CBD has the potential to be an immensely valuable part of promoting workout recovery, but it’s far from the only part of the process.
If you’re interested in using CBD for muscle recovery, here’s what you need to know about the way CBD works and the results it’s capable of producing.
When you work out, microscopic tears develop all over your muscles and muscle fibers. This leads to soreness, stiffness, muscle tension, or sometimes swelling the morning after a workout, known as delayed onset muscle soreness.
The majority of the time, this discomfort in your muscle tissue is temporary and normal.
Your body uses protein, electrolytes, water, and several key nutrients to repair the muscle. These repaired microscopic tears will, over time, make a muscle larger and stronger. It’s the only way to see and experience noticeable gains in strength and athletic ability.
While using proper form and taking a slow, steady approach to increasing the intensity or duration of a workout routine is optimal for success, slight soreness from time to time is unavoidable. It’s a natural part of seeing your hard work pay off.
This soreness is different from workout-related muscle spasms, which warrant greater attention.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. Most CBD is derived from hemp plants, which contain minimal THC. The limit for THC in hemp is 0.3% by dry weight, and it isn’t enough THC to produce psychoactive effects.
CBD is very similar to substances produced in the human body called endocannabinoids. The body manufactures endocannabinoids on demand, feeding them into the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a series of cb1 and cb2 receptors that exist within almost every important system of the body.
When you use CBD products, the CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system and provokes a response from the body. The idea behind CBD is that it encourages and supports the body in its natural functions, even helping to calm anxiety and regulate cortisol levels.
Your body wants to perform well, and it’s constantly working to maintain itself. CBD provides the endocannabinoid system with a little bit of additional fuel.
CBD has been studied to improve mobility and reduce swelling in patients living with multiple sclerosis. While that doesn’t translate directly to athletics, it does serve as proof of concept for CBD’s use in boosting mobility and lowering inflammation for other people.
CBD has no addictive potential and no psychoactive effects. It’s safe to use and generally well tolerated. Side effects are mild and usually related to the consumption of the carrier oil rather than the CBD itself.
You should still ask your doctor before you begin using CBD, as it can sometimes interrupt the absorption of certain medications. Get the green light before you proceed.
If you plan to use CBD as a part of your workout recovery routine because of its anti-inflammatory compounds, you have some decisions to make. It isn’t as simple as finding a one size fits all solution. All CBD is created differently, and it may work differently with your body depending on your sensitivity.
CBD oil is the most popular form of CBD for workout recovery. CBD oil comes in a glass bottle with a dropper dispenser. The drops are placed under the tongue and absorb through the soft tissue there, quickly entering the bloodstream.
CBD also comes in a soft gel form, but soft gels are less effective. Anything you take by mouth has to pass through your digestive system and be metabolized by your liver before your body can use it.
This reduces the potency of the CBD within the soft gel while delaying its effects. There are also CBD creams, gummies, and capsules.
It’s difficult to determine the proper milligrams of CBD to take, mainly because the upper limit is so high. CBD has been determined safe at dosages as high as 1,500 mg daily, and most people would never use that much.
You’ll get many conflicting answers about how much CBD you should be using daily, with every CBD company referring to its own science for calculating perfect numbers. Start by taking 50 mg a day once a day. If you’re not noticing a difference in how you feel after two weeks of consistent use, go to up to 100 mg a day.
Repeat the process, increasing by increments of 25 mg daily every two weeks until you find the perfect amount allowing you to experience the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.
It doesn’t necessarily matter when you use CBD, just so long as you’re using it. Many people prefer to use their CBD an hour before a workout or immediately after a workout. You’ll know which method will work best for you after you experiment.
It doesn’t hurt to take CBD both before and after your workout, just as long as you’re slipping a daily dose into two parts to prevent unwanted side effects like dizziness, confusion, diarrhea, or sedation.
Although sublingual CBD tinctures will get to work in less than an hour, it can take up to a month of daily use to experience consistent effects. Although CBD is helpful for workout recovery, it doesn’t do much to alleviate aches as they occur.
CBD won’t tend to regular aches and discomforts of workouts. It doesn’t act as a reliever, and its effects are much slower to set in. It will simply support your body while you’re naturally recovering from them. It doesn’t do anything to address the immediacy of a sore muscle or a stiff joint.
CBD won’t work to resolve joint aches and discomforts following a workout. You can use CBD daily if you live an athletic lifestyle, but it won’t relieve extreme discomfort.
Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel is designed specifically to ease the discomfort of achy joints. It’s formulated with cooling menthol to help soothe achy joints within a matter of minutes. It also incorporates the moisturizing powers of hemp seed oil with the combined strengths of glucosamine and chondroitin, two popular chemical compounds clinically proven to be beneficial for joint health.
You’ll get nearly immediate relief, especially if you take the time to massage it into the joint. Massage improves circulation and helps work topical products into the skin, simultaneously providing two types of relief.
CBD supplements will support your body while your muscles recover.
Sources:
How Do Muscles Grow? | University of New Mexico
FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD) | FDA
Cannabidiol to Improve Mobility in People with Multiple Sclerosis | Frontiers in Neurology
]]>Menthol is a very popular natural pain relief ingredient, often incorporated into topical balms and gels meant to be applied directly to the source of the pain.
People turn to menthol because it works well. It’s safe, effective, and can be used as often as needed to provide quick relief to nagging aches and pains.
Evidence for the efficacy of menthol is backed by clinical research, with most people reporting the severity of their pain-reducing within minutes after applying topicals formulated with menthol.
Many people dealing with pain that lasts longer than a few days are hesitant to use strong prescription pain medications.
These pain medications can be sedating and habit forming, even when used over a short period of time. They aren’t intended to be used for the management of chronic pain and should be discontinued after the acute phase of pain has passed.
There are also over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These pain medications are recognized as safe in limited amounts, but long-term or frequent use can cause serious side effects. Ibuprofen can cause damage to the stomach, and acetaminophen can cause damage to the liver.
While these medications may be valuable for occasional breakthrough pain, daily reliance on these medications is unwise. Swapping relief for side effects that can cause additional pain isn’t sustainable. Always follow the directions on the packaging before using over-the-counter pain relievers.
This is where menthol becomes a perfect solution. It doesn’t have any addictive potential, it won’t damage the inside of your body when applied topically, and it can safely be used as often as needed. Its effects can last several hours.
Once the menthol has completely worn away, more menthol can be applied if desired.
There are receptors all over your skin that are sensitive to the sensation of cold. When they’re activated, they make the surrounding area feel colder than it actually is.
Menthol is known as a counter-irritant. The pain creates an irritating sensation, and so does the menthol. In response, the irritation from the menthol counterbalances the irritation from the discomfort. The two meet in the middle, and the sensation of the menthol becomes the dominant feeling.
As the menthol wears off, many people notice that their pain has naturally reduced.
Menthol has been studied for its potential relief benefits for several types of pain.
One small study testing the effects of menthol against the effects of placebo on the hands of working men with carpal tunnel syndrome found that participants experienced greater relief with menthol.
The workers were divided into two groups. Half of the participants received a gel prepared with real menthol, while the other half received a gel made with menthol fragrance. At the halfway point, the groups switched. The group receiving the menthol-based treatment reported.
A sports medicine study compared the effects of ice and menthol on pain and soreness relating to workouts that targeted the elbow flexor. Participants were evaluated for pain 20 minutes after receiving ice or menthol gel. The participants who received menthol gel reported more significant relief.
Patients who used menthol had more than double the amount of tetanic force when using their elbow flexor than the patients who used ice. Tetanic force refers to the ability to sustain a purposeful muscle contraction. In short, the ability to use the affected muscle was greater among the group who received menthol.
This doesn’t necessarily indicate that the menthol resolved the source of the pain, but that the menthol removed some of the inhibitions naturally caused by the pain. Participants felt enough relief to flex their muscles without excessive discomfort.
While these studies provide a solid foundation for menthol research, larger-scale projects are in the works. Sloan Kettering is currently conducting ongoing research on menthol as a pain reliever and the channels by which it works.
Menthol is an oil that naturally occurs in mint plants. It’s often used to flavor toothpaste and gum. Most people encounter some form of menthol or mint extracts in their daily lives, and the general verdict is that menthol is suitable for most people.
Menthol is safe and unlikely to cause side effects when used as directed. Menthol should only be applied externally at appropriate concentrations. It shouldn’t be applied to mucous membranes, on broken skin, or anywhere near the eyes. It should only be applied at the approximated source of the pain.
Take note that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Menthol is very potent and produces significant effects, even in small concentrations. Don’t use pure menthol on your skin. The menthol in pain relief products has been properly diluted for safety.
Pure menthol is exceedingly strong and may act as an irritant. Keep that in mind when the label of a product lists the menthol concentration as a single-digit number. That’s exactly what you want to see, and it means the product will be gentler on the skin.
Menthol products shouldn’t be applied to skin that is hot to the touch. If you’ve just taken a hot bath or used a heating pad, wait for your skin to dry and rest at room temperature.
The cooling sensation of the menthol may be too intense when your skin perceives real heat, and the heat opens your pores. This can cause rapid absorption of menthol, making the sensation overwhelming.
Side effects are very rare and minimal when they do occur. People with an allergy to menthol obviously should not use products formulated with menthol. Most doctors will promote the use of similar topicals to their patients.
Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel utilizes the cooling power of menthol to provide targeted relief to achy joints. Each jar contains 8% menthol to promote maximum cool relief.
Hempvana pain relief gel smells minty. It doesn’t have the same potent and unfortunate medicine smell that many topical products have. You’ll find that Hempvana is more agreeable than similar products that stink up the room.
Massage the gel into the aching joint for relief that takes effect within minutes. The hemp seed oil in the gel makes it easy to massage the area while helping the ingredients penetrate and moisturizing the skin.
Sources:
]]>Joint stiffness can limit the amount of activities you’ll be able to participate in throughout the day. In addition to its restrictiveness, it’s very uncomfortable.
If you’re dealing with joint stiffness and loss of range of motion, here’s what you need to know about the potential causes and solutions to the issue.
Joint stiffness that appears upon waking can result from sleeping in an awkward position or with a pillow that doesn’t properly support the head. Many people will occasionally experience this type of stiffness or discomfort throughout their lives, sometimes due to falling asleep sitting up.
Injuries can often contribute to joint stiffness and discomfort. If you were injured, this is something you’re likely aware of. If you’ve been incredibly active recently, you may have overuse injuries or workout-related soreness that’s affecting your joints.
There are two main types of arthritis: autoimmune arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) and degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis).
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body mistakenly identifies the tissue surrounding the joints as foreign. It’s not sure why the tissue is there and has difficulty recognizing it as necessary for healthy functioning.
As a result, it sends the immune system to attack the tissue, increasing the presence of swelling-causing cells.
Osteoarthritis often occurs as a result of aging. Over time, the tissue responsible for supporting the joints can experience a significant amount of wear-and-tear and ultimately break down.
Once the tissue is gone, the body cannot regenerate. Osteoarthritis requires immediate intervention and treatment to preserve the remaining tissue and prevent the damage from worsening. Otherwise, this can cause permanent joint damage.
This also means that your immune system can attack healthy parts of your body, such as the lining of the joints. Over time, it can also lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.
If your joint stiffness worsens or does improve with rest, speak to your doctor immediately. After a thorough examination (including physical exam, medical imaging techniques, ultrasounds, and blood tests), your doctor will be able to help identify the cause of the stiffness and provide a diagnosis.
For mild to moderate joint stiffness, over-the-counter NSAIDs, like acetaminophen or tylenol, can help to relieve discomfort. People diagnosed with arthritis may be prescribed arthritis-specific medication by their doctors.
In some cases of severe pain, doctors may administer steroid injections to the site of the swelling and tenderness.
Spending a little extra time taking care of yourself can help to reduce joint stiffness and discomfort.
Making your bed more comfortable, assuring you’re getting an adequate amount of sleep, and staying hydrated can help to improve the way you feel. Incorporating these habits into your daily routine can produce noticeable results for your overall wellness in a relatively short period.
Excess body weight can significantly contribute to the joint strain. Reducing body weight can dramatically increase joint mobility and reduce joint discomfort.
Eating a balanced diet is always better for your body’s ability to heal and recover. If your body can obtain the nutrients it needs from the foods you eat, it will perform its functions to the fullest extent.
Make sure you’re getting enough protein and healthy fats. Take a pass on less nutritious foods as often as possible without depriving yourself of the occasional treat.
Additionally, gentle movement can help to strengthen muscles and tissue surrounding the joints. Low impact activity, like gentle walking, can help support your body over time through this strengthening process.
While conventional medicine and therapies play an important role in promoting relief from joint stiffness, complementary treatments can help when used in conjunction with medicine.
Many doctors and specialists will recommend that their patients use complementary treatments as a part of their treatment plan, as evidence supports that certain complementary treatments may be highly effective.
Yoga and stretching provide an excellent opportunity for a low-impact exercise that helps to stretch stiff joints and improve circulation.
If you’re intimidated by complicated yoga poses that involve a significant amount of balance and strength, don’t be. These are expert-level moves, and they aren’t typical poses of casual yoga practitioners.
Light yoga can easily be performed on a mat or a comfortable carpet. Some moves can even be performed in bed or on a chair.
Simply choose a form of yoga or stretching that’s suited to your current ability. You can focus on developing a higher level of skill with experience if you want to eventually incorporate yoga as a severe discipline of your wellness routine.
Massage is a complementary physical therapy treatment that doctors frequently recommend for patients with joint disease or injury.
Massage provides stimulation to sore, stiff, or injured muscles and joints on the targeted side of the body. It helps to clear away accumulated tiny fluid and lymphatic byproducts that contribute to rapid swelling while simultaneously promoting the flow of oxygen-rich blood.
This is often the reason why you may wake up with stiff or swollen hands, knees, ankles, elbows, or big toes.
Massage helps to encourage the body’s natural healing process while releasing endorphins that improve mood. Many people report that they sleep much better the night after receiving a massage because of the relaxation effects of these natural endorphins.
Many people living with arthritis pain are uncomfortable with the idea of becoming too reliant on over-the-counter pain relievers. When ingested excessively, these pain relievers can irritate the stomach and cause liver damage. Health-conscious individuals often limit their usage of these drugs to reduce their risks.
That’s why topical relief products are such a popular solution among people living with joint pain. These products use natural ingredients to provide relief from the skin’s surface and can be applied as needed.
Massaging topicals into the affected joints two or three times a day is perfectly safe. Since the product is only applied where it’s needed, it targets the areas that need relief rather than impacting the entire body.
Hempvana’s Arthritis Pain Relief Gel is formulated with ingredients to help ease discomfort and promote joint health. Menthol works to create a cooling, soothing sensation that reduces discomfort.
Chondroitin and glucosamine, commonly found in supplements designed to promote joint health, work to support damaged joint cartilage. While no supplement can regrow cartilage, glucosamine and chondroitin replenish cartilage and help cartilage retain water, providing a little extra cushion to sore joints.
Our gel is formulated with hemp seed oil, an occlusive moisturizer that helps restore the skin’s moisture barrier. After you massage the Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel into the skin, you’ll likely notice that the affected area feels softer and smoother.
Sources:
Rheumatoid arthritis - symptoms, and causes | Mayo Clinic
]]>People living with joint diseases require adequate care provided by a healthcare professional to enjoy a higher quality of life and find relief from the aches and discomfort that joint disease often brings. Here’s what you need to understand about joint disease and how to ease discomfort associated with joint conditions.
Some joint diseases are temporary. Others flare up occasionally, while others are often a source of chronic discomfort for those living with these conditions.
Bursitis occurs when the bursae, the small fluid cushions within the joints, become red and swollen. This can occur due to an infection but most commonly occurs due to overuse or injury. Bursitis is usually temporary, but people prone to developing bursitis may encounter the condition several times throughout their lives.
Gout is a common form of arthritis that primarily affects toe joints. Joints accumulate crystals that form when excessive uric acid accumulates within the body. Symptoms of gouts can cause swelling and discomfort.
They often occur when someone is at rest, as fluid can quickly accumulate in the lower extremities at this time. This condition is common in people who also experience kidney stones.
Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune condition that occurs in growing children. Their bodies mistakenly identify joint tissue as a foreign body and begin to attack it in an attempt to purge it from the body. Juvenile arthritis requires immediate medical intervention, as the progression of the condition can have a negative impact on a child’s growth.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative, chronic, and progressive form of arthritis that generally occurs in older adults. Over time, the cartilage that supports joints will break down with frequent use.
In some cases, that cartilage does not receive adequate support to maintain its health.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune illnesses that affect adults. The body mistakes joint tissue for a harmful invader and sends immune cells out to attack it. This process causes a response that leads to joint discomfort and sometimes visible swelling of the affected joint.
Many people living with arthritis have family members who are also living with the condition. Joint disease is also more common in women, middle-aged people, and people who use tobacco.
Osteoarthritis and gout can occur in weight-bearing joints, particularly in individuals carrying excess body weight. People with higher BMIs may be more prone to developing these conditions.
A lack of sun exposure, vitamin D, calcium, and physical activity can contribute to osteoarthritis. Other joint diseases can often occur as a result of lifestyle factors.
Physically demanding jobs that involve heavy lifting or constant movement can place significant stress on the joints. Sedentary lifestyles can increase the risk of joint disease, as the body requires exercise to strengthen and fortify itself.
Most people with joint disease will experience discomfort in the affected joints and limitations in full range of motion, joint stiffness, and reduced function of the joints. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms like low energy and exacerbated symptoms upon waking are also common.
People with diseases like osteoarthritis may experience difficulty standing upright, a decrease in height, back discomfort with no discernible cause, or bumps on the joints of their fingers.
There are many conditions or types of injuries that can contribute to joint pain. Before diagnosing joint disease, doctors will need to conduct a thorough physical examination or MRI. Joint pain can sometimes directly result from other conditions, like fallen foot arches or differences in limb lengths that place undue stress on overworked joints.
Suppose joint disease appears to be the culprit. In that case, doctors may ask questions about a patient’s medical history and family history to make a diagnosis. Doctors often use a combination of imaging techniques and blood tests to evaluate the progression and severity of joint diseases.
For osteoarthritis, special bone density tests may be necessary to determine the damage osteoarthritis has caused to the affected bones.
Moist joint diseases, with the exception of bursitis, cannot be cured. When necessary, they can be managed or significantly improved through proper medical treatment, lifestyle changes like following a healthy diet with essential vitamins and nutrients.
Prescription medication is often used to treat the symptoms of joint disease. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to slow the progression of certain conditions that impact the joints. Doctors may also provide steroid injections to swollen joints in order to ease symptoms and side effects.
Some doctors may recommend over-the-counter NSAIDs or medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) to relieve occasional breakthrough pain.
People with joint health concerns need to maintain a healthy weight. If weight reduction would benefit your overall health, ask your doctor about safe, slow, and sustainable weight reduction methods that will ultimately help to relieve stress on your joints.
Adopting healthier habits, like low-intensity walks or yoga, may help to relieve pain and tension throughout the body while subtly building strength and improving circulation. Start with short sessions at first, gradually increasing the length of time you exercise as your body acclimates.
Severe cases of joint disease may require joint replacement and rehabilitation. Surgery is generally utilized as a last resort. Healthcare professionals will attempt to institute an effective management regimen through lifestyle changes and medications, only presenting the option of surgery if non-invasive treatments prove to be ineffective to a patient with joint disease.
Many people with joint disease find topical soothing and relieving products to help manage everyday aches and discomfort. The effects of the products may last several hours and can be applied on an as-needed basis, even if they’re needed multiple times a day.
Hempvana Hemp Pain Cream is formulated to provide relief to achy joints. We’ve formulated our hemp-infused relief cream with 10% trolamine salicylate, an ingredient clinically demonstrated to penetrate the skin and relieve pain from muscle and tissue swelling.
Trolamine salicylate is in the same family as aspirin. Instead of orally ingesting aspirin, you’re applying a similar medication directly to the area that needs relief the most.
Simply massage the gel into the affected joint to increase absorption and improve circulation. This gel is infused with hemp seed oil, a moisturizer that leaves the skin feeling softer and more supple to the area where the gel has been applied.
The active ingredients begin to provide relief in as little as a few minutes.
Sources:
How CDC Improves Quality of Life for People With Arthritis | Centers for Disease Control
]]>People claim to experience a broader feeling of overall homeostasis when they use CBD. They’re a little more relaxed, a little less tense, and they enjoy better sleep. But how does CBD impart these effects?
Some people are hesitant to use CBD because they’re concerned they might feel intoxicating effects. On the surface, this is a logical concern. CBD comes from hemp, hemp is a type of cannabis, and cannabis is a psychoactive substance.
CBD doesn’t impart any psychoactive effects like most cannabinoids and other compounds found in the cannabis Sativa plant.
CBD is an abbreviation of cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in all cannabis or marijuana plants. Plants that were specifically grown to contain higher amounts of cannabidiol are typically referred to as hemp plants. Hemp plants contain high amounts of CBD and only trace amounts of THC, with the US Farm Bill limiting hemp plants to 0.3% THC by their dry weight.
Growers who produce hemp for CBD products will grow specific strains of hemp known to produce substantial amounts of CBD. The extract from these plants is used to make CBD oil products, like tinctures and soft gel capsules.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant. There are several variants of THC. Most people are referring to delta 9 THC when they speak about THC, although delta 8 THC produces similar effects.
Non-hemp cannabis plants can contain substantial amounts of THC, sometimes surpassing 30% by dry weight.
These plants have psychoactive properties. THC is a highly regulated cannabinoid that has been illegal for most of history. In modern times, plants containing THC are recreationally legal in several states and medically legal in most states with healthcare providers’ approval.
CBD and THC work on your brain and body differently. Your endocannabinoid system, the series of receptors that interact with cannabinoids, is vast and wide. The cannabinoid receptors are spread all throughout your body. They travel from your brain down to your digestive system.
Each cannabinoid behaves a little differently when it comes into contact with these receptors. CBD is especially playful. It wants to interact with as many receptors as it can find.
Not all of these receptors are specifically endocannabinoid receptors. It floats by and provokes these receptors. It isn’t interested in binding itself to them - it’s more interested in provoking them.
The receptors respond in various ways, as each receptor relates to a different function within a different system of the body. Many people feel that CBD works to improve their mood while relieving tension throughout their body.
Athletes find that CBD can help to promote smooth muscle recovery. People who use CBD before yoga, meditation, or other acts of mindful self-care find that CBD encourages relaxation and a calm headspace ideal for making the most of their leisurely activities.
THC is different. When it finds a cannabinoid receptor, THC binds to it. It clings on, changing the way the receptor sends and receives messages throughout the body. This is what ultimately creates the “high” effect.
For medical cannabis users, this isn’t necessarily a high. It’s a medical tool that changes their perception of discomfort, makes it easier to combat insomnia, improves appetite, eases nausea and swelling, and eases symptoms of depression. For recreational users and wellness-focused users, THC doesn’t have symptoms to contend with. It will simply produce side effects like euphoria, sleepiness, impairment, and occasional dizziness and dry mouth in high doses.
CBD doesn’t bind to your receptors. Rather than latching onto your receptors and modifying the way they receive messages, it simply inspires them to perform their native functions. It passes through, does its job, and bids your body farewell.
CBD’s gentle approach is precisely the reason why it’s so popular among people looking to support their wellness. Large doses of CBD can be used without worrying about incapacitation. They’ll get the benefits of cannabinoids without many of the undesirable side effects that may impede their ability to go about their days.
CBD’s only medically recognized purpose is its ability to reduce the prevalence and severity of seizures in people who live with rare seizure disorders, like epilepsy.
The FDA approved CBD under the brand name Epidiolex for patients as young as two years of age. People with seizure disorders can get a prescription for CBD from their care providers.
CBD is currently being studied for its potential benefits as a workout recovery supplement and as a tool for temporarily managing symptoms. Studies are very promising and usually demonstrate clinically significant results in favor of CBD, but the FDA has not recognized CBD for these purposes.
While CBD can provide a boost to your wellness in a broad sense, it isn’t a targeted solution that relieves immediate concerns.
In order to experience meaningful and sustainable benefits from CBD, it needs to be used consistently for a month or more. A few drops of isolated CBD won’t instantaneously improve workout recovery or ease the aches associated with joint disease.
CBD gummies, vape pens, and edibles will support your long-term wellness goals, but outside of improving your mood, you’re unlikely to experience immediate benefits when you need them most.
Over time, it might support the body’s natural processes that promote recovery and provide temporary relief, but it doesn’t quite “kick in.” It just makes your body more efficient. You’ll still experience related aches in the meantime.
For optimal recovery, use CBD in conjunction with a fast-acting targeted solution for issues like sore muscles, muscle spasms, or joint aches.
Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel works to help support temporary relief when CBD can’t.
Hempvana uses cooling menthol, moisturizing hemp seed oil, and joint supplements glucosamine and chondroitin in our Arthritis Pain Relief Gel.
Menthol activates the same receptors in the skin that respond to cold temperatures, soothing the sensation of joint pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin are supplements commonly used to preserve the health of joint tissue.
Hemp seed oil doesn’t contain any CBD, but it does contain beneficial fatty acids that promote skin health.
Hemp seed oil helps to draw moisture to the skin and fortify the skin’s protective barrier. It helps the active ingredients in the Arthritis Relief Gel to penetrate the skin and provide better relief while leaving your skin softer and smoother after application.
Take your CBD every day, and use Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel whenever you need it.
Sources:
Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill - 07/25/2019 | FDA
Extraction Explained: What Happens to In-Process Hemp Products? | Global Hemp Association
Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules | Frontiers in Pharmacology
Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders | National Institutes of Health
]]>Some of those reasons are vague, some of those reasons are specific, and many of those reasons don’t seem to make sense. How can something promote better sleep while increasing mental energy, supporting athletic performance, and easing discomfort associated with arthritis?
It seems like CBD can do everything, and there’s a seed of truth in that claim. CBD helps encourage overall wellness, and when the body’s endocannabinoid system is holistically supported, many people find that numerous wellness concerns are supported. It’s all in the unique way CBD works.
CBD oil is an extract from the hemp plant. Hemp is a very low THC form of cannabis. Other than the average THC content, hemp and cannabis are similar.
Many people looking to incorporate cannabis wellness products into their routines opt for hemp products due to the fact that they impart their benefits without cognitive impairment. In other words, hemp doesn’t get you high.
CBD oil is rich in cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in all cannabis plants. Cannabidiol is often used as a supplement to temporarily support the overall wellness of the human body holistically. It works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to support a wide array of processes.
The body is full of cannabinoid receptors, broadly referred to as the endocannabinoid system. These receptors play a role in most of the major processes that take place within the body.
The human body produces its own chemicals called cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, to stimulate the system.
Researchers still haven’t mastered the specifics of endocannabinoid production. It’s hard to tell how much of each endocannabinoid the body needs and exactly what they’re used for because they’re immediately released and utilized.
The theory behind CBD is that it stimulates the system in a way similar to endocannabinoids. It interacts with every receptor in the endocannabinoid system as that system works to ease emotional and physical tension and stress, support the immune system, and promote regular gastrointestinal health in addition to many other functions.
CBD doesn’t necessarily act as a medication, as many people expect it would. CBD doesn’t supersede your body’s ability to do the things it’s designed to do. It’s simply a helping hand that supports your body in the routine task of maintenance.
CBD isolates, edibles, and extracts can work to ease physical and emotional tension throughout the body. Stress can exacerbate the symptoms of chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions that impact the muscles and joints. CBD can help people with joint pain feel a little more at ease by promoting a better mood and supporting overall well-being.
CBD also communicates with the systems in your body responsible for promoting immune system response and inflammatory response.
Although CBD is not directly an immunity supplement or an anti-inflammatory supplement, it can often be used in conjunction with approved treatments or supplements for this purpose.
If your joint pain is keeping you up at night, topical CBD, such as CBD creams, balms, salves, and lotions, may be a partial solution. Additionally, many people who use CBD oil tinctures find it easier to unwind at bedtime. It’s always easier to get better quality sleep when you’re fully relaxed.
If you’ve tried CBD to no avail, there may be a simple explanation for that. Most studies involving CBD use for targeted purposes do produce compelling results, but those studies don’t take place in a day. Most of the results are recorded between four weeks and ten weeks of daily use.
CBD results depend on potency, consistency, and proper dosing. It may help to support relief, but it won’t be an immediate solution. It’s best to use CBD in conjunction with a product designed to meet your immediate needs. Your long-term well-being is just as important as your immediate well-being. Making choices to benefit them simultaneously and sticking to those choices is the beginning of a long and rewarding wellness journey.
CBD is suitable for most people. With your doctor’s approval, it can safely be incorporated into many daily wellness routines. However, it requires sufficient time to provide adequate relief from symptoms. It’s best to think of CBD as a second line of relief.
People living with joint pain also require immediate relief when aches begin. When joint pain is actively affecting you, here’s what you can do to ease your symptoms.
If you have recurring joint pain without a clear cause, you need to speak to your doctor and be examined for joint disease. It’s important to explore possibilities like arthritis if you haven’t already been diagnosed with the condition that impacts your joint health.
Nearly one in four Americans live with arthritis. Planning a visit with your doctor to discuss your options should be your first step.
Many people use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen for relief from breakthrough pain and inflammation. Using these pain relievers occasionally won’t pose a problem for most people, but frequent use can have adverse side effects.
Ibuprofen can damage the stomach lining, and acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Using these drugs as a daily long-term solution for pain is inadvisable. These medications don’t work directly at the source of the pain.
They impact the entire body, whether or not they need to, and they can have drug interactions. Why medicate your whole body when you’re seeking localized relief?
Topicals address joint pain at the source. They’re applied to the skin surrounding the achy joint. A little massage encourages them to penetrate the top layer of the skin, providing cooling and soothing relief to the joint.
Topicals can be applied as often as needed. One application usually provides relief for several hours. The combination of soothing ingredients in topical creams can go a long way to improve the way your aching joints feel.
You can use topicals in conjunction with full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products. Let the CBD play the long game in boosting your wellness while topicals tend to your immediate concerns.
Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel is formulated specifically for joint pain. Our topical gel is infused with high-quality moisturizing hemp seed oil.
Hemp seed oil isn’t the same as CBD, but they come from the same plant- marijuana. As a topical product, hemp seed oil works as an occlusive moisturizer. It draws moisture to the skin and keeps it there, providing a protective barrier that seals in other ingredients.
The relief in Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel comes from menthol. When applied topically, menthol works with the receptors in your skin that process cold sensations. You’ll feel cooling, painkilling relief within moments.
Our formula also contains glucosamine and chondroitin; two compounds often used to support the overall health of joints. While these supplements cannot help restore lost joint tissue, they can help preserve the health of remaining joint tissue when used long term.
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]]>Learning what causes achy joints, how to prevent achy joints, especially the hips, elbows, knees, ankles, and shoulders, and what to do when you’re experiencing joint and body aches will put a little more freedom back in your day. Achy joints shouldn’t have to hold you back, and a few simple changes to your routine can feel liberating.
A wide variety of things cause achy joints, and each cause of achy joints has a different proposed solution. Many of these solutions are simply positive lifestyle changes that will help benefit your overall well-being.
If you’ve been moving around a lot more than you normally do, your joints could be achy as a result of overuse that can cause redness and swelling. This is just as true for very athletic people who have recently increased the intensity of their workouts as it is for sedentary people who are attempting to increase their daily movement.
Weight-bearing joints can become achy if they feel overworked. Your joints are responsible for supporting the entirety of your body weight and making your body mobile. If they’re pushed past their limits, the joints will become damaged. This damage can lead to lasting discomfort and muscle spasms.
Your body needs a sufficient amount of comfortable, high-quality sleep. If you aren’t getting enough sleep or have difficulty falling asleep in uncomfortable positions -- you’re going to wake up achy. It’s imperative to dress your bed for comfort and get at least seven hours of sleep with properly supported joints.
Dehydration and mineral deficiencies are other common causes of joint pain. You may be tired of hearing that drinking water and eating a well-balanced diet are of the utmost importance, but it’s a very simple truth.
Eating better and staying hydrated will fuel your body to function optimally while supporting its natural healing processes.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the joint tissue, misidentifying it as a threat to your immune system’s ability to function properly. Osteoarthritis comes from continued wear and tear on joints. If you believe you may have arthritis or another condition, speak to your doctor to get a diagnosis.
To reduce discomfort, they may order specific blood tests, x-rays, suggest NSAIDs, or physical therapy. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist.
Achy joints aren’t always preventable. Patients with arthritis can manage their symptoms with the help of their doctor, although proper prevention may reduce the severity of discomfort associated with arthritis.
A few lifestyle swaps and focused wellness choices can go a long way towards keeping your joints comfortable.
Maintaining a healthy body weight and properly supplying your body with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients will ease the stress on your joints and prevent infections that may worsen the condition.
Providing your body with everything it needs helps you recover from daily movement while you sleep. Most of your body is water, and proper hydration is essential for keeping tissue (including joint tissue) healthy.
Many people who use glucosamine and chondroitin supplements promote joint health. Although there are no supplements that will help to regrow lost joint cartilage or surrounding tissue, these supplements can help promote the health and cushioning function of the tissue within the joint.
They’re a gentle helping hand that can help slow the progression of joint damage when used in conjunction with other meaningful changes to support joint health.
Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, routinely putting your joints under undue stress is not. If your joints ache, it may be best to leave those tasks to someone else.
If you regularly exercise, increasing the intensity of your workouts should be done gradually. Give yourself adequate time to rest after training. While it’s admirable to have the desire to train every day, your body will need a day off to heal and recover after an intense or particularly challenging workout.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle and attempt to move more, you’ll likely experience achy joints even with mild physical activity. In this case, the benefits may outweigh the potential aches. As you continue to increase the duration of light activity, your body will acclimate to new movement. No one goes from couch potato to marathon runner without a few bumps along the way.
If your mattress and your pillow aren’t properly supporting your joints, it's not unusual to wake up achy in the morning. Choose a pillow designed to provide adequate neck support. If you can’t replace your entire mattress with one that’s more comfortable for you, a thick mattress pad designed to provide joint support may be helpful.
If you frequently experience joint aches, try incorporating a weekly or biweekly massage therapy session into your routine. Massage therapy helps muscles and joints to recover, and it’s just as effective for people who work on their feet as it is for people who work desk jobs.
If your doctor believes you’ll benefit from massage therapy, your health insurance may even be able to cover some of the costs.
If your doctor or physical therapist has worked with you to create a plan for managing achy joints, adhere to that plan. If you feel as though it requires supplementation, mention this to your doctor.
Over-the-counter medication can help to ease joint stiffness and discomfort, but they should be used sparingly. Acetaminophen is an analgesic that dulls the sensation of discomfort, and ibuprofen can help reduce the redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth surrounding the achy joints.
Always follow package instructions when using over-the-counter relievers. Using too much can lead to side effects, including liver toxicity and stomach irritation.
With the aid of topical relief products, these can help ease achy joints from the surface of the skin. They work locally and can be safely used as often as needed. Rubs, creams, and gels are popular among people with achy joints who don’t want to take an excessive amount of oral medication to manage their aches.
Hempvana’s Arthritis Pain Relief Gel is formulated to help soothe achy joints associated with arthritis. This gel is formulated with soothing, cooling menthol, glucosamine, and chondroitin, all of which are ingredients known to support overall joint health.
If your aches affect your muscles, try Hempvana’s Lidocaine Cream. Lidocaine is a topical numbing cream that penetrates the skin, temporarily reducing the unwanted sensation by numbing it away.
You might feel good enough to get up and go for a run, but don’t push it.
Your joints and muscles need time to rest and recover. The lidocaine simply makes it easier to enjoy a little relaxation when you need it most.
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Rheumatoid arthritis - symptoms, and causes | Mayo Clinic
]]>Before you integrate CBD into your daily wellness routine, make sure you have a clear and accurate understanding of what you can expect from CBD.
While CBD may be a suitable addition to your wellness routine, it’s crucial to remember that it isn’t a proper substitute for necessary prescription medication or proper medical care.
Blood pressure is responsive. Your blood pressure will directly correlate with whatever your body is enduring. Some underlying health conditions can have a negative impact on blood pressure. Other factors are at least partially under your control.
Working to reduce physical and emotional stress is a key component to maintaining healthy blood pressure. Talk therapy and creative outlets can be beneficial to reducing tension. In some cases, switching careers or prioritizing positive personal and professional relationships can have a positive impact.
Eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, limited added salt, and incorporating more movement into your daily routine can help your body to function optimally. If you’re carrying excess weight, it will resolve itself with common sense practices to nourish your body properly and move more.
If you use alcohol excessively or use tobacco, it’s best to stop. You may need to speak with your doctor about appropriate cessation methods.
Blood pressure will sometimes elevate temporarily. This isn’t always a cause for concern. Fleeting emotional triggers or a salt heavy meal can elevate blood pressure for a short while. It will return to normal within hours. High blood pressure only becomes a problem when it’s chronic or consistent.
When cholesterol builds up within the arteries, it congests them. Less blood is allowed to travel through, and the heart has to work harder to overcompensate.
As the cholesterol in the arteries hardens into plaque, the arteries lose their natural flexibility and elasticity. This places an additional burden on the heart.
When this plaque dislodges, it can block a vital artery. When the arterial wall cannot withstand the pressure, it may falter and create a large bubble called an aneurysm. Both of these conditions can be fatal.
The heart works hard. It may thicken as a result of strain and overuse. Its workload eventually becomes too much for the inadequate amount of oxygen it's receiving, which can ultimately lead to a heart attack or another potentially fatal cardiac event.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, including hemp. CBD is very similar to the endogenous cannabinoids produced by the human body. The body produces these cannabinoids to support the endocannabinoid system, a network of cannabinoid receptors that exist within many of the body’s vital systems.
People use CBD to help promote homeostasis and overall wellness. The working theory is that the body can use CBD as fuel for the endocannabinoid system, giving it a little boost in its ability to fortify the body’s natural processes.
CBD does not directly affect the heart. It affects other processes that may affect the heart. CBD is often used to minimize the emotional and physical tension associated with stress. Stress can cause the heart rate to elevate, potentially raising blood pressure.
When CBD works to mitigate some of these factors, the heart may be less impacted by stress-related physiological stimuli. One study found that just a single dose of CBD was effective at reducing blood pressure that was heightened by stress response.
It would be misleading to state that CBD lowers blood pressure, as its effects are minimal and only relevant in highly specific situations. The study draws an open ended conclusion encouraging further research of CBD for cardiovascular health, but in the meantime, it’s best not to assume that CBD can be used to treat cardiovascular ailments like high blood pressure.
CBD is not a suitable replacement for or supplement to medications specifically designed for blood pressure management. It doesn’t undo the impact of lifestyle choices or risk factors that can contribute to heart disease.
CBD shouldn’t be considered a heart health supplement, but an overall wellness support supplement that should be used in conjunction with adequate exercise, balanced nutrition, sufficient hydration, and an appropriate amount of sleep. It’s one small part of a larger lifelong commitment to a return to health.
CBD can safely be used to support the body’s natural processes and relieve emotional and physical tension. Before you use it, here’s what you need to know about the way it works.
Sublingual CBD oil is often used to promote a calm mood, reducing emotional tension or feelings of nervousness. CBD has been studied as a temporary aid for symptoms of stress and tension. Although it isn’t medically recognized for this purpose, many people find that it provides satisfactory relaxation benefits.
The same study that researched CBD’s effect on mood also researched CBD’s effects on sleep. The majority of participants reported experiencing higher quality sleep when using CBD.
While CBD doesn’t make you tired or cause drowsiness, it does promote relaxation. It’s easier to fall asleep when you’re relaxed, and some people find that this benefit is enough to support meaningful sleep.
Many athletes use CBD to promote recovery. People with inflammatory conditions or achy joints will use CBD to promote relief. There are many different types of pain, and they each require specific attention to temporarily promote relief.
Topical pain relief products like Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel come in handy for temporarily soothing pain. Take your CBD daily, but use Hempvana Arthritis Pain Relief Gel when you experience breakthrough symptoms.
Our formula contains menthol, which quickly works to temporarily relieve the sensation of pain by activating the cold receptors in the skin. This cooling wave of relief overpowers and outlasts the sensation of pain, taking the edge off and making it easier to tend to the tasks of your day.
CBD isn’t enough to manage high blood pressure, although it can be used for stress response. It may help reduce stress and promote better sleep, but it’s best to combine it with positive lifestyle changes.
Pair CBD with something like Hempvana’s topical pain relief products for temporary relief.
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