In recent years, there has been a major shift in the field of health. As we move into an era more focused on organic, natural and sustainable approaches, it is only logical that we do the same with something as delicate as our well-being. One of the most revolutionary products in the health field today is CBD oil. If you live in the United States, you’ve probably seen CBD creams, oils or even gummies in stores, heard about it from a friend or read an article that mentioned the latest evidence on this compound in the medical field.

CBD is an all-natural product that comes from the hemp plant. We are usually predisposed to think of hemp as a recreational drug that has a distinct effect on people. This effect is produced by derivatives of the plant with high THC content. But CBD alone can aid recovery from exercise-induced inflammation, improve stress management and promote a healthy sleep cycle. With all this hype about CBD, I decided to do a little more research and talk about what it is, what its benefits are, and the best brands on the market. Let’s start at the beginning.

What exactly is CBD?

CBD is an acronym for Cannabidiol, a chemical found in hemp plants. Generally, CBD oils and extracts are not obtained from hemp; they come from hemp, a type of hemp plant that contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). That’s why it does not induce the high typically associated with hemp. Unlike THC, cannabidiol does not make you feel intoxicated.

Although hemp does not have the same psychotropic effect as hemp, CBD products can cause noticeable physical and mental changes. Most people report feeling more focused or calm. While there is not enough research to fully confirm what CBD can and cannot do, many people use it to improve their lives in a variety of ways. Today there is a lot of community interest and ongoing research on CBD, with stories from its users revealing promising health benefits.

What can you use CBD for?

CBD has been studied for its effects on anxiety, sleep disorders and pain relief for several years. Most studies are preclinical or animal studies, but human studies on CBD have increased tremendously in recent years and the evidence is positive. High-CBD hemp extracts can be an excellent self-care ally, especially when they are part of a comprehensive plan that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise and stress-relieving practices.

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering where to start. Personally, I wanted to find a brand that offered CBD products from natural sources and with a good reputation. That’s when I discovered Charlotte’s Web . This company, founded by the Stanley brothers, worked on a hemp extract that they shared with a little girl named Charlotte Figi. Charlotte had Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy, and her story with the use of CBD was widely covered by the international media. Charlotte’s Web is one of the oldest and best known CBD brands. They are very transparent about what goes into their products and their process, giving customers certificates of analysis, planting information and quality control.

They offer wellness products, focusing mainly on those that induce a sense of calm and help manage stress and induce a healthy sleep cycle. They have CBD oils with different concentrations, CBD capsules and gummies formulated with other ingredients such as L-theanine and melatonin. They also have a line of topical products including creams, balms, roll-ons and cooling gels formulated with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients to keep skin healthy while containing natural pain relievers such as menthol, peppermint, lavender and arnica. I find these excellent for post-workout recovery. What I like most is having a variety of options for including CBD in my routines.

CBD is the wonder medicine that can be extracted from hemp plants. It has medicinal properties due to which it is consumed by a large part of the population. Check out Ecowatch CBD oils to get more useful information.