on. 

The Benefits of CBD Oil for Dogs 

We know that CBD oil is widely used by humans to manage anxiety and depression, soothe chronic pain and inflammation, get better sleep, and so on. But does CBD also offer the same benefits for dogs? Here are some ways CBD may help your dog’s ailments: 

• Arthritis and joint pain – As your dog ages, they also suffer from aching joints. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, it may help soothe your pet’s pain, allowing them to enjoy their daily walks longer. 
• Anxiety and fear – A dose of CBD oil is ideal if your pet becomes anxious or scared during certain events such as fireworks, loud parades, and thunderstorms. They may even suffer from anxiety any time you throw a party at your house or freeze up in fear when they know you’re taking them to the vet. 
• Cancer and disease symptoms – Even dogs can have cancer and serious illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease, and cardiovascular disease. CBD can help manage your dog’s chronic pain. It’s a safer alternative to prescription drugs that may have severe side effects. 
• Hyperactivity – Dogs, just like humans, come with all different types of personalities. Even dogs can be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). CBD oil may be able to ease an over-hyper dog and help them focus. 

The Right CBD Dosage for Your Dog 

Just as with humans, finding the right dosage of CBD oil is crucial, especially if you don’t want them to suffer the unpleasant side effects of taking too much CBD. In humans, minor side effects of CBD include drowsiness, light-headedness, low blood pressure, dry mouth, and loss of appetite. Giving your pet too much CBD may also lead to the same side effects as humans; however, animals tend to also suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.  

According to the Canine Journal, a safe rule of thumb when calculating CBD oil dosages for your dog is 0.2mg of CBD per pound. You also have to consider the potency of CBD in the oil; so if a 50-lb dog needs 10mg of CBD, you would give your dog 1 ml of a 300mg formula since it contains 10mg of CBD per ml of oil. 

It would be ideal to ask your vet about the right amount of CBD oil to give your dog. CBD oil dosing for dogs will depend on your dog’s weight and symptoms. Because dogs can weigh anywhere between under 25 lbs to over 76 lbs, knowing your dog’s exact weight is important for precise dosing. 

Given that dogs can’t communicate how they feel after taking CBD, you will need to be extra observant to see if the CBD has a positive impact. Also, look out for any signs of side effects which may indicate you’ve given them too much. 

To learn more about CBD for your dog, reach out to us at URTH CBD. Our CBD tinctures are available in 30ml bottles and blended using CBD distillate in 3 strengths; active CBD levels include 300mg, 500mg, and 1000mg. All are made using hemp seed oil and CBD distillate. 

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Need to go full zen like now? Don’t have the time or extra money to schedule a 90-minute massage?  If you are overworked, running on empty and need to find your calm, keep reading for six expert approved ways to relax. All you need is a pair of healthy lungs, your breath and you can use these breathing techniques borrowed from yoga, meditation, and even the therapist’s chair!

The Need-to-Know

Breathing expert, Dr. Alison McConnell, yoga instructor Rebecca Pacheco, and psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer give us some education on how to control your breathing to keep your mind and body functioning at their best. Many experts encourage using your breath to increase awareness, mindfulness and get to the highly sought-after state of Zen. Don’t wait until your next anxiety attack hits before paying attention to your breathing techniques. Controlled breathing isn’t as easy as it sounds. Follow along closely and learn to take control of your breath and the benefits that come along with it. 

6 Techniques to Have in Your Action Plan

1. Sama Vritti or “Equal Breathing”

Level of difficulty: Beginner

This breathing technique is all about balance, beginning with your breath. To start, take in a deep breath of four counts and exhale for the same four count. Make sure you are taking and exhaling all breaths through the nose. This adds a natural resistance to the breath. Once you are comfortable with that cadence, you can aim for six to eight counts per breath with the same goal in mind. This technique calms the nervous system, increases focus and reduces stress. 

2. Abdominal Breathing Technique

Level of difficulty: Beginner

Put one hand on your chest while the other is on your belly. Take a deep breath in through your nose and ensure that your diaphragm is inflating- not your chest- with enough air to create a stretch in the lungs. The goal with this breathing technique is to get six to 10 deep, slow breaths per minute for 10 minutes. This produces an immediate decrease to heart rate and blood pressure. If you can maintain this breathing practice daily for six to eight weeks, the benefits may stick around even longer.  

3. Progressive Relaxation

Level of difficulty: Beginner

This technique is done by closing the eyes and focusing on tensing and relaxing each muscle group for two to three seconds each. This is a popular breathing technique for chronic pain. Start with your feet and toes and then move up from there: knees, thighs, glutes, chest, arms, hands, jaw, and eyes. Remember to maintain deep, slow breaths as you progress through each muscle group. Breathe in through your nose, hold for a count of five while the muscle group tenses and then breathe out through the mouth on release. This technique works best at home, at a desk, or even on the road. Please note that dizziness is never the goal. If holding your breath ever feels uncomfortable, tone it down! 

4. Nadi Shodhana or “Alternate Nostril Breathing”

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

This breathing technique is a yogi’s best friend. It is said to bring calm, balance and unite the right and left sides of the brain. To start, get in a comfortable meditative pose, hold your right thumb over your right nostril and inhale as deep as you can through the left nostril. At the peak of inhalation, close off the left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through the right nostril. Continue this pattern in reverse. Inhale through the right nostril, closing it off with the right thumb, and exhaling through the left nostril. This breathing technique works best when you need to focus or energize. Just don’t try it before bed as this is meant to make you feel more awake and if done correctly a cup of coffee! 

5. Guided Visualization

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

This technique is meant to guide you straight to your happy place! Use a coach, therapist or just a helpful recording as your guide and breathe deeply while focusing on pleasant, positive images to replace any negative thoughts. This helps put your mind at ease and instead of focusing on negative or stressful inner dialogue, you take yourself to a place of happiness. Close your eyes and let go! 

6. Kapalabhati or “Skull Shining Breath”

Level of difficulty: Advanced

This technique begins with long, slow inhales followed by quick, powerful exhales generated from the lower belly. Once you get comfortable with the contraction try upping the pace to one inhale-exhale (all through the nose) every one to two seconds, for a total of 10 breaths.  Use this breathing technique first thing in the morning to warm up your body, shake of stale energy and wake up the brain. If alternate breathing is like a cup of coffee, you can consider this a shot of espresso! 

It’s safe to say that stress, frustration and other daily setbacks will always be there, but the good news is, so will our breath. To boost the benefits of the breathing techniques above, use in conjunction with CBD. I recommend using Urth CBD. It’s my holy grail! They have a variety of products that all work for me but when I am looking to “Zen” out, I will use their tinctures. Urth’s unadulterated CBD distillate and hemp seed oil provides a natural earthy flavor that’s delicious. For sublingual use. All Urth CBD tinctures are available in 30ml bottles and blended using CBD distillate in 3 strengths; active CBD levels 300mg 500mg and 1000mg Both are made using hemp seed oil and CBD distillate. By using Hemp oil as a base, you are assured good absorption from the fatty acid complex as well as the added benefit of naturally occurring phytonutrients. If you want to try them out, follow this LINK for 20% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE! Woo-hoo!

The demand for CBD has skyrocketed and the industry has become a unique market that is independent from but still closely related to the cannabis industry. As you can imagine, this can cause controversy based on the reputation of cannabis and the ever-changing legalities surrounding it. The confusion surrounding hemp and cannabis can be a complication for those interested in using CBD. Therefore, understanding the difference between hemp and marijuana and how they relate to Cannabis has become increasingly important.

Even though marijuana and hemp come from the same cannabis sativa family, they are completely different. The look of the plants are different but what really sets them apart is their chemical composition. There are more than 100 chemical cannabinoids found in cannabis, but the amounts of these cannabinoids is dramatically different between hemp and marijuana. 

What is Hemp?

The legal definition of the word “hemp” comes from the Agricultural Act of 2018. The term hemp is used to classify varieties of cannabis that contain 0.3% or less THC content. Generally, hemp has been used to describe cannabis that is non-intoxicating and is harvested for industrial use of its derived products. 

Although hemp won't get you high, it does contain significant amounts of another cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), which is also found in marijuana. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and its interaction with receptors in the central nervous system and immune system can offer medicinal benefits, making hemp-CBD concentrates popular ingredients.

Many believe that hemp was the first crop ever cultivated by mankind! There is evidence that it was used throughout history over 10,000 years ago. Hemp has the capability to produce crucial resources such as food, rope, clothing, paper, even housing materials! It is the strongest natural fiber in the world and is known to have over 50,000 different uses. 

What is Cannabis Marijuana?

Similar to hemp, “cannabis” is a variation of the Cannabis plant, however it contains more than 0.3% THC and induces psychoactive effects on the user. It is popularly referred to as marijuana but informed individuals and organizations in the Cannabis industry refuse to use that term as they consider it to be a word with negative connotation. 

Cannabis is made up of more than 120 components, better known as cannabinoids. Although a lot of research still needs to be done on all the different types, we have a pretty good understanding of two of the main components, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The Confusion of Hemp vs Marijuana

The defining difference between cannabis and hemp is based on the amount of THC in the plant and whether it will get you high. 

Hemp and marijuana can both produce high amounts of CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabis compound; however, THC is produced at very different levels.

While hemp can contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, cannabis can contain up to 30% THC content.

Due to the difference between their levels of THC, hemp and marijuana are regulated very differently under the law.

While hemp was previously regulated as an illegal substance under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, it was removed as an illegal substance under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.  This federally legalized hemp and hemp-derived products that contain no more than 0.3% THC.

On the other hand, marijuana is still treated as a controlled substance and is federally illegal under the Controlled Substance Act.

Hemp Derived CBD vs Marijuana Derived CBD

 CBD is derived from hemp which contains no more than 0.3% THC, it would not be regulated as a controlled substance and is federally legal.

The keyword here is “derived from hemp.”

The 2018 Farm Bill explicitly applies to “hemp and hemp-derived products.”

It does not include marijuana-derived CBD, which remains under the regulation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a controlled substance.

Even if the CBD contains 0.0% THC, if it is derived from marijuana, it is not legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.

The Conclusion

The subject of hemp vs. cannabis is obviously complex and can be confusing! Hopefully this article helped you gain some clarity on the subject and properly explained the major differences. The terms “hemp”, “marijuana” and “cannabis” have become deeply ingrained in our culture and society and there is a need to re-educate. Of course, this will take time! 

But for now, make sure you understand how these terms are used in a legal context, what they mean, how they’re different, and how they relate to cannabis. This is important to understand your rights and avoid potential legal complications when using CBD products.  

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The CBD craze is rising. Everywhere you look CBD is popping up! Cannabidiol (CBD) has amazing potential to improve lives. It may treat inflammation, relieve anxiety, and improve sleep. Who can blame consumers for spending millions of dollars on this all-natural, no high, compound with so many medical benefits? According to the Hemp Business Journal, the CBD market is on trend to grow to over 2 billion dollars- yes, billion with a B- by 2020.  

Our PSA:  not all CBD is created equal! Do your due diligence before purchasing any CBD products. It is very likely that in many instances, the CBD-infused chocolate bar you just bought from your local health food store doesn’t contain any CBD at all. 

Fake CBD oil is a real thing? Yes. The FDA doesn’t officially approve CBD, so most CBD is sold without government regulations, meaning CBD companies are not legally required to follow a set of standards in manufacturing, labeling and selling their products. This allows for dishonest companies to weasel their way in and sell fake CBD oil containing synthetic ingredients and dangerous fillers. 

Fake CBD oil companies aren’t looking to help consumers get a better night’s sleep, manage stress levels or help with pain – they’re looking to make money. In 2018, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 52 people in Utah got sick from taking fake CBD oil –31 of them ending up in the emergency room! With enormous potential for profit comes some danger. Be mindful of where you buy your CBD and make sure you trust the product!

This article isn’t intended to make you think that there aren’t reputable and honest CBD brands because there are PLENTY of CBD companies that aren’t selling fake CBD oil! There are many brands in the industry dedicated to providing only the highest quality CBD oil – like my favorite, Urth CBD. 

Here are some tips and tricks on how to determine whether you are buying from a trusted source. We aren’t going to allow the big bad wolves in the CBD game deter you from promoting natural health and wellness!

Beware of Bargains

You can imagine the amount of money to be made on a product with amazing health benefits without nasty side effects. Features on national news outlets like TODAY have also helped legitimize and destigmatize CBD as a natural remedy. It’s definitely a step in the right direction to spread awareness of CBD and its benefits. 

Just remember, this is an unregulated market. If you come across a product that is dramatically cheaper than every other brand, think twice. Don’t go the cheap route and risk your health! Trusted brands will have detailed, transparent testing protocols and spend tons of money per year on product testing. When it comes to consuming something, safety and quality are not cheap. If you come across a company selling products for significantly less than the rest of the market, those savings are coming from somewhere!

Actually Look at the Label

It’s easy to overlook a label but they are the most important part of the product we’re purchasing. Labels contain very important information that will either make or break a purchase. If the information on the label seems off, don’t buy the product. Even if the price point is significantly lower, why take the risk?

Some key phrases to look for on the product labels when buying real CBD:

-Pure cannabidiol

-Certified CBD

-Hemp-derived 

-Full spectrum

Third Party Lab Testing is a Must!

If the company you are thinking about purchasing CBD oil from doesn’t openly promote and offer their test results from a third party lab- do not buy it! Chances are it’s fake CBD oil. Without third-party testing you have no guarantee regarding the CBD product’s ingredients. Even if the label claims the product contains 5mg CBD per serving, without a third-party test result verifying it, you could be wasting $29.99 on petroleum jelly! 

Call the Company 

If you have any doubts about the integrity of the product, contact the company directly. If you are going to purchase from a trusted brand, they will have a customer service team available to answer your questions you may have about a product. Fake CBD oil companies just want your money and won’t offer “Contact Us” options. If you can find a social media profile, a website with customer support and third-party test results readily available, you are on the right track! 

If you follow the above tips, you should be on your way to a satisfied CBD purchase. Avoid buying CBD on Amazon or in health food stores. Make sure to read labels and ensure there are test results that validate the company and its products. I did a lot of research when I first started using CBD and the brand I have come to love, know and trust completely is Urth CBD. They are fully transparent about the CBD industry and their products. They offer third-party test results on EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT and are always one step ahead of the industry standard. Urth CBD products are made using only CO2 extracted, clean sourced, domestic, full- spectrum CBD. 

They are offering readers 20% OFF THEIR FIRST PURCHASE! All you have to do is follow this link to sign up and you will SAVE $! It’s a small step towards a better health and ensuring that the 1,000 milligram CBD oil you just purchased actually contains CBS and not a whole lot of nothing.

More and more athletes are swearing by the pain-relieving effects of CBD. Why? What is it and why has it become popular as an alternative medicine for pain? Here’s why. 

The lives of professional athletes revolve around the physical demands of competition. They undergo rigorous training and engage in high-impact activities. Depending on the sport, athletes may come into contact with the competing players or even their teammates, hurting themselves in the process. However, even those who participate in solo sports have had their fair share of sports-related injuries. 

Regardless of the sport, athletes may end up with wounds, fractures, and dislocations involving their bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Some of the most common sports injuries include strains, sciatica, shin splints, pulled muscles, and tears. 

When athletes suffer from these injuries, they find that the pain that accompanies them is enough to keep them from performing at their peak or playing at all. Rather than resign to never playing the sport they love again, they may take ibuprofen, opioids, or other drugs to help them overcome the pain. 

The Harmful Effects of Traditional Pain Medicine  

Many of these drugs not only numb the body but they may induce drowsiness. Various potential side effects of pain medication include vomiting, constipation, and nausea. So while they relieve pain, they also alter the athlete’s motor skills and state of mind. What’s worse is that opioid-based pain medication also has addictive properties. 

Opioids include morphine, methadone, codeine, fentanyl, and oxycodone. And while they’re powerful pain relievers, they can be misused and cause addiction or worse, overdose in some users. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 130 people die of an opioid overdose each day in the U.S. What’s disturbing is that 21-29% of patients addicted to opioids were prescribed the medication as management for their chronic pain. 

Because people can unintentionally misuse opioids, many athletes avoid making them an option for pain relief at all. Instead, they’re ditching pain medicine and relying on what many believe is a safer, more natural alternative – CBD. 

CBD vs. Pain Medicine 

CBD has become popular with athletes because it’s believed to be effective in treating and easing chronic pain symptoms and offering similar anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties as traditional pain medication. CBD is also not considered a performance-enhancing drug. The World Anti-Doping Agency allows CBD oil during competition season. 

Much research has been conducted on CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. CBD attaches itself to receptors in the brain that manage pain and inflammation. There have even been extensive studies on how CBD offers protection against brain injury and provide neuroprotective benefits; as we know, traumatic brain injuries are prevalent in sports. 

Ultimately, more athletes are turning to CBD to manage pain from sports-related injuries because there’s no fear of addiction or overdose. And apart from helping athletes with their chronic pain, many athletes also look to CBD to help them relax and reduce anxiety. Athletes who use CBD also say they sleep better which is crucial to their performance. Because CBD helps them with their state of mind, they’re even more mentally-equipped and prepared for competition.  

Are you an athlete who wants to learn more about the benefits of CBD? Tune into the URTH CBD blog. 

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CBD—the non-psychoactive derivative of the marijuana and hemp plants—has taken off among humans, marketed as a solution for everything from pain and anxiety to skin care and diet. So it should come as no surprise that pets—on whom Americans spend $72 billion annually—may reap the supposed benefits. CBD oil has made its way into pet treats and oils sprinkled carefully over the food bowl, making up nearly $7 million of the almost $6 billion in weed dispensary sales in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington last year. It’s marketed as a remedy for animal’s seizures, arthritis, pain, and anxiety.

Jill Douglas first heard about CBD for pets when her friend’s cat’s tumor fell off. “He was [topically] putting CBD oil on his cat that had a tumor-like thing on his tail,” she said. “And it literally just fell off. It was amazing.”

She was inspired to try out CBD for her own cat, Klinger, whom she had diagnosed with a serious case of “cattitude.” “Within literally a week or so of taking the CBD, I was able to pet her,” she said. Klinger also lost weight, which Douglas also credits to CBD treatments.

Interested in all the ways CBD can help your furry, four-legged friend? Keep reading!

1. Treats Seizures and Epilepsy

Many dog owners turn to CBD when their canine suffers from seizures and epilepsy. High levels of CBD can manage your pet’s seizures. Over time, it has been known to reduce the frequency of them, and in some cases get rid of the seizures altogether.

2. Relieves Chronic Pain/Arthritis

Even dogs can’t escape arthritis, but CBD can help with that. Arthritis is the inflammation of joints that cause aching, pain, and other degenerative illnesses. As CBD is a pain reliever, it targets these aching joints and gives your dog relief. Not only that, but it soothes the chronic inflammation that prevents your pet from healing properly.

3. Boost Appetite

When a dog loses their appetite, it can be hard to know the reason why. Majority of the time, however, they lose it due to nausea. As a human, we won’t eat when we feel like that unless we take something to alleviate the digestive issue and receive pain relief. CBD can do this for your pet.

4. Reduces Anxiety

If you have ever suffered from anxiety, then you know that it is awful, and it would be the same for your dog too. Many dogs suffer from anxiety and have been known to be depressed and extremely anxious in certain situations, such as when their owner leaves. This can result in destructive behaviors such as chewing objects, urinating, pacing, and more. CBD helps because it is a relaxing stimulant that calms your pet.

5. Prevents and Fights Cancer

Unfortunately, dogs can get cancer too, and when they do they have symptoms of nausea, loss of appetite, and chronic pain. CBD allows your pet to feel comfortable during those difficult times and helps to reduce the side effects that cancer can have on your dog.

Pet owners are also giving their dogs small doses of CBD daily can help aid in preventing and killing cancer by:

• Helping the immune system to kill cancer cells
• Blocks the cancer cells ability to produce energy
• Contains anti-tumor properties

6. Helps All Types of Diseases

Many diseases in dogs all result in the same types of symptoms – chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite, change in behavior, etc. CBD is an all-around stimulant that can help your dog relax and alleviate pain in troubling times.

Some diseases that CBD helps with includes:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Autoimmune Disease
• Neurodegenerative Disease
• Cardiovascular Disease

No matter if your lil’ pooch has fears of car rides, nervous licking, or needs help falling asleep at night, CBD will help him chill out. Alleviate your dog’s pain and help them relax and get relief during troubling times. CBD oil products can help you do that and give your dog some quality of life back. In CBD, there is one brand that stands out from the rest, Urth CBD. It’s my favorite because it’s proven effective, all natural and I respect the brand’s authenticity.

Give Urth CBD a try and your best friend will thank you!

Natural Peppermint flavoring has been added to our CBD distillate and hemp seed oil tinctures to enhance its gastrointestinal calming effect, as well as stress relieving qualities. When your gut is out of whack, it can have a ripple effect throughout every system, affecting everything from your immune response to your emotional health. CBD can help get you back on track by addressing and correcting imbalances in the gut.

The CBD and Gut-Health Connection

When it comes to the mechanisms of action that causes CBD to be beneficial throughout the digestive system, there are two major processes involved:

Inflammation: Whether you’re dealing with Crohn’s disease, which affects the lining of the digestive tract, or another problem affecting the digestive system, it’s likely that your biggest problem is inflammation. When any part of this system becomes inflamed, it can lead to a range of symptoms, from malnutrition due to lack of proper nutrient absorption to severe diarrhea that has a cascading effect of fatigue and dehydration. CBD has been shown to reduce systemic inflammation.

Immune response: In addition to lowering inflammation, CBD can be beneficial for improving the type of immune process that originates in the gut. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have noted that there is significant interaction between the body’s immune system and gut bacteria, and that a huge portion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract.

With many types of GI imbalance, the immune response goes into overdrive, which is one of the reasons that inflammation is so prevalent. The body attacks what it believes to be invaders, but there are some good guys in there as well, sending the whole GI system off track.

Not only has CBD been shown to provide one more way to reduce inflammation, but it can also improve immune-related processes like handling allergens and toxins.

By making a significant difference in how these two processes are handled by the body—and particularly throughout the gut—CBD may help ease symptoms of numerous conditions that affect the digestive system.

The Emotional Component

In addition to potentially lowering inflammation and improving immune response, CBD oil may play a part in helping those with gut-health problems deal with emotional challenges as well.

Regulating anxiety, stress, and depression is a huge deal when it comes to better gut functioning, because the microbiome is constantly sending messages to the brain, and vice versa, according to Harvard Medical School.

Stress and other psychological factors affect movement and contractions of the GI tract, a recent Harvard post notes. That can make existing inflammation worse, and even make you more prone to infection or lowered immune response. Those with GI disorders also tend to perceive pain more acutely, Harvard researchers note, simply because an impaired GI tract can boost pain signals—creating even more anxiety and stress.

Although more research is needed into the effects of CBD on anxiety—and subsequent gut-health benefits—preliminary evidence is promising, and many health care practitioners who use CBD oil have a strong anecdotal basis for recommending CBD to patients.

“When you see someone with gastrointestinal symptoms, no matter what type of condition they have, it’s very common to see anxiety and stress as part of their condition,” says Weiner. “That becomes a vicious cycle. Their anxiety may be increased because their gut health is off, and then the resulting symptoms, in turn, cause them to feel even more stressed.”

Getting Synergistic

CBD can be part of a comprehensive approach to address the underlying issues of gut imbalance, and ease symptoms like cramping, fatigue, and diarrhea.

Other strategies can include chewing food more thoroughly, eating smaller meals throughout the day, not eating for a few hours before bedtime, taking probiotics, and increasing vegetable consumption.

When tactics like these are employed together, along with CBD, they can help boost homeostasis and gut health. That’s when your “second brain”—the digestive system—can get back online and working the way it should.

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In order to fully understand the interactions between terpenes and cannabinoids (i.e., the entourage effect), we first need to know just what exactly “terps” are. Technically speaking, terpenes are a large and very diverse class of organic compounds (hydrocarbons, to be exact) that are produced by a wide variety of plants, including cannabis.

What Are Terpenes?

A much simpler way to look at terpenes is that they are a plant’s “essential oils,” or the primary building blocks of any plant resin, and they are largely responsible for the scents, flavors and colors of plants. There are over 200 known terpenes in cannabis and, by comparison, just over half as many known plant cannabinoids, which are 21-carbon-atom molecules found only in cannabis and are completely odorless. And while research strongly suggests that terpenes can contribute to the overall effects of cannabis, either singularly or via the total compounded effects of all cannabinoids and terpenes, there are no known psychoactive effects from individual terpenes.

The truth is, terpenes can have a powerful impact on receptors throughout your body. This effect increases when terpenes work synergistically with CBD. Like CBD, terpenes work with the endocannabinoid system, traveling throughout your body’s systems and organs to ensure overall balance.

Additionally, cannabis-derived terpenes also cater one’s experience with CBD. Different terpenes profiles can provide users with different effects. While some terpenes promote relaxation, others may help to boost focus or inspire creativity. Currently, over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant, which means that the potential benefits of many terpenes are yet to be discovered.

Because terpenes have gained such big notoriety in the cannabis industry, and cannabis-derived terpenes are harder to come by, companies are turning to alternative terpene sources outside of cannabis. Since they can be derived from many different plants, there are plenty of options to choose from. But what are differences between cannabis-derived terpenes and terpenes from other plants?

Plant vs. Cannabis-Derived Terpenes

Terpenes are derived from extracting the essential oil from a plant. Depending on the way the cannabis is harvested, terpene properties can vary. But similar terpene profiles and aromatic properties extracted from cannabis can also be found in different plants, herbs and fruits. (They play a pretty essential role in protecting plants and deterring insect or environmental stress.)

Generally, we’re familiar with any plant terpene for their aromatic qualities and herbal remedies. Think essential oils: Tea tree oil, which has a very distinct aroma and features volatile terpenes like terpinolene, is used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. The cannabis plant, however, produces different results and affects us a bit differently. The makeup of chemicals in cannabis and synergistic qualities work with your body’s CB2 receptors and can create health benefits if combined with the right compounds.

Why might a company favor one over the other? For one, cannabis terpenes are much pricier to extract since the process is a bit more complicated. It’s an economical benefit to reintroduce plant-based terpenes after the product goes through a high-heat distillation process (when essential oils and terpenes are removed). Plus, you can buy natural terpenes in bulk versus a smaller yield from a cannabis plant.

One benefit of using cannabis-based terpenes, though, is that a terpene extracted from a cannabis plant will provide a more natural entourage effect in most cases. Cannabis terpenes also provide the consumer with the maximum therapeutic and medicinal value of the individual terpene and plant.

Think of terpenes as a guide, nudging you along your journey with CBD and helping to enhance and supplement many of CBD’s amazing benefits.

The Purity and Safety of Terpenes

Much has been made lately over the purity, quality and safety of terpenes and terpene-extraction processes. We know that many vape-pen cartridges are adulterated with synthetic terpenes and artificial flavors. But are these terpenes safe to ingest and, more specifically, smoke? I decided to seek out the best CBD company I could find that used cannabis derived terpenes. After some research and recommendations from my CBD connoisseur friends, I fell in love with Urth CBD.

Urth CBD products have unique makeup of terpenes, and therefore elevate your overall CBD experience. Using terpenes in our products, users benefit the most due to the entourage effect. In offering products that can come in a variety of terpene profiles, we ensure that our customers can cater their CBD experience, and use a product that best fits their needs.

Terpenes are not just a what gives your CBD experience a unique flavor. Rather, they play an essential role in guiding your CBD experience. Urth CBD believes in providing you with the purest CBD that includes many terpene profiles in order to provide you with the most beneficial CBD dosage possible. I reached out to them about this post and they are happy to give new customers 20% off their first order! Hooray!

Follow this link to subscribe and receive the discount: I want 20% off my first Urth order!

Try them out now to taste and experience the difference. Once you do, you will never go back to the other brands.

There are two critical naturally-occurring cannabinoid compounds in the Cannabis genus plant - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both hemp and marijuana produce the compounds; however, there are higher concentrations of THC in marijuana while there are higher concentrations of CBD in hemp. While they are closely related, they have different impacts on the body.

Here’s a closer look at the differences between CBD and THC:

THC Explained

As the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, THC is primarily responsible for the “high” that recreational users get from using cannabis. But apart from the high, it’s also the THC that causes a relaxed, mellow state. Some people feel hunger pangs which often refer to as the “munchies.” Various effects of THC include paranoia, anxiety, dry mouth, sleepiness, and forgetfulness.  

Chemically speaking, CBD and THC have the same molecular structure: 30 hydrogen atoms, 21 carbon atoms, and two oxygen atoms. However, what makes them different is the arrangement of those atoms which determine how they interact with your body’s endocannabinoids and how your brain releases neurotransmitters in reaction to those compounds. THC attaches to the receptors, activating them and affecting memory, movements, and even time perception.

CBD Explained

As mentioned, CBD and THC have the same chemical structure; however, because of the way CBD’s molecules arrange, it is not a psychoactive compound and therefore, has none of the psychoactive effects such as the “high” that is associated with THC. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t bind with the brain’s cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors and produce a euphoric effect.

Rather than a high, CBD users will tell you that they feel calmer and less anxious, and because they feel less stressed, they feel more uplifted and content. Beyond how CBD makes its users feel, experts have studied CBD extensively to determine its health benefits and uses, discovering that the compound has the potential to decrease seizures in people with severe epilepsy and help people who suffer from chronic pain.

THC vs. CBD

Both THC and CBD are known to be used by people for many of the same medical reasons. Both compounds have grown significantly in popularity for helping people with conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression, mental disorders, insomnia, and migraines.

However, unlike THC, CBD does not have a history of impairing your ability to concentrate, coordination, or judgment. And while neither THC or CBD is lethal, the concern with THC use is that because it does cause side effects such as problems with motor skills and slower reaction times, it may result in accidents that could be potentially deadly.

Because of the psychoactive properties of THC, there’s been much resistance and controversy surrounding the recommendation of it as a therapeutic application. CBD, on the other hand, has been made legal nationwide thanks to the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as The Farm Act.

CBD rises in popularity as the cannabis-derived alternative medicine of choice because it doesn’t come with the side effects associated with THC. Not only do CBD users not feel that “high” but they also won’t experience an increase in appetite or paranoia.

To learn more about CBD and why you should use it, subscribe to the URTH CBD newsletter.

Trade in Your Pain Meds for CBD

I’m sure you have heard someone, somewhere, talking about CBD and if you live under a rock and haven’t then, there’s a major chance you have read about it or heard about it since taking pop culture by storm. BUT is there actual science behind all the claims that CBD is Mother Nature’s cure all? What is CBD and why are so many people flocking to it for relief?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is used by some people with chronic pain. CBD oil can reduce pain, inflammation, and overall discomfort related to a variety of health conditions. CBD oil comes from cannabis. It’s a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in marijuana and hemp plants. It doesn’t cause the “high” feeling often associated with cannabis, which is caused by a different type of cannabinoid called THC. It’s basically all the healthy and none of the high. PASS IT OVER!

Studies on CBD oil and pain management have shown a great deal of promise. CBD can be an alternative for people who have chronic pain and rely on more dangerous, habit-forming medications like opioids.

The use of cannabis for pain relief dates back to ancient China, according to a report published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. It’s thought that CBD oil helps ease chronic pain in part by reducing inflammation. In addition, CBD oil is said to promote sounder sleep and, in turn, treat sleep disruption commonly experienced by people with chronic pain.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of CBD oil for pain. You can also talk with your doctor to see if it is an option for your condition! Honestly though, if your doctor isn’t on board with getting you off dangerous meds and on natural supplements- maybe you should get a second opinion? #justsayin

Why People Use CBD Oil

According to the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. Along with drastically reducing quality of life, chronic pain can increase healthcare costs and have a negative impact on productivity at work and overall quality of life.

Common types of chronic pain include:

Cancer pain
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Low back pain
Migraines
Multiple sclerosis pain
Neuropathic pain
Osteoarthritis
Temporomandibular disorder (often referred to as “TMJ”)

Over-the-counter and prescription pain medications are often recommended in the treatment of chronic pain, but many people seek out alternative forms of relief (such as herbs, nutritional supplements, and products like CBD oil). However, dangerous narcotics and NSAIDs are not your only option for pain relief! In addition to physical therapy and self-care, you can incorporate CBD into your treatment regimen for natural, plant-based pain relief. CBD is fundamentally different than most prescribed painkillers, as it’s not addictive, non-toxic, and has very minimal (if any) side effects.

The cannabis plant happens to be one of the most (if not the most) pharmacologically active plants on the planet, containing over 400 active chemicals. The unique active components of cannabis are called cannabinoids, which are found alongside active chemicals called terpenoids (also referred to as terpenes) and flavonoids. These chemical components work together to provide a wide variety of therapeutic benefits to the human body.

Chronic pain sufferers who want to avoid the side effects frequently associated with standard pain medication, and probably have concerns about becoming dependent on those medications can try CBD. In fact, some proponents suggest that CBD oil is a solution to opioid addiction as concerns over opioid overdoses continue to escalate. Less OD’s and more happy people? I am a fan.

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription anti-inflammatory medications are easily available, readily prescribed, and very commonly used.  The most common anti-inflammatory medications are called NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Based on consumer survey responses, more than 17 million Americans take NSAIDs on a daily basis, with more than 70 million prescriptions and more than 30 billion OTC NSAID tablets sold annually in the United States. Is that not crazy statistics? I can’t believe that many people are using hard core, addictive pain meds in their daily lives. We need to educate millions of people on why CBD oil is a solution for them. That’s why I am writing this. It starts with YOU. One person who can educate others and hopefully, save lives.

Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD was once considered a minor cannabinoid under the shadow of THC. What we know now is CBD is as beneficial and versatile a cannabinoid as THC in addressing many hard to manage conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, epilepsy, antibiotic-resistant infections, alcoholism, PSTD and neurological disorders. CBD has very strong anxiolytic (reduces anxiousness), anti-convulsant, anti-emetic (reduces nausea), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant (stronger than vitamins C & E), anti-depressant and anti-psychotic properties. One of the most exciting aspects of CBD is its combined strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neuro-protective properties which yields great promise for the treatment of Alzhiemer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and all neurodegenerative-related diseases. CBD also helps regulate blood pressure and is cytotoxic to breast cancer and certain other types of cancer cells while protecting healthy cells.

Scientists are still trying to determine how exactly CBD oil alleviates pain. However, there’s evidence that cannabidiol affects the body’s endocannabinoid system (a complex system of cell-to-cell communication). Along with contributing to brain functions like memory and mood, the endocannabinoid system influences how we experience pain.

Whether the chronic pain is in your back, neck, hands, feet, or elsewhere – CBD can help! In order to understand how CBD helps provide pain relief, we turn to a series of medical studies that have been conducted over the past ten years. These studies evaluated CBD’s medical efficacy in treating those who suffer from various types of pain. We will address the results below.

So far, much of the evidence for CBD’s effects on pain management comes from animal-based research (BUT that’s not to take away from all the humans who have tried and gotten results from CBD.)

This research includes a study published in the journal Pain in 2017, in which scientists observed that treatment with topical CBD helped thwart the development of joint pain in rats with osteoarthritis.

Another study, published in the European Journal of Pain in 2016, found that topical CBD gel significantly reduced joint swelling and measures of pain and inflammation in rats with arthritis.

On to some human results…In a report published in Pediatric Dermatology in 2018, scientists reported three cases of topical CBD (applied as an oil, cream, and spray) use in children with a rare, blistering skin condition known as epidermolysis bullosa. Applied by their parents, all three people reported faster wound healing, less blisters, and improvement of pain. One child was able to completely wean off oral opioid analgesic pain medication. There were no adverse effects reported.

While there haven’t been a ton of clinical trials that have explored the pain-relieving effects of CBD oil, a report published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2018 examined the use of a variety of cannabis-based medicines and found they were of benefit in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. A type of pain triggered by damage to the somatosensory system (i.e., the system responsible for processing sensory stimuli), neuropathic pain often occurs in people with conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

In this report, researchers reviewed 16 previously published studies testing the use of various cannabis-based medicines in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and found some evidence that cannabis-based medicines may help with pain relief and reduce pain intensity, sleep difficulties, and psychological distress. The authors concluded that the potential harm of such medicines outweighs their benefit.

A 2007 study looked at the effects of cannabinoids on treating the debilitating pain experienced by 50-70% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The double-blind placebo-controlled study concluded that “cannabinoids including the cannabidiol (CBD)/THC buccal spray are effective in treating neuropathic pain in MS.”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17257464

Another 2007 study evaluated the long-term tolerability ad effectively of a THC/CBD pharmaceutical known as Sativex. The study concluded that, “THC/CBD was effective, with no evidence of tolerance, in these select patients with CNP and MS who completed approximately 2 years of treatment.”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18035205

A 2014 study stated that, “The endocannabinoid system has been elucidated over the last several years, demonstrating a significant interface with pain homeostasis. Exogenous (plant-based) cannabinoids have been demonstrated to be effective in a range of experimental neuropathic pain models, and there is mounting evidence for therapeutic use in human neuropathic pain conditions.”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25160710

Another 2014 study suggested that, “Analgesia is one the principal therapeutic targets of the cannabinoid system and many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cannabinoid compounds in the treatment of neuropathic pain.”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25150831

A 2014 study investigated CBD’s therapeutic potential in treating chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN). Scientists concluded that, “adjunct treatment with CBD during PAC chemotherapy may be safe and effective in the prevention or attenuation of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24117398

A 2008 study found, “that a controlled cannabis extract, containing multiple cannabinoids, in a defined ratio, and other non-cannabinoid fractions (terpenes and flavonoids) provided better antinociceptive efficacy than the single cannabinoid given alone…” This is why the use of full-spectrum CBD oil is more effective in treating pain than taking CBD isolate alone – you want the beneficial terpenes and flavonoids contained in the plant.

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18618522

A 2011 study evaluated the effects of two non-psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabichromene (CBC), on pain management. The study concluded that, “CBD and CBC stimulated descending pathways of antinociception and caused analgesia by interacting with several target proteins involved in nociceptive control. These compounds might represent useful therapeutic agents with multiple mechanisms of action.”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20942863

A 2012 study reported that, “systemic and intrathecal administration of cannabidiol (CBD), a major nonpsychoactive component of marijuana, and its modified derivatives significantly suppress chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain without causing apparent analgesic tolerance…These cannabinoids may represent a novel class of therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic pain and other diseases…”

Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585736

A 2010 study looked at the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of THC:CBD extract in patients with intractable cancer-related pain. “This study shows that THC:CBD extract is efficacious for relief of pain in patients with advanced cancer pain not fully relieved by strong opioids.”

According to a recent survey, chronic pain is the most common reason for medicinal cannabis use. If you have a chronic pain condition and have not been able to manage it with standard treatment (or wish to avoid the adverse effects of other medications), you should consider CBD oil for pain relief.

Ultimately, because CBD interacts with receptors in the brain, it is able to improve the pain management system. This means that by reducing inflammation, CBD helps to lessen the pain itself. The great thing about CBD is that you can continuously use it for pain and not be at risk of building up a tolerance for it. In other words, CBD offers a long-term solution to a long-term problem. There isn’t need to keep increasing the dosage amount or look around for new types of medications that might work better. This makes CBD an effective treatment option for all sorts of pain, including chronic pain and conditions like arthritis.

In order to manage pain, I recommend ingesting full spectrum CBD oil daily. Those suffering from any kind of pain start with 5-10mg per day of CBD. If relief is not felt at this dosage, increase by 5-10mg until the desired effects are achieved. If you consider your pain on the more severe side, there is no harm in starting at 25mg CBD daily as you cannot overdose on CBD nor are there any serious side effects. CBD provides sustained relief for several hours – many people find they provide relief for the whole day! The one thing to keep in mind with ingestible CBD products is the delayed onset time – it can take up to 90 minutes for the full effects to be felt.

Before You Buy

Keep in mind, as more and more states across the U.S. legalize the use of marijuana, CBD oil has become more widely available. CBD oil is now sold in a range of forms, including capsules, creams, tinctures, and under-the-tongue sprays.

There’s also growing concern about the quality of the products currently for sale. The industry is underregulated by the FDA, with little third-party oversight. A 2017 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that 69 percent of the CBD products tested didn’t contain the amount of cannabidiol indicated on the label. Most CBD companies don’t sell through retail outlets; they reach consumers online.

The lack of industry standards makes purchasing CBD from the right company important. If you plan on stocking up, here are some basic questions to keep in mind.

1. Is it legal where you live? Most states have passed some medical marijuana or CBD exemptions, but it’s completely illegal in four states: Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.

1. Has it been tested by a third party? Independent labs check for potency, pesticides, and residual solvents. If the company doesn’t list these results, move on.

1. Does the company make unsubstantiated claims? CBD has not been proven to kill cancer cells, halt Alzheimer’s, or treat schizophrenia. Avoid products that promise to cure everything that ails you.

I have been using Urth CBD for pain management and I really love the results. I can always count on getting the same, high quality product every purchase. They also offer testing results with each batch, so you have the peace of mind knowing that what you are buying, you’re actually getting. No bait and switch. No sleazy sales tactics, just relief in a bottle!

I reached out to them and asked if they would be willing to give me a promo code to share with all of you and of course, they were down.

Interested in trying CBD for yourself? CLICK HERE to Get 20% OFF Your First Order of CBD!

With a history that dates as far back as the third millennium BCE, cannabis-derived medicine is nothing new. For centuries, the cannabis plant has been valued for everything from its fibers for rope-making to its medicinal and psychoactive properties.

Cannabis in Ancient History

One of the earliest writings referencing cannabis dates back to 2727 BC. According to legend, Chinese Emperor Shen Nung compiled a medical encyclopedia called Pen Ts'ao which contained hundreds of lists of drugs he’d tried himself. One of these drugs was “ma” or the cannabis plant. Ma was used to treat everything from constipation to gout to menstruation to even absent-mindedness.

Cannabis has been mentioned throughout ancient history across the globe. In many cultures, it has served as a therapeutic resource. But with the rise of modern medicine, the medical community began to distance themselves from alternative medicine that had not gone through rigorous scientific testing.

The Discovery of CBD

In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act was enacted, making marijuana illegal across the U.S. Fortunately, research on cannabis continued, and by the 1940s, CBD was successfully extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant by the chemist, Roger Adams. In 1946, Dr. Walter S. Loewe conducted the first CBD tests on mice, proving that CBD didn’t cause altered mental states like THC.

By the mid-1970s, news of Professor Raphael Mechoulam “grandfather of marijuana research” groundbreaking discovery on the potential benefits of CBD began to spread. And in 1978, New Mexico became the first U.S. state to allow the medical use of cannabis.

In 1980, Professor Mechoulam and his team conducted a study on 16 people who have severe epilepsy. The study reveals how each of the subjects who received CBD showed improvements in their condition. Despite the breakthrough, stigma and legal challenges surrounding cannabis resulted in the publication not getting as much attention as it deserved.

It wasn’t until 23 years later in 2003 that the U.S. government patents CBD as a neuroprotectant, acknowledging the therapeutic benefits and potential uses of CBD for maintaining health and biological function. Today, users continue to use CBD oil as a form of alternative medicine for the same ailments that it was used for all those centuries ago.

In the last decade alone, CBD has risen in popularity for the same reasons it did centuries ago. Today, cannabis is still sought by users as an alternative medicine for ailments such as chronic pain, anxiety-related behaviors, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, seizures, and depression.

CBD Today

On December 12th, 2018, the U.S. Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill removing hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA); this consists of hemp’s “extracts, cannabinoids, and derivatives” which includes CBD. And because The Farm Bill signed into law on December 20th, 2018, CBD is now legal in all 50 states.

Cannabis and CBD have come a long way. In ancient times, it was already sought-after for its medicinal properties. But because of the lack of research, it became illegal across America for decades. Thanks to studies and breakthroughs, CBD is no longer an illegal substance under federal law, allowing more people to discover its potential and benefits as a form of alternative medicine.

At Urth CBD, we celebrate CBD’s long history. To learn more about CBD and its uses and benefits, subscribe to our newsletter.  

Try CBD for yourself with 20% OFF your first order!

ABOUT DIABETES

Diabetes is a widespread disease inflicting millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic disease that affects how the body converts food into usable energy. Chances are you know someone who has been battling diabetes, or just recently diagnosed. Or, perhaps you are the one living with the disease. And of course, there is a lot of information about diabetes treatment and prevention to learn and share. But first, let’s take a closer look at the reality of the disease.

This unforgiving disease does not discriminate, because any age, gender, and race can fall victim to it. The impact of diabetes is alarming, especially with the numbers of new cases on the rise.

There are two main varieties of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes results in the body reducing its natural production of insulin. This is the substance that allows cells to access blood sugar for energy.

Type 2 diabetes, which is much more prevalent than type 1, usually develops over a person’s lifetime. With type 2 diabetes, the body has trouble using insulin efficiently.

In the US, diabetes is currently the seventh leading cause of death. More than 30 million Americans have diabetes. In addition, more than 84 million Americans are pre-diabetic, meaning they are on their way to developing type 2 diabetes.

There are no known cures for Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, can be largely prevented by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

In addition, the following are common complications often stemming from diabetes:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Eye disease
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage
• Lower extremity ulcers and amputation
• Complications during pregnancy
• Oral disease
• Mental illness

If you have been living with diabetes for a while now, you are most likely familiar with traditional diabetes treatments and prevention measures, such as insulin and diet change. Both are equally important in maintaining. But, many people are learning how to use CBD oil to help cope with the disease.

HOW IS CBD GOOD FOR TREATING DIABETES?

CBD is developing a great reputation for helping with many diseases and disorders. But, for diabetes, the multiple ways it can help is impressive, such as the following favorable results stemming from possible treatments for diabetes in the form of CBD:

• Works to stabilize a person’s blood sugars
• Reduces pain often associated with diabetes caused by nerve inflammation, called neuropathy, by activating the receptors found in the brain and body
• Acts as an anti-inflammatory to help reduce some of the known arterial inflammation that is found in many diabetics
• Aids in improving circulation by keeping blood vessels open
• Helps to relieve muscle cramping and gastrointestinal disorders by acting as an anti-spasmodic agent
• Helps to gradually reduce blood pressure, which is very important for diabetic patients
• Using cannabis oil or butter in foods, rather than traditional fats, could be beneficial to the heart and arteries
• Used in a vaporizer, cannabis oil can help calm restless leg syndrome, a common ailment of diabetic patients
• Making it into a topical cream to help diminish neuropathic pain, as well as common tingling in the feet and hands, is also another way to use cannabis oil.

As with all available treatments, there is conflicting evidence on the role cannabis oil takes for prevention of Type II Diabetes. However, research does show it to be beneficial as an effective and alternative treatment for those who have already been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

Many researchers believe that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) promotes energy intake, impairs glucose metabolism, and affects the pancreas, which produces insulin.

Each of these mechanisms play a role in diabetes. And because CBD affects the ECS, CBD may be able to help regulate ECS activity and in turn affect diabetic activity.

The exact science of CBD’s effects on diabetes is not fully known, but it seems to involve the cannabinoid receptor CB1. This receptor has been shown to promote weight gain and increase insulin resistance when it is overactive. Because CBD can inhibit CB1 receptor activity, there is potential to mitigate diabetes development.

IN 2013, THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE CONCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:

• Cannabis compounds could help to control a patient’s blood sugar
• Users of cannabis are less likely to become obese
• Both above benefits are important in a diabetic patient

CBD helps regulate blood sugar levels, meaning it can reduce how much extra insulin is needed. Another bonus is that CBD is generally taken in a more pleasant manner than insulin, such as holding oil in your mouth. This is DEFINITELY preferable to having extra injections or even a constant pump into your body set up. CBD also has other properties which are helpful in the fight against diabetes, such as suppressing appetite and being an anti-inflammatory. There is even hope for the future that it could be used as a very effective medication for Type 1. For now though, it definitely seems to be a worthwhile option for diabetics who want help controlling their condition and help to decrease their dependence on insulin boosts.

If you are a diabetic patient or are at elevated risk of developing the disease, consider using CBD oil as an alternative treatment. But when considering CBD oil, it is important to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Not all oils are created equally, so finding a brand with a golden reputation is a crucial first move. It is really about finding the product that works best for the individual. When I first became interested in CBD, I researched and compared a variety of brands before finding my tried and true, pot of gold, Urth CBD. These guys have a trustworthy product and are completely transparent. They provide testing results with all products, so you have the peace of mind knowing that you are getting exactly what you paid for and that the ingredients are the best possible!

Start improving your health today, with 20% OFF your first CBD purchase!

If you’re new to cannabidiol oil or CBD oil, it can be overwhelming to try to make sense of all the different terms and options. From determining the right dosage to choosing between tinctures or cartridges, there’s no reason to be intimidated. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to use tinctures and cartridges.

How to Take a CBD Tincture

Taking a CBD tincture sublingually (under the tongue) is one of the most potent applications of CBD. Tinctures are super concentrated and should be in minimal doses. Here’s how to dosage a CBD tincture sublingually:

STEP 1: Squeeze the rubber top of the dropper to collect the tincture. Most come with a built-in dropper. If the one you have doesn’t, you can use an eye dropper.

STEP 2: Tilt your head back slightly, open your mouth, and lift your tongue.

STEP 3: Drop the appropriate amount of the liquid underneath your tongue. The amount of CBD you should take will depend on factors such as your weight, type of tincture, and why you’re taking CBD. However, 3-5 drops are how much most people consume.

STEP 4: Let the liquid sit under your tongue for 30 seconds to a minute and a half. Taking CBD sublingually allows you to feel the effects of CBD the fastest because there are capillaries in your mouth and dropping the CBD tincture under your tongue will enable it to go directly into your membranes and the bloodstream.

STEP 5: Swallow the rest. Don’t worry, anything that doesn’t get absorbed under your tongue will go into your digestive tract.

There’s also the option of putting CBD tinctures in your food or drinks. However, infusing a few drops in your soup or morning coffee, the effects are not as immediate as when you take it sublingually.

How to Use CBD Oil Cartridges

If you already know how to use a vape pen or are interested in trying them, cartridges are the perfect way for you to take your CBD. Cartridges are cylindrical vape tanks that are pre-filled with CBD distillate. Most vape pens are composed of a battery, heating chamber/atomizer, mouthpiece, a charger, and use sub-ohm oils.

Here’s how to load your vape pen with CBD cartridge:

STEP 1: Remove the cartridge from the battery and unscrew the mouthpiece.

STEP 2: Screw in the pre-filled CBD oil cartridge. Screw back onto the battery.

STEP 3: Turn on the vape pen.

STEP 4: Adjust the heat.

STEP 5: Press and hold the button and inhale.   

These are directions for standard vape pens or e-cigarettes. Not all vape pens will have a button and will have an “auto draw” feature, and all you have to do is inhale.

At Urth CBD, all of our CBD tinctures are available in 30ml bottles and blended using CBD distillate in 3 strengths; active CBD levels 300mg, 500mg, and 1000mg.

We also have CBD cartridges that are carefully crafted and offer 300mg of active CBD distillate paired with naturally occurring terpenes (flavoring derived from each strand) to enhance the absorption and effect of our top shelf CBD distillate.

Try any of our CBD cartridges and tinctures today with 20% OFF your first purchase!

I Used CBD Oil to Treat My Anxiety- Here’s My Story:

Before I start, I would like to address my specific situation regarding anxiety. I wouldn’t classify myself as a chronic anxiety sufferer. My anxiety isn’t debilitating or causing me to suffer on a daily basis without any way to manage. I know there are people out there who experience this kind of anxiety, but my specific condition has never really been that drastic- thank goodness. Nevertheless, anxiety can range from mild to severe and over the past decade, I have dealt with it intermittently and wanted to figure out an all-natural solution that wouldn’t get me hooked on a pill dosing me with artificial endorphins.

That being said, those that have gone through anxiety know when a “flare up” happens, it is all consuming and you are willing to do anything to quiet your mind, relax your heart rate and find relief. However, I have always been wary of using prescription drugs to treat my condition. If any of you reading this have taken a Xanax, you know that the feeling of relief comes with definite side effects. Mine being what I deem, a “Xanax hangover”. Sure, I may feel better for a while but the next day, I feel foggy and slow moving. It’s obvious that although the immediate calming effects have worn off, the medicine is still in my system wreaking some sort of havoc. So, I went in search of an alternate means of relief. Something that would help me feel calm and peaceful without the nasty day after feeling.

Looking back on it now, I can’t believe I didn’t try cannabis as a natural therapy sooner. HELLO. What was I thinking? I have used cannabis here and there over the years but never really loved the way it made me feel. In fact on those rare occasions that I experimented with marijuana, I actually felt like it promoted my anxiety! Due to that, I guess I put it out of my head. Upon way more research and realizing that CBD specifically doesn’t get you high but gives you all the medicinal benefits (LIGHTBULB MOMENT), I decided I had to find out more!

A lot of people think that marijuana is all about getting stoned. Then, on U.S. national television, it stopped an epileptic seizure and there were people saying that CBD is a miracle chemical and can help anxiety, depression, and pain.

What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the active cannabinoids in cannabis.  It can actually account for up to 40% of the active cannabinoid content. CBD hemp oil is made from hemp that has high amounts of CBD and low amounts of THC.  THC is the cannabinoid that most people are familiar with.  It is responsible for the “high” that you get if you take or smoke marijuana. This means that CBD oil is non-psychoactive.  This has allowed CBD oil to be used for a lot of medical purposes because you don’t have to worry about it affecting your mental state. I don’t know about you, but even if something was really helpful, I wouldn’t be able to function at all if I was stoned all day and night.

CBD Effects and CBD Benefits

CBD oil effects your body by binding to cannabinoid receptors.  You have cannabinoid receptors all over your body, including your skin and digestive tract. CBD oil can also act as a 5-HT1 receptor agonist, meaning it can help with depression and anxiety by playing in a role in the serotonin pathways.

Because CBD oil affects so many aspects of your body, including the endocannabinoid system, it can help with inflammation, mood, memory, immune system, reproduction, pain perception, sleep, and appetite.

The biggest benefits, and why it has gotten so much of the spotlight lately, is that CBD oil has helped people with rare conditions such as Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that is hard to treat.  People have gone from having multiple seizures per day to being seizure free for an entire week using CBD oil.

One strain of cannabis is called Charlotte’s Web, which has almost no THC in it, and has been used for medical purposes ever since it helped a girl named Charlotte stop having really bad seizures after trying all the other approaches.

CBD oil has clearly proven itself as a therapeutic substance to help a variety of ailments, and it can also play a role in helping anxiety and depression.

CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression

There are two primary ways to supplement with CBD oil to help with anxiety and depression.  First, you can take pure CBD oil that has no THC.  Secondly, you can take CBD oil with THC to get the benefits of both. Cannabis oil, for example, has high amounts of THC whereas CBD hemp oil is legal and non-psychoactive.

Many people with anxiety and depression can’t use marijuana because of THC’s effects on their mental state. I could never smoke marijuana or consume high amounts of THC because it makes me more anxious and paranoid.  In fact, the only panic attack I ever had in my life was when I was younger and under a lot of stress and decided to smoke a joint when it was handed to me. WORST IDEA EVER.

When I heard about CBD oil and how it doesn’t get you high like THC does, I gave it a try.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression

In a 2011 study, they took in 10 people with social anxiety who had never received any treatments for their disorder.  They were given either a placebo or 400mg of CBD.  The participants who were given CBD oil had successfully improved their anxiety symptoms compared to the placebo.

Why did this happen?

Some research suggests that since THC and CBD affect certain receptors in the amygdala, a part of the brain that engages our fight-or-flight response, taking CBD can make that region of your brain less excitable.  This means that the CBD oil can dampen your response to stress and anxiety.

So, when I was going through an out-of-nowhere anxiety/panic attack flare up and was talking to one of my co-workers about it, he made me promise that I’d meet up with him later in the afternoon and at least give some of his CBD oil a shot. I figured, “why not?”

He was using an oil from a brand called Urth CBD, and the only thing that I had known about the stuff before I tried it was that it wasn’t supposed to get you high. When we met up, I actually didn’t try it right away. We met up at a local bar to grab a couple drinks and the anxiety wasn’t bad at all right then, so he just gave me the bottle and told me to hold onto it until I needed it.

Taste, Effectiveness, and Side-Effects: A first-time user’s thoughts on CBD oil for anxiety

I ended up trying it for the first time about three days later. I started getting that same old butterfly in the stomach type feeling that I always get when my anxiety creeps up, and I found that as the day went on at work, it was getting gradually worse (and for absolutely no reason at all, like always). So I decided as soon as I got home, I was going to try the oil.

One thing I did read about CBD oil was that, being that it came from hemp, it could have a nasty, bitter taste. The stuff that I used was Urth CBD Oil Peppermint Drops, and it actually didn’t taste bad at all.

HERE is a direct link to their product.

In fact, it tasted pretty good – like a really refreshing breath mint.

My friend had told me that all I do was use the dropper bottle and place 15 drops under my tongue, and then wait for about 90 seconds before swallowing. I actually went in front of a mirror to administer the drops, so I could count exactly how much I was putting in (you really don’t need to do this though because you can kind of feel the drops as they hit your mouth and count how many you’re putting in that way).

I will say that it was pretty awkward trying to not swallow for 90 seconds – it’s a totally unnatural feeling, and you feel like you’re going to start drooling all over yourself. You’ll have to fight the instinct to swallow just a little bit, but it’s really not that bad. I did take a nice big swig of cold water after I swallowed the oil, though, just to get the peppermint flavor out of my mouth (but again, the flavor really is not bad).

In terms of effects, I’ll go ahead and put it very bluntly – the oil did help, without a doubt. It was kind of strange in a way, though, because you notice absolutely zero bodily or cerebral effects other than the anxiety just slowly melting away over time.

And actually, the effects were so subtle that it was really hard to tell at first when exactly the oil kicked in. My anxiety wasn’t as severe when I took the oil that evening as it was during the day at work, so it was tough to gauge exactly how long it took for the effects to settle in.

All I can say is that evening, I had a great dinner and sat on the couch watching TV in a state of genuine contentment. I actually remember thinking to myself, “holy crap, that CBD must’ve really actually worked.” I experienced no side effects whatsoever, and I went to bed that night and had a genuinely good sleep.

I didn’t use the oil again until maybe about a week later, and I tried the next time around to really gauge when the effects started settling in. I was using the 300 mg bottle (30 mL), which is their lowest potency oil (they also had a 500 mg oil and a 1000 mg). It seemed to me that I noticed an obvious anxiety relief in less than an hour – maybe right around 45 minutes.

One thing that I really REALLY liked though, was that the effects seemed to last a long time. It seemed to last like 6-8 hours (or at least all evening). This makes sense too, because after doing a little reading up I found that the sublingual tinctures are much longer-lasting than CBD vape oils or e-juices.

I’m sure there are lots of other good brands out there, but my experience with the 300 mg Urth CBD was about as good as I could have hoped for, so I don’t see any reason to try anything different (I think the 500 mg and 1000 mg bottles are more suited for pain relief, i.e. arthritis, inflammation, etc). I also think that if you are looking to treat pain, you will have to take it more frequently that what I do.

Final Thoughts: CBD Oil for a First Time User

Here is where CBD oil can get tricky.  When I began my journey into researching CBD, I ran into a lot of companies where I had no idea what I was getting. The quality matters, as it would be easy to market something as CBD oil when it has very little CBD in it at all.

Some of the products I found had reviews that said that they felt nothing at all, even at high doses, others had weird ingredients. If I have any advice for you, it would be to make sure you are purchasing from a high-quality, trustworthy brand!

Bottom line, would I recommend using CBD oil for anxiety? Absolutely — there’s no question about it!

My favorite thing about it is how incredibly mild it is – like I said, the effects just kind of slowly ooze their way in without you even really noticing. Also, I love how seemingly long-lasting the effects are. I’ve read that some people prefer vaping over taking the oil drops because they say vaping is more potent, but I also understand that the effects of vaping are much shorter lived.

Whatever the case, if you suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, or insomnia, I would absolutely recommend you give a quality CBD oil a shot. I was certainly not quick to buy into the whole hype machine (I know that the cannabis industry is pretty crazy right now), but I can say as a first-time user that it legitimately did work, and it caused absolutely no high or side effects whatsoever.

If you are interested in trying CBD for yourself, CLICK HERE to get 20% OFF your first order!