Author: Simply Supplements

With the legalisation of CBD in the UK and other parts of the world, most people have started to consume CBD products for their potential to help with various ailments such as stress and anxiety. 

There is no doubt that Cannabidiol (CBD) is having a major moment in the wellness universe. If you’ve been following the trend, you might have seen the shelves of health food stores stocked with countless new products, from edible CBD gummies to CBD vape pens and even e-liquid-specific CBD vapes in the UK.

It’s no surprise, given all the articles and reviews being posted and published illustrating its promising health results day by day. This is because there have been a number of studies suggesting that CBD, the non-psychoactive and non-additive compound extracted from industrial hemp, helps treat chronic conditions such as anxiety. So, are they right? Let’s have a glance at the evidence about taking CBD for anxiety and other health conditions!

What Is CBD?

CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the chemicals found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, also known as Marijuana or hemp. In the UK, all CBD products are derived from hemp rather than marijuana as it is a CBD dominant plant and has a lot less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present thereby complying with UK regulation. 

Unlike THC, the other most dominant and well known cannabinoid, CBD is not psychoactive or addictive. Simply put, it won’t get you high when you take it.

For the past few years, this naturally occurring substance has been used in oils, edibles, creams, and other products to induce relaxation and calmness. 

CBD has been harnessed as a treatment for several health issues, including:

• Chronic pain
• Cancer
• Alzheimer disease
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia

But it’s efficacy as to a specific ailment will depend on whether you are using marijuana or hemp derived CBD (mainly due to the amount of THC or other cannabinoids that are also used in whichever product you use).

So, Can CBD Reduce Anxiety?

Yes, CBD has the potential to decrease anxiety.

According to one of the studies published in 2015, CBD interacts with Cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), the Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, and other brain receptors that control anxiety-induced behaviours. 

Serotonin is a chemical in the body that plays a significant role in mental health. According to research, a low level of serotonin is associated with people having depression. In some cases, the lack of serotonin may also result in anxiety. 

Though the traditional treatment for low-level serotonin involves certain medications, such as antidepressants, some people may also consider having CBD edibles like gummies or vaping CBD vape oils to manage their condition. The reason is – CBD, as explained above, works the same as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.

The various type of anxiety disorders that CBD treats are:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Panic Disorder (PD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

Right Dosage Of CBD For Anxiety

The dosage mentioned in research studies varies, and there is no universally agreed CBD dosage for anxiety. According to some research, people respond differently to several dosages, so the right amount should depend on your needs and body. 

However, if you are taking CBD for social anxiety disorder or something that needs a quick onset, you should try vaping a CBD vape oil or CBD vape liquid as they have the highest bioavailability meaning the most amount of CBD is absorbed into your bloodstream in the fastest time.

3 Proven Ways To Use CBD For Anxiety

There are many ways when it comes to “How to take CBD for anxiety.” Among them, the most proven are:

• Vaping (E-Liquids, Vape Juices, And Vape Pens)

Vaping is undoubtedly one of the quickest ways to manifest CBD effects, making it best for acute anxiety situations. It refers to the process of inhaling vapours produced as a result of heating CBD vape liquid in an electronic cigarette, CBD oil vape pen, or other vaping devices.

If you are relatively new to vaping, we suggest trying one of our starter CBD vape kits. This consists of our CBD vape pen and your choice of either a CBD e liquid or CBD vape oil cartridge. We think our CBD kits are some of the best in the market, designed to offer you the quality and flexibility you deserve.

The major benefit of vaping CBD vape juices or CBD vape oils is that they deliver the maximum possible effect without the harsh throat hit that usually happens with smoking. Another plus? They come in a myriad of delicious flavours, giving you a chance to take your taste buds on an adventure. 

• Ingestion (Edibles)

If you are not into smoking or vaping, you can opt for CBD edibles, the rapidly popular form of CBD consumption. However, we would not suggest just adding a drop of CBD oil to your coffee or food as it won’t be as effective. CBD edibles like gummies are made using a special CBD extract so that it absorbs through the edible or drink evenly and remains as effective. If CBD is just added, the CBD will be diluted down (/ the amount added is not enough) and it may not absorb into whatever it is being added to) and so not work as well, if at all! 

Though CBD edible gummies take a few hours to feel the effects of the CBD, they are the most scrumptious and discreet way of having CBD. Above all, you can enjoy gummies in a variety of flavours that you love that perfectly mask the earthy, bitter taste that the hemp often leaves behind.

• Sublingual 

Another easy way to take in CBD is sublingual. You can choose CBD tinctures, CBD oils, or CBD sprays and place a few drops of liquid under your tongue. Ensure to hold the drops in your mouth for 30 seconds before swallowing. 

In this process, CBD gets absorbed quickly into your bloodstream via the tiny capillaries under your tongue. 

Oral or sublingual CBD doesn’t satisfy taste buds as much as flavoured edibles or CBD vape juices. Nevertheless, they are a very discreet method and produce long-lasting effects. 

Legal Status Of CBD In The UK

CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal on the federal level but are still illegal in some countries.

In the UK, CBD products such as CBD vape oils are legal as long as they are derived from an EU-approved industrial hemp strain and contain less than 0.3% of THC. Although, a 50-50 mix of CBD and THC has been legalised in the UK, but only for treating multiple sclerosis or certain other specific medicinal cases that have been approved.

Unlike CBD vape oils and other vaping products, CBD edibles including CBD oils must go through additional approval and verification to comply with novel foods regulation. 

Takeaway

As you can see, CBD is a magic formula to get your anxiety under control. And, now that you know the various ways you can take CBD and enjoy its effects without any hassle, please try our range of premium quality CBD products – especially our vape pens and CBD vapes that will quickly put that anxiety to bed.   

Shop The Right Vape; Let The Anxiety Escape!

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of life around the globe including public health, society, and the economy at large. During this coronavirus outbreak, many people have been struggling to sleep well at night and are feeling tired during the day. Now that the world is slowly opening up again after a long lockdown period, it is important to take care of yourself and get the most from life.

Below are 10 natural sleep remedies to focus on in order to look after your mental and physical health:

• Maintain a regular sleep-wake routine: If you keep a regular sleep-wake schedule, you’ll feel much more refreshed and energized than if you sleep the same number of hours at different times. If you need to make up for a late night, opt for a daytime nap rather than sleeping in, so that you don’t disturb your natural sleep-wake rhythm. 
• Practice good personal hygiene: Practicing good personal hygiene is important for helping keep the body healthy and clean. This includes bathing, washing your hands, brushing your teeth, trimming your nails, and more. People still have to be mindful of their health and other people’s health in this time in order to fight all types of respiratory illnesses – especially those that are transmitted by direct contact. Just remember what worked for you during lockdown, and take that with you as we move out of it. 
• Exercise in the morning: People who exercise regularly sleep better at night and feel less sleepy during the day. However, exercise in the morning  rather than close to bedtime to boost the effect of natural sleep hormones by the end of the day. Staying active releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel physically and mentally good. Exercising doesn’t just mean doing sport or going to the gym. Walks in the park, gentle stretching, gardening, or running house chores can also keep you active. 
• Eat a healthy diet: Your brain and body need a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well. So make sure you eat a balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, healthy fats, and dairy products. Keep in mind that your eating habits can also play a role in how well you feel. Try to eat at similar times every day, without eating caffeine and sugar too close to your bedtime. Don’t skip breakfast because skipping breakfast can delay your blood sugar rhythms, lower your energy, and increase your stress level.
• Drink sensibly: Occasional light drinking is perfectly healthy and enjoyable for most people. However, drinking alcohol is not a good way to manage difficult feelings, as it can leave you feeling down when the drink wears off. Also, avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening, as it can also affect your brain and the rest of your body. Stick to drinking plenty of water to carry nutrients and oxygen to your organs, maintain blood pressure, to cushion the brain, the spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues, and to enhance your energy levels.  
• Take a Break: Starting to get out of the pandemic is not easy. So treat everyday as a new environment. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing; do what’s comfortable for you. Take it slowly and at your own pace. A change of scenery is good for your mental health. It could be a weekend exploring somewhere new, a brisk walk during the day, a half-hour lunch break at work, or anything that can soothe your body and mind. Listen to your body, and if you feel really tired, give yourself time to unwind and sleep.

  

• Surround yourself with positive people: Surround yourself with positive people who are there for you when you need them most. Being part of a network of people who all help one another is uplifting and can be all the comfort you need at times. So give your time or attention to other people in a personal, professional or voluntary role and it can make you feel better about yourself as well as feel less isolated. But if you think being around someone is damaging your mental health, it may be best to end the relationship with them. 
• Call a friend: You don’t need to sit your loved ones down for a big conversation about your wellbeing. Sometimes, a simple phone call can help you feel supported and less alone. Calling a friend before bedtime can be a way to cope with a problem you’ve been carrying around in your head for a while. Talking to people virtually will help calm your nerves, diminish fears, induce sleep, and help you stay in good mental health. 
• Practice mindfulness: Ruminating over the past or worrying about the future is a constant drain on energy levels. Therefore, it is important to live in the moment and to stay present and relaxed with mindfulness meditation. Feeling good about yourself can boost your confidence and help you cope when life takes a difficult turn. 
• Seek professional help: No matter how hard you try to live a healthy and self-compassionate life there will often be a time when you might seek professional help. Unhealthy daytime habits and lifestyle choices can adversely affect your mood, immune system, productivity, and the quality of your sleep. Talking things through with a therapist can hence help to keep your mind clear and your outlook positive.

We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. Whether it’s the stress from work, a fight with your partner, or the frustration of a financial crisis, the hurdles we run into everyday can take a huge toll on the quality and quantity of our sleep. 

Sleep deprivation has been associated with a variety of health issues, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart diseases
• Obesity 
• Diabetes
• Acne
• Depression
• Poor immune system. 

I have personally struggled with restlessness at night since I was a child due to anxiety and worrying each night. As an adult, I have tried many different strategies to enhance my sleep patterns.

This article expands upon some  simple lifestyle changes to ensure you have a goodnight’s sleep. 

Reasons why you might not be able to sleep:

Many conditions can make falling asleep and staying asleep difficult, including:

• Stress and anxiety: during times of uncertainty, anxiety creates an overstimulation of the nervous system, which makes it difficult to switch off.
• Core body temperature: if your body is too warm at night, you’re going to sweat and have a hard time sleeping.
• Alcohol, caffeine, and energy drinks: They are stimulants that cause hot flashes and night sweats and keep you awake and alert later on in the night. 
• Heavy meals: Heavy meals full of proteins, fats, and carbs before bedtime are difficult to metabolize, which can interfere with your sleeping patterns.
• Nicotine: smoking before bedtime can wake you up several times throughout the night due to nicotine’s withdrawal effects. 
• Electronics: The use of electronics and gadgets in the bedroom such as your running laptop, your phone, iPad, and the TV you left on, have damaging effects on your sleep habits. The blue light emitted by those gadgets can suppress the production of melatonin, making it even more difficult to sleep.
• Not enough darkness: light exposure at night reduces the production of melatonin, which can trick your brain into thinking it is time to wake up and stay alert. 
• Outside noises: outside disturbance from neighbours, young children, traffic, mosquitoes or a snoring partner can disturb your sleep. 
• Naps during the day: taking too much of a break during the day can throw your body off and make it harder for you to fall asleep at night. 
• Night workouts: exercising late into the evening can make it harder for your core body temperature to cool down and sleep.

Some ways to help you sleep:

Below are some simple lifestyle changes that can make a huge difference on the quality and amount of your sleep.

1) Maintain a consistent sleep routine

Creating a bedtime routine is one step closer toward establishing a restful sleep. 

• Choose a time when you are most likely to feel tired and sleepy
• Go to bed at the same time everyday to programme your body to sleep better. 
• Take a warm bath and brush your teeth every night before bedtime to signal the mind and body that it is time for sleep.

2) Create a sleep-friendly environment

Temperature, lighting, and noise should be controlled so that your sleeping environment helps you to fall and stay asleep throughout the night. 

• Try different room temperatures and bedding – such as a warmer or cooler duvet, a body pillow, or a gel-filled mattress – to see what works best for you. 
• Set your room’s temperature to 68°F for good health and optimal sleep
• Dim the lights a few hours before bedtime to signal your brain to produce melatonin and trigger the onset of sleep. 
• Close the curtains to block the streetlights.
• Wear an eye mask to keep your eyes shut and relaxed.
• Turn off all electronic devices like TVs, phones, and computers, as they emit blue lights, which can disrupt your sleep.
• Use earplugs or noise isolating headphones.
• Listen to soothing sounds or try white noise if you can’t sleep in complete silence.

3) Watch What You Eat and Drink

Ideally, it’s best to consume your meal at least four hours before bedtime to avoid the uncomfortable feeling of substance metabolism in your digestive system.

• Stick to small, lighter dinners such as salad or fish
• Avoid heavy meals full of proteins, fats, carbs and spices
• Eat a snack like dark chocolate or popcorn
• Replace alcohol and caffeine with warm milk, chamomile tea and tart cherry juice before bedtime to support melatonin production and a healthy sleep cycle.   

4) Exercise in the morning

A regular morning workout like jogging or swimming is ideal to boost the effect of natural sleep hormones by the end of the day. 

• Move your workouts away from bedtime to avoid leaving your body temperature at a higher level during sleep. 
• Practice gentle yoga or stretching before bedtime to help release tension and promote relaxation for a better sleep. 

5) Be careful with naps

A power nap in the afternoon can be harmful for some people, as it could affect your sleep at night. 

• Take a short power nap in the early part of the afternoon 
• Avoid having a long nap 
• Avoid napping late in the evening

6) Try relaxing activities before sleep

Incorporating relaxation techniques before bed can put you in a peaceful state in which you are more likely to fall asleep.  

• Listen to calming music, meditation music, classical symphonies, natural sounds, and guided meditations to promote a soothing ambiance at bedtime. 
• Diffuse essential oils in the bedroom before bedtime to improve the onset of sleep. 
• Use soothing scents like lavender, chamomile, orange and lemon to help induce relaxation and sleep.   
• Read a book that is not too stimulating.  
• Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation to help alleviate the tension in your muscles and help you get to sleep.
• Practice breathing techniques to help relax your heart, mind, and entire central nervous system, so that you get to sleep. 

There seem to be so many CBD tincture for sale in the UK. It almost appears that it is right of passage for a CBD brand to release their own CBD tincture. So, why then, do we think ours is best than all the other CBD tinctures for sale? 

First off, a CBD tincture is a little glass bottle containing CBD oil with a dropper at the top for you to administer the CBD. When taking CBD in this format, we suggest dropping a few drops under the tongue, holding it there for 30 – 60 seconds and then swallowing. This ensures maximum absorption of the CBD. 

Now that’s out the way, here’s a quick outline as to why we think our CBD tincture is so great (spoiler: it actually works).

We use broad spectrum CBD. 

This is when the CBD is extracted out along with all the other minor cannabinoids in the hemp plant (not THC!). When other minor cannabinoids are present with the CBD it is believed that the effects of the CBD are enhanced. This is what’s called “the entourage effect.” 

We use the highest quality CBD derived from hemp. 

All our CBD is extracted from organically grown, pesticide-free, industrial hemp farmed in the US.

All our CBD is double lab tested. 

We test all our CBD products first immediately after extraction, and then a second time with an independent third-party lab to ensure the levels of cannabinoids are consistent within each SKU and that our CBD is free from THC and CBN. All our reports are available on our website, but should you have any further questions please do ask! 

All our CBD is manufactured to GMP standards. 

Process matters and doing it by the book is by far the most important thing. We ensure all of our products are manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice. 

We give you a choice! 

We sell a range of strengths and flavours for you to pick from. The stronger the CBD tincture, the more intense the hemp flavour so we introduced a range of stronger oils infused with organic flavouring – mint, lemon and orange. These are also available in spray format which we find is a lot easier to administer on the go and a lot less messy

So give it a go for yourself and let us know how you think our CBD oil performs against all the other CBD tinctures for sale!

People often ask for ways to help you go to sleep quickly. I want to unpack this request a bit… Firstly, by saying “how to get to sleep quickly” you are already putting yourself under quite a bit of pressure which will subconsciously cause you to feel anxious around bedtime. This is setting you up for failure before you’ve begun. Second, by saying “get to sleep quick” suggests you are in a rush and so feel like you have limited time to designate to sleep. You want to be highly effective with the sleep process and fall asleep quickly in order to keep to a tight schedule. There are many things wrong if you resonate with this second explanation. Sleeping should not be an afterthought or something you have to squeeze into your busy schedule. It should not be the thing that gets cut or shortened in order to make more time to juggle all the things in your schedule. 

We should all be sleeping between 7 – 8 hours per night. This is the amount of time our body and mind needs to perform all of its restorative tasks and functions each night. When we give it this optimal time, we are more likely to wake up feeling fresher with a clear head and most importantly reduce other long term risks that come with consistently sub 7 hour sleeps. 

In this post, we will still try to respond to this get to sleep quick request and try to provide some helpful tips and tricks for things to consider during the day to help you get ready for bed and hopefully fall asleep quickly. The reality is, if you prioritise the right amount of time for sleep and improve your sleep hygiene, you will hopefully find that you end up falling asleep much more quickly as your body will get into a better, more structured routine that will become habitual. 

So here are some ideas to better set you up for bed and hopefully send you off to sleep more quickly:

1. Take time to unwind down before bed: The important thing is we have to shift our brain and bodies into sleep mode. If we are highly engaged and active during the day and then immediately leap into bed, it will be very hard to switch off and lull ourselves into sleep. if you are on your laptop working late or using various apps on your mobile (scrolling through Instagram or swiping your way through Hinge) you’re cognitively and emotionally engaged. This mental stimulation keeps your brain awake and makes it hard to switch off. So try not to engage yourself in any emotionally charged or potentially stressful activities just before bed, it will undoubtedly leave your mind switched on. 
2. Keep your bed and office separate: If you can (and I am well aware this is not always possible), try not to work in your bed or bedroom. If you do, you may find it hard to disconnect from the day gone by, what needs to be done for tomorrow. 
3. Reduce / limit light exposure: as we’ve discussed before, melatonin production is influenced by light and so our bodies begin to produce melatonin when day turns into night. This means we should all try to emulate what is going on outside and darken down before bed time. By this we mean, reduce screen time or if you have to use your phone switch to nighttime mode to reduce screen brightness. Another tip – switch from overhead lights to lamps to tone down the mood.
4. Don’t feast right before bed: try to avoid having a large meal riddled with booze too close to bedtime. Leave a good gap after you’ve eaten for your body to digest. 
5. Avoid caffeine for a minimum of 6 hours before bed: having caffeine too late in the day can have an impact on your body’s ability to switch off. I’ve been trying to limit myself to my main coffee run in the mornings and weaning off the afternoon one, but it really is a good distraction from the day so if I must, I try to have it before 2.30 / 3pm. 
6. Regulate your bedtime: we’ve discussed this in more detail here, but going to bed and waking up around the same time everyday helps your body to acclimate and instinctively learn when it should be winding down for bed. This is why jet lag really messes with our sleep! 

So, as promised, there’s a few quick tips that will help you be more ready for bed and hopefully help you get to sleep more quickly. We also would encourage you to try taking our natural sleeping tablets nightly for extra support. Even if you don’t have sleeping problems (which is likely you do if you are reading this article) they will help enhance your natural sleep processes. For example, Motmorency Cherry, Groffonia Seed Extract and L-Tryptophan all help with melatonin production. We like to say, it’s like a vitamin, but for your sleep! Let us know what you think after a couple of weeks of trying as they take a bit of time to acclimatise to your body’s natural processes.