Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is gaining significant traction in the health and wellness markets, with President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 announcing the government’s plan to open up and regulate the commercial use of these products for medicinal purposes.

However, despite its rising popularity and accessibility of high-quality products from reputable brands like Rethink CBD, there is still a social stigma attached to CBD, while misconceptions and misguided perceptions due to false information continue to run rampant.

Sean Willard, Pharmacist and Certified Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, warns, “Today’s digital age means misinformation is readily available and widespread. This contributes to perpetuating myths and falsehoods about CBD, which can be damaging to many vulnerable sections of the population.” He continues, “To debunk these myths and misconceptions, we need to really understand CBD, what it is, and its benefits in preventative health.”

The key is understanding how CBD works

Cannabinoids are active chemical compounds found in cannabis plants, with the highest concentration found in the plant’s flowers. The cannabis plant has many different varieties, including marijuana and hemp plants. Willard adds, “While historically associated with recreational marijuana use, cannabis plants produce over 500 compounds, with approximately 144 of these unique to the plant to be isolated for medicinal use and other purposes.”

Understanding the endocannabinoid system and how CBD brings homeostasis to the human body is, therefore, the key to understanding how CBD works. The endocannabinoid system is well-researched and scientifically proven and is the reason a plant or plant-based compound like CBD can offer relief from medical issues like chronic pain and inflammation, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and encourage better sleep.

“The human body has cannabinoid receptors designed to allow CBD to improve our health and wellbeing, helping to achieve homeostasis,” says Willard. “Just as eating a healthy diet and consciously focusing on mental and physical health and wellbeing help bring the body into balance – or arrive at a state of homeostasis – so do cannabinoids like CBD. When homeostasis is achieved, the body works harmoniously, and we are able to function at our peak.”

The stark differences between CBD and THC

Misinformation and comparisons between CBD and THC also abound. While CBD and THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, both have the same chemical formula, the latter contains psychoactive qualities known for producing the ‘high’ commonly associated with recreational and psychotoxic cannabis or marijuana. This ‘high’ can either be euphoric or produce negative effects, depending on the user.

CBD contains no psychotropic qualities and does not cause the user to feel any ‘high’, both positive or negative. Explains Willard, “THC, like CBD, is frequently used to help relieve chronic pain, mood disorders and other medical ailments, but its effects can be unpleasant and difficult to predict. CBD, on the other hand, interacts with the human body’s various systems to provide many of the same health benefits as THC without the adverse effects.”

“This makes CBD the more desirable option. It is also legal when it contains no more than 0.001% THC and does not exceed the maximum daily dose of 20mg CBD. It is highly recommended to purchase CBD products from reputable, recognised brands like Rethink CBD by Releaf Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on creating and sharing scientifically-backed, best-in-class products and solutions.”

“With products like CBD oils, capsules, infused tea and booster shots to supplement your health and lifestyle, Rethink CBD talks to the needs of a conscious, informed and health-focused community. Armed with the right information and products, people who are proactively cultivating a healthy lifestyle can certainly benefit from CBD as an alternative to traditional medicine for preventative health,” he concludes.

ABOUT RELEAF PHARMACEUTICALS

Releaf Pharmaceuticals is a thought-leading, South African-based, pharmaceutical company in the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) category. Releaf Pharmaceuticals creates and shares primarily Herbal and Health Supplements that are scientifically backed.

Their products help you to gain insight into conditions and how to manage them, with world-class alternative health solutions.

The CBD market is booming in South Africa and globally, expecting to grow from $500m in 2020 to more than $10bn by 2024 and up to $25bn by 2027. The change of CBD legislation in 2019, combined with the benefits of high-quality products, has made CBD the go-to alternative for pain relief, anxiety and mood enhancement, among others. An increase in products, ranging from pain relief to skincare and even pet wellbeing has meant many new players have entered the market and even more options to choose from.

Here, Pharmacist and Certified Holistic Cannabis Practitioner Sean Willard shares his advice on choosing the right CBD products to suit your needs.

There are currently three sectors dominating the cannabis market: CBD, medical cannabis and recreational cannabis, with CBD leaders like Rethink offering consumers high-quality products with incredible health benefits. That said, misinformation around CBD products, their usages, benefits and dosages still exist and consumers often struggle to discern quality and efficacy.

Not all CBD products are created equally

Willard highlights the importance of using trusted brands to ensure safety, quality and efficacy. “Sticking to brands like Rethink, who have proven themselves as leading providers of CBD products, will help consumers make the best decision without having to navigate the sheer volume of options on the shelves.”

 “It is vital to remember that not all CBD products are made equally,” Willard advises. As such, there are several key factors to consider when choosing a CBD product:

• A daily dosage limit of no more than 20mg, which should be clearly stated on the product label.
• The THC content must be no more than 0.001% to be considered safe and legal.
• All ingredients must be stated on the label in order of concentration, from highest to lowest.
• No banned ingredients or solvents, for example, carcinogenic pentane or benzine, should be present.
• All products must be tested for consistency across all batches and meet all pharmaceutical standards.
• Manufacturers must feature a Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) certification, which should be clearly stated on their website.

Dosage, administration and absorption of CBD products

 When taken in the correct dosage, CBD products have many reported health benefits, including relief from chronic pain and inflammation, calming effects and reduced feelings of anxiety, improvements in mood and better sleep. This has caused many consumers to switch from chemical supplements to more natural CBD products like oils and capsules.

The method or format you choose depends on what you’re looking for and your current health needs. Some consumers want quick relief, while others prefer a slower release that lasts longer. Oil drops taken under the tongue are the fastest acting CBD (within 15 – 20 minutes) as they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The effects of oil drops can last for about 5 – 6 hours. On the other hand, capsules take up to 60 minutes to start working as the capsule has to pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream.

“The Rethink Daily Capsules and Oils are available in three strengths, allowing the consumer to choose a product that suits their current health needs while never encouraging the use of more than 20mg a day. As such, the highest strength is 600mg, equating to one month’s supply,” says Willard. “CBD is tasteless, but the carrier oils it is infused into may have an earthy, nutty or grassy taste. Many companies now use MCT ( Medium Chain Triglyceride ) oil as a carrier oil because it is neutral in taste and more bioavailable. The newer batches of Rethink CBD oils are neutral in taste but if you prefer capsules to oils, the Rethink Capsules are available in three strengths too.”

“While it has been shown that CBD products can significantly improve the lives of many South Africans who have health issues related to pain, mood or sleep, we only recommend products that meet the highest manufacturing and pharmaceutical standards. As such, Rethink continues to be the go-to brand for South Africans looking for the best CBD products,” he concludes.

CBD continues to attract a wide range of consumers looking for a more holistic approach to wellness and has become a leading natural alternative to improve one’s health and quality of life. Because CBD helps the body achieve a state of systemic balance, or homeostasis, it targets more with less. As such, it is fast becoming a sensation in the world of healthcare, gaining a lot of public attention in recent years.

Homeostasis refers to any psychological process that takes place within the body in response to a changing external or internal environment. Maintaining a balanced internal environment is crucial for the survival and proper functioning of the human body. However, numerous factors like lifestyle, diet, stress and heat can cause imbalances, leading to inevitable health-related consequences.

According to Sean Willard, Pharmacist and Certified Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, scientific research has found that CBD products, like those from Rethink CBD, helps to promote homeostasis, which is imperative to optimal health. It can also positively impact our common need states when used correctly. “CBD is a unique cannabinoid as it interacts with many other receptors in addition to cannabinoid receptors to produce various positive effects in the body.”

What is a need state?

Willard shares that a need state is something that motivates a consumer to make a purchase. “In its simplest terms, a need state is the primary driver to consumers purchasing a product or solution.”

The four macro needs human beings require are fueling (31%), wellness (23%), connecting (22%) and gratifying (24%). These fundamental needs can be broken down into more specific behaviours, called need states.  Need state are the desires to leave a good impression, improve personal appearance and impress peers, friends, colleagues and family members. This need for distinction is prevalent among 18-29-year-old millennials, predominantly in China, South Africa, Turkey and Mexico. It is also said to be higher for males compared to females (54% vs 44%). So what has this got to do with homeostasis and CBD?

Willard notes that before understanding how CBD contributes to a need state, you must know how it brings about homeostasis to the human body. “The three need states CBD influences are pain, mood and sleep. The human body has cannabinoid receptors designed to allow cannabinoids to improve our health and wellbeing, helping to achieve homeostasis. Activities like yoga, a healthy diet, and consciously focusing on mental and physical wellbeing all help bring the body into balance or arrive at a state of homeostasis, as do cannabinoids like CBD.”

“The endocannabinoid system is well-researched and scientifically proven. Therefore, the endocannabinoid system, and adequate intakes of cannabinoids like CBD, could assist with supporting our immune system,” he continues. When homeostasis is achieved, the body works harmoniously – from elements in the blood to multiple organ systems and beyond. As such, we feel great when everything is in balance, and these feelings of positivity, confidence, energy and good mental and physical health positively impacts our need states,” Willard adds.

The basics of CBD Oil

While CBD is derived from the cannabis plant, it differs from the other popular cannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike CBD, which has shown to have health and wellness benefits, THC is typically used more recreationally due to the euphoric ‘high’ effect it produces. CBD does not give users the ‘high’ THC is known for, but it does put you in a need state.

To set the record straight on what CBD oil is, Willard reminds us that it has no affiliation with cannabis oil. “CBD oil or ‘tincture’ is produced by mixing a CBD extract from a cannabis plant into a base. The oil is then held under the tongue for 60-90 seconds as it provides faster absorption. As such, CBD oil boasts a longer duration of action, which many people prefer.”

Some reported benefits derived from CBD products include relief from chronic pain and inflammation, calming effects and reduced feelings of anxiety, and better sleep. “Releaf Pharmaceuticals, along with Rethink CBD has positioned themselves as the industry’s pioneer in South Africa through the constant and consistent presentation of scientifically backed, accurate information on CBD, its benefits and potential. By using Rethink’s range of CBD products in its correct dosages, you could soon see the benefits in switching to these more natural alternatives,” he concludes.

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A good night’s sleep ensures we are well-rested and have the energy to tackle the day ahead. It also contributes to memory formation, helps grow and repair muscle and tissue and prevents illness. It is also considered critical to business success. Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently revealed that he tried sleeping for less than six hours a night, which ultimately lowered his overall productivity. Scientists have warned that not catching enough z’s can be detrimental to day-to-day functioning, long-term health and overall mental and physical well-being.

Unfortunately, sleep eludes many South Africans. According to research by Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), 7.1% of those over the age of 15 experience insomnia, with the probability of having sleep difficulties increasing steadily with age. Among those over the age of 65, 20.5% suffered from sleep problems. Sleep tracking app Sleep Cycle also found that 30% of South Africans get seven hours of sleep each night, while only 27% get the recommended eight hours.

The struggle is real for far too many South Africans, who continue to look for solutions to their various sleep problems. Aside from improving your sleeping environment, Pharmacist and Certified Holistic Cannabis Practitioner Sean Willard suggests opting for a more natural alternative, including Rethink CBD products. “Studies have shown that CBD oil can increase feelings of calm, help with muscle relaxation, decrease acute pain and have anti-inflammatory effects, all of which may help with a better night’s sleep. In fact, a recent study found that CBD reduced symptoms of insomnia more effectively than THC,” he says.

“Because of this, sleep is one of the most popular reasons people turn to CBD oil as a solution when natural sleep supplements fall short.”

Improve your quality of sleep with CBD

Sleep remains a complicated subject, even among scientists. Willard adds, “We know sleep is essential for health and wellbeing. It is incredibly crucial for many processes that are regulated by the body’s endocannabinoid system, otherwise known as cannabis receptors.” He continues, “the endocannabinoid system regulates the way we fall asleep, remain asleep, the quality of our sleep and even how we wake up. It makes sense that CBD would play an important role in regulating sleep.”

Essentially, CBD products can help with keeping you alert as well as help you to fall asleep. It all depends on how much you take. A study from 2019 reported that out of 72 patients, 79.2% had lower anxiety and 66.7% slept better after taking one dose of 25mg CBD capsules daily.

“In small doses, CBD can help you feel energised, stimulate alertness and reduce lethargy,” adds Willard. “When taken in larger dosages, it can also help soothe any pain preventing you from getting a good night’s rest. If sleep evades you, CBD may be able to help. Get in touch with your healthcare practitioner about improving your quality of sleep with Rethink CBD,” he concludes.

To view the rest of the products and for more in-depth details, visit the Rethink CBD Website: Click Here

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