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"Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one." - Astrid Alauda

The Daily Tonic is a two to five minute read sharing science backed health news and tips, all while getting you to crack a smile or even lol on occasion.

Monday. In case you missed it, King Charles III was coronated on Saturday, giving us all another excuse to indulge in some royal family gossip. It turns out Prince Harry attended the big event sans Meghan Markle. *Gasp*

Moving on to something — anything — of more importance, let’s chat about CBD. Cannabidiol seems to be popping up everywhere nowadays, but what is it exactly, what are the health benefits, and is it even legal? Let’s dive in.

CBD, Baby!

CBD, or cannabidiol, is all the rage nowadays. There are CBD gummies, tinctures, creams, capsules, and pretty much any other product you can think of. Your local pet store probably carries CBD-infused dog treats to help with your dog’s separation anxiety. When we say CBD is everywhere, it is literally everywhere. So what is CBD exactly?

CBD is a non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and is the second most prevalent active ingredient in marijuana. CBD is not marijuana but rather is derived from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of marijuana.

But is it legal? In 2018, the Farm Bill removed hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act. This means CBD is now perfectly legal as long as it comes from hemp. Even though it is the same exact molecule, CBD derived from marijuana still lives in a bit of a legal grey zone, but CBD from hemp is 100% legal. I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but when has that ever stopped the government from passing silly regulations in the past?

So what are the health benefits? The most substantial scientific evidence supports its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). In numerous studies, CBD reduced the number of seizures and, in some cases, stopped them altogether. Epidiolex, which contains CBD, is the first cannabis-derived medicine approved by the FDA for these conditions.

There is also some research that suggests CBD may also help with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and addiction. While CBD is generally considered safe, side effects may include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. It is also important to note that CBD can interact with other medications and increase their potency, so it is important to discuss its use with your doctor. Remember, we aren’t doctors; none of this is medical advice. You would think that my hit-or-miss attempts at humor would give that away, but I’ll say it again — we aren’t doctors, and none of this is medical advice.

CBD comes in many forms, including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical preparations for use on the skin. If you're hoping to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle and joint pain, a topical CBD-infused oil, lotion, cream, or even a bath bomb could be helpful. I mean — CBD aside — who doesn’t love a good bath bomb?

While some CBD manufacturers have come under scrutiny for wild, indefensible claims, such as CBD being a cure-all for cancer or COVID-19, promising research does suggest that CBD may have various health benefits. However, it is important to note that much of the research is still in its early stages, and more studies are needed to substantiate many of the claims.

The key takeaway? CBD has gained more popularity than Meghan Markle over the last decade. Some studies support its potential health benefits, particularly in treating epilepsy syndromes, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and addiction. However, discussing its use with a healthcare provider and purchasing products from reputable companies is important. The dietary supplement space can be the wild wild West, and with something as new as CBD, it becomes much more important to be careful with what you end up putting into your body.

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Lose Five Pounds In Your Sleep

This just in — Harvard scientists figure out how you can lose weight in your sleep!

Harvard scientists suggest that getting more sleep can help improve fat loss, according to research involving over 68,000 people. Participants who slept for less than five hours a night weighed an average of five pounds more than those who slept more than seven hours per night.

Additionally, people who slept for five hours or less were 32% more likely to experience significant weight gain and 15% more likely to become obese over a 16-year period.

There you have it. You can lose weight in your sleep — all you have you have to do is, well, sleep.

The best approach is to aim for 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep per night, with an absolute minimum of 6 hours. Trust me; your body will thank you for it in the long run.

Tonic Shots

• If you are more into a DIY approach to experimenting with CBD, here are a few recipes worth trying! Check out the recipes!

• Speaking of sleep — long naps might not be the best idea. Here is why!