04/29/2021
So, how do I know if my CBD is working?
Whether you’re using CBD for sleep, pain relief, or for an overall sense of calm, here’s how to get the most out of it.
1) Be consistent.
When introducing new products like CBD, I always recommend giving it a solid 10-day trial, using the same product and dosage. This is especially pertinent to CBD, as research shows a cumulative benefit of use (meaning the effects build with consistent and prolonged use).
2) Try habit stacking.
If your new CBD routine is cumbersome and hard to remember, you won’t stick with it. Period. Use this 10-day trial to figure out how to add CBD into an existing routine. Maybe it’s with your morning smoothie, afternoon tea, or if you’re already taking supplements, perhaps you can add CBD to the mix.
3) Create your own data points.
Everyone’s experience with CBD is unique. Maybe you will notice that your sleep slowly starts to improve with use, which has a trickle-down effect on your mood, eating habits and more. Or perhaps your anxiety starts to settle, making you more content and craving fewer sweets. Changes are often gradual (back to the hair growth analogy), so writing it down will help you notice long term patterns of change. Log your sleep, stress levels, cravings and mood to keep track of any changes. This could be noted in your phone, or in a physical journal.
4) Don’t change anything else.
You’re basically creating your own randomized control trial here (very scientific!), so if you try CBD the same week that you start meditating, eating vegetables and working out, it might be difficult to figure out exactly how CBD is benefiting you. I’m not saying not to do all those things, but if CBD is just one part of a total mind, body, soul makeover, it will be harder to pinpoint its specific effects.
5) Manage your expectations.
While there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence of CBD’s benefits, there’s also a small but promising body of scientific research coming down the pipe. But you will be disappointed if you think any one thing is your magic bullet. Do it for the long term benefits, not the near term. This is another reason to keep a journal—looking back at your sleep, stress, and eating patterns from weeks and months past will help you to track and gain awareness of any changes, no matter how subtle.