Here's How It Actually Felt to Take CBD Daily

When I used to imagine what it would be like to be a grown-up, I figured it was simple— a job I loved, my friends,  great outfits… But along came reality—or adulting, as some know it—with its responsibilities, expectations, life stressors, and the constant pressure of trying to keep up.

No one wants to admit it, but sometimes, it can be a lot. If you’re like me, you’re also one of the 40 million grown-ups who suffer from ongoing stress and anxiety-induced days. There’s a good chance you, too, have looked into ways to lower your cortisol levels, boost your serenity, and get a good night’s sleep.

But it turns out, taking it easy can actually be pretty hard. So I try to stay up on my wellness game—exercise (somewhat) regularly, put spinach in my smoothies, SPF on my skin, and when I remember, I try to meditate. When I recently heard about the latest ingredient, CBD (cannabidiol), that has taken the wellness community by storm, my interest was piqued.

Friends told me of some awesome CBD oil benefits like pain, inflammation, and stress relief.  I had to try it for myself to see if all the hype was real and how it would actually make me feel.

ABC's of CBD

Before I delve into my experience, I’d like to answer the question at the front of everyone’s mind, what is CBD? CBD is one of the major, non-psychoactive cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant.CBD is different from its psychoactive cousin, THC.  Albeit from the same type of plant, Cannabis sativa, the difference between CBD vs THC is simple: THC gets you high, CBD does not. 

Similar to our Nervous System, we have a system called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which consists of natural, cannabis-like molecules produced by the human body. This system is involved in a wide variety of processes, including pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, and sleep. In short, it keeps our body harmonized and brings us back into balance. Cannabidiol (CBD) works by nourishing the ECS so it can do its job.



Now that we know what CBD is, it’s only natural to wonder - how does CBD make you feel? CBD is known for having a subtle, calming effect. So I started taking CBD oil in small doses on a daily basis for two weeks straight. I adjusted the dosage and time of day to find the right balance. Here’s what resulted:

I Felt Rested Because I Could Actually Rest

Since I wasn’t sure how CBD oil would affect me, I began by taking around 20 mg of it before I went to bed each night—sometimes in my peppermint tea and other times just under my tongue. As someone who isn’t the best sleeper and wakes up a few times a night, I was skeptical. But after 15-20 minutes, I felt a calm wash over me and proceeded to fall asleep. I woke up less during the night and felt more rested in the morning without the drowsy hangover that can accompany some sleep supplements. So move over melatonin because CBD is now making an appearance in my nightly bedtime routine.

I Started Feeling Less Stressed

There are some days when I’m able to juggle life’s pressures with patience. Then there are other days when I can feel stress surging through me, and missing a green light feels like a personal vendetta. While I know we can’t completely eradicate stressful situations, CBD has definitely helped make them easier to handle. CBD is known for its stress relieving benefits, and by adding it to my daily regimen, it helped alleviate some of those worrisome feelings. 

Concentration Came Easier

When I’m at work, distractions are constant and I’m usually jumping from one task to another (basically everyone these days at work). What I noticed about taking CBD was that it helped me focus more easily on the work in front of me, likely because I felt less stressed. Without the familiar anxiety clouding my mind, I was able to better prioritize my to-do lists and then concentrate without flailing about. 

I Saw My Skin Improve

I had heard about some of the potential topical cbd oil benefits, but I didn’t think too much of it until I tried a sample of a CBD facial oil. As someone who battles the occasional hormonal breakouts and combination skin, I was genuinely impressed by the difference a few drops of CBD facial oil made. I saw fewer breakouts, my skin was smoother, and it just looked better. I was sold.

After trying out CBD regularly for the last few weeks, I understand why it’s gained so much positive momentum in the health and wellness community. While I know all supplements can affect everyone differently, I’m a believer in its potential benefits and how it can help balance the mind and body. The  positive impact that CBD had on my mood, my sleep, and yes, even my skin makes being a grown-up a little more pleasant to handle.