CBD Oil Bath Bombs

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CBD oil is outrageously popular right now. People are hailing this natural oil for helping with stress, anxiety, sleep, and pain relief. Try these simple-to-make CBD Oil Bath Bombs for a way to relax and unwind after a stressful day.

Before you begin. . .

Benefits

Cannabinoids directly interact with the hippocampus portion of the brain and affect mood and emotions, including our emotional response to physical pain. More and more animal and human studies are pointing to the potential of CBD oil as a pain reliever. According to this review, when CBD interacts with receptors in the brain, it produces anti-inflammatory that may help manage pain from injury as well as chronic disease.

Dosage

Keep in mind that CBD comes in various concentrations. This recipe calls for 1 mL (one dropperful) of CBD oil. The amount of CBD depends on the concentration you use:

  • 500 mg CBD delivers approximately 16.66 mg of CBD per 1 mL
  • 1000 mg CBD delivers approximately 33.33 mg of CBD per 1 mL
  • 1500 mg CBD delivers approximately 50.00 mg of CBD per 1 mL

Dosage needs vary from person to person based on various factors, so I recommend you start small, evaluate how it works for you, and adjust the dosage as desired.

Essential Oils

Combining essential oils and CBD is a great way to add a therapeutic aroma to your bath experience, as well as to get the benefits of both the essential oil and the CBD oil.

Choose your oils based on the desired fragrance or action. For example, you may choose a relaxing essential oil, such as lavender, if you want a bedtime bath bomb. Or you may choose wintergreen or peppermint if you want a soothing after-workout soak. Alternatively, you can make bath bombs sans essential oils and just add the desired oils directly to the bath water with the bombs. A third option is to use essential oil-infused CBD oil in the recipe.

Let’s Make Some Bath Bombs!

Makes 5-6 bath bombs (7 cm. diameter)

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Combine baking soda, citric acid, epsom salt, and cornstarch in a medium bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine coconut oil, CBD oil, and desired essential oils.
  3. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring constantly.
  4. Test the consistency by squeezing some of the mixture in your hand. If it packs together, it is ready to place in molds. If it is still too dry and crumbly to hold its shape, add 1/2 teaspoon water at a time until the consistency is correct. Be careful as you add water, though, because too much will cause the mixture to start fizzing.
  5. Once thoroughly combined, scoop mixture into molds and press together firmly. Allow to set for one hour.
  6. After an hour, gently remove bombs from molds. They will be fragile and not completely set, but if you wait longer, they will be more difficult to remove from the molds.
  7. Allow bombs to dry completely overnight.
  8. Store in airtight glass container until ready for use.

Want to learn more about CBD? Check out CBD and Emotions.

If you love learning about natural health and wellness alternatives, then come

6 Ways to Indulge: Giving in to your personal desires for a healthier outlook

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So often we get caught up in the pressure of living healthy that we forget that pleasure is a part of happiness. True wellness isn’t about complete deprivation. Sometimes indulgence is necessary. One of the best ways to avoid burnout is to treat yourself. Let’s look at six different ways to indulge.

Channel your inner sommelier.

Head to a winery for a tasting. Buy the same varietal of wine from three different regions of the world and compare tasting notes. Or buy three different varietals of wine from the same region and do the same.

Have extra sex.

Whether you stay in bed snuggling a few more hours, or surprise your significant other with new lingerie, having another roll in the hay is good for the body and soul. Sex has been shown to decrease blood pressure, improve bladder control in women, and reduce pain. So get you some, girl. 

Dance.

Dance around the house to your favorite guilty pleasure song. Dancing is not only a great form of exercise, but it also causes a healthy release of endorphins and can even ease physical pain. Better coordination, improved lung and heart function, and giggles are an added bonus. So turn up the volume and dance your heart out.

Eat exactly what you want.

Chocolate cake? Eat it. Camembert wrapped in puff pastry. Eat it. Giant bowl of pasta. Eat it. Be sure to savor and enjoy each and every bite. Seriously, occasionally eating super rich and delicious food is one of my favorite ways to indulge.

Get Away.

Break up with your day-to-day routine and head out of town. It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. It doesn’t have to be for an entire week. Pack the car and head out for a simple weekend getaway. 

Go Shopping.

Buy that one item you’ve been longing for. Fancy shoes, a new handbag, a new cocktail dress for date night, skin tight jeans, that gorgeous bouquet of flowers, or that antique you stare at every time you see it. Grab that item of your dreams and enjoy it to the max.

More Ways to Indulge?

What is your favorite way to treat yourself? Comment and share your favorite ways to indulge. Need a little help finding the love? Check out this blog post on Finding your Worth.

Looking for more ways to care for yourself, learn about health and wellness, and become empowered to be the best version of yourself? Come check out !

CBD and Emotions

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In the U.S. alone, mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression affect over 40 million adults annually. Even people who don’t suffer from long-term emotional issues may experience occasional symptoms. And with a slew of risks associated with many prescription drugs, many people are looking for alternative ways to alleviate anxiety and depression. If you’re thinking of adding cannabidiol (CBD) oil to your routine, read on to learn some of the current scientific research about CBD and emotions.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Mostly due to direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) from pharmaceutical companies, most people believe that depression and other emotional issues result from a serotonin deficiency in the brain. It is important to note that these advertisements do not require FDA approval. Therefore, their claims are widely unsubstantiated. In fact, when evaluating the serotonin theory, there is actually a significant body of contradictory evidence.

So what is the root of mental illness, such as depression? To answer this, we must look into a portion of the brain known as the hippocampus. This area is responsible for memory, learning, and emotions. Studies show a direct correlation between the hippocampus and psychiatric disorders.

Serotonin (aka 5-HT) plays a role within the hippocampus as a vital neuromodulator. Its primary function might be to maintain homeostasis in the brain. A deficiency of serotonin can contribute to mental illness, but it is not often the root cause.

The hippocampus is susceptible to changes in the environment as well as inflammation in the body. This is why our physical well being also has a profound impact on our emotional health. Inflammation, stress, trauma, and illness can actually cause hippocampal atrophy, or shrinkage. Yes, you read that correctly. . .stress can shrink your brain.

The good news is that this area of the brain is capable of regeneration, or hippocampal neurogenesis. It is possible for new nerve connections to form and the brain to be restored to its normal, non-depressive state. (Remember this term, as we will use it throughout this discussion. Hippocampal neurogeneisis = brain regeneration/restoration.)

Can CBD Help?

Although numerous studies about CBD’s effects on the brain exist, ongoing studies are being conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of its use. However, the potential of CBD to help with emotions is quite promising. Let’s look at some scientific studies.

When evaluating the brain-healing potential of CBD oil, the studies refer to CBD’s ability to protect living neurons (neuroprotection), to help form new connections (neuroplasticity), and to trigger the formation of new neurons (neurogenesis). Most of the findings indicate that CBD is key for neuroplasticity in that it directly affects neurotransmitters.

Neuroprotection

A study evaluating CBD’s effects on epileptic seizures showed that cannabinoids provide neuroprotection against brain excitability and induce at least partial restoration of neurotransmitter dysfunction.

In an animal study, CBD demonstrated a fast and sustained antidepressant-like effect. Thus, the authors of the study propose that CBD is a promising compound with large-spectrum therapeutic potential.

Neuroplasticity

Similar to the actions of anti-anxiety drugs, CBD activates serotonin receptors, which control a variety of neurological communications and increase neurogenesis of the brain.

One extensive review of CBD also concluded that CBD activates 5-HT1 receptors. This has a direct impact on learned fear and phobias, implicating that it may be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Neurogenesis

Decreased adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been associated with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. CBD’s positive effect on neurogenesis was first observed in 2005 and many other studies have also demonstrated similar results.

Specific Mental Illness Studies

When evaluating the slew of data available for CBD’s effects on emotional health, most studies conclude something similar to the discussions above about neuro -protection, -plasticity, and -genesis. If you are looking for evidence of CBD’s potential to help with a specific mental illness, check out the additional links below:

Looking for more information about CBD, or worried about adverse effects of CBD? Then come check out CBD vs. Copaiba and The Difference Between CBD and THC.

Sunny Days Skin Lotion

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As consumers, we are taught that overexposure to sun can cause adverse effects, including skin cancer. Because of this, we constantly slather on all manner of sun protection. The problem is that the products we use to protect our skin and that of our children may have detrimental effects of their own. The FDA has said that there is insufficient information about all but two out of 14 of the most common active ingredients in sunscreen. The EPA has concerns about the safety of chemical sunscreens on coral reefs as well. Before you smear or spray a chemical sunscreen on yourself or your little ones, do a bit of research. If you are looking for a natural sunscreen, try this Sunny Days Skin Lotion instead!

About the Ingredients

Coconut oil

Coconut oil makes a great base for an outdoor lotion because it actually blocks some UV rays while allowing your skin to absorb beneficial vitamin D. Pure extra-virgin coconut oil has an SPF of about 6-7. This means that it blocks about 75-80% of harmful UV rays. Plus, coconut oil moisturizes skin and can reduce the signs of aging, which often results from too much time in the sun.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is another fatty oil that acts as a natural sunscreen. It contains cinnamic acid, which is a chemical constituent that protects skin from UV rays by absorbing both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, shea butter has antioxidant properties and can help reduce inflammation of the skin by attacking free radicals.

Zinc Oxide

According to the FDA, zinc oxide is a safe and effective sunscreen agent at concentrations up to 25%. This recipe contains about 14% zinc oxide, offering it an additional SPF of about 14. It is important to look for zinc oxide that does not contain nano particles. Nano particles are smaller than 100nm, and this gives them the ability to penetrate the skin barrier and be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Red Raspberry Seed Oil

Red raspberry seed oil offers broad-spectrum protection from UV rays. It does this by shielding and absorbing UV rays. Because of these natural sunscreen and powerful antioxidant properties, raspberry seed oil is frequently used in skin care preparations.

Essential Oils

The essential oils in this recipe offer more benefits for the skin. They can help reduce the signs of aging and offer further protection from the elements. They also improve the overall fragrance of the lotion. You can add other essential oils of your choice, but beware of using citrus oils or others that are phototoxic. Check out this post for more about essential oils that can increase the risk of sunburn.

Sunny Days Skin Lotion Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a double boiler set over low heat, melt coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as the wax melts to avoid scorching.
  2. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, whisk in zinc oxide powder.
  3. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes, or until it is slightly thickened. You are looking for a pudding consistency.
  4. Once slightly thickened, use a hand mixer to whip thoroughly. Slowly add red raspberry seed oil and essential oils to the mixture. Continue whipping until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  5. Store in a glass container. During warmer months, it is best to keep this lotion in the refrigerator. If you take it with you on a hot day, it may melt if you do not store it in a cooler. You can still use the melted lotion, however it may be a little messy.

To Use

Apply this lotion frequently when outside, and reapply after excessive sweating or swimming.

Looking for something to protect your hair as well?

Try this Protective Summer Hair Serum recipe!

Do you LOVE learning the science behind natural products and essential oils? Come , the complete essential oil encyclopedia!