By Stephanie McMahon
Co-founder Easy Feeling Wellness, San Juan Capistrano, California
Hemp-based CBD is a growing element of the $4.2 trillion global wellness market that embraces an array of preventative health measures. Some 42% of the people who use CBD stopped using their prescription drugs according to a 2018 study by the Brightfield Group. The CBD category is expected to grow into a $20 billion dollar industry itself in the US alone within 3-4 years. The vast majority of Baby Boomers have heard of CBD but are in the dark on what it can do, whether it’s legal and whether or not it’s safe to use.
1) First and foremost: It is not Marijuana! Both CBD (cannabidiol) and marijuana come from varieties of the cannabis plant family. What adds to the confusion is that CBD can be derived from either the hemp plant or the marijuana plant but only the hemp version is legal to sell in the United States. Legal hemp-based CBD is neither addictive nor psychoactive.
2) CBD comes in many forms, including topical creams, tinctures, gummies, softgels and powders. Topical creams are applied directly to the skin and are typically used for pain. Tinctures, gummies and softgels are absorbed orally but tinctures are taken sub-lingually under the tongue and absorbed in the system faster while softgels and gummies are absorbed in the stomach and intestines.
3) CBD seems much more likely to be a long trend versus a “gone tomorrow” fad. Its use is widespread, especially among millennials who often use it to help relieve anxiety and stress. Overall some forty million US adults use hemp-based CBD. However only 10% of those between the ages of 55-75 use CBD regularly.
4) CBD’s legal federally thanks to the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill which removed CBD from the list of controlled substances. However, the FDA still has not given its full blessing and has restrictions on what claims CBD companies can make and where they can advertise.
5) The World Health Organization has pronounced CBD as being safe and without risk to public health.
6) There are no exact guidelines on dosage but side effects are relatively rare and minor, including dry mouth, and in some cases, an upset stomach. Most adults are advised to start with a low dosage (i.e. 10mg) and take more as needed. An exception are topical relief rubs for sore muscles and joint pain, where a 500m to 1000mg dosage is generally recommended.
7) Alleviation of pain is the number one reason for use, according to a 2018 Gallup Poll. Forty percent of CBD users use it to alleviate pain. This seems to be particularly true for those suffering from arthritic pain as a large survey of its members by The Arthritis Foundation found 29% of arthritis suffers were using CBD and another 33% planned to use over the coming year
8) CBD is a natural, plant-based anti-inflammatory product. Medical science shows chronic inflammation, which can be caused by stress, smoking, too much alcohol or a bad diet among other things, is at the core of many of the most prominent diseases including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It appears CBD may be able to impact inflammation through its actions on the endocannabinoid system which is an extensive physiological system in our body.
9) Golfers seem to like CBD. The PGA allows pro golfers to use CBD and it appears to have a wide following among golfers ranging from Billy Horschel to Scott McCarron to Bubba Watson. Golfers attest to its assortments of benefits ranging from helping cure the putting yips, to a mid-round energy boost, to helping to soothe sore muscles.
10) CBD can provide a natural assist in getting a good night’s sleep. Products like Easy Feeling Wellness’ Softgels with Melatonin work to reduce stress and anxiety that can otherwise make it harder to fall asleep, and also support deeper sleep cycles.
I hope this overview has been helpful in answering some of your questions on hemp-based CBD. Our goal at Easy Feeling Wellness is to provide balanced information for Active Boomers so they can understand both the benefits and remaining unknowns with CBD. For more information visit our website at www.easyfeelingwellness.com or email me personally at [email protected].
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Stephanie McMahon
Co-founder Easy Feeling Wellness, San Juan Capistrano, California
This post is sponsored by our partners at Easy Feeling Wellness, a wellness company committed to enhancing the overall wellbeing of the active aging community and those seeking a natural approach to mind-body health.
