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CBD has been taking the world by storm - and for good reason! People are incorporating CBD into their daily routine to support multiple aspects of their health and wellness. CBD is becoming a go-to for health-savvy consumers. 
For those of you who already know and love CBD, there are multiple ways you can use CBD in your daily routine that you may not yet be familiar with. Plus, there are tips and tricks to optimize your experience, such as adjusting the time of day you take CBD and selecting specific types of CBD products for different uses.
We will dive into the top things you should know about using CBD in this blog. But first, let’s dive into what CBD is, where it comes from, and how to use it for those of you who may be new to CBD.
<h2>CBD: A Brief Overview </h2>
CBD, or cannabidiol, is derived from the industrial hemp plant. CBD is one of the many different cannabinoids naturally present in hemp. Along with cannabinoids, including CBD, other plant components are found within hemp plants, such as terpenes, fatty acids, flavonoids, and more. 
CBD is extracted from hemp using CO2, steam-distillation, or ethanol. It is then used to create various products such as CBD oils, CBD gummies, CBD topical products, and others.
There are <a href="https://penguincbd.com/blog/full-broad-spectrum-isolate">three types of CBD</a>: isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum. With CBD isolate, the CBD is purified to produce a product that is 99%+ pure CBD. Both broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD contain a blend of the hemp plant's naturally occurring plant components, such as terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids.  
The main difference between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum is the THC content. Broad-spectrum CBD has no detectable THC, while full-spectrum CBD can contain up to 0.3% THC. In the United States, all CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered a legal hemp product. Reputable CBD companies third-party test their products to ensure that they meet these requirements.
Researchers have begun to study how CBD affects the brain and body. They have found that CBD works primarily through the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241751/">endocannabinoid system.</a> This is a system within our bodies that modulates pain perception, inflammatory signals, mood and emotions, and more. 
CBD’s effects on our brains, bodies, and emotions are through its ability to stimulate the endocannabinoid system.  
<h2>Choosing the Right Form of CBD To Use</h2>
There are so many different CBD products to choose from these days - from gummy bears to oils to topical creams to bath bombs and more. Having so many available choices is wonderful, but can feel overwhelming. You may struggle with choosing the best option for yourself.
The form of CBD you use can impact how quickly it enters your system, affecting how rapidly (or slowly) you feel the effects. To feel the effects of CBD body-wide, the CBD must enter your bloodstream. 
Some types of CBD products enter the bloodstream very quickly (within twenty minutes). Others take a longer time, while some forms have limited absorption into the bloodstream altogether. Let me explain further by diving into the details.
<h3>CBD Oils</h3>
<a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-oil">CBD oils</a>, sometimes referred to as CBD tinctures, blend CBD in a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil, fractionated coconut oil, or another type of oil. These are available in CBD isolate form, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum varieties. Sometimes they are flavored or sweetened to improve the taste.  
The intended use for CBD oils is to be consumed orally and held under the tongue for 30 seconds. Keep in mind that this recommendation is from CBD companies and has not been verified by the FDA. CBD oils enter the bloodstream within about 20 minutes or so, which means their effects can be felt somewhat quickly, in under half an hour. The absorption rate of CBD oils placed under the tongue ranges from<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22716155/"> 12-35%</a>.
<h3>CBD Edibles &amp; Capsules</h3>
For those of you with a sweet tooth, <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-gummies">CBD gummies</a> and various other CBD edibles are available. These candies range from gummy bears to chocolates, to cooking oil and beyond. The type of CBD they contain varies, depending on the company. CBD capsules are similar to CBD oils - just contained in a capsule. 
When you consume CBD orally, it must pass through your digestive system and get metabolized to release the candy's CBD. This means it takes longer for the CBD to reach your bloodstream. Some studies have shown that it can take<a href="https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/phar.2377"> 2-4 hours</a> to fully enter the bloodstream. Plus, if you have recently eaten and other food in your stomach, this will further slow the process. 
Studies have shown that the bioavailability of CBD consumed orally is between<a href="http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.948.7645&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf"> 6-33%</a>. This broad range, according to research, is influenced by one thing - dietary fat. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-020-00741-5">Studies have shown</a> that by simply eating a high-fat meal with your CBD dose it can increase the amount that gets absorbed from 6% to 24%.
CBD edibles may be a good option if you want the effects to “kick-in” later, such as at bedtime. Just keep in mind that you may need a higher dose of CBD in a gummy than CBD oil to experience the same effects, and adding a high-fat snack can boost CBD absorption.
<h3>Topical CBD</h3>
<a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-cream">Topical CBD</a> include products such as lotions, creams, and salves. When they are applied directly to the skin, they do not have to be metabolized in the digestive system or liver, required with orally consumed CBD. 
The CBD can absorb directly through the skin and affect the tissues it was applied to. It is unclear how much is absorbed systemically into the bloodstream, therefore its effects are almost entirely localized to the area of application.
Each type of CBD product has its benefits and place in your daily routine. You may be using one type of CBD, such as a CBD oil, during the day, and realize that you may benefit from incorporating a topical CBD product as well.
Or perhaps you are using CBD gummies at night and as well as during the day and now understand that a CBD oil may be a better option for your daytime use.
Still curious about what CBD is right for you? <a href="https://penguincbd.com/blog/types-of-cbd">Read more about the types of CBD here!</a> 
The next important factor in optimizing your CBD routine is the timing of your CBD dose. Let’s explore this topic.
<h2>Timing Your CBD Use</h2>
Now that we discussed the different forms of CBD products, how quickly they take effect, and their bioavailability, you may be wondering when the best time to use CBD is. The answer depends on what you are trying to achieve.
It is important to consider that some forms of CBD take longer to enter your system than others. For instance, CBD edibles can take a few hours to enter the bloodstream. In contrast, CBD oils do not have to pass through the digestive tract before entering your system.
If you are using CBD to enhance your sleep with CBD gummies, then it is important to take your gummies a few hours before you wish to go to sleep and give it time to metabolize. If you reach your CBD tincture once your stress has peaked, you may want to consider dosing 30-60 minutes before a stressful situation, to allow the CBD to enter your system.
Another vital aspect of CBD timing is allowing enough time for the CBD to work before redosing. It is common when a person first begins using CBD to play around with what dosages work best for them.
If you take some CBD oil and do not notice anything immediately - give it at least 30 minutes before taking another dose. If you keep increasing your dose too quickly, you may end up taking a larger amount than optimal. 
The timing of topical CBD is simple and straightforward. Topical CBD that is applied to joints, muscles, or skin concerns is usually applied (and reapplied) as needed.
This brings us to the next thing to know about using CBD - the dosage.
<h2>Dosage of CBD </h2>
The question of “what the best CBD dosage is” is a tricky question to answer. This is because the answer is different for everyone.
To date, <a href="https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/bcp.14038">there have been studies</a> that use less than 1mg of CBD per kg of body weight and up to 50mg of CBD per mg of body weight. As you can see, the range is very broad.
The most crucial aspect to keep in mind when it comes to CBD dosage is that you are your best barometer. It is always better to start off with a low dose and see how your body responds. 
<h2>The Safety of Daily CBD Use</h2>
Now that we have covered many of the ins and outs of using CBD in your daily routine, you may be wondering if using CBD daily poses any health risks or has any downsides. 
Overall, CBD is very well <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Regina_Queiroz/publication/51841989_Safety_and_Side_Effects_of_Cannabidiol_a_Cannabis_sativa_Constituent/links/53d687ff0cf228d363ea614d.pdf">tolerated by most and has very few side effects</a>, if any, which are mild to moderate in severity. Plus, there are no reported overdoses or deaths from using CBD - ever! In fact, doses up to 1,500mg/day are well-tolerated <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Regina_Queiroz/publication/51841989_Safety_and_Side_Effects_of_Cannabidiol_a_Cannabis_sativa_Constituent/links/53d687ff0cf228d363ea614d.pdf">in research</a>. 
Some of the most common side effects are:
<ul>
<li>Fatigue</li>
<li>Nausea</li>
<li>Dry mouth</li>
</ul>
It is important to note that CBD is metabolized in the liver. Many medications are also metabolized by the liver, so it is possible that taking CBD could affect medication’s effect on your body. It is always best to check in with your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.
Another common concern with taking CBD daily is developing a tolerance. Developing a tolerance means when you must take increasingly larger doses of something to continue to feel the same effects.
You may notice this is caffeine - where now one cup of coffee isn’t enough, and now you are needing two cups to get you up and moving in the morning.
The good news is, from what <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390806003923">research indicates</a> so far, CBD does not seem to induce tolerance in people. The good news for you is that you don’t need to worry about having to up your CBD dose each week to continue to experience the benefits!
<h2>Tips for Beginners </h2>
<h3>Start Simple</h3>
If you are new to the world of CBD and unclear about how to get started, remember to start simple. It is easy to get overwhelmed with so many options and either put off purchasing any products or feeling like you need to purchase one of everything. Don’t worry, we get it. 
When considering all CBD products available, CBD oils tend to have the most versatility, and they are one of the best CBD products to get started with. With CBD oils, you can change your dose drop by drop, which allows you to determine what amount is best for you.
Plus, CBD oils can be added to beverages like tea or smoothie or added into your dishes while cooking. For all you beginners out there, a CBD oil is a solid place to start.
<h2>Experiment with Products</h2>
Finding a CBD product you really like is important, especially if you plan to use it daily. If you have tried CBD oil in the past and did not like the taste or how it made you feel, don't be afraid to try a different variety. If flavored CBD oil is your jam, there are so many options for tastes available. Each person will have their own preferences. At <a href="https://penguincbd.com/">Penguin CBD</a>, we have all sorts of great flavor options like mint, strawberry, citrus, and even cookies &amp; cream. 
If CBD edibles are more your thing, remember that each product is made a bit differently, so texture and taste can vary greatly.
On the other hand, once you have found a product that you love and have been using consistently and successfully, consider trying out a different type of CBD product, such as a topical, a skincare product, or even a pet product for your furry friend.
<h2>Stay Consistent</h2>
When you first begin to use CBD, make sure you stay consistent with your timing and dose. It is easy to fall off track and forget to use your product here and there, but consistency is key to see the full benefit. For some, pairing their CBD dose with something they do at the same time each day is helpful.
For example, taking your CBD gummy right before you brush your teeth before you go to bed may help create consistency in your routine.
Or, using your CBD oil on your lunch break to get ahead of your afternoon stress. Each person will need something a bit different, depending on their needs and their schedule.

Using CBD in Your Daily Routine: What to Know

No matter if you’re brand new to the CBD wellness trend or if you’ve been exploring it for a while, you’ve probably asked yourself why everything is so expensive.
For those of you who are brand new to <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-oil">CBD oil</a>, you might even think that the prices are unnecessarily high – especially for such small amounts! But if you’ve been reading our blog, you know that the quality of your CBD matters. So, let’s take a look to see if the prices are justified.
<h2>Creating CBD-Rich Strains</h2>
For many people, CBD is a convenient way to reach their wellness goals. This little beneficial compound goes through many steps to come to you in the form of tinctures, gummies and salves.
The road from production to retail is long and expensive, which is one of the many reasons why it’s so costly. Let’s unpack how the industry works to create CBD-rich strains, and what that means for you as a consumer.
Producers of CBD have to create a high-quality, CBD-rich strain of cannabis. That means they work on engineering a strain that has higher levels of CBD than other cannabinoids. This is a tricky part of the process, because there are so many legal gray areas in this country. The producers have a doubly difficult job – creating a high-quality strain and making sure not to step outside of what the law allows. 
CBD-rich plants can be grown in specific states around the country, but overall, the process is limited to what each state deems lawful. On top of that, producers must pay steep taxes. That means that even before it gets to the extraction process, a producer is already spending a decent amount of money. The high price of licensing fees is just another one of the reasons why CBD is expensive.
But that’s not how it is everywhere. In other countries, problems are more complex and challenging. For example, in the U.K., the government only allows a specific number of producers to get licenses to grow.
That means the limitations on the market make it even more expensive. Licenses are hard to get and usually go to people's family and friends in the U.K. government. In this way, the market is even more restricted and controlled than it is here. 
<h2>Trickle-Down Effect on Farmers</h2>
Since the base cost of production includes so many additional fees, it shouldn’t surprise you that hemp farmers have it pretty bad as well. Hemp is taxed higher than other crops, so there’s not much incentive for farmers to switch from growing, say, corn, to growing hemp.
Let’s unpack this a bit, because it does factor into the bottom line and affects what you end up paying for your gummies and tinctures. 
The American hemp market is expected to reach more than $26 billion by the middle of the next decade, but farmers aren’t seeing many financial gains. The opposite is true.
Many hemp farmers are worried about the myriad issues that are plaguing the industry. Here are the top five complaints of hemp farmers.
1. Low first-year yields. When growing hemp outdoors, farmers are subject to the weather. When there are heavy rains and low growing seasons, their crops suffer. While it’s true that an acre of hemp can sometimes bring $40-50,000 per acre, hemp farmers say that there’s no way this year’s crops are going to yield that much.
2. Growing hemp is hard. Farmers might end up seeing decent returns at some point, but the fact is that growing hemp is difficult. Modern machinery can help, but many new farmers have had to invest tens of thousands of dollars to get the harvest in. Hemp seedlings are placed in the ground by hand, which involves manual labor and time.
3. There’s a shortage of hempseeds. CBD products require using all-female plants, and many farmers have been getting ripped off when some of their seeds turn out to be male. For CBD farmers, the male plants are entirely worthless, which means they’ve just wasted their time and their money.
4. Thievery is rampant. People think that hemp and its cousin marijuana are the same, so some folks out there are stealing hemp plants. Farmers all over the States have been complaining about losing crops to theft, and the problem seems to be getting worse. This means that farmers are forced to either invest in expensive security measures or assemble a team of lookouts to keep thieves out at night.
5. The market is saturated. Okay, so this one is pretty crazy. The 2018 Farm Bill helped usher in the era of CBD, and naturally, lots of farmers wanted to take advantage of the new trend. But there might be too many farmers. A <a href="https://content.brightfieldgroup.com/2019-hemp-cultivation-landscape">new report</a> shows that in 2019, there was a 72 percent increase in the number of acres dedicated to hemp farming. That’s good news, right? Well, not so fast. Now that the first harvest of 2020 is just about finished, lots of farmers are looking for places to sell their crops.
Wheat, corn and other commercial crops can quickly be sold to local grain elevators, but it's not that easy with CBD. The bulk of the hemp market is currently overseas, where hemp has been legal for a long time. 
To make matters even more pressing, now farmers are forced to look for places to store their crops, or it’ll all go to waste. Because the market is flooded and no one is buying it, the value is much less than farmers initially anticipated.
All of these issues aside, hemp farmers are also experiencing significant problems with crop insurance, banking and a lack of access to the right kinds of pesticides and herbicides. 
<h2>Growing Challenges</h2>
Thievery and low crop yield aside, the process of growing quality CBD is complicated. Sure, hemp is a hardy plant and can usually withstand lots of different weather conditions. But to obtain a quality yield requires a lot of finesse. 
Things like <a href="https://modernfarmer.com/2018/07/so-you-want-to-be-a-hemp-farmer/#:~:text=As%20with%20most%20grains%2C%20it's,least%2050%20acres%20or%20so.&amp;text=In%20states%20where%20it%20is,THC%2C%20they%20may%20be%20destroyed.">specific temperatures</a> and regulated moisture content mean that most farmers aren’t going to experience the same level of success growing outside as they would if they were growing inside. That means that it’s impossible in some locations to grow hemp successfully, which is causing some farmers to turn to indoor growing choices. 
Outdoor cultivation allows crops to photosynthesize using sunlight. Even the best indoor operations can’t recreate the nourishment provided by good old-fashioned sunlight. But outdoor crops are subject to lots of issues, like the ones we’ve mentioned above. Aside from the human pests, farmers must consider other pests and animals who like to munch on hemp plants' tasty green leaves. 
Comparatively, outdoor farming is less expensive than indoor agriculture. It’s typically lower maintenance for farmers and generally yields a higher crop and a higher-quality product. Pests are a big challenge, and farmers must have ideal weather – which is just about impossible to control. 
Sure, outdoor farming might be the most organic and original way to go, but it also might not be the best choice for hemp farmers. Here’s why. 
Indoor farming offers farmers a lot more control over their crops and yields. It helps produce quality hemp, even in incredibly inhospitable conditions. For this reason, indoor farming is quickly becoming the go-to choice for hemp farmers, especially after the disastrous 2019 growing season. 
Pests, animals and thieves all have a more challenging time reaching the indoor plants, which is a plus. But indoor farming comes at a cost since it’s a significant financial investment. The equipment has to be bought, which can add up fast. Since the indoor farming approach requires artificial lighting and water sources, farmers have to foot that bill. 
<h2>Manufacturing CBD Oil</h2>
Now that you see what kind of pressure and strain farmers are under to get the product to the market, you might have a clearer understanding of why your favorite gummies are a little pricy. But CBD's actual cost doesn’t stop with the farmers – there are also the manufacturing costs to factor in.
Extraction methods are necessary to isolate the CBD from other cannabinoids and distill it into a viable product added to <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-gummies">gummies</a> or <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-cream">made into cream</a>. This extraction process requires expensive equipment, no matter if the farmer chooses a CO2 extraction method or an ethanol extraction method.
CO2 extraction machines use crazy levels of heat and pressure to transform carbon dioxide into a state with properties of both a liquid and a gas. In this supercritical state, the CO2 can permeate solid plant matter – in other words, it pulls things like CBD from the plant.
After the CBD is extracted, the mixture has to be frozen and purified. This process is called winterization, and it allows producers to separate specific compounds before finalizing the product that ultimately finds its way to you.
After winterization, the final product is left in an inert oil for a specific period. Oils like coconut and MCT permeate the CBD, helping with the CBD product's overall taste. After winterization is complete, the oil is bottled and prepared for you. 
Okay, so that has to be the last step in getting CBD from plant to you, right? Well, not exactly. There’s still one more step – and it’s expensive.
Getting your CBD oil ready for the marketplace involves navigating the tricky legal issues relating to the product. That means the oil has to be tested in labs and other regulatory bodies to ensure it meets federal guidelines. These tests are expensive, because the CBD has to be assessed against all kinds of criteria, including individual efficacy and overall chemical composition.
But keep in mind that these tests and accreditations are all to benefit you, the consumer. Farmers want to ensure they’re bringing the best possible product to the market, and that involves making sure the CBD levels are where they want them to be.
If you’re a savvy consumer, you might be considering price-shopping between brands to find the “best price” for CBD. The reality is that you might be wasting your time, since there’s no way to determine precisely how much CBD costs. There are so many factors that contribute to the cost of CBD. 
Farmers are at a significant disadvantage right now as the legality of this product continues to unfold. They’re at the mercy of pests, thieves and the weather, making it difficult to profit from CBD. The extraction process is complex and challenging – not to mention expensive, all of which factors into the bottom line. And because the industry is trying its best to produce potency standards, lab tests are rigorous and expensive. 
Here’s what you need to keep in mind: Regardless of the price, you have to put your safety first. Given the high cost of CBD, you might be tempted to go with the cheapest available. But you might also be putting yourself at risk.
The market is full of cheap, low-grade oils, and some of these might contain questionable and potentially harmful additives and fillers.
It might be tempting to go with the less-expensive version, but you’re not going to know exactly what’s in the bottle. Instead, it would be best if you searched for high-quality, lab-verified products like <a href="https://penguincbd.com/">Penguin CBD</a>. It’s worth it to avoid exposing yourself to unwanted and unneeded contaminants. 
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
CBD is expensive. There’s no getting around that. But so too are lots of other things. It’s important to remember that CBD oil production is full of lots of challenges from start to finish, all of which contribute to the overall cost.
CBD is heavily taxed, farmers have distinct challenges and the regulatory aspect is expensive. Remember to go low and slow with your CBD. Chances are you can take a lot less than you expected, and that small bottle you just bought will last for a long time to come.

Why Is CBD So Expensive? We Investigate

In 1937, the Marihuana Tax Act made <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/12/14/the-farm-bill-hemp-and-cbd-explainer/">all cannabis plants illegal</a> in the United States, which effectively made hemp illegal on a technicality, despite it having 0.3 percent or less of the psychoactive substance THC. Then in 1970, during the War on Drugs, the Controlled Substances Act was passed, in which industrial hemp was made illegal more formally.
Making hemp illegal was an unfortunate move in many ways, as it is a healthy substance for both human consumption and the environment. With cannabis legalization moving forward in many U.S. states, industrial hemp was finally relegalized in 2018 with the passing of the Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill has only made hemp legal for farmers to grow, so the conditions are limited. It is still illegal to grow hemp in your backyard, for instance. Nevertheless, this step forward will lead to remarkable things for the world.
Here are 10 facts about hemp that will help you recognize just how useful it is. It can be grown both for fiber and seed, making it a highly versatile substance. This one plant can solve many of the world’s problems all by itself.
<h2>1. The environment is happier with hemp than cotton</h2>
Growing cotton requires twice as much land per ton as hemp. Conventional cotton also uses 25 percent of the pesticides used globally. Hemp, on the other hand, can be grown without using any pesticides. Pesticides pollute the environment, making hemp a much cleaner alternative for making clothes than cotton.
What’s more, cotton uses 50 percent more water each season than hemp. Hemp doesn’t require much irrigation at all. Cannabis encompasses both the marijuana and hemp plants, which are the same plant, only differing in their THC content.
Unfortunately, a lot of the world’s cotton is grown in places where there isn’t a lot of water to begin with, like Texas, certain dry regions of China, and Egypt. This means an irrigation system must be put in place to transport water to the cotton plants, which requires energy and creates pollution.
Cotton also requires water to be processed. It takes four times as much water to process cotton as hemp. All in all, using hemp as an alternative to cotton would be much easier on the environment.
<h2>2. It’s good for you</h2>
Hempseeds are <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170148/nutrients">nutritious</a>, even more so than flax and chia. They have lots of vitamins A, B, D and E. They also have many essential proteins, fatty acids and minerals. Hempseeds are considered a superfood and a marvel of nature for their potent antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Interestingly, hempseeds also contain the same nutrient found in breast milk: gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Hemp oil has high amounts of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, so it’s better for you than most vegetable oils.
<h2>3. It enriches the soil</h2>
Hemp can grow in diverse terrains and soils because its roots penetrate deeply into the earth. Its root system helps hold the soil together, augmenting its <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225616342_Characterisation_of_hemp_Cannabis_sativa_L_roots_under_different_growing_conditions">microbial content</a> and feeding nutrients back into the earth.
On top of that, the leaves and stems of a hemp plant hold a ton of nutrients. What isn’t used when harvested gets redeposited into the soil, further revitalizing the land. Typically, plants tend to deplete the soil of nutrients, meaning they have a harder time growing the following year. Many farmers must rotate crops every year, but this is not the case with hemp. Healthy soil means the yield the next year will not suffer.
A truly amazing thing about hemp is that it can be used to decontaminate both soil and water when industrial accidents and general pollution occur. When hemp grows in contaminated soil, it can absorb toxins and heavy metals into the plant. It was even used for this purpose after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in 1986.
<h2>4. It cleans the air</h2>
Aside from being great for the soil, hemp plants can also <a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=ae6e9b56-1d34-4ed3-9851-2b3bf0b6eb4f">clean the air</a>. Climate change, caused by the large amount of carbon dioxide we produce, reaches dangerous levels that threaten to destroy life as we know it on this planet.
Hemp can potentially reverse this damage. It absorbs four times more carbon dioxide than trees. It is also a sustainable crop because of its short growing cycle and ability to replenish rather than deplete the earth as it grows.
<h2>5. It helps cut back on deforestation</h2>
Hemp can be used to make paper, and using hemp to make paper would <a href="https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5-284.html">significantly reduce the world’s deforestation problem</a>. Just one acre of hemp can produce as much paper as four acres of trees. Trees are much harder to replenish than hemp, as they take a lot longer to grow. If we made paper with hemp, we would not need to cut down as many forests. In short, hemp can help save the trees.
Hemp can also be used to make other products normally made from wood (building products, for instance), further decreasing our reliance on trees. This would help the earth and the population immensely.
<h2>6. It could solve world hunger</h2>
Because of how nutritious it is and how sustainable and fast it is to grow, it is possible that hemp could solve world hunger. Hemp is jam-packed with protein, making it the healthiest meat alternative in existence. A lot of world hunger issues are caused by <a href="https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/449175">protein-energy malnutrition</a>. It is the deadliest type of hunger in the world.
By weight, hempseeds have the same amount of protein as beef. Thirty grams of hempseeds, only two to three tablespoons, supplies around 11 grams of protein. On top of that, hempseeds are also calorie rich.
Countries facing starvation could use hemp as a food staple to solve this problem. This becomes even more feasible when we recognize that hemp can be grown in a wide range of climates.
<h2>7. Replacement for plastic</h2>
Plastic has become a huge problem on this planet, filling up landfills and the oceans more as each year passes. It takes a lot of fossil fuels to make plastic, so it’s polluting the earth in more ways than one. With the looming climate-change crisis threatening the environment, and the health of humans and animals, continuing to produce and consume plastic as we do is not sustainable.
That’s where hemp can save the day. The stalks of a hemp plant are a fibrous material that can be used instead of plastic to make all sorts of things. These include composite panels, car parts, doors, window frames, floors, and plastic bottles and containers.
Unfortunately, plastic made from 100 percent hemp is still uncommon. Bioplastics, which are composite plastics made partially from hemp and other plant materials, are more common, but bioplastics can’t solve the plastic pollution problem the world is facing.
However, until governments halt <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/03/02/end-fossil-fuel-subsidies/LzzK4UxeC0J57WskBYeOqL/story.html">fossil fuel subsidies</a> that keep the production of normal plastic cheap, hemp-based plastic will remain expensive and inaccessible as a viable alternative.
Hopefully, the price of hemp will come down as countries begin to act against climate change, and then we can expect to see hemp replace plastics more often. It is already happening to some degree. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/31/business/energy-environment/lego-plastic-denmark-environment-toys.html">LEGO</a> has promised to end its reliance on fossil fuels by 2030 and is looking at hemp as an alternative to make its famous plastic toys.
<h2>8. It will not get you high</h2>
Marijuana and hemp are both varieties of the cannabis plant, but there is one critical difference. Agricultural hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the natural chemical compound with psychoactive properties that makes users feel “<a href="https://penguincbd.com/blog/will-cbd-oil-make-you-feel-high">high</a>.”
By definition, hemp can only have up to 0.3 percent THC, which will not get you high. Marijuana has lots of THC, which is why it is known for its psychoactive effects.
THC is not the only compound found in cannabis plant varieties. However, both hemp and marijuana have another substance called cannabidiol, or CBD. Hemp can have fairly large quantities of CBD. With the Farm Bill's passing in 2018, legalizing industrial hemp, CBD derived from hemp became legal along with it. 
A variety of CBD products, including CBD oil, gummies and capsules, are now produced by many companies around the U.S.
Both early <a href="https://accp1.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcph.1387">scientific research</a> and loads of anecdotal evidence have brought to light impressive information about CBD's effects on the body. Ask any regular CBD user, and they’ll probably rave about the <a href="https://penguincbd.com/blog/what-does-it-feel-like-to-use-cbd">relaxing feelings</a> that CBD can bring.
<h2>9. It’s a fuel source</h2>
<a href="https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/uconn-study-finds-hemp-produces-viable-biodiesel/1872781/">Research</a> from the University of Connecticut found that hemp shows real potential as a sustainable fuel source. Part of what makes hemp sustainable is that it is a renewable plant source and it grows quickly in infertile soils, freeing up the primary soil for food crops that need it.
The study used virgin hempseed oil to create biodiesel fuel. Upon testing it, the hemp-derived biodiesel showed that 97 percent of the oil was converted to biodiesel. Furthermore, it could be used at a lower temperature than all other biodiesel fuels we currently use.
It is imperative that we find renewable energy sources, as fossil fuels have been a large contributor to the climate-change problems the world is facing.
Using clean energy will help keep global temperatures down to avoid future catastrophic climate events, including sea-level rise, an increase in natural disasters and transforming currently habitable regions into places no longer suitable for humans to live. Hemp can play a crucial role in saving the planet as a sustainable, renewable fuel source.
<h2>10. It helped the Allied Powers win World War II</h2>
In 1939, during World War II, Japan cut off certain American supply chains with Asia. This meant the U.S. could no longer import hemp from the Philippines and India, and by 1942, their supply of bulk war materials was not in good shape. Despite the U.S. prohibiting hemp production starting in 1937, an exception was made out of military desperation.
The government began a Hemp for Victory program, urging farmers to grow industrial hemp for war supplies, like naval towlines, parachute webbing and shoelaces. It even included a primer on how to plant, reap and bundle hemp, plus tips about what equipment to use and how to bind rope.
This led to masses of patriotic farmers stepping up to the plate and growing enough industrial hemp to help the Allied Forces defeat the Nazis and the other Axis Powers, ending World War II.
<h2>The wind-up</h2>
This list could go on and on. For instance, in 1941, Henry Ford made a car out of hemp, soybean and plastics. You’d think a car like this would not be exceptionally durable, but the opposite was true. Despite being lighter than steel, it could withstand up to 10 times the impact without leaving a dent. Go, hemp, go! Many people think of hemp as a miracle crop, and they might just be right. It can be used to make a wide variety of products, including food, clothing, building materials, “plastic,” war supplies and even fuel.
What’s even more miraculous is that it can contribute to all of these things without destroying the planet. We here at <a href="https://penguincbd.com/">Penguin CBD</a> think that hemp is truly a sustainable, renewable gift from the earth that could save the world. If only we could use it to its full potential.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Hemp

How can you be productive and stay focused when your office is in your living room?
First, what is staying focused? Well, for us here at <a href="https://penguincbd.com/">Penguin CBD</a>, we think it has a lot to do with removing the triggers that cause stress in the first place. Being focused means completing the tasks you have on hand in a reasonable amount of time with minimal stress.
But, if you’re like the rest of us trying to adjust to a new normal of social distancing, that might seem like an unattainable dream. Well, that’s why I’m writing this particular post right now, because I’m sure you have questions too. 
It looks like working from home is here to stay. For some, this can cause a lot of stress. It’s hard to stay focused at the “office” when there are so many other projects to take care of.
Without clear expectations on how to fill your time while telecommuting, it’s easy to get off track. And, if you’re working from home, that means there’s probably something else that sounds a little more interesting – like that reality TV show you’ve been binging or that load of laundry that needs to be put away.
Let’s first look at what stress is, and how it interrupts your ability to stay focused. I’ll then give you a number of tried and true focusing methods that you can use while working from home.
<h2>First, let’s talk about stress</h2>
We all feel stressed out from time to time. That heart-racing, blood-pumping sensation that makes it impossible to concentrate on anything. When we feel anxious, we can’t focus and our work suffers. 
If you’re an anxious person in a work-from-home situation, you get behind on your work projects and your home projects because you’re in the same place all day, every day. Because of this, your current stress levels are probably going through the roof. 
COVID-19 isn’t making things easier. The Center for Disease Control reports that fear and worry about this pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Social distancing might be making you feel lonelier than usual, which can compound the situation.
Let’s take a look at the most common signs and symptoms that come with being stressed out. 
Biologically, the feelings of stress we experience in stressful situations have <a href="https://www.anxiety.org/what-is-anxiety">physiological roots</a>. Think elevated heart rate, a sense of being warmer or flushed, or suddenly being extra aware of your surroundings. 
All these body signals are part of a fight-or-flight response. They help prepare a person for an unknown eventual conclusion, and were especially useful during earlier periods of human history.
The nervousness experienced in the current era before a big presentation, first date or other important life event is a part of this natural response.
<h2>How does stress affect our job performance while working from home?</h2>
Adapting to new situations can be difficult, especially if you’re an extroverted social butterfly. You might be feeling so overwhelmed with the concept of working from home that it’s hard to feel motivated.
Remember that you’re not alone in feeling like this. That may alleviate some feelings of inadequacy and guilt about your inability to focus or lack of productivity. Most importantly, keep in mind that it’s not healthy to compare your performance now with your performance when you were going into the office. We’re sure things are going to get better. But in the meantime, here are some things you can do to address your stressors head-on. 
We all tend to use our performance as a relative marker of how “well” we’re doing at our job. But the reality is that performance is just not a reliable metric right now. If you don’t have enough stress or pressure to complete your tasks on time and with minimal errors, you might not feel motivated to do much. That’s where the inability to focus comes into play, and you’re tempted to do anything except work. 
But if you have too much stress, like a boss who demands your Zoom camera be on all day, then you’re going to feel incapable of getting anything done either. The external pressure can lead you to feel overwhelmed, which means you’re stuck once again.
<h2>So, what’s to be done?</h2>
The key is to find balance. 
When you find that sweet spot, you’re able to maximize your productivity and life goals. 
But how do you find that “just right” amount of stress, and then use it to take your productivity to the next level? 
Remember that working from home brings many of your personal and professional aspects into one place, which is unusual and unplanned. It can be easy to get distracted, until you’re able to separate business and personal tasks. That means it’s going to take some time and a steep learning curve to learn how to work from home – especially if this is all brand new for you. 
Most experts agree that working from home entails finding ways to be balanced. At its core, a successful work-from-home venture is a mindset. Here are a few tips and tricks for staying focused while we learn how to work from home.
First, automate, automate, automate. Technology should be your best friend while you’re figuring out your best approach to this whole work-from-home thing. That can mean everything from setting alerts about tasks to creating digital reminders to reorder products you use often. The less you have on your mind at one time, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to focus on the tasks at hand. 
Second, avoid procrastination. It’s easy to put off work tasks when hundreds of other things are clamoring for your attention. Working from home means you have to be firm with your “office hours.” Otherwise, you’ll find yourself pushing up against increasingly tighter deadlines, which will ultimately heighten your feelings of stress and derail your focus. 
Third, don’t stay in your pajamas all day. We’re well aware that loungewear should be the new office wear, but for right now – especially as you transition to a work-from-home mindset – it’s essential to keep your business mindset in place. That means leaning on whatever dress code you had in place before the pandemic. 
While there’s no need for a three-piece suit or full-on makeup, it is a good idea to remember that we’re creatures of habit. Abruptly changing your routine is going send the wrong signals to your brain. If you want to stay focused, it’s best to dress for success. Not to mention – how professional and boss-like can you be sitting around in your pajamas all day? 
<h2>Enjoy your breaks </h2>
This is one of the hardest tips to embrace, in part because it’s so contrary to our fast-based workplace culture. But when you’re working from home, you must allow yourself time to enjoy your breaks. And that might mean something different for everyone. Around here, we like a quick yoga or meditation session around midday to help us stay connected and focused, followed by a <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-oil">dropperful of our CBD oil</a>.
Not only will a break help you come back stronger, but you’ll also be able to tap into your focus zones more quickly. That means as soon as you settle in, you’re ready to go right back to work. 
Have a dedicated workspace. This can be a little fluid, based on the space needs of your new “office,” but the idea here is that you have a place where you “go” to work every day. Just as your bed should be reserved for sleeping, your dedicated workspace should be a spot in your home that’s only for work. 
Keep regular hours. Whatever these are, you need to create them and stick to them. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself answering emails at all times of day and night, and you’ll feel unfocused and unproductive. 
<h2>Make sure you set proper boundaries </h2>
Just like setting office hours, make sure you have reasonable limitations in place. It’s a common misconception that if you’re working from home, you’re not actually working. Make sure that people are aware of your schedule, your commitments and your boundaries. 
Practice mindfulness, whatever that means for you. It might involve a deep soak after a busy day with a CBD-infused bath, a nice cup of tea, 10 minutes with your favorite game or a massage with some <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-cream">CBD cream</a>. 
Whatever you routinely used to do to center and focus should still be part of your daily routine in a work-from-home world. 
Set a schedule and stick to it. Even if new Slack alerts or emails are waiting in your inbox, stay off the clock if you’re off the clock. Otherwise, you’re going to feel like you’re always on call, and that’s the quickest way to get burned out. 
Stay off social media. I know, it’s so hard, especially since our entire work is now digital. It feels like the only way we get to see anyone is via social media feeds. But here’s the thing about social media: It’s a total time suck.
You might think you’re just checking up on a few friends, but it’s so easy to get lost in the chatter. The best thing to do is to set aside specific times of day to check your feeds and then leave them alone. 
<h2>Closing Thoughts on Staying Focused While Working From Home</h2>
Don’t let your wellness routine of CBD and other self-care get lost in the shuffle. 
Wellness is a huge part of staying focused and committed to your profession. If you’re not focused, you’re not performing. Ticking off the items on your to-do list might help you feel productive, but it can also cause you to lose focus quickly. You have to think about the big picture too.
Wellness is going to continue to look different as we all adjust to a new normal. That means looking for new ways to find joy in the same routine. If you’re working from home and feeling isolated or lonely, you might encourage your work team to “meet up” for a virtual mixer or create a fitness challenge to help your team stay motivated.
Virtual mixers are a great way to help you remember that you’re not alone in this struggle, and if you live alone, they’re a good way to maintain safe human contact. Mixers or weekly chats with your team can also allow you to explore issues or challenges that you and others might be having with your current work-from-home setup and look for ways to make sure that it’s getting better. 
Around here, we do a lot to ensure that everyone on the team moves every day. From yoga to at-home workouts to a walk around the block, exercise <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005">helps lower stress levels</a> and can contribute to feeling more focused over time.
Even more exciting is that a regular exercise routine coupled with a diet that’s rich in whole foods and a dedicated CBD regimen might be precisely what you need to help you feel your best while we all relearn what it means to live in a post-COVID world. 
Once you have your workplace set and your boundaries in place, make sure you head on over to our catalog to explore our <a href="https://penguincbd.com/shop">current offerings</a>.

Easy Ways to Stay Focused While Working From Home

The most effective way to make positive changes in your life is to change your habits. This includes both physical habits and mental habits. In the instant-gratification world we live in, people can have a tough time changing their unhealthy habits because it’s time-consuming. No matter what anyone tells you, you are not going to change overnight.
Instead, think of the actions as an investment. You might not see the full scope of the results for months or even years, but investing in yourself is worth it. After all, you do have to live with yourself for your whole life.
It can be hard to know what kinds of actions you can take for positive changes in your life, so many people stick to their old habits (even if they’re not working). While every person is different, there are some methods that work for most people.
Here are eight actions you can take to start a positive transformation in your life. If you commit deeply to them, your life with change for the better.
<h2>1. Express gratitude when you want to complain</h2>
No matter how hard things get or how bad they seem, there is always something you can be grateful for. Expressing gratitude during dark times may not be easy, but it will change your life.
Remember that complaining does not make the challenge go away. Complaining allows your mind to focus on the negative, and negative thought spirals rarely lead to good solutions. 
One of the most effective ways to feel better during a rough period is to express your gratitude consciously. Think about some of the good things in your life, no matter how small they may seem.
They may include things that are easy to forget and that you often take for granted, like support from family and friends, a meal on the table or a roof over your head.
There are many <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain">benefits of replacing negativity with gratitude</a>. Generally speaking, grateful people don’t find themselves so tied to material possessions and are less envious of others. They also tend to feel less stress, which is linked to better physical and mental health overall. Furthermore, practicing grateful thinking daily can lead to increased enthusiasm, alertness and energy. 
Regardless of how you choose to express gratitude, be it in a gratitude journal, aloud to family and friends or quietly to yourself, it is a habit that will lead to positive life changes.
If you choose to show your gratitude more vocally in your daily life, it will probably strengthen your relationships. People love being thanked, and they will associate you with graciousness if you share your feelings of appreciation.
<h2>2. Set your alarm half an hour earlier than normal</h2>
Setting your alarm half an hour earlier every day is an actionable goal that can easily change your life for the better.
Successful people are always talking about how important it is to start the day early, and they couldn’t all be wrong. No one is saying you should get up at an unreasonable hour, but if you normally get up at 7 a.m., it shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment to set your alarm for 6:30 a.m. instead.
The extra half hour in the morning can be used for anything, and no matter what you choose to do with that time, you will be jumpstarting your day. Many successful early risers opt to do things like read, exercise, meditate, have a calm breakfast or organize their day right when they wake up in the morning.
That way, they never begin the day with rushed, frantic energy. Waking up a little earlier also helps you to feel more accomplished about the day right off the bat. You can feed off of that positive energy for the rest of the day, and many people find that it snowballs into even more productivity.
Time-tracking in general is a path to self-improvement. It makes it easier to achieve the goals of the day when they are compartmentalized this way. Giving yourself specific time frames for each action makes it more likely that they will be completed efficiently.
<h2>3. Follow through when you say you are going to do something</h2>
Setting a bunch of goals sounds great in theory, but the situation only turns out great if you are truly able to follow through on them. Follow-through is important for many reasons.
When we make promises to ourselves and keep them, it builds confidence and can have a domino effect on real productivity. Conversely, creating goals that you don’t carry out can lead to a spiral of self-degradation and negative thoughts, where you end up getting less done than you would have otherwise.
This is why it is so important to only set realistic goals. Goals are easier to accomplish when they are well-defined and straightforward. Start small. Instead of committing to a huge task, try breaking it up into small, manageable tasks.
For example, if you want to learn the stock market, you’re not going to do it in a day. Start with reading one book. Then read one more book. Then another. Then take an online class. Similarly, if you want to learn to meditate, begin with a one-minute session.
When you can successfully do that, gradually increase your meditation time until you’re an expert. These are the kinds of simple, clear-cut goals that help people to be successful.
It’s always better to set small goals that you can accomplish than put too much on your plate and have to disappoint both yourself and others because you can’t get it done. While this should not be used as an excuse to do less, having follow-through is a critical habit if you want to change your life for the better.
<h2>4. Exercise more often</h2>
Everyone tells you to exercise more, and it’s probably not your favorite thing to hear. However, there are <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-200029030-00003">too many benefits</a> of exercise to overlook its value. Making a habit of exercising has huge benefits for both your physical and mental health.
If you exercise, your body will be better equipped to perform a wider range of activities. People who practice regular cardio tend to find themselves out of breath much less often, and tend to sleep better.
The psychological benefits are equally profound. People who make a habit of exercising are in a better mood more often. They have less stress and anxiety, and they are more disciplined in their lives in general, leading to greater confidence and productivity.
A lot of these mental benefits are thanks to the chemicals the brain releases during a hard workout, such as endorphins and dopamine. When these chemicals are released, the body experiences a type of euphoria and all-around positive feelings.
So, while it might be easy to make excuses for why you don’t need to exercise all the time, resist that urge. Exercising regularly is a positive life change that everyone can benefit from.
<h2>5. Be available to relax</h2>
Society focuses on productivity, and it can be easy to forget that it’s just as important to take an occasional break. Personal wellness is necessary to function at your best, including relaxation, so make time for it.
This can include any tranquil leisure activity, like taking the time to cook a healthy meal and sitting down to enjoy it, taking a long shower or a soothing bath full of essential oils, or taking a long, easy walk in nature.
These days, more people have been using CBD, a nonpsychoactive natural compound found in the cannabis plant, to feel relaxed.
For instance, <a href="https://penguincbd.com/products/cbd-oil">a few drops of CBD oil</a> in a cup of tea can help you get into a calmer mood without feeling intoxicated. Remember, you are not a machine. Self-care should be an essential part of your routine if you want to move your life in a positive direction.
<h2>6. Seek out rejection</h2>
It probably sounds counterintuitive to make a habit of <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/why-getting-rejected-can-actually-help-you-succeed-life-ncna984966">seeking out rejection</a> as a way to improve your life. However, if you reach out to at least a couple of people each day who you would like to work or interact with, even if you’re sure they would never respond, eventually someone is going to get back to you. 
The people you are reaching out to could be anyone: a potential employer, a potential friend, an agent, an influencer, a celebrity − you name it. You really have nothing to lose by doing this, and you have so much to gain. 
Implicit in doing all this asking is that you will be rejected pretty often. Yes, rejection can be hard to swallow, especially at first, but there is a lot to gain by experiencing rejection. 
In getting used to being rejected, you can actually build confidence. You stop letting others control the way you value yourself, and you stop taking rejection so personally. Soon, it becomes easier to ask for the things you want in life, making it more likely that you will get at least some of what you’re asking for.
<h2>7. Take life less seriously 
</h2>
Laughter might truly be the best medicine. An easy way to gain a <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1399446">broader sense of humor</a> is realizing that not everything has to be serious all the time. When you notice yourself getting worked up about something, take a moment and ask yourself what is so important about this specific thing or why it is so important that your opinion is heard. Is it really necessary?
Or is it just your ego getting in the way of you having a good time? In instances when you find things are not so serious, this is a good time to take a deep breath and let it go.
Allowing yourself to take things less seriously will positively impact your mental health, as your stress levels are likely to drop. It will also have a positive impact on your relationships. It’s enjoyable to be around lighthearted people, who can laugh things off, and tend to ease tension rather than create it.
<h2>8. Read more</h2>
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/07/more-evidence-reading-good-you/313575/">Reading more</a> has numerous benefits. It will make you smarter, build your vocabulary, keep the wheels of creativity turning and keep you occupied with something valuable instead of wasting away hours scrolling mindlessly. Even if you’re not a person who likes to read books, you can learn and grow through reading other things.
Read the newspaper, focusing on articles that interest you. Listen to an audiobook. If reading a novel seems too daunting, read a short story.
People who read are engaging with new ideas, and that helps them grow. Self-growth and success in life usually go hand in hand. That’s why making a habit of reading is such a positive (and simple) change you can make in your life. 
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
Changing your habits is imperative if you want to make positive changes in your life. Even making just one of the mental or physical changes listed above is bound to show you just how important daily activities are.
Express gratitude every day. Get up earlier. Do what you say you are going to do. Exercise more, read more and broaden your sense of humor. And don’t forget to take the time to really relax. 
Just as important is that you start making the changes now. Why wait until tomorrow to express gratitude when you can start doing it at this very moment? We here at <a href="https://penguincbd.com/">Penguin CBD </a>believe that the sooner you change your habits to healthier ones, the better you will feel and the more successful you will be.

Penguin CBD Blog

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Easy Ways to Stay Focused While Working From Home

8 Actions to Take for Positive Life Changes

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