For decades, THC was the cannabinoid that everyone wanted. Californians would go to underground weed dispensaries in Santa Ana and ask for the strongest, most potent bud possible. We wanted the strongest stuff in the world, and (thanks to our perfect environment and skilled farmers) we certainly had it. The higher the THC content, the better.
As it turns out, that’s not what everybody wanted. Just as high-proof alcohol was the drink du jour during the Prohibition era, high-THC cannabis flower was having a moment. Now that convenient legal cannabis stores exist, everyone can have the products they really want. As it turns out, it’s not always the high-THC California kush that people are seeking out in these unprecedented times—it’s CBD.
What Is CBD?
CBD, short for “cannabidiol,” is a naturally-occurring compound in the cannabis plant. Specifically, it is a cannabinoid. Both hemp and marijuana plants contain CBD in varying amounts.
What Does CBD Do to You?
Scientific studies from 1970 all the way to recent years indicate many different benefits of CBD. An early study was able to improve symptoms in 7 of the 8 epileptic subjects that participated. Since then, more studies have indicated that it may be helpful for everything from anxiety to ulcerative colitis, and it has proven anti-inflammatory properties.
Why Buy CBD With THC?
On its own, CBD has low rates of bioavailability. That means that your body is only able to absorb a small percentage of the CBD you consume. In order to increase the effectiveness of your CBD gummies, you want to improve your body’s ability to absorb it.
The “Entourage Effect” of CBD and THC allow them to play off each other by decreasing unwanted effects (like paranoia) and increasing desirable ones (like the aforementioned bioavailability). This means that a little bit of THC helps your body absorb and use the CBD you’ve taken, making it more effective than CBD-only products.
While CBD from hemp suppliers does not contain any THC, CBD from marijuana stores like People’s does have at least a trace amount. It’s not enough to be psychoactive, but it’s enough to strengthen the benefits of your CBD and make it much more effective.
Shopping for your CBD at a marijuana shop also means that you have a range of CBD-to-THC ratios to choose from. Products with a ratio of 30:1 have almost no THC, making them completely non-psychoactive. If you’re trying to convince an older family member who’s uncomfortable with the idea of trying cannabis products to give it a go, this is usually a good place to start.
As you get into higher ratios like 1:1 (equal parts CBD and THC), the painkilling effects of THC ramp up significantly, as well as its ability to stimulate the appetite. Arthritis patients and those undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from these properties, as well as people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. Just one thing – 1:1 CBD products are mildly psychoactive, so don’t drive or operate any heavy machinery after using them. 1:1 products are great for social CBD use (with a designated driver) or spending a night at home, but it will impair reaction times and vision more than a non-psychoactive 30:1 product.
How Can CBD Cream Help With Pain Management?
Consuming CBD in tincture or edible form can be beneficial for those with arthritis, but there’s another great way to treat symptoms—topical cannabis. Using CBD cream for pain can be extremely effective, and People’s has a great selection of anti-inflammatory CBD topicals.
For those with muscle pain or tension migraines, topical cannabis can also work wonders. High-THC rubs are especially effective against acute pain, and since lotions cannot enter the bloodstream, you can get all the benefits of THC without any psychoactivity. Topicals come in a wide variety of concentrations, so finding the best product for your needs and lifestyle can mean trying a few different ones to see what works best.
Irvine resident and retired educator Diana, 78, agrees. “I was a little nervous about trying cannabis at first… my daughter gave me some of her CBD rub to try and I realized it really worked. I didn’t want to use a marijuana product because of the stigma, but it really helps my arthritis. I got all my church friends who live near me to try out my marijuana creams. They love them, too!”
How to Use CBD
In addition to topicals, there are many ways to take CBD internally. CBD drops are convenient and discreet, and can be placed under the tongue for maximum efficiency. If you want to take it up a notch, you can add the drops to your favorite drink or even your Grandma’s iconic cookie recipe.
It can come ready-made for snack mode, too. There’s everything from CBD tea to CBD drinks, and let’s not forget CBD flower. If you’re looking for the best CBD gummies around, look no further—People’s has just about every flavor under the sun, from peach to yuzu, plus all the aforementioned CBD products. Looking for a one-stop CBD dispensary near you? You’ve found it.
Should I Use Topicals and CBD Drops Together?
Taking a holistic approach to your CBD usage will take its benefits up to a whole new level. Instead of taking a topicals-only approach or only taking CBD internally, dose yourself on the inside and outside to get every good vibe.
Looking for something to do in Orange County? These days, you won’t find much, but you can still cultivate a soothing environment at home. We recommend using CBD lotion on that knot in your neck, then drinking a CBD cordial to keep your inflammation down so it won’t come back. A weekend indulging in CBD will be more relaxing than navigating the crowds on Balboa Peninsula and more fun than a night out in Irvine (no offense to California’s safest city).
Can CBD With THC Relieve Insomnia Symptoms?
Much ado has been made about CBD gummies for sleep, but do they really work? Recent studies have shown some effectiveness in using cannabis for insomnia, and there are more than a few products on the market that people swear by for a good night’s sleep.
If you’re still skeptical, consider trying CBD products with both THC and melatonin. Popular cannabis edible brand Plus Gummies is on the case with their new Cloudberry Sleep and Lychee CBN Relief gummies. With two different formulations (the high-THC Cloudberry and low-THC Lychee) and 0.5 mg of melatonin per gummy, these should have you dreaming in no time.
What Is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone that every person produces in varying amounts. It regulates the sleep cycle. Production of melatonin generally worsens with age, with those over 55 being the most affected. Some insomniacs and people with other sleep disorders can benefit from taking a melatonin supplement to make up for the lack of natural production of melatonin in their body.
Who Can Benefit From CBD With THC?
With CBD’s wide-ranging health benefits, it can be useful for a wide range of ailments. Whether you (or your furry friend) suffer from arthritis, high inflammation, or even anxiety, it’s definitely worth trying. Take a walk on the wild side and try a high-CBD dark chocolate bar or D.I.Y. some CBD dog treats with pet CBD—whatever you choose, we’ll be the CBD store to help guide you on your cannabis journey.
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