The Good Inside

5 Tips for Living Life Filled with Purpose

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Everyone wants to live a purposeful life. One that doesn’t feel like you’re lost at sea, drifting aimlessly. Having a strong sense of purpose gives your life direction. It gives you confidence, happiness, success, and helps you feel fulfilled.

Chances are, you’ve already caught glimpses of what living with purpose feels like. This tends to happen when your passion is allowed to shine. It’s that electrifying feeling when your passion is freely applied to yourself or the world.

For some doctors, this may be helping people heal. For an entrepreneur, it may be having their product make a difference in the world. Or for parents, it may be nurturing their child and seeing them thrive.

Whatever gives you that gut feeling of fulfillment is going to give you a sense of purpose. The challenge is knowing how to cultivate that sense of purpose so it doesn’t get drowned by busy everyday life. Here are 5 top tips for keeping that sense of purpose alive and strong.

1. Dream Big (Really Big)

Do you ever doubt your ability to accomplish a dream or goal because it’s viewed as too ambitious? If you want to live a purposeful life, follow your dreams with conviction, no matter how grand they may be.

More often than not, the big dreams or goals that you come up with are strongly aligned with your passions. It doesn’t matter if you’re not able to accomplish these goals in the short term. The pursuit of these dreams can set you on a path to a life with purpose.

Dreaming of traveling around Italy? It might take time to save up for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. But in the short term, you can take an Italian cooking class, or start Italian lessons on the weekends to bring yourself closer to your passion and have a greater sense of purpose.

2. Don’t Let Fear Dictate Your Life

Fear is the ultimate suppressant of life. It holds you hostage, keeping you away from progress and self-improvement. This is why living a life with purpose is impossible with fear in the equation.

So, if your dream is to open your own business, you might drag your feet because you’re afraid of failure and the unknown. These things can be intimidating, there’s no denying that.

But this is your life. You only have one. Don’t risk the regret of looking back on your life wondering what it would be like if you had pursued your dream. In most cases, the fear itself is much bigger than any challenges you will face.

No matter what your dreams or passions are, the same principle holds true. Fear can keep you from living a life of purpose. To overcome it, start with small steps towards your goals to build your self-confidence.

3. Live in the Moment

“What day is it?”, asked Pooh.

“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.

“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

While Winnie-the-Pooh was written for children, there’s a surprising amount of wisdom in his approach to life.

He doesn’t focus on worries of the future or the regrets of the past. He simply enjoys the moment as it is. This quote from Pooh perfectly captures the essence of what it means to live in the moment with contentment.

When your life is controlled by thoughts attached to past events and future outcomes, it’s difficult to find a sense of purpose. Your mind will be too preoccupied with regret, worry and other negative emotions.

This is the opposite of living in the moment—the opposite of Pooh. But if you can live in the moment, it will bring more happiness, focus, and productivity into your life. The building blocks of life are filled with purpose.

Read More: The Benefits of Taking Short Breaks from Technology

4. Keep a Journal or Vision Board

People often have a hard time picturing what a life of purpose would involve. That is to say, what kind of journey would provide the greatest sense of fulfillment? It’s completely normal to be unsure.

But if you don’t have a general idea of your destination, how do you know where to begin? This is where journaling comes into play. Journaling is a great way to dive deep into the workings of your mind and distill what fuels your sense of purpose.

Try committing to a strict journaling routine. Every morning or night, write down three things you’re grateful for and then write a page on where you want your life to go. Explore what path would provide you with the greatest sense of purpose. Get into the details.

5. Let Go of Negative Emotions

How often has worrying, anger, or any other surge of emotions gotten in the way of your life? More often than you would like to admit, right? When you’re faced with a stressful situation, emotions often take over.

The cost of not being in control of your own emotions is high. For instance, let’s say you were waiting for test results on whether you had a Thyroid issue. You worried the whole day over the results, forgetting important details about a client presentation, and end up losing the account. At the end of the day, your phone rings and you find out that the test results are negative after all.

When you aren’t in control of your emotions, it can quickly derail you. That’s why it’s important to practice living your life free from the control of negative emotions. The next time you become worried over something, stop for a second and question the worry.

“Does it serve a purpose?” No. “Will this worry negatively affect my life?” Possibly. Then focus on the moment and breathe through any negative emotions that surface. With practice, you will become a master of your own emotions rather than them controlling you.

Living a life full of purpose can bring joy, fulfillment and focus. But it takes a commitment to finding what matters to you, and being prepared to pursue your passion.

To have an easier time finding purpose in your life, dream big, break free from fear, live in the moment, keep a journal, and let go of negative emotions. In doing so, you can easily bring more happiness, focus, and a greater sense of fulfillment into your life.
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By djgriffiths, ago

CBD Oil Explained

CBD has been rising in popularity as more people discover the potential of this natural plant extract. CBD Oil has made headlines as celebrities, athletes and everyday people enjoy its health benefits. But you might be wondering… What exactly is it? What does it do? And will it work for me?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, and studies have shown CBD Oil has beneficial effects on mood, stress, sleep, immunity and more.

Watch this short video to get answers to the most common questions about CBD.

While CBD is generating a lot of buzz, not all CBD Oils get the same result. What factors should you consider when choosing CBD?

Research suggests it’s better to choose a broad spectrum CBD Oil for a wide range of beneficial plant compounds including cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. And getting 25mg of CBD per serving can provide fast and effective relief when the oil is optimized for absorption.

Now that you know more about what CBD Oil is and what it does, you can start experiencing the benefits for yourself. With the right CBD Oil, you might be surprised at how you can feel better fast.
By djgriffiths, ago

Vegan Chocolate Protein Pancakes

Put a little love in your heart with these healthy chocolate pancakes. Each delicious bite is filled with energizing organic superfoods and satisfying plant-based protein. With decadent dark chocolate and fluffy goodness throughout, these vegan pancakes are perfect to share with someone you love (or keep to yourself).

Ingredients

  • 1 cup organic oat flour
  • 1 heaping scoop Organic Super Protein
  • 1 teaspoon organic baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon organic ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 cup organic oat milk (or almond milk)
  • ¾ cup organic applesauce (or your favorite egg substitute)
  • ¼ cup melted organic dark chocolate (70%)
  • 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil (plus extra for cooking)
  • 2 tablespoons organic maple syrup (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together, and set aside to cool for two minutes. Then add the applesauce, maple syrup and nut milk to the mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix together the oat flour, Organic Super Protein, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir into the first bowl of wet ingredients. If needed, add a touch of extra nut milk.

Heat iron skillet to medium and add some coconut oil. Once heated, pour spoonfuls of batter on the skillet. Cook pancakes about two minutes each side (flip once bubbles form on top) or to preferred doneness.

Serve with a touch of maple syrup and your favorite organic berries for an extra sweet and heart-healthy finish. Enjoy!

Fueled by Fluffy Goodness

These fluffy vegan chocolate pancakes will put a smile on your face while satisfying cravings for something sweet. The coconut oil provides MCTs that provide lasting energy, while dark chocolate has heart-friendly flavanols that support healthy blood pressure and will even boost your mood! As you enjoy each fluffy bite of goodness, you’ll give your body heart-healthy fuel to keep you energized throughout the day. Enjoy!

Recipe and images courtesy of Nicki Bradley @LittleIslandStudios

By djgriffiths, ago

7 Powerful Habits to Own the Day

One of the biggest myths of today’s age is that people experience overnight success. Sure, there may be a few exceptions. But for most people, success is the product of tiny habits that slowly build up and compound over time. That means you can move closer to accomplishing your goals by implementing productive daily habits.

While your ideal habits will vary depending on what you have your sights set on, there are some habits that can universally benefit everyone.   

1. Meditate Daily

A daily meditation practice can quite literally transform your life. Scientists have found that meditation rewires the neural networks in your brain—meaning it physically changes its structure.

MRI scans show that just eight weeks of meditation can shrink the amygdala. It’s a region of the brain associated with the fight or flight response, fear, stress, and strong emotions like rage (1).

At the same time, meditation also strengthens and creates new neural connections in the prefrontal cortex (2). This region of the brain is associated with higher-order functions including awareness, emotional control, concentration, and healthy decision making.

By rewiring the brain in these two ways, meditation can revolutionize how you navigate the world, helping you to tame stress and stay on track toward your goals with greater consistency.  

2. Detoxify Your Body

Your body is bombarded with thousands of toxins every day. There could be heavy metals in your drinking water, pesticides in your food, pollutants in the air, and toxins in your home.

Because of the impact toxins have on the brain, they can hijack your day and prevent you from achieving your goals. Heavy metals have been shown to impact memory, increase the risk of mood disorders, and compromise executive function (3, 4, 5). This means you can have a hard time paying attention, organizing effectively and recalling key details.

That’s why it’s vital to detoxify if you want to stay focused and see your goals through to completion. Consider a daily zeolite detox for the most toxin-fighting power.

3. Practice Gratitude

The beauty of a daily gratitude practice is that it is exceptionally easy to do, yet it has a profound impact. A daily gratitude practice can rewire your brain to help you make the most of life; even in your darkest moments.

“Something as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 21 days in a row significantly increases your level of optimism, and it holds for the next six months. The research is amazing,” explains Harvard researcher Shawn Achor in an interview with Inc.com (6).

Increased optimism isn’t the only benefit of gratitude. Studies have also found that gratitude can increase your willpower, boost happiness, decrease pain, increase empathy, improve your sleep, and even combat depression (7, 8).

Since a gratitude practice takes less than 5 minutes out of your day, there’s really no reason not to include it in your daily routine.

4.  Regular Exercise

No matter what, you should always partake in some form of daily physical activity. This could be anything ranging from a simple 15-minute walk in the sun or a more ambitious HIIT workout to promote fat loss. A daily exercise routine can:

  • Skyrocket your energy levels
  • Help you sleep better (9)
  • Control inflammation (10)
  • Reduce your risk of chronic disease
  • Improve your brain health and memory (11)
  • Boost your overall mood

The key with exercise is to find what works for you. If your exercise routine is boring or out of alignment with your goals, you will be less likely to stick with it. So, pick activities you enjoy.

5. Unplug and Recharge

While technology has its perks, staying too connected to your phone can negatively impact your body and mind. Screen time at night, for example, can decrease how much deep and REM sleep you get. This is one of the reasons why people wake up feeling completely exhausted even with 7-8 hours of sleep (12).

But it’s not just screens that are affecting your health and productivity. Smartphone notifications from email, social media, and other platforms can sabotage your focus. One study from the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that when people’s phones make a notification sound, their focus and work quality plummets (13). This effect occurs even if you don’t check your phone.

Set a time every day to unplug and “recharge” your mind by abstaining from technology. This works best an hour before bed so you can wind down and get a restful night’s sleep. During this time, you could meditate, read a book, or spend quality time with your family.

6. Random Acts of Kindness

Altruism, when you act to promote someone else’s well-being, can have a powerful effect on your life. Studies have found that when you selflessly help another person, it releases endorphins, provides a sense of fulfillment, and could even help you live longer (14).

In other words, being kind helps others, and it can make a huge difference in how you feel.

To get the benefits of kindness, aim for one good deed every day. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated. You could pay for someone’s coffee in line behind you or compliment or encourage someone. Even the smallest of good deeds can have a profound impact on a person’s life.

7. Develop a Routine

Morning routines are the bread and butter of countless successful people. That’s because a solid morning routine sets the precedent for the rest of your day—giving you more focus, energy, and mental clarity.

Often, a successful morning starts the night before. This includes getting a good night’s sleep so you have a clear head the next morning. Another strategy is to end your current workday by making a list of the next day’s priorities. This way you can start fresh with a clear focus on what matters most.

You can also speed up your morning productivity by setting out your clothes the night before, and prepping breakfast and lunch ahead of time. Each of these small steps can add up to a big gain in accomplishing your goals.

Many of these powerful habits involve self-care. It might seem counterintuitive to take time for yourself in order to get more done, but it works. It’s essential to replenish your mind, body and spirit so that you can be at your most creative, focused and energized. Try some of these habits today and start experiencing the results for yourself.

By djgriffiths, ago

Consistency: The Secret of Successful People

Our entire life is comprised of a series of conscious and unconscious habits that either lead us closer or further away from our desired success. If there’s one thing that keeps us far from our goals, it’s a lack of consistency.

Consistency is discipline’s most devoted friend.

This reliable tool doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, it takes time to build up a pattern of positive behavior.

While it was long believed that 21 days was all that was needed to form a new habit, current research shows that on average it takes 66 days, so you have to stick with your new behavior for about two months to make it last.

So how can you build positive behaviors into consistent habits so that they become second-nature? It starts with a steady routine.

Routines are the Road to Consistency

Research shows that top athletes use consistent, positive routines to maximize their performance.

It helps them to focus on the factors they can control, narrowing in on the fundamental elements for success.

Whether you realize it or not, your entire life is filled with mini-routines from the time you wake up to the minute your head hits the pillow at night.

Over time, those mini-rituals switch to autopilot so you don’t give them a second thought. But complacency can be a dangerous thing.

Because those routines can either reinforce positive behaviors or perpetuate negative ones.

Do you start the day with calm purpose by having a few moments of quiet mediation? Or do you find yourself scrambling out of bed, rushing out the door to another day of stress?

Routines create consistency, but it’s important to step back and take a look at those routines to make sure you’re getting the intended result.

If they’re not, then adjust the rituals and routine that you follow, and you can begin to alter the outcome.

Reset Routines to Beat Procrastination

Putting things off until the future (tomorrow, next week, or next year) is the hallmark of procrastination.

However putting off tasks is its own form of routine, as this TED talk shows.

Not only does procrastination keep us from achieving goals in a timely manner, it eats away at the finite time we have to work toward what matters.

If procrastination is a problem for you, try going around it by setting hard deadlines for accomplishing what you want. Achieving small goals can lead to a new positive habit and consistent action.

4 Steps to Improve Consistency

Creating consistency is not an insurmountable task. Here are four steps you can take to create healthy routines that get you closer to your goals:

1. Get Honest About Your Priorities 
Not sure where to start? Make a list of what you need to do or want out of life. Then honestly assess what is the most important (and why). When your sense of purpose is strong enough, you’ll start taking action steps.

2. Focus On One Thing at a Time 
When you are being pulled in numerous directions at once consistency is much more difficult. Our brains are hardwired to pay attention to only a select amount of stimulus at a time. Narrow in on one task, and try these steps for improved focus.

3. Create Mini-Routines 
Creating consistency starts with the smallest effort outside your comfort zone. If you’ve never worked out and you’re committing to spending an hour at the gym six days a week, you’re more likely to give up than if you start with smaller sessions that gradually build toward your goal.

4. Believe in Yourself 
Human beings rely heavily on their internal dialogue. The problem with this is that almost all of us fall into a negative-thinking loop that sabotages our efforts. Notice when your mind begins to fall into self-doubt. Try meditation and other affirmations to build your confidence.

The bottom line is that consistency takes time and requires the formation of new habits. Don’t get discouraged when you have a day off track. Think of your accomplishments for that week and adjust as you go. As your consistency grows, procrastination will decline and you’ll have the direction needed to achieve what you want in life.
By djgriffiths, ago

5 Ways CBD Oil Can Help You Lose Weight

Reaching your ideal weight can be a huge challenge. At times, it might even seem impossible. People often hold this perspective on weight loss because they can’t seem to succeed despite their best efforts. Rest assured, if you’re one of these people, the problem isn’t you. The problem lies in your strategy.

Just like with evidence-based strategies to get a lean tummy, more often than not, weight loss is about the little evidence-based habits that add up to profound change.

If you’re already working on healthy habits, CBD Oil may tip the scales in your favor thanks to five key benefits that support weight loss.

1. CBD Oil May Help You Burn More Calories

Research suggests that the cannabidiol (CBD) in hemp can affect your metabolism, which could make it much easier to shed unwanted pounds.

One Korean study published in the journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry discovered that CBD can affect specific proteins and genes in such a way that promotes lipolysis and reduces lipogenesis. In other words, CBD both promoted the breakdown of fat cells and discouraged the generation of new fat cells (1).

But that’s not all. The Korean researchers also discovered that CBD can modulate the body’s metabolism by promoting fat browning. A process where white fat is converted into brown fat. Why does that matter?

White fat is the type of fat that stores lots of energy. It forms when you consume too many calories and don’t exercise enough. You know, it’s the stuff you wish would go away when looking in the mirror. Brown fat, however, has a high number of mitochondria. This type of fat actually burns calories and can help you maintain a lean, healthy weight (2).

2. CBD Oil May Ease Temporary Inflammation

Inflammation and carrying excess weight often go hand-in-hand. This association is well-established in the scientific community. In fact, a simple search in the US National Library of Medicine results in over 10,000 articles on the topic (S). Without getting into the nitty-gritty science of this relationship, here’s a quick overview of some popular studies:

  • Elevated inflammatory markers are often associated with future weight gain (3).
  • Inflammation begins in fat cells themselves. As fat mass expands, inflammation proportionally increases (4).
  • Inflammation causes insulin resistance (5), which in turn can promote obesity (6).

With this in mind, it makes sense that managing inflammation could help you maintain a healthy weight. This is where CBD oil comes into play. Researchers have found that the CBD in hemp may ease temporary inflammation by targeting α3 glycine receptors in the body (7).

The strong relationship between inflammation and weight gain is also why scientists have proposed that diets high in anti-inflammatory foods could help treat obesity (8).

3. CBD Oil May Improve Sleep Quality

When you’re looking to lose weight, sleep is probably the last thing you would think of, but it shouldn’t be. That’s because studies have found that decreased sleep duration and quality are associated with weight gain (9, 10). In some cases, it also increases the risk of obesity.

Experts believe this happens for several reasons. One of them being that reduced sleep duration and quality results in more fatigue. Less energy throughout the day means you will be less likely to exercise. Other studies have found that sleep deprivation can cause fluctuations in the hormones leptin and ghrelin which can increase your appetite (11).

Since poor sleep quality and deprivation can increase your weight, it makes sense to do the opposite: improve the quality of your sleep. CBD Oil may be the answer. Research has found that CBD can have a positive impact on your sleep.

One systematic review, for example, found that CBD was effective at treating the symptoms of insomnia (12). That means CBD shows promise for reducing the time it takes to fall asleep, preventing disrupted sleep or nighttime waking, and improving daytime tiredness.

4. CBD Oil May Melt Away Stress

Stress is another important component of maintaining a healthy weight that people often overlook. Every time you get stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. In small doses, this is fine. But if you’re constantly stressed out, this chronic release of cortisol can cause you to gain a considerable amount of weight. One study even found that elevated cortisol levels from chronic stress can increase the accumulation of fat around your midsection (13).

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) also plays an important role in stress adaptation—or how you cope with stress (14). Cannabinoids such as CBD bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system to balance the body. And research shows that CBD can significantly decrease the levels of cortisol in the body to help reduce the effects of stress (15).

5. CBD Oil May Reduce Oxidative Stress

The cannabinoids, including CBD, in the hemp plant are also known to be powerful antioxidants (16). This means they can protect your body from oxidative stress. Why does this matter? Adipose tissue, or fat cells, can ramp up the body’s production of reactive oxygen species, or ROS (17). In turn, these ROS can cause oxidative stress and promote inflammation (18), which can result in weight gain.

In theory, this means the more weight you carry, the harder it is to lose. All thanks to oxidative stress. To drive this point further, studies have even shown that diets high in antioxidants have positive effects on weight loss (19, 20). Which is why antioxidant-rich CBD oil from hemp may help with weight loss.

The Bottom Line

CBD Oil is becoming an increasingly popular dietary supplement due to the growing body of scientific research that supports its benefits. This article specifically focused on the evidence supporting CBD oil’s ability to help you maintain a healthy weight.

Research suggests CBD Oil does this by boosting your metabolism, promoting fat browning, easing temporary inflammation, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, and acting as an antioxidant in the body. All of this suggests that CBD Oil may have multiple benefits for your waistline.
By djgriffiths, ago

Top 7 Herbs for a Healthy Immune System

immune boosting herbs

Your immune system is the keystone to optimal health. When it’s working like a well-oiled machine, your immune system protects you from getting sick, speeds healing, prevents wounds from getting infected, and even destroys cancer cells before they can multiply (1).

The problem is, your immune system is constantly under siege. Environmental toxins, processed foods, stress, and countless other attackers chip away at its strength. This causes the immune system to progressively weaken, leaving you completely exposed.

That’s why taking steps to nourish the immune system is crucial. Along with regular exercise, eating organic fruits and veggies, and cleansing toxins from your body, one of the best ways to restore the immune system is with herbs.

Here are 7 of the most effective herbs to nourish the immune system.

1. Medicinal Mushrooms

When it comes to healing the immune system, mushrooms are superstars. While considered a veggie for nutritional purposes, mushrooms are widely used in herbal medicine. They have compounds that ease inflammation, balance the immune system, and even help fight infection.

But not any ordinary mushroom will do the trick. Only medicinal mushrooms like shiitake, chaga, turkey tail, tremella, maitake, and cordyceps produce worthwhile immune-modulating effects.

For example, turkey tail has bioactive compounds called beta glucans, which can enhance macrophage and natural killer cell function, making your immune response more effective (2).

Cordyceps mushrooms are bidirectional immunomodulators. This simply means that cordyceps can upregulate the immune system when it’s weak and downregulate it when it’s overactive (3).

Together, maitake and shiitake mushrooms stimulate the cellular and humoral branch of the immune system (4). Some evidence also suggests they can help fight tumors by increasing tumor necrosis factor alpha (5).

Not all medicinal mushrooms are easy to add to your diet, so you can supplement with mushroom extracts to get added immune support.

2. Echinacea

Echinacea is by far the most popular herb for enhancing immune function. Many immune supplements, cough drops, and other products that help you deal with the sniffles contain echinacea.

Several studies in mice have found that echinacea can support the immune system by activating innate immune cells—the body’s first line of defense against infection (6). The key is to take it while you’re well, to help prevent catching any colds that may be going around (7).

3. Full Spectrum Hemp Oil

Full spectrum hemp oil contains a wide variety of beneficial phytochemicals like cannabidiol (CBD). Evidence suggests that the CBD found in hemp oil can stimulate what’s called the endocannabinoid system (8). 

Among its countless other tasks in the body, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) controls how the immune system behaves (9). Why is this important?

By stimulating the ECS, studies have found that it can help the immune system achieve homeostasis, or balance. So, cannabinoids in hemp oil can both inhibit and stimulate the immune system, depending on what’s needed.

This immune-modulating effect is essential because an overstimulated immune system can create autoimmune health challenges. Which is why hemp oil is among the best approaches for supporting immune health.

4. Black Elderberry

While it may not technically be classified as an herb, black elderberry is often found in a variety of herbal blends and tinctures that are designed to enhance immune function.

Research indicates black elderberry may bolster the immune system by normalizing and stimulating the production of cytokines—molecules that regulate immunity and inflammation (10).

Elderberry is also rich in quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that helps to block compounds involved in allergies (11).

5. Adaptogen Herbs

Stress is a surefire way to undermine and weaken your immune system. When you’re subjected to stress, the hormone corticosteroid is released, actively suppressing the immune system and making it more likely you’ll get sick (12).

Aside from learning how to effectively manage stress levels, you can support your immune system with the use of adaptogen herbs. Herbs such as ashwagandha, eleuthero, holy basil, and rhodiola rosea help the body respond to stress and become more resilient against the effects of stress.

In particular, rhodiola rosea has been extensively studied for its ability to strengthen the stress response (13), and reduce stress-induced fatigue (14). Rather than taking one herb, seek out a supplement with multiple extracts to provide the best overall immune protection against stress.

6. Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract contains a powerful polyphenol called oleuropein. This herb is gaining in popularity due to the fact that it contains considerably more oleuropein than olive oil.

Studies have found that oleuropein has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and immune-modulating properties (15).

In addition to these effects, olive leaf extracts were found to increase the production of CD8+ and natural killer cells. Both of these cell types play an important role in eliminating infections and supporting overall health (16).

7. Ginger Root

Although ginger and its components are well-studied in the scientific community, researchers have just begun to realize its immune-modulating potential.

One recent scientific review looked at 59 different studies on the health effects of ginger. The review revealed that ginger can inhibit the production of immune cells that promote inflammation and that its compounds have important anticancer potential (17).

The Bottom Line

An optimized immune system can quite literally be the difference between sickness and health. It helps you fight off germs, can keep wounds from getting infected, and acts as a sentinel against serious health issues.

With environmental toxins, stress, and processed foods, the immune system can lose its strength over time. That’s why it’s important to take steps to nourish your immune system—to get it back into top shape. Aside from eating organic fruits and veggies, one of the most effective ways to do this is to use immune-modulating herbs. You can also double-down and incorporate immune-modulating mushrooms into your diet for even better results.

By djgriffiths, ago

How Long Does CBD Take to Work?

How long does it take for CBD oil to work?

There’s no denying that CBD oil or cannabidiol from hemp is one of nature’s most powerful compounds. An impressive body of evidence shows that CBD can quell inflammation, ease joint discomfort, melt away stress, improve sleep, and defy aging by fighting free radicals.

Many first-time users of CBD oil are excited to experience these benefits, but question how long it takes for CBD oil to work.

While you may not like to hear it, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Top grade CBD oil may take between 15-30 minutes to have an effect. But this number can vary significantly depending on a number of factors.

For instance, if you take a cheap CBD oil that’s not designed for maximum absorption, it could take considerably longer to feel an effect (if any at all).

High-quality CBD oil supplements, on the other hand, are designed to quickly and efficiently absorb into your body. This results in a faster-acting CBD oil with effects that you can easily feel.

The time that CBD oil takes to work also depends on several other factors such as what method the CBD is taken, how it was processed, the strength of your supplement, whether or not you have an empty stomach and so on.

It can get confusing. So, this guide will explain the different factors that affect how long it takes for CBD to work, so you can achieve the results you want.

Different CBD Oil Consumption Methods

Different Methods of Taking CBD Oil

The time it takes for CBD oil to have an effect largely depends on how you choose to take it. While there are a wide variety of ways to reap the benefits of CBD oil, the most popular include…

Sublingual Oil (Tincture):

This is by far the most popular method to supplement CBD. It involves placing several drops of a CBD oil or tincture under the tongue. From here the tiny blood vessels found under the tongue and on the inside of your cheeks rapidly absorb the CBD without having to pass through your digestive system or liver. This method can take between 15-25 minutes to feel the full effects.

Topical Balms:

Another common method is to rub CBD oil directly onto areas that are giving you trouble (such as sore muscles or stiff joints). When applied to the skin, CBD diffuses through lipids and has direct access to the cells in the area. While this method can take longer to take effect (around 20-45 minutes), it’s beneficial for targeted relief to specific areas that are bothering you.

Edibles & Capsules:

With the CBD oil market boom, there are now a variety of ways to consume CBD. This includes CBD gummies, drinks, capsules, and even CBD chocolates. While this method may be the most convenient, it is far from the best option when looking for fast relief. Because the CBD has to pass the digestive system and get processed in the liver, it can take over 30 minutes to feel any effect. The biggest downside of this method is that CBD has to pass through your liver, which can lessen the effects by the time it reaches your bloodstream.

Vaping:

This method provides the fastest results because when you vape CBD, it rapidly enters the bloodstream through the lungs. With vaping, you can expect to feel the results within 5-10 minutes. But vaping CBD comes with a huge downside: in addition to the CBD, you are inhaling other toxic chemical compounds that could cause harm to your lungs (1).  

CBD Quality Matters for Results

The Quality of CBD Oil Affects Your Results

The quality of your CBD supplement can also affect how long it takes to experience results. Low-quality CBD supplements are weak and poorly processed. This impedes how well your body can absorb the CBD, resulting in a delayed effect—sometimes there’s no effect at all!

If you want to truly take advantage of CBD’s long list of benefits, make sure you’re using a high-quality product. This will also allow you to experience consistent results with every serving.

But what makes a high-quality CBD supplement?

Without going into too much detail, high-quality CBD supplements are nano-infused (for improved absorption), organic, contain at least 20+ mg of CBD per serving, and are lab-tested for impurities.

[Learn more about how to choose a quality CBD oil.]

Your Health Goals Make a Difference

Depending on what you want to get out of CBD, the time it takes to work in your body can vary. Some results are seen faster than others.

If you take high doses of CBD oil to improve your sleep, it’s possible to get results within the average 15 to 30-minute window. With the right CBD oil, you should sleep like a baby in no time at all.

But if you’re taking CBD because you want to ease the effects of stress and inflammation, it may take a bit longer to notice any results. While the CBD may technically take effect 15-30 minutes after a dose, it can take a week or two to notice significant results.

The more your body is out of balance, the longer it typically takes to reach a threshold where you notice results—even if you are slowly getting better from day one.

CBD Results Based on Biochemical Individuality

Factors that determine your results with CBD Oil

Biochemical individuality is a fancy way of saying, everyone is different. Every person has a unique genetic profile, body composition, and daily routine.

As a result, everyone is affected by CBD differently. If two people took the same exact dosage and type of CBD, it could impact them in completely different ways. The CBD could also take differing amounts of time to take effect for different people.

That being said, here are some of the most common characteristics that can affect how long it takes for CBD to work:

Bodyweight:

Like any drug or supplement, your weight can impact how much CBD affects you and how quickly. Generally speaking, higher body weights require larger doses and vice versa. So, if you’re not feeling any results after consistently trying CBD, consider changing up the serving size.

Self-awareness:

Some people are completely attuned to their body. They notice even the subtlest of changes in how they feel. These people tend to feel results from CBD almost instantly. But very few people have this skill because today’s fast-paced society keeps your mind distracted and disconnected from your body.

So, you may want to enhance your self-awareness to notice subtle changes. The best way is to rate how you feel on a daily basis while taking CBD. Then look back after a week or two to see if you made any progress with your health goals. Not only does this train you to pay attention to your body, but it also gives you a more reliable way to evaluate your progress.

Metabolic Rate:

Metabolism isn’t just how quickly you burn calories while sitting on the sofa. It controls how quickly you break down compounds like CBD. Depending on a person’s health status and genetic profile, their metabolism can function at different speeds. Which means some people will inherently feel the results quickly, whereas others will take more time to experience results.

The Bottom Line

Most first-time users of CBD oil anxiously wait to feel results. They wonder, “how long does it take to feel the effects?”

On average, CBD oil takes anywhere between 15-30 minutes to access the bloodstream and exert its beneficial effects. But this is by no means the same for everyone.

The time it takes for CBD to work in the body can vary significantly depending on a number of factors. This includes the method of consumption, the quality of your CBD supplement, your health goals, and your body composition.

If you’ve already taken CBD and didn’t notice much of an effect, it’s important to take these factors into consideration. In certain cases, it can take some time before you begin to notice the results. Be patient and stick with it, because there is a mountain of evidence that proves CBD is effective. It just takes more time for some people to have an effect.

By djgriffiths, ago

CBD Oil For Treating PTSD: Dosage, Scientific Studies, And Success Stories

Various scientists have been seeking to determine the incredible benefits of an element from a plant named Cannabinoids. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common anxiety conditions that can happen to anyone at any time.

During a year, around 3.6% of the US adults between the age of 18 to 54 (5.2 million people) have PTSD. The most common events related to PTSD include childhood physical abuse, rape, combat exposure, childhood neglect, sexual molestation, weapon threatening, and physical attacks.

Also, for men and women, spending time in war zones resulted in experiencing PTSD. Furthermore, a study portrayed a high number of suicide rate of veterans suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder.

Most of the patients who have PTSD usually get prescribed with several antipsychotics and antidepressants that may have a minute positive effect on them but do render many side-effects including an increase in the occurrence of suicidal thoughts.

Therefore, many doctors are now increasingly suggesting pure CBD oil for the relief of symptoms and treatment of PTSD.

What Is PTSD – Symptoms And Other Conditions Related To It?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder usually occurs by experiencing a dangerous or life-threatening incident such as sexual or physical assault, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, serious accidents, military combat, and much more.

PTSD is related to chronic stress reactions through flashbacks. People who have PTSD may face trouble in sleeping or feel estranged and may avoid places or people which remind them of their trauma and prefer isolating themselves.

Diagnosing PTSD requires the symptoms to last for more than a month and causing interference with home or work life and distress.

The symptoms associated with the posttraumatic stress disorder include avoidance symptoms, re-experiencing symptoms, and arousal symptoms.

  • Re-experiencing symptoms cause a person to have upsetting memories of the trauma. A traumatic reminder usually triggers these memories and produce both physical and emotional responses. Also, these memories generate intense feelings like horror, fear, and helplessness when they get flashbacks.
  • Avoidance symptoms include the attempts that people make to avoid the traumatic incident. They usually ignore going to such places that remind them of their trauma or the people that make them relive that memory.
  • Arousal symptoms cause a PTSD patient to remind of the event and increase the emotional arousal. The person may feel difficulty in concentrating and feel irritating or have outbursts of anger.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is related to several conditions including, depression, memory problems, social anxiety, substance abuse, or any mental disorder.

PTSD can cause occupational instability, marital issues, trouble in parenting, family discord and much more. PTSD enhances the chances of developing medical complications.

CBD Oil For Treating PTSD – How It Works?

The treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder using cannabis oil is making headway in the battle against PTSD. Research revealed that CBD oil had helped multiple patients with PTSD by improving the symptoms.

Numerous studies revealed that a human body consists of an optimum amount of anandamide that functions to keep the person emotionally stable.

However, low levels of this cannabinoid receptor result in causing PTSD, therefore, supplementing this deficiency by giving CBD oil from hemp can assist in filling the gap produced by PTSD. Also, CBD helps in blocking the mood receptors that regulate stress hormones, stimulate sleep hormones, and prevent flashbacks.

In a recent study, a correlation was discovered between the depressive behavior and BDNF levels in our brain. The findings indicated that CBD could prevent the PTSD symptoms by altering the BDNF levels in the brain.

CBD oil efficiently helps in treating those traumatic flashbacks that make the patients with PTSD feel unpleasant and terrified. It even assists in halting such memories that trigger the trauma.

Also, CBD oil has a substantial sedative effect that helps the patients facing difficulty in sleeping because proper rest and sleep is essential for a healthy and fresh brain.

CBD oil helps in developing a relaxed feeling without the mental impairment that efficiently helps in alleviating anxiety and depression. CBD oil is still a question for many; however, it has been showing promising results in treating PTSD and relieving its symptoms.

CBD And PTSD: What Research Says?

Recent research published by Frontiers in Pharmacology indicated that CBD oil has been showing some promising results against Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. CBD oil has a significant impact on reducing the fear memory.

Also, it helps in enhancing the disappearance of consciousness related to trauma. CBD efficiently performs its action of overcoming the fear memory with the help of its partial agonist, 5-HT1A.

Another study published in Behavioral Pharmacology suggested that CBD oil efficiently helps in balancing the anandamide levels in the body that prevents PTSD.

Administering cannabinoids after the exposure to the traumatic incident resulted in treating the PTSD symptoms. CBD oil also avoids the impact of stress on memory processes and emotional function.

It helps in alleviating the symptoms of PTSD including, nightmares, hyperarousal, irritability, insomnia, fear, and much more.

A study named Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders indicated that CBD has an uncountable number of therapeutic properties across a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders including PTSD, GAD or PD.

Administering CBD oil one hour after stress daily resulted in reducing the anxiety by anxiogenic effects of CBD via the activation of 5-HT1A. CBD oil showed promising results by decreasing avoidance and arousal, preventing side-effects of stress, and by blocking the persistent terror or fear memories.

CBD Oil Dose For PTSD

There are various methods of administering CBD oil including, oil, tinctures, tablets, vaping CBD oil, and much more. Topical CBD is associated with the slowest time of response.

Also, oral CBD has intermediate time release. Whatever method you use, the effects are always gradual. It is better to start with a small dose of CBD oil and then gradually increase the dose to get the desired effects.

Daily sublingual ingestion of around 40- 160 mg of CBD oil helps in treating the sleep-related issues and nightmares in the patients who have PTSD.

In week 1, start the dose with three drops in the morning, three at afternoon, and six drops before you go to sleep. In week 2, start increasing the number of drops gradually like five drops in the morning, 5 in the afternoon, and ten drops before sleeping.

Keep improving it until week three, like seven drops in the morning, seven at afternoon, and 15 drops before going to sleep.

Instead of taking big doses, you can take small doses during the day. You can increase the dosage of CBD oil depending on anxiety. You need to be extremely observant of how your body is reacting to the dosage.

CBD Oil For Treating PTSD – Success Stories

Roger Davidson described his story explaining when he came back home after serving in the military for two years and got to know that he got diagnosed with a severe disorder name posttraumatic stress disorder.

He kept on speaking to his therapist daily. Also, Roger continued to manage his disease by taking 30mg doses of pure CBD oil daily. He illustrated that CBD oil helped him in better sleeping and efficiently reduced his day to day sensitivities to various triggers.

He happily claimed that the doses of CBD oil enabled him in not only his life but also the lives of his family and friends surrounding him.

Joyce Evans similarly explained her story that she survived a tragic car accident five years ago. She told that her physical damage was almost healed, however, her mind was extremely disturbed by that accident.

Later she was diagnosed with PTSD and started experiencing constant panic and anxiety caused by various outside triggers. She started the intake of CBD oil about nine months ago, and she was shocked to see such astonishing results.

She explained that she was able to drive her car again without experiencing any panic attacks or trauma and ultimately her sensitivities were improved.

How To Use CBD Oil For Treating PTSD?

CBD can get extracted in powder or oil form through marijuana plant. They can either be put in capsules so that it can be taken orally or can get mixed into gels and creams. It is available in various forms, however, using the tincture one is the easiest.

Also, capsules are easy but little expensive, and it makes it simple to evaluate the dosing of CBD oil. CBD oil is also available in spray form; however, they leak sometimes.

First shake the bottle well, so that all the products blend well. Then squeeze the dropper to fill it with oil and pour it under your tongue. Make sure you know the correct dosage of CBD oil.

Keep on holding the drops of CBD oil in your mouth for around 60 to 90 seconds and let the oil absorb into your system. Also, if you can’t hold it in your mouth for too long because of the strong flavor, then you can ingest it.

Repeat this process throughout the day to get the best-desired effect. Taking higher doses may make you feel sedative whereas taking CBD oil in little amounts can provide you with a calm feeling.

You can also try it in vaping form as it helps in transporting the CBD oil directly into the blood and it is one of the fastest processes.

Risks Of Using CBD Oil For Treating PTSD

Research on CBD oil indicated that CBD is safe and even at higher doses it is well-tolerated by the human body. Also, there are no physiological side-effects caused by the CBD oils.

It has almost no effect on heart rate, body pressure levels, glucose level, body temperature, pH, and other complicated systems.

Every human body reacts to the medicines differently; therefore, it depends on how every person responds to various CBD oil dosage.

While there are no significant side-effects of CBD oil for the posttraumatic stress disorder, there are some minor effects caused by CBD oil such as stomach ache, dizziness, hallucinations, fatigue, nausea, irritability, fogginess, dry mouth, and sleeping issues.

Also, the activity of the liver enzymes is inhibited such as cytochrome P450 and the alteration in hepatic drug metabolism.

Best CBD Oil For Treating PTSD

Purchasing CBD oil from a cheap store is not a clever idea because the effectivity of the CBD oil depends only on the quality of the product.

Also, various PTSD patients reported some minor side-effects caused by their CBD oil dose. It was later detected that they used inferior quality of CBD oil. Therefore, here are some of the best CBD oil products you can get your hands on.

It is a certified non-psychoactive pure CBD oil that is free of all the artificial and synthetic ingredients. This CBD oil product is premium, non-GMO strains of hemp that are organically grown in Colorado, USA. These strains are rich in beneficial phytochemicals including terpenes, flavonoids, omegas and dozens of additional cannabinoids. This results in a premium hemp oil that helps to calm the body and mind.

And our extraction methods are state-of-the-art. While others may use harsh solvents to extract hemp oil, Calm Premium Hemp Oil uses supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) which delivers a full spectrum extract for an entourage effect that is also pure and free of any solvents or toxins.

By Jennifer Kurtz – March 10, 2018

By djgriffiths, ago

What is Pure CBD?

Your endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates everything from relaxation, to eating, sleeping, inflammation and even cognitive function. In a nutshell, your ECS is responside for making sure your entire body is working optimally. There are two types of cannabinoid receptors found throughout your body (CBI and CM), but they are most abundant in your brain and immune system. CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, a prominent naturally-occurring cannabinoid component found in cannabis that comprises up to 40% of the plant and helps to regulate your ECS. CBD is by far the most studied natural cannabinoid, especially when it comes to medical uses addressing issues such as insomnia and anxiety. According to many researchers, CBD may be the single most important cannabinoid ever discovered.

Hurry claim yours today:  PURE CBD

Taylor’s Story

We were skeptical at first so we went on the hunt for real life stories of people using Pure CBD Oil products. That’s when we discovered the incredible story of everyday mom Taylor Evans. Taylor Evans, a 43 year-old mother of three from Alabama has a history of anxiety attacks, and chronic arthritis which has often prevented her from living a normal life. An accidental fall on a family vacation about 4 years ago left her with a chronic back pain, further worsening the situation.

Like anyone else in her situation, Taylor tried various exercises for her back pain and would spend hours each day meditating to help her with anxiety attacks. But with little or no improvement, she started hunting for a more concrete solution to her problems.

Taylor did a lot of research on all currently available treatments from supplements, surgeries, and alternative therapy sessions. However, the cost of these treatments was extremely expensive! (ranging anywhere between $3000 – $5000). Besides, Taylor was also fearful of the horrible side effects caused by back surgery and traditional medicine. She became convinced that trying an all natural approach with Pure CBD Oil was indeed the right route for her!

She was determined to find a safe and affordable solution that would give her real results and not leave her digging herself into huge financial debt.

Taylor’s Solution

After spending a year of doing thorough research and speaking to other women about the methods they employed to combat pain naturally, she learned of the natural healing power of cannabidiol and decided to give Pure CBD Oil a shot.

She had read about the therapeutic properties of Cannabis but was not aware that Pure CBD Oil had found a way of offering it as a supplement without the psychoactive effects of the traditional use of cannabis (without THC). THC is the compound that makes the users ‘high’. She immediately looked on the internet and found the website. The detailed description of the products, its benefits and real-life stories published on the site convinced her to give it a try.

After placing her order she received the package a few days later and started the program as per the directed dosage. In just the first week, Taylor was already enjoying the benefits of the CBD Oil. Her pain dissipated and her normal panic attacks began to completely subside. Most of all, her back pain was much better as she was able to take her darling son of 3 in her arms and for a walk for the first time in years! Taylor saved not only thousands of dollars but also the hassle of doctor visits and therapy sessions using this one simple trick!

Get your order placed today…Pure CBD Oil


By djgriffiths, ago