To be honest it took me a REALLY long time to get on the train

For the last several years it's been popping up everywhere and literally in everything. From skincare products to creams and coffees, it's kinda hard not to be curious. At first I really couldn't wrap my head around it not being a drug and hated that it still felt too close to the whole marijuana scene for me to feel comfortable trying it, let alone sharing it with you girls, but things have changed.

You all know my struggles with hypothyroidismand some of the potential reported benefits of CBD sounded way too good not to at least start to really dig into understanding it more and eventually testing it out. My biggest issues are really chronic pain and terrible sleep.For those of you who don't have hypo, it's basically like you're tired and sore all the time, but also can't sleep because your so tired and sore.. Suuuuper fun!? So after lots of research, I finally gave it a go and wanted to put together a little guide to help you girls out if you're thinking about trying it too!

How do I use CBD?

You can get this plant power in a bunch of ways. Sure, you can smoke (vape, actually) CBD, but you don't have to risk your lungs to get any of these benefits. They make CBD in tinctures you can use like an essential oil, in capsules you can take like a pill, and in edibles you eat just like a snack.

My faaaaave CBD brand is called Beamand I totally recommend that you check them out! All of their products use organic, pharmaceutical-grade CBD. And, guys, they have these awesome protein barsthat areperfectfor when you're having those stressful times when you can't figure out if you're overwhelmed, hungry, tired, or what! Eating one of these bars gives you 20 mg of CBD and 20 grams of clean, plant-based protein, enough to fill you up and chill you out.

They've also got this great salveyou can use wherever you need it, especially on those post workout, recovery sore muscle days.

I've also been using The One, CBD drops for my TMJ and it's been totally helping! The tension releases and I am finally able to relax. Plus, I'm able to fall asleep easier and sleep better! A few drops go a long way.

Long story short, hemp-derived CBD is a federally legal, totally natural, extremely effective remedy for a huge number of physical and mental issues. I'm using it all over the place and loving it! If you've been looking for a naturopathic remedy, it's def worth having on your radar. Keep reading for more information on CBD facts and benefits.

What the heck is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol. And it's a compound found in a cannabis plant. Yep, that cannabis plant. But the thing is that cannabis is just that: a plant. And not all cannabis is created equal. We break cannabis into two separate classifications: hemp and marijuana. If a cannabis plant contains more than 0.3% THC (the stuff that gets you high), it's classified as marijuana. But if it's under the 0.3% THC limit, it's hemp.

You can get CBD from both hemp and marijuana, butmostCBD is made from hemp. And hemp is totally, completely non-psychoactive. It's also totally, completely legal. In fact, hemp-derived CBD is legal both on the federal level and in most states.

What's with all the hype about CBD?

So if it doesn't get you high, what's the point? Turns out, that cannabis plant we've so long associated with drug culture is actually pretty incredible. In fact, people are calling it a super plant. That's because the cannabidiol in it offers a tooon of health properties. Like, no joke, this stuff is seriously good for you.

CBD has been used to treat:

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Multiple sclerosis
• PTSD
• Epilepsy
• Arthritis

And that's just to name a few! It's basically plant-based medicine at its best.

How does CBD work?

CBD gets its power from the fact that it has two pretty awesome properties: it's anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiolytic (which means it reduces anxiety). We're talking totally naturally pain and stress relief, people. Plus, those properties make it awesome for your skin — so keep an eye out for more topical products containing CBD.

Have questions? Comment below babe, I would love to hear about your personal experiences with trying CBD.