Ever Heard of CBD?
On this weeks show we explore the benefits of CBD oil with our guest, Nicole McCoy! A lot of people, Dee included, hadn’t heard about CBD oil or don’t know much about it. It’s short for cannabidiol – and yes, that’s related to cannabis and it’s naturally occurring in the hemp plant, which has hundreds of plant compounds. I have to put the disclaimer up front: this is not to be confused with the drug marijuana that contains tetrahydrocannabinol, the ingredient in marijuana that produces a “high.”
Our Backstory:
For Nicole, her journey with CBD started with her son. He’s now 10 years old, but he was born prematurely and has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other health challenges. When her husband watched the documentary Weed, he thought it could help their son. Nicole admitted being close-minded at first, but eventually to appease her husband, she looked into it. After ordering a bottle from Colorado, she tried it herself before she would consider giving it to her son. After a week, she said had never experienced better sleep in her life, and her anxiety had decreased. After a few months, they agreed to start using it for Nicole’s son. He doesn’t have an autism diagnosis, but he experiences extreme anxiety around strangers – he was so fearful that he hated even leaving the house. They started with Charlotte’s Web oil and didn’t notice much change; however, after switching brands, they saw a huge difference within two days. Nicole said, “Before, we would get to school and I’d have to pry him off my leg. After the switch, he started a new school year and began the day by playing on the playground. He says hello to strangers and even talks about his feelings more now. His teachers, his therapist, and so many others have noticed a huge difference.”
Like Nicole, I have been using CBD oil for about a year. I was first introduced to it through a friend in another state who has Stage 4 terminal cancer, and she uses it to deal with her chronic pain from chemotherapy. I notice a big difference with sleep and anxiety, which is what Nicole first observed as well. When I’m consistent with my oil – which is key, but hard for me! – my sleep is awesome and my anxiety is eased. It’s a night and day difference. I have even used topical CBD cream for recurring knee pain since one knee always gives me trouble when I run. My 16-year-old daughter has experienced benefits, too, and I’ll talk more about that later, but first, here are some fast facts.
FAQ:
1. So… Are you sure it’s not a drug?
CBD is grown from hemp, which has hundreds of plant compounds. If you are interested in trying CBD oil, you will have to read the label and research which type you’re buying, because some oils may contain TCH. But hemp-derived CBD is TCH-free, meaning anyone can take it without getting high. (I’ll admit… I know what it’s like to get high and have TCH in my system, but there’s none of that effect with pure hemp oil.)
2. So… Are you really sure it’s not a drug? Could I pass a drug test for work?
Yes. Even law enforcement can take CBD oil and pass a drug test! But don’t just take my word for it. This is going to sound crazy, but I have done random drug tests on my kids. Honestly, more than anything, it gives them an “out” to say no if they’re pressured to do drugs. (I.e. “No, I can’t smoke that because I have a psycho mom who drug tests me!”) I did the drug test with my daughter when she was using the oil to address anxiety– nothing showed up on the results. Nicole said that she drug-tested herself while taking it, too, and nothing showed up. At this point, hemp CBD oil is becoming more mainstream and understood, so Nicole even knew someone who approached her HR department at work to explain what she was taking and that it wasn’t a drug.
3. Okay, so how do I take it, and what does it cost?
People can administer it topically on their skin. It even comes in coffee or gummy supplement form. Nicole and I both take the oil form orally. It comes in a bottle with a dispenser in the cap that releases a pre-measured amount. You just hold it under your tongue for 30 seconds and swallow.
I’m so forgetful with this stuff: if I needed to take a pill every day to survive, I would probably die! But the results are definitely better with consistency. I usually remember 4 days out of 7, but I really see better results when I do 7 out of 7. Nicole’s trick is to put it next to something in her daily routine that is non-negotiable: “I never leave the house without a cup of coffee, so I put the bottle there and I will never miss it! You could even set a phone alarm – sometimes I need that alarm to remember the important things… like picking up my kids.”
The cost or investment can vary. Just like with taking supplements, there is a range of prices, and you should do your research to find a high-quality product. I recommend using the purest form of the oil. I get a bottle for $140, but the range is big, from $40 to $300. My bottle is 100 pumps, about 1 pump a day. I used to buy mine for about $40/month over the counter at Whole Foods or in California at Roots.
Benefits:
CBD oil can help anybody at any age. Some people may see benefits immediately, especially young people who could quickly experience better focus in school or less social anxiety, for instance. Others may take a few weeks for results, especially for issues like chronic pain. A lot of people we know find that CBD oil balances their energy. For some people, it boosts energy, like Nicole who says she’s always lethargic from taking care of her kids. She takes it in the morning and sometimes again in the afternoon when the kids get home from school for another boost of energy. Other people take it in the evening, like my mom, who finds it has a relaxing and calming effect. My mom is constantly running around all the time – it’s hard for her to wind down, but it’s not sustainable to have all that high stress, so taking it at bedtime helps her bring down that energy level.
Dee wondered if it would still be helpful to take it, even if she doesn’t have problems with sleeping or anxiety. Nicole’s husband is the same way, but CBD decreases inflammation (which is why there are other benefits for sleep and mood). Decreasing inflammation helps on many levels, such as for regulating hormones, too.
Nicole has reported to her doctors what she is taking; her doctor now sells it in her office because she has seen the progress in Nicole’s autoimmune blood work. And her son’s specialist, who sees only patients with behavioral issues, reports that about 30% of her patients are on CBD oil. After 3 months of consistent use of CBD oil, my own doctor noticed a transformation in my bloodwork, white cell count, and liver enzymes.
Disclaimer: We aren’t doctors. And CBD is more like a supplement – we aren’t claiming that it’s a cure for anything, and CBD oil doesn’t replace our traditional medical treatment. You should definitely do your own research!
More info: Check out www.ProjectCBD.org for a documentary on cannabis for cancer care called The Scientist. You can also direct message Nicole McCoy on social media (Instagram and Facebook) or email her at nicole@vanillaskyphotographs.com. (PS – she’s an amazing photographer, too!)
