You are likely to have heard over the years about the hype around the chemical CBD which comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant which is very similar to a chemical we already produce naturally. You have probably heard about all the benefits it has along with some miracle success stories followed by the bad press it can get from some medical organisations and it's controversy with the law.
I recently did a short course on the benefits of CBD, specially with massage and I wanted to share some of what I've learnt over the last few weeks with you guys. Personally I have no bias either way. I know people who rave about it and people who deem it placebo and some people who just don't trust it. Usage wise, Ive only used small doses, that being less than 100mg at a time to help with aches and pains and have found the balms, sprays and oils to be beneficial to get me back to normal function and pain free. In fact, last week I did my shoulder in and I rubbed some CBD based massage balm into the are everyday and my shoulder is almost back to being pain free 8 days later, that has to be good right?!
What is CBD?
It comes from the cannabis plant along with another 112 plant chemicals. You are likely to have heard about another one called THC (the stuff that gives a high). They are two of the main chemicals found in the plant with each varying in strain depending on plant. CBD in the UK is typically extracted from plants with very low levels of THC. Unlike THC, CBD is mainly non-psychoactive, meaning it should not affect your state of consciousness. People can use CBD and still carry on with their day as they would, you are very unlikely to turn into Afroman early 2000!
What does it do?
In our bodies, we have a system called the Endocannabinoid System which the body uses to help maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is the stability, balance, or equilibrium within a cell or the body. A simple example of homeostasis in the body is regulation of our body temperautre. Sometimes, our bodies do go off balance and may need something to help it get back into equilibrium, this is were CBD comes in. The Endocannabinoid System is all over the body and CBD is known to help modulate it which is why CBD is so useful. Through modulating this system, CBD can have an affect on all other systems in the body.
CBD binds receptors CB1 and CB2 in the body and this helps the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) control:
Appetite
Immune function
Temperature
Pain
Mood
Sleep
Inflammation to name a few
Why Massage With CBD Oil?
Most studies have been done on CBD by mouth which means the chemical will have entered into the blood stream and spread around the body as and where needed, regulated by the ECS. Clinical research is still fairly new and to date it has been proven to benefit:
Smoking reduction
Sleep
Insomnia
Pain
Epilepsy
Anxiety
High Blood Pressure
Parkinsons
Schizophrenia
When used through the skin CBD stays local to that area meaning the concentration of the chemical is mainly going to the targeted area. CB1 and CB2 receptors do exists in the skin so along side the benefits of massage, CBD offers a great treatment in that it may:
Help relax and calm the nervous and muscular system more than with other oils
Decrease pain caused through inflammation and neuropathy
Speed up recovery and reduce DOMS
Soothe skin
By combining CBD massage oils with a deep tissue massage or sports massage, you may feel a heightened sense of wellbeing and relief from aches and pains.
How much CBD?
The oils I use will typically contains around 50mg CBD for a full body treatment and those with stubborn or deep tissue issues, I will likely apply a stronger application to that area up to a further 100mg, depending on the severity of the muscle ache. At the time of writing this, their is no recommended daily dose of CBD however, it has been safely used in doses up to 1500mg. The world health organisation has declared that CBD is generally safe with it being non addictive, non psychoactive and tolerated by most people.
So what do you think about CBD? I would be interested in hearing your experience from using the chemical and how it has or has not helped you. I will be adding CBD treatments by the end of February with a small premium being added onto treatment because of the cost of the oils. Hope this has helped you better understand its usage if you have not used it before. If you have any further questions, please get in touch and I look forward to those who book in the future for some CBD treatments.