Health & Wellness Archives - Ellys Remedies

American consumers turn to CBD for stress relief, wellness during COVID-19 pandemic

ellysremedies — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 09:55:17 +0000

By Laura Drotleff – November 10, 2020

In a year of a deadly pandemic and a historic presidential election, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that anxiety levels are sky high among American consumers.

But the silver lining for the hemp and CBD industry is that at least 20% of consumers are using more CBD products as a direct result of COVID, according to a June study by Chicago-based Aclara Research, a firm that analyzes cannabis and CBD consumers and works in collaboration with Nielsen Global Connect. The study results were highlighted in a Hemp Industry Daily report produced in collaboration with Nielsen, “How to Navigate the Complicated World of CBD in Retail.”

The study highlights how current and new consumers will develop a proactive health-care regimen to manage their mental health, including how these behaviors may continue post-pandemic.

Among a panel of nearly 3,000 consumers across states where cannabis is legal, Aclara Research found that approximately 1 in 5 consumers indicated they are buying more CBD products during the pandemic. More than half the participants (55%) said they hadn’t changed how much cannabis or CBD they’ve purchased.

Consumers involved in the panel are knowledgeable about cannabis, with more than 80% saying they consider themselves immediate or advanced product users, and 8 in 10 use both marijuana and CBD products. Additionally, 60% of marijuana users are also buying hemp-derived CBD products.

The consumers on the panel spend about $900 per year on CBD products, with the largest annual spending on beauty care, beverages or flower, according to Aclara Research.

The panelists said that they use CBD products regularly, and 88% use them a few times per week or more, according to Carmen Brace, founder and principal of Aclara Research.

Those surveyed said the top reasons for using CBD products were:

Pain relief (58%).
Anxiety (58%).
Relaxation (48%).
Sleep (37%).
General Wellness (30%).

CBD is staying on trend

As the pandemic continues, the leading reasons for marijuana and hemp-derived CBD use become more relevant as consumers seek ways to manage increasing stress and anxiety, Brace said.

Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated that more than 53% of adults said their mental health and well-being has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. More than one-third of adults have reported symptoms of anxiety, versus 1 in 10 adults from January 2019 to June 2019.

Further, Missouri-based pharmacy benefit service Express Scripts reported that prescriptions for anxiety medications have increased by 34% since the pandemic, Brace said.

In the June 2020 CBD consumer panel, Aclara Research found that:

68% of respondents agreed with the statement: “I am feeling more stress during the pandemic than I did before.”
42% of respondents agreed with the statement: “I am buying more immunity boosting foods and supplements to improve my health.”

“For retailers, consumer focus on integrated wellness solutions may increase retail space—and focus—on hemp-derived CBD products,” Brace said. “These products are on trend with consumer needs, play a strong role of profit generation and increase basket size.”

Download the report here for more insights on trends and demographics for consumers using CBD products, regional CBD product preferences, the current size of the CBD retail market along with future projections and more.

Read the full article via: Hemp Industry Daily

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CBD: A Versatile Natural Remedy

ellysremedies — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:15:00 +0000

By Avery Reekstin

CBD oil is everywhere now. There are stores that exclusively sell CBD products. There are people who swear by it and its medicinal properties and even some use it on their pets. But what is it?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is derived from the flowers of marijuana and hemp plants and used as a natural remedy for many different ailments. It can be taken in many forms, most commonly ingested as a tincture or an oil mix, but it is also put into gel caps, gummies, edibles or lotions and salves.

Most CBD oil does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive compound that causes the high one would get from smoking or ingesting marijuana. CBD oil usually has less than 0.5 percent THC. CBD is federally legal in all states, but each state law is a little different. Most vary on how much THC is allowed and some have laws about how CBD is used. If you are unsure of the laws in your state, it is advised to do some research before purchasing.

As a natural remedy, cannabidiol has many different uses and may be used to alleviate or treat the following conditions or health issues:

Reduces anxiety or depression. CBD has been found to interact with and alter the serotonin levels in the body. Low levels of serotonin are known to have a role in depression and anxiety. Many antidepressants help raise serotonin levels but can have unpleasant side effects. CBD can be an alternative, more holistic option for some people.

Stimulates appetite: CBD has been known to help stimulate appetite, which is used often with cancer treatments.

Pain relief: CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce pain.

Reduces acne. Sebum, an oil the skin makes naturally, can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores if the body produces too much. CBD oil can help the body reduce the amount of sebum it creates. And along with its anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce acne in some people.

Treats neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Scientists have studied the use of CBD with epilepsy in children probably the most out of all the other uses and have found evidence that CBD oil can help reduce the amount of seizures or even stop seizures altogether.

Heart health benefits. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties CBD oil has can help reduce one’s risk for heart disease and reduce risk of stroke.

Helps treat diabetes. Not only can CBD play a role in maintaining healthy insulin and blood sugar levels, its anti-inflammatory qualities can also reduce one’s risk for diabetes.

When taking CBD oil, most people place the oil under the tongue to allow the body to absorb it. Some choose to just swallow it as is. It can also be mixed in tea, coffee, juice or smoothies. Salves or lotions can be rubbed on the body, which works well if there is pain from an injury or overuse that you’d like to directly apply it to. It can also be ingested by pill, gummies or other edibles.

Make sure to start at a low dose and slowly take more until you’ve reached a desired effect. CBD has been found to be non-addictive and it usually stays in the system for about three to five days.

Pets may also find some benefits from using CBD oil. Similar to humans, it can help treat pain and seizures, as well as anxiety. It is often used for dogs who may have anxiety while owners are gone, or it is given to them before events such as fireworks, to ease the anxiety of the loud noises. There are pet treats with CBD in them, and some people mix the oil in their pets’ favorite food.

Because CBD is unregulated, it is important to do your research on the products you are buying, and make sure to talk with your doctor (or vet) about using CBD oil.

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Is Using CBD for Arthritis a Good Idea?

ellysremedies — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 10:21:00 +0000

By Nasir Rajpoot

CBD oil contains extracts from cannabis plants. Recent studies suggest that it could play a role in relieving pain linked to chronic conditions like arthritis. However, there are many questions on whether CBD for arthritis is effective. what the correct dose is, and whether there are side effects or not; all of these need some answers.

What is CBD & How Can It be a Helpful Remedy for Arthritis?

Also known as cannabidiol, CBD is one of the many cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plants like hemp and marijuana. This chemical compound works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to help with conditions like pain, sleep disorder, anxiety, and more.

Unlike medical marijuana, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that it doesn’t get you high. This is because it doesn’t contain a large portion of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is a chemical compound found in marijuana that makes people high.

CBD has been linked to several health benefits, one of them being arthritic pain management. Arthritis has been associated with many cases of disability in the United States, and it has two types:

Osteoarthritis (OA) – This is a common type of arthritis that is related to injury, overweight, and aging. This degenerative disease often affects the bones and joint cartilage including the knee, hip, and thumb joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – This type of arthritis is autoimmune which occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, particularly the thin tissue lining. RA usually affects the joints of the hands and feet, causing them to be warm, swollen, and red.

In both cases, CBD can be used to alleviate joint pain without any evident side effect. As for OA, research has shown that CBD can relieve the pain, damage, and inflammation that comes with it. On the other hand, patients of RA benefit from pain alleviation and reduced immune damage. This is because CBD also acts as an immunosuppressive agent.

Taking a Deep Dive: How CBD Interacts with the Human Body?

Although research for CBD continues, it has been determined that it reduces pain both directly and indirectly. After interacting with the human endocannabinoid system, CBD attaches to the cannabinoid receptors found in the body.

It specially attaches to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB2 receptor particularly plays a role in the immune system in terms of managing inflammation and pain.

Researchers also believe that CBD can produce natural cannabinoids that may attach to the CB2 receptors. They believe that when it enters the body, CBD can affect how the receptors respond to the signals they get. This may help in the reduction of pain and inflammation.

Moreover, CBD can work by altering the shape of the receptor juts a little bit. This change prevents the transmission of pain to the brain.

What Do the Researchers Say?

There are several animal studies that suggest CBD can be used for arthritis pain. According to a 2017 study that was published in the Journal of Pain, CBD was found to reduce joint inflammation and pain in rats. The study found that it helped with symptoms of pain and neuropathy in the rats.

A 2006 study found that a CBD mouth spray known as Sativex helped alleviate arthritis pain. Additionally, a 2018 compilation of studies showed that there is a large body of evidence suggesting that CBD can be used for different clinical conditions like pain, sleep disorder, inflammation, and others.

According to a 2019 review by Harvard Health Publishing, studies on CBD have reportedly revealed how CBD hinders neuropathic pain and chronic pain. The Harvard Health Report also suggests that CBD applied on the skin could help lower inflammation and pain that is associated with arthritis.

However, the report says that there’s a need for more human studies to establish the effects of CBD for arthritis. More studies are also required to establish a safe and correct CBD dose for arthritis patients.

Best CBD Products for Arthritis to Look Out for

CBD comes in various forms including CBD oils, creams, gummies, and tinctures. You can search online review for each item to understand their benefits, side effects and more. Also, you will be aware of the best cbd brands out there in the market as most of the reviews are unbiased specially if they are from reputed website or blog.

How to Use CBD for Arthritis Relief

Because of the wide variety of CBD products, it may not be very clear how to properly apply CBD for arthritis patients.

Arthritis patients can get great relief by taking CBD oils which offer long-lasting relief. It is highly recommended to take CBD oil products sublingually under the tongue as it has a higher rate of absorption than taking CBD products orally.

While CBD gummies come in precise doses, they may have long-term effects and bioavailability problems. This makes it difficult for the body to use and absorb all the CBD content found in them.

People with arthritis can also apply CBD creams or take CBD as oral spray or in its capsule form. In addition, it has been found that combining different CBD products can provide greater relief for arthritis patients. For instance, you can combine a CBD oil with CBD cream for enhanced effectiveness.

In terms of the dosage, experts suggest starting with a low dose and see if you experience results. If not, slowly increase the dose weekly.

Are There Any Side Effects Involved with CBD for Arthritis?

Some studies have shown that most people tolerate CBD well. However, some users report mild side effects like:

Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Change in weight
Change in appetite

Before taking CBD, it is important to consult your doctor, especially if you are taking it alongside certain medications. This is because it may interfere with prescribed medications and over-the-counter dietary supplements.

Final Thoughts

Although CBD oil is still a topic for research, it is still considered an effective and safe treatment for arthritis. High quality CBD oil affects the brain receptors to reduce pain and inflammation that are linked to arthritis. For best results, it is advised to take a tincture sublingually and slowly increase your dosage until you attain your desired effect.

Read the full article via: Big Easy Magazine

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