Does drinking a CBD infusion promote sleep?
December 27, 2023
Why choose a French CBD oil?
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Among the many ways to consume cannabidiol (CBD), there' s the infusion. It's not the most popular CBD product of all, yet it's one of the most traditional modes of use, especially for therapeutic purposes.
If you're considering buying a hemp infusion that contains CBD, then you probably want to know what effects you can expect.
Here's an overview of the effects and benefits of CBD infusion.
The 5 main effects of hemp infusion (CBD)
As you no doubt know, CBD is a non-psychoactive molecule derived from the flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa L.), which has numerous potential therapeutic properties.
Let's see what an infusion containing CBD can do for you.
#1. Fight stress and anxiety 😫
Many people use CBD to combat stress and its effects (anxiety, depression and insomnia). And rightly so, as studies have shown that it is able to act on levels of cortisol, the hormone secreted by the body when under stress[1].
Lowering cortisol levels in the blood can help restore a state of well-being and serenity. This can lead to improvements in anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.
So, drinking a hemp infusion with CBD at the start of the day could help reduce stress and anxiety throughout the day. In the medium term, it could also help reduce depression. However, it should be borne in mind that an herbal tea can never replace appropriate treatment prescribed by a health professional.
#2. Promotes sleep 💤
As we said, one of the effects of CBD infusion is the reduction of stress and anxiety. Given that these are the two leading causes of insomnia, then we can also imagine that a little hemp tea in the evening, before going to bed, might make it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.
In addition to CBD, infusions made from hemp flowers also contain cannabinol (CBN), a cannabinoid known and studied for its mild sedative effects.
Finally, some hemp herbal teas are blended with plant extracts known to promote sleep, such as verbena, chamomile, licorice and others.
CBD infusion is one of the best ways to promote sleep. If you suffer from insomnia, it's a little ritual you need to put in place as a matter of urgency! In fact, we offer two CBD infusion recipes specially formulated to improve sleep quality.
#3. Fights pain and inflammation 🤕
CBD is mostly known for its benefits on stress, however, many people also consume it for its anti-inflammatory and anti-pain effects.
In fact, CBD acts as an immunosuppressant, meaning it is able to regulate the inflammatory response, and therefore, the sensation of pain. [2]
A CBD infusion can therefore have beneficial effects on aches and pains after a sports session, but also on joint pain caused by rheumatism. CBD can also help with back pain, headaches and migraines. This infusion can even help with painful periods and premenstrual syndrome.
If your muscles or joints are aching, we invite you to discover our hemp infusion, specially designed to combat this kind of pain. In addition to hemp, it contains rosemary, sage, thyme and peppermint.
#4. Improves digestion ⚡️
Herbal teas are also a good way to combat digestive problems. CBD herbal tea is particularly recommended for stomach upsets.
Hemp has been used for thousands of years to treat digestive disorders such as bloating, nausea (thanks to its antispasmodic properties) and heartburn. Some people even take CBD after a night out, to combat hangovers.
And if CBD infusion is made with plant extracts known to combat stomach upsets, then it's definitely THE herbal tea to drink after a hearty meal.
Our hemp infusion also contains cinnamon, ginger and wormwood, natural extracts used in Ayurvedic medicine to boost metabolism and aid digestion.
#5. Detoxifies the body and regulates blood sugar levels
As we'll see in the next paragraph, the molecules contained in hemp (=cannabinoids) act as regulators. In other words, they help keep our body in a state of equilibrium.
Drinking a hemp infusion every morning can help your body function more efficiently, promoting better metabolic performance through, among other things, the elimination of toxins and the regulation of various physiological processes.
Moreover, according to some studies, CBD has beneficial effects on blood sugar levels. [3] Hemp infusion could therefore potentially help diabetics. In this case, however, you should seek the advice of your doctor.
Some CBD infusions, like ours, contain extracts enriched with antioxidants, boosting hemp's detox power tenfold. For example, the hemp herbal tea we offer to people wishing to "cleanse" their bodies contains ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and wild turmeric. All these extracts have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to boost the body's functions.
What is the mechanism of action of CBD herbal tea?
Now that you know the effects of CBD infusions, perhaps you'd like to understand how it delivers all its benefits! Here's how a hemp infusion works.
The endocannabinoid system
To understand how a CBD infusion works, you first need a basic understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The SEC is a set of receptors that we all have, and which are distributed throughout the body. They are found in the brain, stomach, pancreas, lungs, skin... In short, it's a huge network of hundreds of thousands of receptors, all of which act on various key physiological processes such as internal temperature regulation, hormone synthesis and blood sugar levels.
These receptors are activated/inhibited by the neurotransmitters we spontaneously synthesize, anandamide and 2-AG, but also by cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBN, etc.). That's why hemp is so full of virtues, and that's why CBD infusion is an excellent wellness infusion!
Action time
How long does it take for hemp infusion to take effect? Generally speaking, you'll feel the first effects after half an hour, but some people have to wait 1 or even 2 hours.
In fact, the time it takes for cannabinoids to take effect depends on more than just digestion. Some people are more sensitive to hemp extracts than others (depending on their SEC). In addition, the concentration of CBD in the infusion can also have an impact on action time.
If, after several hours, you feel no effect, you can increase the dose of CBD in your infusion. You can do this by adding a few drops of full spectrum CBD oil.
Bioavailability
Another aspect to take into account when considering the effects of a CBD infusion is bioavailability. As a reminder, bioavailability refers to the percentage of active substance available in the bloodstream after it has been metabolized by the body. Thus, good bioavailability is synonymous with efficacy.
In the case of CBD infusions, it's important to remember that bioavailability is not optimal. When taken orally, cannabinoids are partly broken down by the liver, which is not the case when taken sublingually, where they are absorbed through the mucous membranes.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean that drinking a CBD infusion is useless. It does mean that it's not the product of choice if your symptoms are severe, or that it should be considered alongside another product, such as CBD oil.
Does CBD infusion have side effects?
At this stage, however, one question remains unanswered: can CBD infusion cause side effects?
First of all, let us reassure you: hemp infusion has no psychotropic effects. In fact, it doesn't contain enough THC to do so (less than 0.3%).
Secondly, like any herbal tea, CBD infusion has a slight diuretic effect. In other words, it can increase the frequency of urination. And if you abuse it (more than 1 litre/day), you may experience stomach discomfort.
On the other hand, some people who are particularly sensitive to the relaxing effects of CBD may feel slightly drowsy if the infusion is consumed at the end of the day, when they are very tired.
Apart from that, CBD infusion is safe for your health, although, as a precautionary measure, its consumption is not recommended for pregnant/lactating women or children.
Does hemp tea really work?
As we've explained, hemp infusions are not optimally bioavailable. It should also be borne in mind that its effectiveness depends on a whole host of factors, such as individual sensitivity, the quality of the ingredients in the herbal tea, and the method used to prepare the CBD infusion.
However, it's important to remember that the effect of a hemp infusion does not depend solely on the action of CBD. It's a moment of relaxation optimized by a ritual and the scent of cannabis terpenes, which also have therapeutic effects.
In any case, an infusion is certainly not as effective as CBD oil. It is, however, an excellent supplement.
