5 Ways to Incorporate CBD into You and Your Pet’s Self-Care Routine
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound extracted from the hemp plant, known for its potential to calm anxiety, relieve pain and inflammation, and promote homeostasis. Incorporating CBD into your self-care routine and your pet’s may lead to enhanced well-being. Here's how you may do it effectively.
- For Calming Anxiety:
- For You: Try a 25mg CBD gummy or tincture. Many users report a calming effect due to CBD’s ability to help the body process serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates emotions. Tinctures are especially effective as they absorb quickly when taken sublingually (under the tongue). The quick absorption may provide a faster calming effect, which is beneficial during stressful situations or to manage daily anxiety. Regular use may help maintain a balanced mood.
- For Pets: A 2mg CBD pet chew or bacon-flavored tincture may help alleviate anxiety in pets. Similar to humans, CBD may help pets by interacting with their endocannabinoid system to promote a calming effect. This may be particularly useful during events that typically cause stress for pets, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or visits to the vet.
- For Relieving Aches and Pains:
- For You: Use a CBD tincture or topical salve for targeted relief. CBD has been shown to reduce muscle inflammation and relieve chronic pain. Applying a CBD salve to the affected area may provide quick relief from muscle soreness, joint pain, and other aches. This makes it a valuable tool for athletes or anyone dealing with chronic pain conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may aid in faster recovery from physical exertion.
- For Pets: CBD may help relieve joint and muscle pain in pets. Products like CBD pet chews may be particularly beneficial for older pets with arthritis or those recovering from injury. Regular use may improve their mobility and overall comfort, enhancing their quality of life.
- For Skin Care:
- For You: Incorporate CBD-infused skincare products such as ointments, eye creams, and lotions. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce acne, redness, and irritation, while its antioxidant properties may combat signs of aging and keep skin moisturized. Using CBD skincare products may result in clearer, smoother skin. The antioxidants in CBD may protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which are responsible for aging and skin damage.
- For Pets: CBD may also help with skin allergies and irritations in pets. Applying a small amount of CBD oil to the affected area may help soothe and heal their skin. This may be particularly useful for pets that suffer from chronic skin conditions or allergies, providing them with relief from itching and discomfort.
- For Better Sleep:
- For You: Try CBD tinctures, gummies, or capsules to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. CBD may help calm the central nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety, which are common causes of sleep difficulties. A restful night’s sleep is crucial for overall health, and CBD may be a natural aid to achieve this. Consistent use of CBD may help regulate sleep patterns, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
- For Pets: CBD may help pets relax and sleep better, especially those that are anxious or in pain. Adding a few drops of CBD tincture to their food may promote a restful night. This may be especially beneficial for older pets or those with health issues that disrupt their sleep.
- For Pet Care and Stressful Situations:
- For Pets: Use CBD pet tinctures or chews during stressful events like July 4th fireworks. CBD may help calm pets during anxiety-inducing situations, making them feel more secure and less stressed. This may be particularly useful for pets that are highly sensitive to loud noises or changes in their environment. Regular use may also help in reducing general anxiety and improving their overall behavior.
Pets, CBD, and Wellness
CBD isn’t just beneficial for humans; it may significantly enhance your pet’s wellness routine as well. Animals, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps regulate various physiological functions. Here’s how CBD may contribute to your pet's wellness:
- Anxiety Relief: Pets often experience anxiety due to separation, loud noises, or new environments. CBD may help reduce their anxiety levels by interacting with the ECS to promote calmness and relaxation. Regular use of CBD may help create a more balanced and calm demeanor in pets, making them more adaptable to changes in their environment.
- Pain Management: Older pets or those with chronic conditions like arthritis may benefit from CBD’s pain-relieving properties. CBD may help reduce inflammation and provide relief from pain, improving your pet’s mobility and quality of life. This may make a significant difference in their daily activities, allowing them to enjoy walks and playtime without discomfort.
- Skin Health: Pets with skin conditions such as allergies or dermatitis may find relief with CBD. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties may help reduce itching, redness, and irritation, promoting healthier skin and coat. Consistent use may improve the overall appearance and health of your pet's skin.
- Digestive Health: CBD may also aid in digestive health, helping to reduce nausea and improve appetite. This is especially beneficial for pets undergoing treatment or those with gastrointestinal issues. Improved digestive health may lead to better nutrient absorption and overall wellness.
- Overall Wellness: Regular use of CBD may support overall wellness by enhancing the immune system, promoting healthy aging, and potentially reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in pets with epilepsy. By supporting the ECS, CBD may help maintain balance in various bodily functions, contributing to a healthier, happier pet.
Understanding CBD and How It Works
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies is designed to process cannabinoids. CBD, like the body’s naturally produced cannabinoids, binds to ECS receptors, enhancing their ability to regulate functions such as sleep, appetite, pain, and immune response. By boosting this system, CBD may initiate anti-inflammatory effects that help alleviate aches, pains, and anxiety, promoting overall balance and well-being.
CBD interacts with two main receptors in the ECS: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system and peripheral organs. By interacting with these receptors, CBD may influence various physiological processes.
Finding Your Ideal CBD Dose
It's important to start with a small dose and gradually increase it until you find the amount that works best for you. Everyone’s body responds differently, so the effective dose may vary. Sticking with a CBD routine for several weeks is recommended to fully experience its benefits.
For pets, dosing may be slightly different based on their size and the condition being treated. Generally, it's recommended to start with 1-2 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight and adjust as needed. Consulting with a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about CBD may provide personalized dosing recommendations for your pet.
Note
Before incorporating CBD into your routine, especially if you are taking other medications, consult with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe for you. This is crucial as CBD may interact with certain medications, potentially altering their effectiveness. For pets, consulting with a veterinarian is equally important to ensure their safety and well-being.
For more information on CBD products, visit Glenna's CBD
Sources:
[1] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1 [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/npp20116?foxtrotcallback=true [3] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881110379283 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22520455 [5] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00627/full [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27790143 [7] https://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628 [8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC20965/ [9] https://topdogtips.com/cbd-for-dogs/
Meet Glenna Colaprete, the passionate visionary behind Glenna’s CBD. In 2015, Glenna embarked on a courageous path, as a patented engineer, to create a customer-centric company that not only provides premium, leading-edge CBD products for people and pets, but also embraces a sense of compassion and community. Driven by her personal painful battle with chronic nerve entrapment, Glenna discovered solace and relief through CBD. In addition to her role as owner and CEO, Glenna is an adjunct professor in the horticulture program at FLCC, where she shares her expertise on cannabis cultivation regulations. With her extensive knowledge and hands-on experience, and holding multiple licenses as a cannabinoid cultivator, processor, distributor and retailer as well as an adult-use cannabis cultivator, processor and distributor.