Why You Should Fall in Love with Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, has seen quite a surge in popularity over the past several years. So what exactly is CBD, why has it become so popular, and why should you jump on the bandwagon? In this piece, we’ll break down everything you need to know about CBD so that you have a foundational understanding of what it is, its health benefits, and how to consume it.

Contents:

• What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
• Cure All: Health Benefits Associated with Cannabidiol
• Ways to Consume CBD 
• The Bottom Line

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

First things first, let’s dive into what CBD actually is. Cannabidiol is the second most prevalent active ingredient of cannabis, the first being THC. Both CBD and THC are produced in the trichomes of cannabis plants, but CBD is typically isolated from hemp plants, while THC is derived from marijuana plants. Hemp and marijuana both refer to cannabis plants, but are distinguished by law based on THC level - cannabis plants that have 0.3% or less THC are classified as hemp, and those that have more than 0.3% are classified as marijuana. 

The key difference between CBD and THC is that CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause you to feel “high”. Rather, CBD, a non addictive compound, more subtly impacts the body and mind, providing health benefits such as reducing anxiety and facilitating sleep. We’ll break down the benefits associated with cannabidiol in more detail later on in this post.

Is Cannabidiol Legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized CBD that comes from hemp. However, because states have the ability to pass their own regulations around CBD, whether you can consume it still depends on the state in which you live. 

As of 2021, there are only three states in which CBD consumption remains completely illegal: Idaho, Iowa, and South Dakota. In the other 47 states, CBD is either fully legal or comes with certain restrictions. If you’re interested in your specific state’s laws, check out this article for a full state-by-state breakdown. 

As for Empress Teas, since our CBD is sourced exclusively from hemp, as long as you are not in Idaho, Iowa, or South Dakota (sorry folks!), you’re all set to enjoy your perfect cup of tea.

Cure All: Health Benefits Associated with Consuming Cannabidiol

So what’s behind CBD’s meteoric rise in popularity? 

Easy - CBD is a naturally versatile remedy. In this section, we’ll walk you through a variety of health benefits tied to cannabidiol consumption.

Reducing anxiety and depression

CBD is commonly used to treat anxiety. Several human and animal studies have been conducted that demonstrate cannabidiol’s significant promise, making it an appealing alternative to drugs that are typically prescribed for anxiety and depression, such as benzodiazepines, that are associated with unpleasant side effects (e.g., agitation, insomnia) and addiction.

Facilitating sleep

Another common use of CBD is providing relief for people who have a difficult time sleeping and who suffer from insomnia. Studies have shown that CBD can help with both falling and staying asleep, as it has demonstrated an ability to suppress cortisol, the stress hormone that is the primary culprit for causing trouble sleeping or nighttime awakenings. 

Alleviating pain

Perhaps its most well-known benefit, cannabidiol has long been associated with pain relief. In fact, its usage for treating pain dates all the way back to 2900 B.C.! CBD has proven to be particularly effective in treating chronic pain: a study by the European Journal of Pain showed, for example, that applying CBD to the skin could help reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study showed the mechanism by which CBD is able to inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult-to-treat types of chronic pain. 

Treating acne

A lesser known reason for consuming cannabidiol, acne has proven to be yet another condition that CBD is well-equipped to alleviate. Multiple studies have concluded that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective, safe way to treat acne.

Improving heart health

Cannabidiol has been shown to benefit heart health by reducing blood pressure and limiting the inflammation and cell death resulting from heart disease. This ability to mitigate heart damage is likely tied to CBD’s stress- and anxiety-reducing capabilities, as well as its antioxidant properties. 

With the knowledge of these impactful healing abilities becoming more mainstream by the day, it’s no wonder cannabidiol has gained significant popularity in recent years. CBD is now a core component of the health and wellness space, becoming embedded into the daily rituals of people across the globe. 

Treating severe medical conditions

In addition to all of the benefits associated with day-to-day CBD consumption, perhaps the most impressive power of cannabidiol is its ability to treat severe medical conditions. For example, there is strong scientific evidence that cannabidiol is effective in treating severe childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which generally do not respond very well to antiseizure medications. In several studies, CBD was shown to effectively reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases, stop them from happening altogether. Videos of CBD’s life-altering impacts for children who suffer from these seizures are all over the Internet, and they are nothing short of incredible. 

Ways to Consume CBD

Cannabidiol’s versatility doesn’t end with why it’s used: there are also several ways in which you can take pleasure in its many benefits. Thanks to a rapidly growing and increasingly creative cannabis market, CBD is available in a number of different forms:

• Oils and creams
• Tinctures and droplets
• Edibles, such as gummies or chocolates
• Vape pens

These methods of consumption have enabled CBD to easily spread, providing anyone who wants to try it with multiple options to do so conveniently. However, the latest innovation in cannabidiol consumption, water soluble CBD, has introduced a new, more accessible way for the world to experience cannabidiol. 

Water Soluble CBD: An Innovative Way to Consume Cannabidiol 

Water soluble CBD, which we ethically source and delicately infuse into our ritual blend teas, is changing the way in which cannabidiol is consumed. Tactfully designed to mix well with liquids, something that traditional oil droplets cannot accomplish, water soluble CBD has paved the way for the creation of a recent wave of products: sophisticated CBD-infused beverages. 

The advent of water soluble cannabidiol is a milestone for the cannabis industry. Whether you’re looking for a more convenient way to incorporate CBD into your daily life, or you want a more subtle way to experience cannabidiol because you aren’t used to the taste and smell, water soluble CBD provides a perfect method of consumption for first-timers, experienced connoisseurs, and everyone in between. In our next piece, we’ll explore the origins of water soluble CBD and its benefits in more detail. 

The Bottom Line

Are you interested in experiencing the wonderful healing powers that cannabidiol has to offer? Our ritual blend teas are perfectly infused with the highest quality hemp-derived CBD, and each blend harmoniously incorporates organic, sustainable, and fair trade ingredients sourced from around the world to carefully curate the perfect cup of tea. 

At Empress Teas, we believe that you deserve the cleanest, most effective plant-based solutions to bring your body, mind, and spirit back into alignment. Treat yourself to the daily rituals you deserve: sit, sip, and self-reflect.