4 Ways CBD Can Enhance Your Holiday Festivities

CBD 4 WAYS CAN ENHANCE YOUR HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES BY BEN OWENS

(AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING ABOUT CBD WITH YOUR FAMILY)

Holiday season brings with it plenty of cheer, good times, and fond memories. Holidays are also known for emotions running high, a lack of sleep, changes in appetite and diet, and the pains of everything in between. For some, cannabis is a great option for mitigating the unpleasant and enjoying the times to be had; for others, cannabis use can be prohibitive or undesirable during the holidays, when you may be around younger family members, friends’ children, or those that may not approve of the newly legal substance. CBD and hemp-derived products can be a great alternative and is available in a variety of forms. CBD, sometimes referred to as “diet weed,” is often derived from hemp and low-THC cultivars and is not psychotropic, meaning it doesn’t get you “high.” This can be a big benefit when needing to quickly respond to your body’s needs while avoiding intoxication or alerting family members with a cloud of smoke. CBD can also be a great introduction to the healing benefits of the cannabis family.

USE CBD TO HELP WITH HEIGHTENED HOLIDAY ANXIETY.

Probably the most commonly experienced issue during the holidays is an overwhelming sense of anxiety. Whether it’s tensions with family members, stress at work in the lead to being off for a few days, or simply managing all of life’s dayto-day needs in the midst of holiday preparations, anxiety can get to all of us. Anticipating this anxiety and preparing to tackle it before it takes over can make a big difference in the impact it can have on your holidays. Taking CBD as part of your daily regimen can help. Testimonials abound showing that CBD has proven effective in self-treatment of anxiety, and research is beginning to back it up. Preliminary studies on the anxiolytic effects of CBD suggest that CBD is helpful in reducing anxiety. 1 1

TACKLE INSOMNIA REGARDLESS OF WHICH GUEST ROOM (OR COUCH) YOU ENDED UP ON.

Holidays can put pressure on our bodily schedule that impact our sleeping routine. Whether it’s a comfortable “guest bed” that’s really the family couch, or a dull humming from an old A/C unit that needs to be replaced, CBD has been shown to help in the treatment of sleep disorders and offers many a relief from long days and sleepless nights. CBD’s sedative properties, and the use of cannabis high in cannabinoids like CBD and THC, have been shown to reduce sleep latency in early studies. 2,3 2

EAT SOME CBD AND ENJOY WITH A FESTIVE APPETITE.

As emotions run high, moods change drastically, and, in the presence of holiday feasts, the overwhelming nature of the affair may make you lose your appetite. Cannabinoids like CBD can help. Appetite loss is usually related to underlying causes such as stress, boredom, anxiety, and even fear of judgment from friends, family members, and coworkers. 4 As discussed, CBD’s ability to assist with stress mitigation, anxiety relief, and even a bit of sedation, can help you target the underlying issues of your lack of appetite, and get back to enjoying the holiday feast. 3

APPLY CBD AFTER A LONG DAY TO EASE HOLIDAY ACHES AND PAINS.

Whether you’ve spent the day shopping for the holidays, playing football in the yard with the family, skiing and snowboarding, or simply taking a brisk stroll through the snow, the aches and pains of the holidays aren’t just figures of speech. Cold temperatures and increased activity can amplify the daily aches we experience, and may even add a few bumps and bruises that we aren’t used to. CBD has been shown to help with both physical and neuropathic pain, especially when used in combination with other cannabinoids like THC. 5,6 4

TALK ABOUT CBD WITH YOUR FAMILY.

With all of the benefits of CBD and none of the intoxicating effects of other cannabinoids, like THC, the holidays may be a great time to use CBD as a conversation starter and introduce family and friends to the benefits of plant medicine. Most people now have access to CBD and hemp-derived products in a grocery store or pharmacy near them, and explaining how and why you are using CBD may be enough social reinforcement to overcome age-old stereotypes and stigmas surrounding cannabis and cannabinoids.

My family has been hesitant when it comes to cannabinoids in general. And by hesitant, I mean the only person who has tried THC aside from myself is my sister. That being said, my family has been introduced to CBD gradually through the discussion of hemp and explanation of the benefits of these products without the “high” that many still expect. If your family is like mine, talking to them about CBD may help them understand and accept cannabinoids as part of your lifestyle. I’ve found that products designed for topical application in small serving sizes are often the easiest to use as an introduction for skeptical friends and family.

The holidays are a time of festivity and fun, but they can also be trying at times. If you’re fighting that festive feeling because you dread the anxiety, insomnia, or pains of the holidays, you may want to give CBD a chance this holiday season. For more information on CBD, stay tuned to this column each issue for more news, tips, and research surrounding the benefits of using cannabidiol in your daily life.

CITATIONS: 1 Crippa, José Alexandre S. et al. “Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report.” Journal of Psychopharmacology. September 8, 2010. https://journals. sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881110379283 | 2 Nicholson AN1, Turner C, Stone BM, Robson PJ. “Effect of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on nocturnal sleep and early-morning behavior in young adults.” Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. June 24, 2004. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15118485 | 3 Tringale, Rolando and Jensen, Claudia. “Cannabis and Insomnia.” O’shaugnessy’s. August 2011. https://www.beyondthc.com/wp-content/ uploads/2014/04/Tringale-Jensen-20111.pdf | 4 ”What causes loss of appetite?.” Healthline. April 29, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/appetite-decreased | 5 Serpell, M. et al. “A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment.” European Journal of Pain. August 2014. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00445. | 6 Johnson, Jeremy R. et al. “Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of THC:CBD Extract and THC Extract in Patients with Intractable Cancer-Related Pain.” Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. February 2010. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0885392409007878