

I've Got 10 Solid Reasons To Use CBD Oil More Often
I mean, really. Who hasn’t heard of CBD at this point, right? Have you ever wondered exactly what it is, though? OK, so the technical name for the cannabis plant is Cannabis sativa and it contains over 100 chemical compounds that are known as cannabinoids. One of those compounds is cannabidiol and its nickname is CBD. Unlike THC, CBD lacks the psychoactive properties that cause you to feel high. That doesn’t mean it’s not totally bomb, though, because it comes with some pretty amazing health benefits — ones that I’m about to dive into in just a second.
So, if you’ve been looking for some ways to improve the quality of your health without spending a billion dollars to make it happen, I can personally vouch for the fact that CBD oil is something that will benefit you beyond measure. Here are just 10 (of the many) reasons why I say so.
1. CBD OIL: Improves Your Mood
So, let’s start off with something that sounds super complex but it’s really not. All of us have a neurotransmitter in us known as anandamide. It’s tied into what gives us a blissful feeling, plus it can help to increase our oxytocin levels. This is good to know because oxytocin lowers stress while causing you to feel warm, fuzzy, and affectionate. So, if you’ve had a low day (or week), a little bit of CBD oil can literally perk you right on up.
2. CBD OIL: Neutralizes Free Radicals
If you’ve always heard of free radicals but were never really sure what they are, it’s kind of a long story. Probably the easiest way to break them down is they’re the kind of molecules that, when left to their own devices, can wreak havoc in your entire system by triggering oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is problematic because it can cause an imbalance in your body’s cells and tissues. CBD oil is helpful in this lane because it has the ability to neutralize free radicals so that they don’t end up causing damage to your system — and that’s a good thing.
3. CBD OIL: Reduces Inflammation
Whether you struggle with chronic or acute inflammation, CBD oil is something that can really help you out. Something that the oil has in it is anti-inflammatory properties. The properties are so effective that they are able to affect the way your body’s endocannabinoid receptors (ECS) move about. This is relevant because your ECS is the cell-signaling system you’ve got that alerts your body when inflammation is occurring. When CBD oil is applied, less inflammation occurs.
4. CBD OIL: Supports Digestion
Almost a year ago, I wrote an article for the platform entitled, “80% Of Your Immunity Is In Your Gut. Take Care Of It Like This.” Because so much of your health is tied to your gut, it’s important that you’re hypervigilant about proactively taking care of it. One way to do that is by making sure that your digestion runs smoothly and one way to do that is to use CBD oil. CBD oil is good for your digestive system because it is able to keep your GI (gastrointestinal) tract healthy while preventing several different kinds of diseases in the process.
5. CBD OIL: Minimizes Breakouts
Whether you’ve got acne, you experience hormonal breakouts or there is simply an area of your face (or body) where pimples like to pop up, CBD oil can help all of these out thanks to its pretty potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In fact, one study revealed that applying this kind of oil to your zits is far more effective than using Vitamin C or Vitamin E on them, which is pretty darn impressive if you ask me.
6. CBD OIL: Relieves Itchy Skin
Speaking of the skin-related properties in CBD oil, if you’re someone who battles with skin issues that are connected to eczema, psoriasis, or just chronic dry skin, you’ll be amazed how much relief applying some CBD oil to your skin can be! Not only can it help to speed up the healing process of cracked skin, but it can also moisturize your skin if it’s causing any type of itching or irritation.
7. CBD OIL: Decreases Pain
I once read an article that said that CBD oil has been used as a way to treat pain-related symptoms for thousands of years at this point. Because your endocannabinoid system consists of things like your sleep patterns, your appetite, and how your body responds to pain, CBD oil is beneficial in this area because it reduces inflammation and relaxes your pain stimuli so that you are able to feel some much-needed relief. In fact, CBD oil is proving itself to be so effective that it is oftentimes recommended to people who deal with fibromyalgia or pain that is associated with cancer.
8. CBD OIL: Improves Blood Pressure
If high blood pressure (or even cardiovascular disorders) is something that you struggle with, this is just one more way that CBD oil may be able to help you out. Although many studies are still being conducted on this particular health benefit, word on the street is, since it’s the kind of oil that helps to balance homeostasis (the state of how your internal, physical, and chemical conditions all work together) in the body, it can help to lower your blood pressure levels if you happen to be in a stressed-out state. And since a whopping 41 percent of Black people have high blood pressure within the United States, knowing this about CBD oil is highly relevant and beneficial.
9. CBD OIL: Soothes Insomnia
Something that I’ve been doing for quite a while now, at least a few times a week, is applying CBD oil to the soles of my feet before turning in for the night. Since there are 2,000 pores on each foot and many experts consider them to be the largest pores on your body, applying oils to that area can result in quick absorption. When it comes to CBD oil specifically, because the properties in it are tied to a reduction in pain and anxiety and also because it’s an oil that is directly tied into reducing your cortisol (stress) levels, it’s easy to see that if you avoid all of these other reasons to give CBD oil a shot, a good night’s rest is definitely a strong motivator to at least strongly consider giving it a try. I’m living proof of that, chile.
10. CBD OIL: Intensifies Orgasms
Remember how I said that CBD oil is good for treating anxiety? There is no way around the fact that, the more relaxed you feel, the more pleasurable sex will be. As a bonus, when you bring CBD oil into your boudoir, you have a far greater chance of experiencing more orgasms too (and who doesn’t want that?!). The reason the oil can help to make this happen is because your body naturally has cannabinoid receptors in your reproductive organs. So, when you apply CBD oil, it can only help to “trigger” them (in a good way), so that your sexual responses are intensified. This is actually why more and more people are becoming super fond of CBD lubricant.
Another writer for the site shouted it out in her article, “Why Cannabis Lube Is The Best Thing To Get Yourself For V-Day”. Also, Leafly is a cannabis-friendly site that has a DIY recipe that’s pretty easy to make (check it out here). You know what they say — don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it…so don’t. #wink
Featured image by Getty Images
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Improve The Look Of Your Under-Eyes With These Top-Rated Eye Masks
If there’s one part of the face that seems to be the most vexing to correct, it’s the under eyes.
This delicate area has a way of being tipped off by our irregular sleep patterns, stress, and the straining that comes from our computers and phone screens. From puffiness to dark circles, it can be irksome to find the right products to soothe our under-eye concerns. Thankfully, there’s one solution that delivers a brighter and more awakened look over time, and that’s under-eye masks and eye patches.
Eye patches are giving our under-eye bags an eviction notice because they can’t hang our glowing faces rent-free. The beauty of these patches is that they are designed to bring your eyes targeted results through concentrated doses of active ingredients directly to the skin under the eyes. Typically made of thin, gel-like material and infused with ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and even green teas, these small but mighty patches depuff your puffiness, brighten your dark circles, or tighten fine lines.
While every under-eye differs in its needs, every eye can benefit from an under-eye mask or patch that suits its concerns. And to help, we’ve put together the best under-eye patches to hydrate, soothe, and brighten your eyes.
KNC Beauty All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask, 5-Pack
The KNC Beauty All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask, 5-Pack, is a retinol-infused, all-natural product designed to rejuvenate your eyes. It promises to provide hydration, smoothness, reduced puffiness, and brightness without the use of chemicals. With ingredients like retinol to refine skin texture and stimulate blood flow and aloe to soothe and reduce redness, it's like getting 8 hours of beauty sleep for your eyes.
Topicals Faded Under Eye Brightening Eye Masks
These cooling hydrogel under-eye masks from Topicals promise to fade the appearance of dark circles and discoloration in just 15 minutes. The set includes six masks and offers benefits that brighten, hydrate, depuff, and cool your under-eye area.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Grab these eye contour gel patches to brighten the eye area and combat signs of aging using a powerful form of vitamin C called THD Ascorbate, which is 50 times more potent than traditional vitamin C.
BeautyBio Bright Eyes Depuffing and Brightening Eye Gels
BeautyBio's Bright Eyes consists of 15 colloidal silver-infused eye gel patches designed to provide instant depuffing, brightening, and revitalization to the delicate eye area within 10 minutes. They also contain natural collagen to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, which we love.
COSRX Advanced Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch
COSRX
These viral hydrogel masks offer moisture and nourishment to rejuvenate tired-looking skin. Their Snail Secretion Filtrate contains "Mucin," an effective moisturizing ingredient that soothes damaged skin and delivers deep hydration, making it suitable for dehydrated and damaged skin types. Your under-eyes will thank you.
Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches
Amazon
Try these caffeine-infused patches to reduce puffiness in the under-eye area. The product features clean, vegan ingredients such as caffeine, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and moisture delivery.
Dieux Skin Forever Eye Mask Reusable Silicone Gel Eye Pads
The Forever Eye Mask is designed to be the “last eye mask you'll ever need.” This thin, lightweight, and reusable eye patch can hold gels, serums, and creams close to the skin for better absorption, helping your skincare products work more effectively.
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