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Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is taking America by storm as people discover the benefits of this simple and natural medicine. If you're interested in learning about and trying CBD, there is so much information and so many brands available, it's hard to know where to start. Have no fear--here's an honest review from someone who has actually used a few different brands of CBD oil!
What's all the fuss about?
If you're not that familiar with CBD oil, it's an extract from the hemp plant (legal in all 50 states). Hemp contains many non-psychoactive compounds that are scientifically proven to be beneficial to humans and animals. Our bodies even have a special cannabinoid receptor system, indicating our bodies are made to naturally utilize the health benefits of CBD.
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Some therapeutic benefits of CBD include:
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Reduces pain
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Helps with insomnia
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Has anti-cancer properties
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Reduces inflammation
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Reduces negative mental health symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD
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Relieves nausea and lack of appetite
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Provides antioxidants
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And more...
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Which brand should I use?
There are so many brands of CBD on the market now it can be difficult to wade through. Everyone claims to be the best, and I'm sure quite a few are great, but let's narrow this down.
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For me, the most important things I look for are: organic, full spectrum, and lab tested. If those three criteria aren't met, I won't even consider that product.
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A few months ago I stumbled upon NuLeaf Naturals, a company headquartered in Colorado whose "5 Reasons to Choose Our CBD Oil" page caught my eye. Lo and behold, all my criteria were met (and more)! Of note:
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Full spectrum, meaning traces of other cannabinoid compounds along with the main CBD are included. Including these other compounds makes it more effective than those that are strictly just CBD (non-full spectrum).
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Organic, with no preservatives or additives, just the plant oil.
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Third-party verified, laboratory tested and free of contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.
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CO2 extraction method, so no solvents are used, allowing beneficial vitamins, trace minerals, terpenes, and essential oils to remain.
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USA grown hemp, from licensed farms in Colorado.
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Sounds great, right?
I've trialed a few CBD oils and other CBD products over the past couple of years for fibromyalgia pain, anxiety, and insomnia, and while I can't remember all the brand names, I can remember how they tasted and how I felt afterwards. And I know that I never bought any of them a second time, that's how unimpressed I was.
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Based on the information from their web site and reviews that I found online, I decided to give NuLeaf Naturals a try, and I'm glad I did.
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My NuLeaf Naturals order was priced similarly to other companies (which was nice to get organic and high quality without being too expensive) and arrived quickly (via free shipping!). The first time I took it (half of a dropper full placed under the tongue, holding for one minute before swallowing) I noticed how much better it tasted than others I'd tried. If you haven't taken CBD oil before, you may be surprised by how not-yummy it tastes. Some products are downright unpleasant, and while this one still tastes like an unfamiliar plant (because it is!), it's mellower and easy to tolerate.
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The main thing I need help with is trouble falling and staying asleep, a lifelong curse I've wrestled with. So I take the oil about two hours before bedtime. The half of a dropper I take is about 10 drops, which equals about 24 mg of CBD. You may want to take more or less depending on your size, what you're taking it for, and your metabolism. You'll just need to experiment a little.
If you're a good sleeper, you can't know how much poor sleep affects every part of a person's life. It's awful. This product gradually relaxes me and by the time I'm ready for bed, I'm sleepy, my anxiety isn't spiraling around in my brain, and I'm physically comfortable. I now fall asleep much more quickly than before (which could have been several hours at times, ugh) and I rarely wake up during the night. It's absolutely life changing. Can I get a "hallelujah!"?
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Based on the price, taste, quality, and my results (I love you, sleep!), I'll definitely be using NuLeaf Naturals products from now on. I no longer dread bedtime. I have no reservations in recommending it to anyone wanting any of the benefits of an organic, full spectrum, lab tested CBD oil.
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