The CBD industry is flourishing, taking over store shelves in the form of oils, balms, capsules, and even gummy bears. So, what’s all the hype about? Many people have reported improvements in mood and general wellness after incorporating CBD into their daily routines
One of the most effective and flexible ways to bring CBD into your busy day is with full-spectrum hemp oil. Before we get into the top benefits of CBD oil, let’s answer some of the big questions such as, ‘What is CBD oil?’
What Is CBD Oil?
With a plethora of cannabis and hemp containing products out there, it’s easy to get confused about what CBD actually is. CBD oil is an oil derived from the hemp plant containing the non-psychoactive compound, cannabidiol (CBD). CBD oil can be used in prerolls, tinctures, vaporizers, topicals, capsules, and edibles - to name a few.
The versatility of CBD oil makes it a popular choice for many people! You can use the dropper to apply the tincture directly under your tongue or add a drop or two into your morning coffee or evening cocktail or mocktail.
Most CBD oils are made with two main ingredients: hemp extract and a carrier oil. Bioavailability is the biggest concern when determining the best carrier oil. The bioavailability rate refers to the degree to which a substance is absorbed or becomes available at the site of physiological activity after administration. CBD's bioavailability is largely determined by the types of fat molecules contained in the carrier oil.
For example, fractionated coconut oil excels as a carrier oil as it contains an abundance of saturated fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are easily absorbed by the body. Our Toast tinctures are USDA Certified Organic and use Organic Virgin Fractionated Coconut Oil, complementing our full-spectrum hemp extract with vitamins, antioxidants, and penetrating fatty acids.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the different types of CBD oils, as not all of them contain the same compounds and produce a different level of benefits.
Types of CBD Oils
CBD oils can be divided into three main categories based on what hemp compounds were extracted or left in the final product including full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Let us briefly introduce you to the different types of CBD oils:
Full-spectrum: A Full Spectrum CBD oil contains all the naturally-occurring compounds, including traces of THC within legal limits (Δ9 THC below 0.3% on a dry weight basis). A full-spectrum oil will produce something we like to call the Entourage Effect. The Entourage Effect refers to how the combination of all naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work synergistically, creating a more powerful and almost euphoric effect
Broad-Spectrum: A Broad-Spectrum CBD oil contains almost all compounds from the hemp plant, but it leaves out the THC.
Isolate: Isolate CBD oil can contain up to 99% CBD, but it takes out all other hemp compounds. Before being mixed, CBD isolate itself is a crystalline powder. A CBD isolate is a result of a chemical process altering cannabinoids from their natural form. When using Isolate CBD oil, you will miss out on all the other cannabinoids and terpenes that create the entourage effect.
How Does CBD Oil work?
To understand the benefits of CBD oil on the body- it is vital to briefly explain how CBD interacts with our body on a scientific level. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is part of our central nervous system, affecting a wide variety of bodily functions including appetite, sleep, mood, and perception of pain.
Our body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which interact with cannabinoid receptors. Phytocannabinoids found in hemp plants mimic our natural endocannabinoids, similarly interacting with cannabinoid receptors. 
What is CBD Oil Good For?
So, now that you know what CBD oil is and how it interacts with your body, you may wonder what benefits it may have. After the 2018 Farm Bill was passed, hemp (containing less than 0.3% ΔTHC on a dry weight basis) is now allowed to be broadly cultivated and sold for commercial and recreational reasons.
With this shift - CBD oil is in the spotlight for researchers and consumers for many reasons, including potential health benefits. While you should always consult with your doctor when it comes to your personal health, below are a few examples from various scientific and medical journals of how CBD is being studied relating to the body & mind. As CBD is relatively new, there is still a large amount of research currently being conducted.
1. Reducing Stress
Stress and mild, temporary or occasional anxiety can have an enormous impact on your daily life and overall well-being. Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life – we have all felt the consuming feeling of worry and doubt about the future during stressful situations. A study done in 2019 by The Permanente Journal looked specifically at the connection between cannabidiol and anxiety or sleep. This study looked at 72 adults presenting with primary concerns of anxiety or poor sleep. About 79.2% of patients with anxiety reported a decrease in their anxiety within the first month, and this decrease in anxiety remained for the study duration. During the study, 66.7% of patients also reported improved sleep within the first month, showing promise for CBD in improving sleep. Which leads us to why CBD is being used before bedtime…
2. Better Sleep
Sometimes those sought-after zzz’s are few and far between, making you hit snooze more than you’d like to admit. CBD oil has been used for both falling asleep and staying asleep through the night. A 2017 review of sleep and cannabis in the journal of Current Psychiatry Reports found that CBD may affect sleep directly by interacting with receptors in the brain that govern our body’s daily sleep and wake cycles. This interaction with your sleep and wake cycles is promising for CBD’s potential to help regulate your sleep, and as a result helping you feel more energized during the day!
3. Post Workout Pain Relief
Whether you are regular at the gym or attempting to fulfill your New Year’s resolution, sometimes you can really feel an intense workout the day after. Sore muscles from working out can be painful and make a next day work out even harder. A trip to the gym or your spin-class can cause microscopic damage to muscle fibers – the culprit for muscle soreness and stiffness!
Gym-goers, runners, and outdoor adventurists have been turning to CBD for post workout pain relief. After pushing our bodies to their limit, CBD can be used orally and as an ointment for potential pain relief. With the potential for a faster recovery, you have no more excuses for an off day!
How Do I Reap the CBD Benefits?
Ready to go all-in? With an understanding of how CBD works, your next step is figuring out how to properly use CBD. Not to worry - keep reading!
Your CBD oil dosage depends on your unique body and needs. If you are interested in trying CBD oil, talk to your doctor to find your effective CBD dosage. 
If you are new to CBD we always recommend starting small and working your way up at your own pace! Our Everyday Strength Toast tincture (250mg CBD, 30mL) is perfect for the newbies and for kickstarting a new daily routine. Once you feel comfortable with this strength, you can move up the ladder to Extra Strength (500mg CBD, 30mL), or a Maximum Strength (1000mg CBD, 30mL). This is our strongest potency formulation for those seeking the maximum benefit of a full spectrum formulation!
Incorporating CBD into your life can be a huge game changer when it comes to wellness! Whether you are a CBD beginner or old pro, using CBD daily can give you that extra boost to take on the day.