How and why your patients are using CBD and popular products like CBD honey

One product coming to the forefront for patients and consumers is CBD honey for anxiety, relaxation and sleep

A survey of 2,409 cannabidiol (CBD) users found that a majority of people use this hemp extract in an effort to treat a medical condition. The top three conditions CBD users are trying to self-treat are chronic pain, arthritis or other joint-related pain, and anxiety. One way this hemp extract, or new hot products such as CBD honey, can help with each of these issues is in the way it works as a natural muscle relaxant or sleep-inducer.

Studies report that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in skeletal muscle function.

An example of this is one study that shares that activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors can impact muscle metabolism and muscle oxygen consumption.

CBD as a natural muscle and brain relaxant

One of the primary ways that CBD contributes as a natural muscle relaxant is through inhibiting the release of secretions known to induce muscle rigidity and spasms.

CBD helps muscles relax on a more cellular level. However, if the increased muscle tension is a result of being overly stressed, CBD can potentially help with this too. Research shows that this cannabinoid has anti-anxiety properties, interacting with 5HT1A receptors (a subtype of serotonin receptor) in a way that reduces the long-term effects of this type of stress.

Relaxing the brain helps to also relax the body via CBD. Once the brain and body are both relaxed, sleep quality can improve.

CBD honey

One product coming to the forefront for patients and consumers is CBD honey for anxiety, relaxation and sleep.

“I scooped out a golden teaspoon of the thick honey (which has 10 mg of CBD) and stirred it into a cup of Sleepytime Tea,” writes Jean Trinh of her first time trying the product, writing for bon appetit. “The first sip was floral, lightly sweet, and truly delightful. After downing the mug, I noticed I did feel calmer. After repeating this routine a few nights in a row, I found myself drifting off…”

“While there still needs to be more scientific research done on CBD — a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid derived from the hemp plant — what’s out there so far seems promising. CBD doesn’t give you the high that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component in marijuana, does, but it is supposedly targeted at reducing inflammation, relieving anxiety, and improving sleep quality.”

Trinh added that making her nightly cup of tea was a ritual that signaled the end of the day and time to stop scrolling of her smartphone and relax, something that patients with anxiety often struggle with.

CBD for reduced muscle tension

If a patient’s goal in using CBD is to decrease muscle tension and soreness, they should start with a small dose to make sure it will be well-tolerated. Once they know that their system can handle this cannabinoid without any adverse side effects, such as feeling fatigued or gastrointestinal issues, they can slowly step up the dose until they reach a more therapeutic level.

Muscle rigidity, tension, and spasticity can be the result of chronic stress or overwork, and CBD shows great promise in helping reduce high anxiety levels, which in and of itself creates a huge health bonus to the body and quality of life in general.

It may also be helpful to choose a CBD product that is labeled as full spectrum. This means that, in addition to CBD, it also contains other cannabinoids from the hemp plant. These work together to create a synergy known as “the entourage effect.”

Put simply, when combined, these cannabinoids provide a more powerful health effect than each offers on its own.