Hemp seeds have a long history of being used as a food and medicine. In fact, the benefits of hemp seed oil outweighs many other seed and vegetable oils, and could possibly be the ideal essential oil for promoting good health.

Because of its rich and balanced composition of fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, hemp seed oil can benefit the skin, heart, and even the brain.

What is Hemp Seed Oil?

Hemp seed oil is produced by cold pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. Unrefined hemp seed oil typically has a dark green color due to the presence of chlorophyll, and has a grassy, nutty flavor. Refined hemp seed oil is clear and relatively flavorless. Hemp seeds can be consumed raw or cooked.

Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seed oil is not only rich in healthy fatty acids, but also has the perfect balance of them.  Below we discuss what makes hemp seed oil so special, as well as the direct benefits it can have on your health.

1. Hemp Seed Oil is Extremely Nutritious

Essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 cannot be produced by humans, so having the proper amount in your diet is highly important, and something which hemp seed oil conveniently provides.

Besides amino acids, dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals, hemp seed oil is also a great source of plant-based protein with more than 25% of total calories from high-quality protein.

2. Heart and Brain Health

Diets high in polyunsaturated fat have been shown to promote good heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as helping prevent the formation of arterial blood clots. It is no surprise then, that in traditional Japanese and Mediterranean diets (which have a similar essential fatty acid ratio to that of hemp seed oil) there is a historically low incidence of coronary heart disease.

Hemp seeds also contain gamma-linolenic acid as well as Arginine which has both been shown to possess many heart health benefits.

Furthermore, hemp seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats, which are essential in maintaining the healthy functioning of the central nervous system. Using hemp seed oil with meals will thus promote a healthy heart as well as a healthy brain.

3. Hemp Seed oil is Good for Skin and Hair

Since polyunsaturated fats are also important for the skin, hemp seed oil has a wide range of potential applications when it comes to skin health. Evidence suggests that hemp seed oil can improve skin allergy symptoms, relieve inflammation, and promote healthy-looking skin when used on a regular basis.

One study in 2014 suggests that hemp seed oil is useful for treatment of various skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and acne roseacea. The authors also suggest that hemp seed oil may strengthen the resistance to bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Hemp seed oil has also been connected with thicker, stronger hair.  Both Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are good for healthy hair and as we’ve already covered, hemp seed oil has plenty of both.  Many people around the globe use hemp seed oil to moisturize and strengthen hair, as well as stimulate hair growth.

4. Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties

According to one study, cold pressed seed oils such as hemp seed oil contain very high levels of antioxidants. These natural antioxidants could potentially help prevent disease and promote overall good health. Moreover, unrefined hemp oil has displayed minor antibacterial properties.

5. Hemp Seed Oil is Safe and Sustainable

Like many other natural oils, hemp seed oil is completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Although its use may cause adverse reactions to some individuals, hemp seed oil is as safe to ingest as it is to apply to the skin topically, and poses no risk to the environment at large.

Hemp Seed Oil vs CBD Oil

As we’ve covered above, hemp seed oil is incredibly nutritious and has many benefits, but despite being derived from the same plant, hemp seed oil is very different than CBD oil. Hemp seed oil is produced solely from the seeds of the hemp plant, and not the flowers, leaves, or stalks. As a result, hemp seed oil lacks the many cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that are present in CBD oil.

Due to the individual benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes have on our endocannabinoid system as well as the entourage effect produced from CBD oil, there is a marked difference between the benefits of hemp seed oil and CBD oil.

CBD oil has been shown to help with a variety of health related issues such as anxiety, pain relief, insomnia as well as other neurological and cognitive disorders, none of which hemp seed oil has any benefits for.

When purchasing hemp seed oil or CBD oil, make sure you read labels and understand the difference to really know what you’re buying.  Similarly, make sure you do your due diligence on buying high quality products from reputable sources in order to reap the benefits of either.

To learn more about CBD, read our Beginner’s Guide to CBD.

Key Takeaways

• Hemp seed oil contains essential fatty acids, plant-based proteins and nutritious vitamins and minerals.
• Hemp seeds promote good heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as helping prevent blood clots.
• Hemp seed oil has been shown to benefit healthy skin and hair when used orally, or as a topical.
• Hemp seed oil may contain antioxidant and antibacterial properties and is completely safe and non toxic to humans and the environment.
• Hemp seed oil is very different than CBD oil and does not contain the cannabinoids and terpenes present in CBD oil.

CBD has garnered a lot of interest as of late due to its many therapeutic properties, and this increased popularity has likely attracted a lot of newcomers who want to find out all the benefits CBD has to offer. Among beginners to CBD, one of the more common questions is how long does it take for CBD oil to work?

Simply put, there is no one definitive answer to how quickly CBD’s therapeutic effects become noticeable, as a number of factors influence how it is absorbed by the body, and the effects will vary from person to person. In this article, we discuss these factors that influence how long it takes CBD oil to work, as well as a few other concerns relating to CBD’s pharmacokinetics.

Different Methods of Ingestion 

CBD can be ingested through a number of different methods, and the manner in which it enters the bloodstream has a large impact on how quickly its effects are felt. An important distinction between the methods of ingestion is whether or not CBD becomes subject to first-pass metabolism, a process through which a substance is broken down before it reaches circulation. This process decreases CBD’s bioavailability, or how much of the substance actually reaches the bloodstream.

Sublingual / Nasal

CBD can bypass first-pass metabolism if it is taken sublingually (under the tongue) or nasally. There are thin mucous membranes both under the tongue and in the nasal cavity that will absorb any chemical it comes into contact with and circulate it throughout the bloodstream. To achieve this, CBD oil can be dropped beneath the tongue or it can be sprayed into the nose. CBD’s effects will become noticeable about 15-30 minutes when taken through this method.

Oral Ingestion

CBD is often ingested orally in various forms, such as in beverages, edibles, and CBD capsules. When administered orally, CBD generally takes about 1-2 hours to take effect, but it can take up to six depending on the user’s metabolism.

Cannabinoids have a low bioavailability when ingested orally due to the first-pass metabolism, but a couple of measures can be taken to improve CBD’s effectiveness. Since cannabinoids are highly lipophilic (combines easily with fats), eating foods rich in healthy fats can affect how quickly CBD takes to work. Furthermore, emulsifying CBD in oil can help increase its bioavailability, such as in our CBD Softgel Capsules.

Topical / Transdermal

Topical or transdermal application of CBD allows for a steady amount to be absorbed over a prolonged time period. CBD products such as lotions, topical creams, and oils are ideal for targeting specific body parts that are inflamed or in pain.

Applying CBD products to the skin can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour to take effect, mainly due to the varying permeability of different locations on the body. Skin on the head, neck, and trunk areas has the highest permeability, while skin on the arms and legs has the lowest. However, regardless of where CBD is applied on the skin, its effects will be felt more quickly in that specific area.

Vapor

Taking CBD with a vaporizer or nebulizer has a much more immediate effect. Inhaling CBD vapor allows it to enter the bloodstream faster, where it can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the central nervous system. CBD’s effects are typically felt just minutes after inhalation, and they reach a peak after about 10 minutes. However, peoples’ varying inhalation techniques will also influence how much CBD gets into their systems and how rapidly its effects manifest.

Individual Differences Affect Onset Time of CBD

While averages for CBD’s onset time can be measured and predicted, the actual amount of time it takes for CBD oil to work comes down to individual differences in people’s bodies, diets, lifestyles, and metabolism. People who weigh more are going to require an overall larger dose of CBD for it to be effective, and it will take CBD longer to circulate to the brain and throughout the body compared to someone smaller.

People also have varying metabolism speeds, which will determine the rate at which substances are broken down and absorbed by the body. Natural differences in metabolism exist due to genetics, but it can also be affected by diet and nutrition. As mentioned before, a diet high in fat can help with CBD absorption, but nutritional deficiencies can alter metabolism and slow down the rate of absorption.

Quality and Type of CBD

When determining how long does it take for cbd oil to work, it is essential to pay close attention to the product itself. There are three typical categories of CBD products: full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Full and broad spectrum CBD products are likely to work more quickly due to the presence of additional cannabinoids and terpenes that work synergistically (the entourage effect), something that CBD isolate products do not provide. One study showed that epileptic patients required four times less CBD to achieve a desired result when it was not in a purified isolate form.

Moreover, CBD products will vary in overall quality, which can also influence how rapidly its effects are felt. High quality CBD products that are organic, accurately labeled, and free of harmful additives such as herbicides and pesticides will be much more effective and work faster.

How Often Should I Take CBD?

After learning how to take CBD, and how long it takes for CBD to work, another important question remains: What is the proper amount of time to wait between doses of CBD? Fortunately, there is no known danger in taking too much CBD other than some potential uncomfortable side effects. Be that as it may, you don’t want to take more CBD than necessary as high quality CBD is not inexpensive.

The most important thing you can do is listen to your body and adjust as needed. Once you take time to determine the optimal dosage for your personal needs. It will also require some trial and error in finding out what kind of dosing schedule works best for you.

In general terms, when ingested orally, the effects of CBD last between 8-20 hours. When inhaled, effects are achieved rapidly and peak about 10 minutes after inhalation, lasting for about 3-5 hours. CBD lotions and oils work best when applied to the skin 1-4 times daily as needed, and can be used in different areas as symptoms arise.

Does CBD Need to Build Up in Your System to Work?

Some drugs and other substances must build up in the body for at least a few days until the full effect of the drug is achieved. CBD does not necessarily have to reach a steady state in the body to work as some find relief the very first time it is taken.

That being said, if your endocannabinoid system is out of whack, it’s likely that it took some time to develop this deficiency.  Depending on the severity of your condition, you should not expect to reverse course immediately after only one or two doses.  Some find that taking a consistent daily dose for several days can help stimulate the endocannabinoid system enough to induce homeostasis and remain in balance.

If no noticeable effects are experienced after using CBD for a few days, it is likely because the dosage was too low, there was an issue with the product itself, or one of the other many factors why CBD may not be working.

Visit our free online CBD Dosage Calculator to determine a good starting point based on your weight, condition and severity.

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

CBD is legal in most states within the U.S., but THC, the psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is not. Since full spectrum CBD products from hemp contain trace amounts of THC, some might worry about the possibility of it showing up on drug tests. The main concern with drug testing centers around how long does THC stay in your system. The chances of failing a drug test with CBD alone are slim, but it would still be useful to know how long it takes CBD, and cannabinoids in general, to leave your system.

As with the absorption rate, how long does CBD last in your body depends on the manner in which it is ingested, as well as how much is taken. CBD’s biological half-life is 1-2 hours if inhaled, applied on the skin, or taken orally on occasion. It is approximately 3 hours when taken in capsule form, 1-10 hours when taken sublingually, and 2-5 days if taken orally on a regular basis. In addition, like any other substance, the higher the dose of CBD, the longer it will take for the body to eliminate it.

Key Takeaways

• A number of internal and external factors will influence how CBD is absorbed by the body, how long does it take for CBD oil to work, and how quickly it is eliminated.
• Every person is different; weight, metabolism, diet and health status will influence the effectiveness of CBD’s absorption rate.
• The method of consumption is one of the highest determinants for the rate of absorption and length of time CBD will remain in your system.
• CBD does not necessarily need to build up in your system, but some may need a sustained regimen of regular use to achieve its intended purpose, depending on their needs and deficiencies.
• Each individual will need to experiment to determine their particular optimal dose and schedule for taking CBD.

Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic disease, premature death, and improve health and immune function. It is well documented that people who regularly exercise feel better, live longer, and have a much better quality of life.

Why Exercise Outdoors?

While quality exercise is essential for good health, exercising outdoors around nature, fresh air and sunshine provides numerous additional benefits for the mind and body. Research in a growing scientific field called ecotherapy has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

Because of modern technology, people are spending more time indoors than ever before. Getting outside and breathing fresh air has numerous important benefits. Furthermore, sunlight is the most natural way for us to get the necessary vitamin D that our bodies require.

Let’s go over some of the best outdoor activities for promoting wellness and good health, as well as how CBD can possibly be used to make them more enjoyable.

1. Hiking

Going for a hike up a mountain or along a trail is the perfect way to get some good outdoor exercise while also spending quality time in nature. Hiking is particularly good for the leg muscles, but it can also work your core and lower back depending on the size of bag you carry. In addition to strengthening the muscles, hiking can improve bone density and lower the chances of developing osteoporosis. Hiking has also been shown to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and body fat, and improve flexibility and coordination.

As mentioned above, being in nature also has a range of positive effects on your mental health. Furthermore, going on hikes with family and friends is a great way to strengthen relationships.

2. Yoga

Practicing yoga has countless benefits in and of itself, but taking it outdoors gets back to the root of yoga’s original purpose–connecting with nature and the universe–and will maximize its effectiveness. 

Yoga has long been known to improve health and promote wellness, such as by correcting posture and improving flexibility, relieve pain, boosting the immune system, promoting good sleep, and soothing the mind.

Outdoors yoga offers a refreshing environment from the usual indoor yoga studio, and practicing on uneven terrain can make performing yoga poses even more effective. Opting to practice yoga as one of your outdoor activities can provide breathtaking sights, sounds, and sensations that will only enhance all of the positive effects that yoga brings. 

3. Swimming

Swimming is mainly popular as a recreational outdoor activity, but it is also one of the most effective forms of full-body aerobic exercise there is. Being submerged in water means more effort must be exerted to move around, but there is also less stress placed on joints and weight-bearing parts of the body. Swimming is thus a perfect form of exercise for those with arthritis or are rehabbing an injury such as a herniated disk or sciatica.

As with most exercise, swimming can boost mood, improve overall heart health, and even encourage a longer life. Moreover, swimming is particularly good for your respiratory muscles, and is seen as a much more enjoyable activity than other forms of exercise. Treading through water can be very relaxing and provide peace of mind.

4. Running

People all around the world live by the many health benefits of running, and for very good reason. Running on a regular basis can help stave off a number of diseases and conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and possibly even cancer. Running for just 5-10 minutes a day can add several years to your life. Running can also drastically improve one’s mood, so much so that it’s even recommended to people who are suffering from depression or anxiety. 

Furthermore, research suggests that running actually strengthens the knees, contrary to popular belief. Knee pain typically arises due to improper warm-up (stretching, gradually increasing intensity), inadequate rest periods, and poor nutrition. If these concerns are taken care of, then there’s no reason to fear that running will eventually lead to pain.

5. Walking

Walking may not seem as effective as running due to being less intensive, but it can be just as beneficial for your health, and even provide some unique benefits of its own. Walking for 30+ minutes a day can prevent arthritis from developing, burn calories, discourage weight gain, and improve mood. Walking is especially effective for boosting the immune system. Taking regular walks will reduce how often you get sick, and make colds shorter and milder.

While walking is a good low-impact exercise, it can also be done as a form of “mobile meditation”. Taking a scenic route and being mindful of the world and your inner thoughts is a great way to relax and release stress.

Using CBD With Outdoor Activities

CBD is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant that provides many therapeutic effects, and using it can greatly increase the effectiveness and enjoyment of outdoor physical activities. CBD works as a stimulant at lower doses, so using it before exercising can boost your energy, and consequently, your motivation.

In addition, applying CBD oil to your muscles during exercise recovery can reduce soreness and inflammation. Lastly, higher doses of CBD have a sedating effect, which can help you get a good night’s sleep to encourage strong immune function and allow your muscles to recover even faster.

Tessera Naturals is committed to providing the highest quality broad spectrum CBD oil on the market with no gimmicks. Browse our product line to see how you can incorporate CBD into your wellness routine.

Leave a comment below and let us know which outdoor activities you like the most, or let us know if we’ve missed any other activities that you enjoy doing outdoors.

Is CBD helpful for athletes? Is it safe? Is it even legal? In this post, we discuss a growing trend in the sports and athletics community and examine how CBD is being used to aid in mental focus, physical training and recovery.

Why Does Considering CBD for Athletes Matter?

The life of an athlete entails rigorous training, tough competition, and an optimally functioning mind and body. Athletes all around the world work hard to prepare for their respective sports, but they often encounter roadblocks such as injuries, chronic pain, as well as various mental hindrances.

CBD is a promising addition to any athlete’s regimen, as it has proven to provide multiple therapeutic applications that is especially useful to athletes. Let’s review everything that an athlete needs to know about hemp CBD, and how using it can benefit their athletic career.

CBD Can Provide Anxiety Relief

Anxiety can cause difficulties in life among members of the general population, but it is particularly detrimental to athletes. Anxiety can negatively impact attention, decision making skills, and self-confidence, all of which are extremely important for athletic performance. 

Athletes may experience anxiety due to pressures to perform well, fear of performing poorly, career uncertainty, or fear of sustaining an injury. If left untreated, anxiety can lead an athlete to reduced performance or even a desire to quit their sport. Given that an estimated 9% of elite athletes suffer from some form of anxiety disorder, many athletes would greatly benefit from finding a way to manage their anxiety.

Fortunately, using CBD can be a great way for athletes to reduce their anxiety. CBD interacts with a number of receptors in and outside of the endocannabinoid system that regulates fear and anxiety, and has been shown to inhibit the fear response. Taking CBD can help an athlete suppress the amount of anxiety they feel, which could indirectly improve their overall performance. 

Can CBD Improve Athletic Performance?

As mentioned above, CBD can help athletes manage their anxiety, which will consequently lead to better performance, but there is currently no scientific evidence that suggests it directly improves athletic performance.

CBD can, however, make training easier by reducing inflammation and pain thresholds, allowing athletes to make the most out of their workouts. It is also worth noting that CBD can be a stimulant at low doses, so it can provide an energy boost if used before training.

CBD Can Help Athletes Recover

Athletes–specifically those competing at a high level–put a tremendous amount of stress on their bodies. After long workouts or practice sessions, it’s completely natural for an athlete to experience pain and swelling in their muscles. 

Traditional methods for dealing with pain and inflammation–over the counter pain relievers and opioid based medications–are now known to be more dangerous than they are beneficial. Alternatively, CBD hemp oil provides a natural, safe, and effective way for athletes to manage the everyday wear-and-tear on their bodies. 

CBD has documented analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that will help athletes consistently perform to the best of their abilities. In addition, CBD can be used as a potent sedative at higher doses, and can help athletes get a good night’s sleep which helps them recover even faster.

CBD Can Help With Injuries

Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every sport, and can cause athletes to be sidelined with aggravating pain and discomfort. Recovering from an injury and returning to competition usually takes a lot of time and rehab, but your own body can sometimes make this process more difficult. 

The inflammatory response occurs naturally alongside an injury and helps immobilize the affected body part, but it is often excessive, which can lead to muscle atrophy and increased susceptibility to further injury. It is for this reason that athletes try to reduce swelling whenever possible.

Reducing inflammation is one of the most well-known properties of CBD hemp oil, making it very useful for athletes who are recovering from major or minor injuries. Depending on the type of injury, CBD can either be taken orally or applied directly to the injured body part topically. Less inflammation means less pain, which hopefully also means less time spent rehabbing and more time spent playing the sport that you love.

In addition, CBD has been used to alleviate symptoms of concussions, which are common in combat or contact sports. The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in regulating both migraines and post-concussion headaches, and taking CBD can desensitize the neurons that trigger these headaches.

Is CBD Legal and is it Allowed for Athletes?

As all athletes well know, many (often perfectly legal) substances are banned by various sports agencies around the world, and the penalties for violating anti-drug policies can be severe. But is CBD one of these banned substances? 

As of early 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency and U.S. Anti-Doping Agency have removed CBD and hemp derivatives from its list of prohibited substances, making it suitable for use by athletes in and out of competition. 

CBD is legal at the federal level, as well as in most states, but there are still certain restrictions that should be taken note of. Moreover, individual sports organizations might have policies of their own prohibiting CBD, so it’s important for athletes to check with their organization(s) first.

Despite the fact that hemp-derived CBD is now allowed, THC and marijuana-derived CBD is still prohibited, which is often found in trace amounts in some CBD products. WADA’s maximum limit for THC content is 150 nanograms, and this threshold can be exceeded if the THC concentration in a CBD product is labeled inaccurately. To avoid suffering harsh penalties, all athletes should take care to ensure that they’re getting their CBD products from a trusted source and taking the appropriate dosage.

Due to the strict regulations against THC for most governing sports bodies, and the associated drug testing involved, it would be safest to stick to broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate rather than full spectrum CBD products.

Key Takeaways

• CBD is a growing trend within the sports and athletics community to help with mental focus, physical training and recovery.
• CBD can help athletes manage their anxiety, which will consequently lead to better performance and recovery.
• CBD can be a natural, safe, and effective alternative for athletes to manage pain, inflammation and injuries.
• The World Anti-Doping and U.S. Anti-Doping Agencies have removed hemp-derived CBD from its list of prohibited substances, but athletes should check with their individual sports organizations.
• THC and marijuana-derived CBD is still prohibited and care should be taken to choose a reputable products to ensure you stay within regulations.