CANNABINOIDS ON THE MOVE
If you’re passionate about staying active, it’s time to take your fitness levels up a notch with GetEvoke.
Learn more about how hemp can support and enhance your exercise experience.
Are CBD Bath Bombs therapeutic and effective?
Soaking in a hot bath at the end of a long day, or after a heavy workout, is one of the best ways to wind down and ease muscle cramps. It promotes improved sleep and helps to clean your pores
When CBD bath bombs are added to the mix, the results are heightened in more ways than one. In fact, CBD bath bombs offer one of the most effective post-workout strategies for athletes around.
What is CBD?
Before we get into the details of the CBD bath bomb and how it can enhance your tub time, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page when it comes to CBD. What is it, why do people consume it and why should anyone care?
CBD is the abbreviated term for cannabidiol, which is one of the most prominent cannabinoids found in both hemp and marijuana. Most CBD products, in particular those sold across the U.S., tend to be derived from hemp, which is the plant member of the cannabis family that’s cultivated to contain less than 0,3% of THC.
CBD, like all other cannabinoids, connects in a variety of ways with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. It’s through this connection that it’s able to impact different aspects of our general wellbeing. But why is bathing in CBD so effective and beneficial?
What are the benefits of a CBD bath?
Put, quite simply, the heat of a hot bath helps to heighten CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties and expedites the absorption of CBD into the skin and bloodstream, through the pores.
Heat triggers the vasodilation of the blood vessels, which is what enhances absorption, not only of CBD but of all the other minerals and elements that happen to be in your bath. Heat is also responsible for the relaxation of muscles and the opening of your airways, making it easier for you to breathe.
But what’s most interesting, is that the effects of heat on the human body all relate to relaxation, soothing and relief, which is exactly what we expect from CBD. So, if taking a hot bath is already relaxing in nature, then taking one infused with CBD enhances that relaxation.
Scented CBD bath bombs are even more effective. When you combine heat with CBD and then you add the effects of a particular essential oil, like lavender, you intensify the beneficial qualities of a CBD-infused bath experience.
Is CBD a magical ingredient?
You’re probably not the first to have wondered if CBD is some kind of magical ingredient, but the truth is that CBD is nothing more than an organic plant compound with a certain number of beneficial properties for the human body.
The reason why CBD has become so popular, more so than other organic compounds that also demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties, for example, is that it is highly malleable. It can be added to all kinds of products, in a variety of product forms and, from what the range of anecdotal evidence shows us, it connects and stimulates different systems in the body. This makes it effective at dealing with a range of disorders.
If you’d like to give CBD bath bombs a try, feel free to browse through the five aromas we have available as part of our product line.
What is the difference between CBD soft gels and CBD oils?
What’s the difference between CBD capsules and CBD oils and how does each consumption method change the experience for the consumer? When weighing up the pros and cons of a CBD tincture vs CBD softgels, it really comes down to personal preference.
Even so, this blog should help highlight some of the basic differences and similarities to help you make the right purchase.
What is CBD oil?
The first thing you need to know about CBD oils is that they are often referred to as CBD tinctures and can be made from all plants belonging to the cannabis family, including hemp, which is particularly rich in CBD. The plants are first harvested and then subjected to an extraction process, which can vary in a number of ways, but which are all designed to separate and collect the exact number and combination of plant compounds desired.
Whatever is extracted from the plants – cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils – is then suspended in an inert oil, usually MCT or coconut oil, and packaged in an easy-to-use dropper bottle, so that the consumer can place the product directly under the tongue.
When a CBD oil is dropped under the tongue, the recommendation is to hold it there for around 90 seconds. This pause gives the body the time it needs to transfer all the wellness benefits from the cannabinoids, terpenes and other plant compounds into the bloodstream.
Once absorbed, they can begin to quickly and effectively inteact with the endocannabinoid system and, after 90 seconds has passed, the consumer swallows the oil and moves on with his or her day. CBD oils are that simple.
What are CBD capsules?
CBD capsules, also referred to as CBD softgels, are easy-to-take gel caps, filled with CBD oil. The oil inside a softgel passes through the same kind of extraction process as a CBD oil or tincture, before then being molded into its capsule form.
As is the case with CBD oils, CBD softgels are manufactured using a variety of plant components extracted from all members of the cannabis family, including hemp. The outer shell of a CBD softgel, which holds the CBD oil neatly inside, is usually made from gelatin. As such, most, if not all, softgels are organic and vegetarian-friendly.
CBD capsules are also particularly easy to consume. Simply place the softgel on the tip of your tongue and swallow with a little water. They can be consumed with food, after food, or even on an empty stomach, without causing bodily discomfort in any way.
How do you choose between CBD oils and CBD softgels?
Before taking a look at the differences between these two product types, it’s important to remember that both can help you to achieve overall balance, improve wellness and reestablish inner stability.
While CBD e-liquids, which are simply oils designed to be inhaled using a vape, definitely offer the fastest uptake, they’re not a consumer-friendly product for non-smokers. This is what makes both oils and softgels so popular and, in particular, the hemp-derived, low-THC product lines.
But which product type is the right one for you? Let’s start looking at the details and weighing up those scales…
Listing the pros for CBD softgels
CBD softgels are all about convenience and discretion. They’re the kind of product you can enjoy as easily as a piece of candy, you can carry them around with you without worrying if they’ll leak over the contents of your bag, and you can keep tabs on your dose.
Whether you’re at work, in the car, traveling on public transport, in a meeting, at a concert, or spending time with family, taking in a CBD softgel is quick and easy. It’s much quicker and much more discreet than administering a dropper’s worth of CBD oil under your tongue and holding it there for over a minute.
Highlighting the pros for CBD oils
While CBD oils may be a little more time-consuming to administer and far less discreet than CBD softgels, oils come out on top in terms of variety.
There are whole plant extracts, full spectrum oils, broad spectrum oils, distillates, isolates, scented oils, flavored oils, oils rich in CBD, or mixed with CBG, or packed to the brim with the exact terpene profile to induce sleep and find that long lost body balance. While new oils pop up on the market every day, CBD softgel options are by no means as varied.
CBD oils also tend to vary in terms of potency. Some tinctures are super rich in CBD, heavy and highly charged. Others are far less potent and offer a great starting point for those new to CBD, trying to find the exact dosage that works for their body and needs.
Availability is another factor that gives CBD oils the edge. In general, most CBD brands offer tinctures, but not all offer softgels. So, on top of the added variety, the consumer is simply more likely to come across a range of CBD oils to choose from at different price points. It may seem like a small point to focus on, but it really can make all the difference.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that CBD oils can also be lots of fun, especially when using them as an extra ingredient to add to homemade CBD cocktails and juices. A few drops of CBD oil in a breakfast smoothie not only helps to diminish the odd taste of CBD oil, but it also helps to incorporate it into your daily routine. And on that note…
The importance of establishing a CBD routine
It’s a really good idea to take your CBD, whether an oil or a softgel, at the same time every day. Regular consumption helps the body to enter into a routine and preps it so that it’s ready to take full advantage of the wellness and body balance support that CBD has to offer.
Take the time to check out our line of CBD tinctures and our CBD softgels when you have the time and feel free to send us any questions you may have. We’re here to help.
What is the best time to take CBD oil?
Is there a best time to take CBD oil and how often should I take CBD oil? These are two of the most common questions posed by newcomers to the CBD market. Understanding the nuances of CBD dosing isn’t an easy task, but it’s also not as complicated as some people believe it to be.
When should I take CBD oil? Morning or night?
When to take CBD oil depends a lot on why you’re choosing to take it and the type of CBD oil you choose to consume.
For example, if you’re looking to CBD to help you improve sleep, then you should be using a CBD oil designed to bring on a full body relax before you go to bed. If you’re giving CBD a try to see if it can help with general body balance, you should be using a CBD oil designed to support all-round body maintenance and it’s a good idea to take it at the very beginning of the day.
What’s more important than the “when” you take your oil, is the consistency. If you take your CBD oil at night, right before bed, then you need to respect that exact schedule on a daily basis. The more consistent you are with consumption, the easier it is to measure results and to adjust dosage accordingly.
The good news is that there are actionable steps you can take to keep your CBD products fresh so that they last longer and work harder for you.
In case it’s been a while since you last reached for that bag of gummies or tincture bottle in your cabinet, and you’re wondering, “When does CBD expire?”, you should understand the signs of expiration and what is in the oil.
What are your reasons for taking CBD?
As previously mentioned, the reasons for taking CBD will and should naturally affect the time of day you take your oil. Anyone wanting to improve their sleep routine needs to find an oil that they can take at night, an hour before bed, giving the oil time to work its way into the bloodstream and aid in the important task of inducing sleep.
If you’re taking CBD to regulate appetite, consider taking the oil an hour before lunch, which should then be your largest meal of the day. If you’re hoping to regulate your body’s general sense of wellbeing, start your day off with a little CBD oil in your morning coffee or breakfast juice. If you’re using CBD to help improve the effects of your workout, take your oil either pre or post-workout.
How to take CBD oil
Choosing the best way to take CBD oil is another factor that needs to be considered. All CBD oils, or tinctures, are designed to be consumed sublingually. This means the oil is dropped neatly under the tongue, held for a little over a minute and then swallowed.
The problem here is that not everyone enjoys the taste or smell of CBD oil, which can make the daily experience an unpleasant one. The good news is that there are lots of ways in which you can get creative with your CBD oil.
If you’re thinking of using CBD to help support and enhance your active lifestyle routine, then you might want to try adding your CBD oil to one of your favorite pre or post-workout juices. Not only will the juice you prepare help to enhance your exercise results, but you’ll get the benefits of daily CBD without having to ingest something that doesn’t taste all that great.
Some consumers choose to add CBD oil to their food. As most CBD oils are made using MCT, coconut oil, or other types of edible oils, they mix well in all kinds of dough-like creations, including cakes, pancakes, biscuits and the like. But you can also choose to add to your morning cereal or lunchtime yoghurt.
What about dosage?
It can take a while to find the exact dose to meet your body’s needs. There’s no one-dose-fits-all approach in CBD. The human body is so very particular, that effective CBD dosage is a very personal thing. But dosage can also play a role in timing.
For instance, you may find that for general maintenance purposes you need to split your CBD dose in two, taking half the dose in the morning and half after lunch. This could help to keep your body leveled out throughout the day better than when taking the full dose when you wake.
Some consumers also find that it’s effective to take CBD oil for three days and then stop for one, or to take for four and stop for two. This micro-dosing approach means that the body never fully accustoms to the CBD and doesn’t naturally build up resistance to its positive effects over time.
CBD oil for the active lifestyle
At GetEvoke, we specialize in the formulation of CBD products for those who lead an active lifestyle. Our CBD oils are available in varying strengths and flavors, designed to support intense exercise regimes and to induce full body relaxation post-workout.
Feel free to browse through our range of CBD oils and to contact our team directly with any questions you might have.
Does CBD Oil Expire? How to Keep Your CBD Products Fresh
In This Article
In this article we take a look at whether or not your CBD oil has expired and how to ensure that your CBD products don’t go bad. We also explain how to store your CBD in order keep it effective for as long as possible.
First off…
First off, to make the most of your CBD oil, you have to put some effort into storing it correctly. If not, your CBD can expire or go bad. Likewise, it is important to be able to tell whether or not your product still is effective and good to use.
The good news is that there are actionable steps you can take to keep your CBD products fresh so that they last longer and work harder for you.
In case it’s been a while since you last reached for that bag of gummies or tincture bottle in your cabinet, and you’re wondering, “When does CBD expire?”, you should understand the signs of expiration and what is in the oil.
What’s in the CBD Oil?
Naturally, CBD oil contains the non-psychoactive cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD)… But it also contain a few more ingredients that act as carriers, flavoring and more.
Most often, CBD products include a carrier oil like MCT Oil, grapeseed oil or a similar vehicle like cocoa butter. When created and stored correctly, these products have a shelf life that can be several years.
Unfortunately, some other ingredients in your CBD product may be less shelf-stable and more perishable than other. So always check out the bottle for an expiration date just to be sure. This is especially important in the case of CBD edibles.
Store your CBD products in a cool, dark place and in it’s original container to ensure that the shelf-life is as long as possible.
CBD Oil: Does It Expire?
The good news is that it doesn’t “expire” in the same sense as your milk sitting in the fridge. Cannabidiol oil may go bad in that it loses potency and stability over time if improperly stored.
One study even showed that storing such products in cool, dark conditions can increase stability.
How long does it take for CBD oil to expire?
Generally speaking, it’s safe to stick with products that are no more than 1-2 years old. This length can vary based on things like ingredients, packaging, and storage location.
Why CBD Can Go Bad
Eventually and like with most other products, cannabidiol oil will go bad – even the best brands and highest prices. That’s just a natural part of time passing, oxidation, and regular use.
However, when kept properly, it can have a long shelf life while providing you with all its intended benefits.
Also, note that we tend to get worked up over the term “expired,” thinking that ingesting an expired product will make you sick. It’s not quite the same with CBD. An expired product means it’s not smelling, tasting, or acting in the way initially intended.
When we refer to cannabidiol oil expiring, what we mean is that the compound loses potency over time as the extracts and carrier oils begin to degrade.
How to Tell If Your CBD Oil Has Expired
Wondering if it’s still safe to use your CBD oil..?
There are a few ways to tell if your CBD oil has expired or is on the verge of expiration.
The main two signs come from the oil’s taste, and appearance.
If your bottle of CBD oil was clear when you first got it, keep an eye out for a murky or cloudy appearance after a while. For a better look, you can hold the bottle up to the light to determine its viability.
If you can’t tell by appearance but you feel that the taste is acidic or unpleasant is a sign that it’s time to toss it and get a new bottle.
Likewise, if you normally feel strong effects when using a CBD product but now the effects are close to none, odds are it may have gone past its prime.
3 Steps To Keeping CBD Oil Fresh
Follow these steps to preserve freshness:
- Store in a cool, dark place. To extend the life of your CBD oil, you can think of it like other food or wellness products. Ideally, you should keep it in a cool, dark place. Your pantry or bathroom medicine cabinet are both great storage places.
- Cool and re-heat. Some people prefer to keep their oil in a cooler place, like a refrigerator. Keep in mind this may cause the oil to thicken as it cools. To melt it back down, place the bottom of the bottle within a cup of warm water before use.
- Keep the original packaging. Another tip is keeping the product in its original packaging. This method reduces the amount of airflow and limits oxidative stress, which can lead to faster degradation.
How Packaging Affects Freshness
The way a manufacturer chooses to package its CBD oil can make a significant impact on how long the product stays fresh. The most important things to keep in mind are protecting the oil from air, light, and heat.
Each aspect plays its role in the breakdown and degradation of compounds like CBD oil.
Oils and tinctures from GetEvoke come in dark bottles complete with dropper lids for easy access. This makes sure that the oil stays well protected from the elements without putting added effort on your part.
Additionally, we pack all our products in a cardboard outer packaging that further helps preserve the content during transit and storage.
Final Thoughts
Most CBD oil manufacturers will place an expiration or “best if used by” date on their packaging. You can use this date to gauge how long you can count on your product to stay fresh. By paying close attention to this date and implementing the tips listed above, you’ll be able to enjoy your CBD oil for potentially years to come.
Is smoking cannabis bad for your lungs?
In This Article
Is smoking cannabis bad for your lungs? Is a joint more harmful than a cigarette? Are there any positives to be had from smoking cannabis? Some of the responses to these questions are to be expected and others are fairly surprising. Let’s begin with the studies…
Studies that advocate the benefits of smoking cannabis
In 2012, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study that offered strangely positive news for people who choose to smoke cannabis on a regular basis. The results of this particular study seem to suggest that smoking one joint a day, for as long as seven years, doesn’t adversely affect lung function.
In fact, the study goes one step further, indicating that smoking cannabis may even improve lung function, simply because the action involved in inhalation gives the chest muscles the exact kind of exercise needed to stay in shape.
The diaphragm is, after all, nothing more than a thin skeletal muscle that requires regular activity in order to work as efficiently as possible, just like all other muscles.
So, how does all this compare to smoking tobacco and why aren’t there any studies out there that highlight the benefits to be had from chest exercises, induced from smoking tobacco-filled cigarettes?
Let’s take a look…
1 cigarette vs 1 joint
Smoking a joint isn’t the same as smoking a cigarette. At least, that’s what the specialist journals and dedicated researchers are telling us. According to materials provided by BMJ Specialty Journals, a single cannabis joint has the same effect on the lungs as smoking up to five cigarettes in one go.
This ongoing study, which looked at respiratory health, takes into account the findings gathered from 339 adults, up to the age of 70, who were categorized into four different study groups: cannabis-only smokers, tobacco-only smokers, cannabis and tobacco smokers, and 100% non-smokers.
The shortness of breath after smoking weed that many people experience is touched upon in the study. However, while findings revealed that the cannabis-only smokers complained of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and phlegm, it was only the adults smoking tobacco who developed the progressive and crippling disease known as emphysema.
But why is this difference so important?
In short, because we’re trying to build an industry that believes in the wellness benefits of the cannabis plant and we need consumers and medical professionals alike to distinguish the wood from the trees.
Increasing our faith in medicinal cannabis
There are lots of studies and sources of anecdotal evidence available, dedicated to presenting cannabis as an alternative to pharmaceutical medicine. But the question, what does weed do to your lungs?, is one that is regularly posed by medical cannabis opposers and one that, no doubt, keeps consumers wary of rolling on a regular basis.
Another study, led by Mark Pletcher of the University of California, San Francisco, goes some way toward easing this worry.
Its findings help to reduce the concern that daily cannabis inhalation could generate negative, long-term implications for pulmonary health.
The study, which looked at more than 5,000 adults over a 20-year period, concluded that smoking up to one joint per day doesn’t appear to decrease lung function and that, in fact, it can even increase lung airflow rates and lung volume.
The benefits of cannabis without needing to smoke
Whether you’re an advocate for cannabis inhalation or not, one important factor about the cannabis industry at present is non-debatable: there are many ways to consume cannabis without having to smoke it.
So, if pictures of smokers’ lungs, before and after, fill you with dread, remember that you can still enjoy the benefits of cannabis, unlike tobacco, without lighting up.
Licensed dispensaries across the country now carry cannabis-infused topicals, edibles, suppositories, gels, tinctures, oils, concentrates, capsules and who knows what other kinds of products might next be on the list. Product variety is always on the increase, available to both recreational and medical users.
Indeed, we’d encourage you to experiment with cannabis consumption methods in order to find the exact type of cannabis product that best suits your needs, your body, and your lifestyle. If you need any help in navigating your way through the many cannabis product options available, feel free to contact our team directly. We’re here to help.
Athletes Using CBD: Who Is Using It and Why?
In This Article
The popularity of CBD products has seen an explosion in America over the past couple of years. With this explosion we’ve started to a variety of use cases where CBD products have become especially popular. One of those popular areas is found in CBD for athletes in both post, during and pre workout consumption.
Many athletes see CBD as an alternative that allows them to reduce intake of over-the-counter drugs that help with muscle soreness and inflammation others use it as a cognitive enhancer to improve focus and alertness.
Athletes Using CBD
There is still much more scientific research needed on the benefits of CBD for athletes. However, athletes using it have added their personal experience to public discussion and offer anecdotal evidence to the mix.
CBD in MMA and The UFC
In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), the ability to reduce soreness, treat injuries, and aid muscle recovery is central to the training regimen of successful fighters. Many fighters have turned to CBD as both a post and pre workout supplement.
Most notably…
Nate Diaz
Fighting as a lightweight in the UFC for over ten years, Diaz is a known user of both CBD and cannabis.
In a post-fight interview in 2016, a reported asked Diaz what he was smoking. Upon which, Diaz responded by saying it was CBD and that “it helps with the healing process and inflammation.”
Since then, both Nate and his brother Nick have been strong proponents of CBD, cannabis and other plant based supplements to their MMA training.
Sean O’Malley
Another MMA fighter who is a strong advocate for CBD Saying on social media that “it’s part of his nightly ritual”.
But it’s not just CBD that “Suga Sean” believes in. In 2019, he released his own cannabis strain called Suga Show OG. A potent cross between Lemonhead and OG 92.
Michelle Waterson
Michelle Waterson is another UFC fighter who sees CBD is an important part of her training and post-workout program.
Michelle says that preparing for a UFC bout can be draining mentally, ‟it’s hard to shut your mind off when all you want to do is win!”. And that CBD helps her to “let go, relax, rest, and recover.”
Joe Rogan
Comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, in his podcast the Joe Rogan Experience, has not only talked about UFC fighters taking CBD but opened up about his own use of it.
Rogan trains in MMA in his free time. On his show, he has extolled the topical application of CBD on sore muscles and ingesting it for treating general anxiety.
Speaking with Maynard James Keenan on his podcast, Rogan said the topical CBD for him was “the best thing I’ve ever found for alleviating soreness and stiffness.”
CBD In the NFL
CBD and American Football have a tense history in recent years. Both players and the league are not sure how to respond to the advent of the non-psychoactive product.
The NFL in January of this year held a fact-finding meeting on the possibility of CBD allowing CBD as a non-opioid pain treatment. This statement comes following the described “exploding” use and the anecdotal support for cannabis-derived supplements.
Many former players like Terrell Davis and Jake Plummer have said that using CBD has helped treat persistent pains from their football careers. Others like Eugene Monroe, Tiki Barber, and Joe Montana have gone further and started cannabis-based companies.
In 2016, Monroe was one of the first NFL players to speak about using CBD. Soon after, his contract terminated. Some people, including Monroe himself, believe the contract cancellation was due to his outspoken advocacy.
Monroe now speaks about his personal use and his advocacy for cannabis products for athletes on his website and through his work in Green Thumb Industries.
At the moment the NFL still says NO to CBD products for their athletes.
Golf Players Using CBD
While not often thought of as exacting the same physical toll as professional fighting or American Football, golf is proving another popular sport for athletes to use CBD.
Bubba Watson
The necessary longevity for gruelling golf tournaments has meant some professionals have included CBD into their supplement regime. One of the most forthright of golfers has been Bubba Watson. Watson not only cited the problems of injury and strain but included his personal experience of better sleep during long tournaments.
Speaking about his desire to extend his career beyond 40-years-old Watson said that taking CBD for him was a ‘no-brainer.’
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson was caught taking what looks like a CBD tincture on camera during the 2019 Masters. We still don’t have confirmation that it was in fact CBD, but everything points to it.
Others, like Lucas Glover and Scott McCarron, attribute their enhanced performance on the course to their experiences with CBD off the course.
The unique situation of CBD and golf players has emphasized the perceived mental benefits of the hemp product: either in the claim to sleep better and as a result, recover better, or reduce the anxiety that comes with the high-concentration sport.
The Present and Future of CBD and Athletics
Anecdotal evidence suggests that athletes are increasingly turning to CBD as more companies and advocacy groups promote the claimed benefits. Though enthusiasm for it appears to be growing, athletic groups have been slow to grapple and adapt to the new supplement.
The 2018 Farm Bill made it legal to farm hemp. Following its passage, sporting groups have taken different approaches to the substance’s possible presence in sports.
As mentioned above, the NFL is looking into CBD. However, its blanket ban on THC products and its overall skepticism on cannabis effects means that it is not likely to accept the substance soon. The PGA does allow for the use of CBD, but most other sporting groups still have it banned, in part related to the problem of testing.
As much as advocates of CBD wish to separate it from THC, the two still have structural similarities. Reports in the past have shown that CBD products may have impermissible levels of THC and other cannabis products, often by mistake. Even trace amounts of THC becomes difficult with the possibility of athletes failing drug tests for improper labeling or information on products purchased online.
On the level of national laws, many states have been struggling to create coherent laws on the legality and regulation of different CBD products. Part of the challenge is due to their variety. In the US, the FDA allows for its sale only if the marketing does not promote it as a drug or medicine. However, this stipulation is not clear between the federal and state levels of law.
In the UK, the FSA is undergoing a review due for 2021 on CBD products. The review could pull the products from the shelves, partly to avoid the problems of mislabeling.
All these factors make the future of CBD in athletics uncertain. However, with the increasing number of athletes using it in their training regimes, it seems it will need to find a place in modern sports.
We’re here to match gyms with oils and cycling with gels; to take fitness up a notch and send wellness somewhere new.
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