What Is Cannabis?
There are over 700 strains of the cannabis plant. While each plant looks similar, not all contain the same active compounds. The compound that is the source of the ongoing debate regarding the legalization of marijuana is THC—the psychoactive ingredient that gets you high. However, not all strains of the cannabis plant (like hemp) contain high levels of THC.
When it comes to the researched medicinal benefits of marijuana, the THC isn’t the desired compound—it’s the CBD cannabinoid. This compound promotes the process of homeostasis, which is essential for optimal health and wellbeing.
Will My CBD Gummy Get Me High?
Maybe. Holmes Organics Gummies will not get you high as they comply with the Farm Bill of 2018, meaning that they are hemp-derived and contain .3% THC or less. If you are buying from a pot shop it is likely that there is enough THC in your gummy to get you high, so be sure to ask. If marijuana is not legal in your state and you are purchasing CBD online or in-person, it will not get you high as only hemp-derived options are legal for sale. If both marijuana and CBD are legal in your state, read the label or ask.
Also be mindful that products containing THC cannot be sold online even if it’s legal in your state, so if you’re online shopping it’s CBD.
Why A Gummy Instead Of An Oil Tincture?
When it comes to oral consumption of cannabis, you can choose between an oil tincture taken directly under the tongue or mixed in with your foods or beverages, gelatin softgels with CBD oil, or a gummy. Oil is the most versatile option as it can be used to cook, applied topically, or taken orally—but here are a few reasons why you may prefer a gummy instead.
- Both gummies and softgels are easier to take than an oil tincture.
- If you don’t like swallowing capsules gummies are an easier option.
- Taking your physician-suggested daily milligrams is easy to calculate.
- Nutritional gummies have become popular so it’s a discreet way to take CBD on-the-go.
- Rapid absorption is another one of the benefits of CBD gummies.
- If you don’t like the flavor of cannabis oil gummies are a delicious alternative.
What Are CBD Gummies Made Of?
Every CBD brand’s ingredients are unique, so it’s essential to read the label. Unfortunately, many brands water down their cannabis with unnecessary additives so be sure to read the label.
When purchasing an oil tincture, we suggest that the only ingredients are organic olive oil and pure cannabis. Softgels should only contain the natural ingredients softgels are made of. This is the approach we take at Holmes Organics, however, we add a few other natural ingredients to ensure our Strawberry Lemonade CBD Gummies are delicious. Our gummies are vegan and contain ZERO corn syrup and ZERO synthetic food coloring. The ingredients are:
- Organic tapioca syrup
- Organic cane sugar
- Water
- Citric acid
- Natural flavoring
- Sodium citrate
- Malic acid
- Fruit and veggie juice for color
- Sunflower oil
- Carnauba wax
What Are The Benefits Of CBD Gummies?
If you have never tried cannabis before you may be wondering why you should give it a try. As with many plant-based alternatives, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently regulate the cannabis industry. However, your naturopath, alternative practitioner, or physician may suggest adding it to your personalized wellness plan.
CBD companies are not allowed to provide medical advice. If you are considering CBD for any of the wellness practices below, consult your physician first.
- Soothe pain and inflammation
- Calm your racing mind
- Support workout recovery
- Promote restful sleep
- Escape daily stressors
- Support immunity
- Minimize stress and anxiety
- Relax at the end of a long day
- Support being present and focused
- And more!
Should I Take Cannabis Daily?
This is something you and your physician can determine together. Many of our clients take CBD daily one or more times per day. Others only take it as needed to support their health and wellness goals. For example, to ease into the weekend, during times of high stress, or to soothe acute pain.
In addition to determining frequency, ensure you understand how many milligrams you need to experience the full benefits of CBD gummies. Reputable brands clearly label their products to ensure you understand how many milligrams of CBD per gummy, softgels, or oil tincture dropper. Our gummies have 10 mg of CBD per gummy so it’s easy to calculate how much you are taking per serving.
What If CBD Doesn’t Work For Me?
If you have tried CBD products and they haven’t worked for you, it may be worth another try. Here are the most common reasons you don’t experience the benefits of CBD gummies:
- You are not taking it often enough to enjoy the full benefits.
- You are not taking the correct milligrams per serving.
- Mixing it into your food or beverages is diluting the serving amount.
- The quality of the brand you tried is low.
- You are using an oral product when a topical may work better or vice versa.
- Everyone responds differently to adding cannabis to their wellness routine.
- It worked initially but the brand has changed their crops, processing, or ingredients.
What Are The Side Effects Of Cannabis?
Although our cannabis is a plant extract from US-grown and USDA Certified CBD hemp flowers, there is always a chance of side effects. While rare, side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Negative interactions with prescription medications such as blood thinners
What Lifestyle Changes Support My Health And Wellness?
While some lifestyle changes have a rapid positive impact, for optimal wellness most of us need to make a variety of small but meaningful changes. In addition to exploring the benefits of CBD gummies, consider:
1. Setting Specific Goals
When we are too general in our wellness goals it’s easy to fall short. So, be specific. This might include:
- Minimizing stress
- Boosting immunity
- Weight loss
- Building muscle mass
- Increased endurance
- Improved sleep
- Decreased pain
- Improved nutrition
- Improved mental health
- And more!
For example, instead of setting a goal to “lose weight”, set a goal to lose 10 pounds—or 10 pounds at a time.
2. Create A System Of Accountability
Once you set a wellness goal, you need to create a strategic and measurable plan to hold yourself accountable. Don’t overwhelm yourself by making too many lifestyle changes at once. Start small, giving yourself at least 3 weeks to develop a new habit or two at a time. For example, ditching your daily soft drinks and working out 4 days a week.
3. Prioritize Your Time
Now it’s time to look at your weekly schedule to create the time and space to ensure you commit fully to your goals. This can be challenging as our society is addicted to being busy. For many of us, this has improved since the pandemic. On the flipside, social distancing has left many of us working more—not less. Prioritizing your time may include any combination of:
- Adding more “me time” and healthy activities to your schedule.
- Heading to bed earlier to wake up refreshed.
- Getting up 30 to 60 minutes earlier.
- Delegating tasks on both your personal and professional to-do list.
- Eliminating or minimizing ongoing commitments.
- Pause before taking on new commitments.
- Learn to say “no” to commitments that aren’t aligned with your goals.
4. Move More Throughout The Day
Physical fitness is essential for any wellness routine, but weekly cardio and strength training shouldn’t be your only priority. With many of us sitting for 8 or more hours a day at work, we need to move a little bit more every hour. Even if you’re on your feet all day long you need to stretch and move your body more. Most of us also have a few repetitive motions in our day that can lead to stiff, sore, inflamed, and painful muscles and joints.
Move more by utilizing a fitness tracker that reminds you to stand, walk, or stretch throughout the day—at least once per hour. Also, upgrade to office and workplace ergonomics. While it may not sound like much these hourly adjustments can decrease fatigue, improve circulation, activate your core, decrease whole-body inflammation, minimize incremental weight gain, and more.
5. Create An AM And PM Routine
Your morning routine sets the stage for the rest of the day and how you end your day can drastically improve the quality of your sleep—also impacting the day to follow. A few tips to consider include:
- Heading to bed and waking up within the same 30 minutes each day.
- Unplugging at least the first and last hour of each day.
- Testing the benefits of CBD gummies in both the morning and evening.
- Meditating, stretching, or listening to soothing music to ease into or end your day.
- Organizing your day, pre-packing lunch, or laying out your clothes the night before.
- Journaling, reading a daily devotional, or creating a daily gratitude list.
- Using a wellness app to support your targeted AM, PM, and daily goals.
6. Explore Alternative Wellness Practices
We’re in an exciting time where the connection between mind, body, and spirit is widely recognized and embraced. So, in addition to working with your general healthcare practitioner, explore alternative wellness practices. Start with practices you’ve always been curious about or drawn to, but don’t count anything out. A few options to consider include:
- Sound therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Physical therapy
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Energy therapies such as Reiki
- Talk therapy
- Targeted types of therapy and counseling
- And more!
7. Join A Like-Minded Community
Joining a like-minded wellness community will provide you with a safe and supportive space to share, learn, and grow. Thanks to social media, it’s never been easier to find a group of people with similar challenges and goals. While virtual communities can be highly effective, don’t count out local groups that you can meet with in person. Joining a community is also helpful if your nearest and dearest have vastly different lifestyles or wellness goals.
8. Educate Yourself
We must never stop learning, so continue to explore your health and wellness options. Consider reading self-development books, taking targeted live or online classes, working one-on-one with new wellness professionals, or going to a weekend workshop, wellness festival, or retreat.
For example, most of us were not taught much about nutrition at home or in school. Yes, we all know what the food pyramid looks like, but how does that translate to our food selection or meal preparation? So, consider working with a nutritionist. Also, consider working with a personal trainer, health coach, therapist, or other one-on-one practitioners.
9. Return To Nature
With every wellness decision you make, consider if you are choosing the most natural solution. This includes transitioning to natural skincare and beauty products, choosing whole foods over processed foods, and selecting a cannabis brand that ensures purity to increase your odds of accessing the full benefits of CBD gummies.
Perfection doesn’t have to be the goal when returning to nature. For example, many aim for 90 percent whole and unrefined foods, but give themselves a pass on 10 percent of their food choices. Or maybe you keep your preferred perfume, cologne, deodorant, or lipstick that isn’t naturally derived—but transition almost all other skincare products to organic.
10. Ensure It Works For You
Many lifestyle changes are challenging and require an adjustment period. However, whatever changes you make—ensure they work for you. Give each change at least 3 weeks to ensure you’ve given it a chance to work, but if it doesn’t resonate or work for you try an alternative.
Once you identify your personalized wellness routine, it will need to be adjusted and refined to ensure it continues to work. This means adjusting it for each season, in times of high physical or mental stress, as you age, and anytime your routine begins to feel less effective. If CBD is part of your wellness routine, Holmes Organics has a full range of products to choose from!
