Let’s Chat CBD

This post is LONG overdue! I’ve mentioned my CBD use countless times, but I’ve owed you guys this deep dive for a while. There’s so much misinformation out there about CBD, so I wanted to share a bit about what I’ve learned, how I take it, and how it’s helped me. (There’s a 30% discount code that ends tomorrow, too!)

I’ve previously mentioned that I was going through a more severe time of anxiety last spring (2019) and had mentioned to my therapist that I thought I might need to take medicine. She told me I could definitely make an appointment with a psychiatrist to evaluate my options if I felt so inclined, but that she didn’t think medication was necessary. But she did recommend trying acupuncture! (Still haven’t done that yet, tbh.) It was odd timing because I had that therapy appointment in the AM, and then on my calendar that evening, I had RSVP’d to an event at Space 519 with a new CBD brand. Truthfully, I had just wanted to go check out the new Space 519 location, and I’d been hearing more and more about CBD and figured it was worth checking out.

I always say this when I talk about my experience, but that night changed things for me. “Changed my life” sounds so damn cliché, but it was truly a major turning point for me.

Now before we go even further, I know you’ve probably seen Equilibria ALL OVER INSTAGRAM and other blogs over the last year. But honestly, guys, it’s with good reason. And to be completely transparent with you, I’ve actually shied away from talking about my experience with CBD here on the blog because I really try to avoid “the same ol’ content that everyone seems to be sharing,” and it just seemed like too many people were talking about it. I didn’t want to be publishing “noise,” if that makes sense. And as a consumer, I know it can seem like a facade when everyone is seemingly shilling the same product. (I do the age-old eye roll, too. Believe me.) But I know that’s something I need to work on, and the truth is, I was using Equilibria long before most of the bloggers that are posting about it now, and I can fully vouch for it, too. Of course, I’m thrilled that so many people have gotten relief from CBD, and it’s amazing to see how much success Equilibria has had, but I just want to be transparent as to why I haven’t really mentioned it much on my platforms much until now.

But that night at the event last April, I talked with the co-founders of Equilibria and learned SO MUCH about CBD, and ended up signing up for a subscription on the spot (and paying for it fully, save the 20% discount they were offering at the event that night). After a few weeks of using it and seeing such great results, I reached back out to the brand, and collaborated on a set of Instagram stories last June for another event they were hosting, and actually ended up doing a little bit of consulting for the brand last summer, too. But I just want to be clear that I still pay for my subscription, and this is in no way sponsored, contracted, etc.

My biggest takeaway from that evening chatting with the two women who founded the company was QUALITY! Since cannabis and CBD is such a new (and thus, largely unregulated) industry, there are a lot of crappy products out there. All of Equilibria’s products are grown, harvested, and produced on their organic farm in Colorado… No middlemen! (And no fillers like a lot of other products on the market.) They adhere to the same medical grade standards for prescription hemp!

When I first started using Equilibria last spring, I started out by taking a dropper full at night to help me relax and help me to fall sleep. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO HIGH, NONE WHATSOEVER. (Sometimes I wish there was, haha.) And then when I would be feeling overly anxious at some point throughout the day, I would take half of a dropper to “take the edge off.” But here’s the thing — everyone’s body reacts differently. Equilibria actually has a Dosage Specialist that you can chat with to determine what’s right for you! For me, personally, it doesn’t make me tired at all, it just makes me feel calmer, less “on edge,” and more “even,” so I can take it during the day no problem.

Currently, I do a mix of the soft gels and the drops. I take an Extra Strength soft gel before bed, and I take the regular strength drops during the day when I’m experiencing breakout* anxiety symptoms. I’ve recently been experimenting with the Extra Strength drops because, well, 2020. 😜 They’re great for sleep! The main difference between the soft gels and the drops is how your body absorbs them… When you stick the drops under your tongue, they kick in faster than the soft gels being metabolized through your stomach. Since I have a tendency to wake up in the middle of the night, the soft gels help to keep me relaxed throughout the night so I’m able to fall back asleep easily if I do wake up. Again, your dosage specialist will help you determine what’s best for you and your body based on your specific needs!

*I started taking meditation for anxiety and depression in January of this year, and it’s truly the best decision I’ve ever made. You can read more about that journey here! I think a common misconception is that medication will solve everything, and honestly, I wish that were the case. My therapist said it best… “You should still feel high highs and low lows while on medication.” And that’s the truth for me! I still feel stress, I still feel anxiety at times, and I still feel all of the emotions. But they’re just not debilitating anymore! So even though I’m on medication, it’s still just as important to keep up with my self care — therapy, CBD, meditation, etc. But also worth noting… If you are on a medication, be sure to talk to your doctor before incorporating CBD to make sure it won’t interfere!

One thing to know is that consistency is key. You’ll see the greatest benefit over time after taking it daily, which is why they offer the subscription option. TRUST ME, there’s nothing I shy away from faster than some sort of subscription box that you end up paying for and not using. (#hardpass) This is not that — it just ensures that I don’t forget to re-order, run out, and get out of the habit of taking it. (#guilty) And it’s actually cheaper when you subscribe, which is an obvious bonus! Since I subscribed when they were offering a discount, I actually got to take advantage of that discount for multiple months, so it made sense. But if a subscription still isn’t your thing, you can definitely order the products individually!

FYI: My referral code JRS will always get you 15% off on the Equilibria site! BUT they’re offering an extra 15% off site-wide right now, so you can actually save 30% right now! (Ends TODAY, 9/3!)

In my opinion, the Balance Box is the best place to start! (Or the Brilliance Box if you have physical pain you’re dealing with.) You can get a feel for the soft gels vs the drops, experiment, and see what works for you. But if you are trying to pick just one product, I’d vote for the drops! You probably want to start with the regular strength, and adjust from there with the help of the dosage concierge.

I don’t have any experience with their pain cream, but I’ve heard people rave about it for back issues, period cramps, muscle aches, etc. There are also bath bombs, roller balls, and all sorts of other products to help you relax and recharge during this crazy time. Again, I haven’t tried any of those personally. There are also mint-flavored drops if the earthy taste of the regular drops aren’t your thing. Personally, I kind of like it!

I’ve gotten a couple of questions about melatonin vs CBD for sleep, and personally, melatonin gives me the most insane dreams. So much so that I avoid it at all costs! It wasn’t always that way, but even if I have the smallest dosage nowadays, my sleep is anything but restful. In the past, I found that my body “gets used to it” quickly, so it didn’t end up being as effective after a couple of days.

I find the science fascinating regarding the endocannabinoid system, but it might be too much information if you’re not into that kind of thing. And I know I’ve been saying this for a year now, but I still really want to do a podcast episode with the founders of Equilibria. I’ve talked with them about it, and they’re on board, but it’s just never worked out getting a time scheduled on my end! And then the pandemic hit and it was in to quarantine. Maybe we’ll have to get that set up via Zoom instead of waiting to record in person. Keep ya posted!