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CBD For Wellness: Topicals, Tinctures, & Softgels – Which Products Are Right For You?

cbd for wellness

cbd for wellness

In just the last few years, CBD has earned its rightful place as a staple in millions of health and wellness routines. One attribute of CBD that makes it so popular is its growing accessibility. This multipurpose compound can be administered in various ways. Namely, there are three methods that tend to stand out the most:

  1. Topicals
  2. Sublingual tinctures
  3. Softgels

How to choose CBD products for your wellness routine

Each method highlights different benefits according to your unique needs and preferences. In addition to being so accessible, exercising the autonomy of choice in how you incorporate natural remedies like CBD into your daily routine makes it a fan favorite and contributes to its growing reputation. But with all these options, how do you know what to choose? In this blog, we’ll explain what to pay attention to when shopping for CBD, and how to choose the best products for your needs.

 

Topical CBD products

Best for: targeted external relief.

Topical products include anything applied to the skin. For example, lotions, creams, balms, and oils designed for external use. Some key advantages of topical CBD products include:

  • Relief for a targeted area. Maybe you experience regular awful headaches, chronic joint pain, or horrible menstrual cramps. Applying a CBD topical to your forehead, back of your neck, or abdomen can offer palpable relief for seemingly inescapable pain and discomfort. Topical CBD can also help with skin conditions like eczema, or even general irritation caused by seasonal weather changes.
  • Fast-acting. Because topical products are absorbed by the skin, the effects are basically instantaneous. The cannabinoid receptors in your skin directly interact with the CBD, allowing you to feel its therapeutic benefits right away.
  • Easy and convenient user experience. Just like any other hand cream or face balm, you can carry topical CBD products with you wherever you go and use them whenever you need to.

 

Sublingual CBD tinctures

Best for: versatile use and broader physiological effects.

Sublingual tinctures are liquid extracts deposited under the tongue via an oil dropper. This delivery method allows the CBD to absorb directly into your bloodstream, which makes the effects on your mind and bodily sensations broader and last for longer periods of time. In addition to its fast absorption, sublingual tinctures also offer:

  • Versatility. Sublingual application is not the only way you can use tinctures. At Cloud City, we love to get creative and use them as additives to our favorite food and beverage recipes. You can add CBD tinctures to anything: your morning coffee, breakfast oatmeal, or brunch mimosas are just a few of our favorite ways to start the day. 
  • Customizable dosage. Because you use a dropper to administer the CBD, you can control the amount you take with each use. This makes tinctures an especially great option for newbies, as it promotes our theory of “starting low and going slow” as you experiment to find the dosage that’s best for you.
  • Systemic Benefits: Unlike topicals, tinctures offer systemic effects, meaning the CBD can have a broader impact throughout the body and help with issues beyond localized concerns. In addition to targeting relief from physical pain and discomfort, CBD ingested sublingually also provides other physiological accommodations such as calming anxiety, elevating mood, and balancing hormone levels.

 

Softgel capsules

Best for: precise and predictable effects.

Similar to traditional pills, softgels are encapsulated CBD you can consume with the rest of your daily vitamins or supplements. Advantages of softgels include:

  • Precise dosage. Because the CBD is encapsulated, you know the exact amount you’re taking without having to measure it out in a dropper first. Softgels ensure a consistent effect with each use. For some, this is convenient. However, it can be limiting for those who prefer to be in control of the effects.
  • No taste. Disclaimer: CBD products don’t necessarily taste like candy. Usually they are blended in formulations that contain other natural herbs and remedies that seek to serve a specific purpose.
  • Convenience. Just like vitamins, you can ingest softgels quickly and on-the-go.  
  • Long-lasting effects. Because softgels are processed through your gut and metabolized through your liver, the onset of the effects take longer to kick in. With that said, once they do kick in, they tend to last longer than other forms of CBD, making them a great option for those in need of sustained support throughout the day.

 

To choose the right CBD products, consider your individual needs and preferences. Topicals are excellent for targeted relief, tinctures offer fast and customizable effects, and softgels provide precise dosing and long-lasting benefits. 

Ultimately, your choice depends on your desired outcome and how you prefer to incorporate CBD into your wellness routine. We advise you to consult with a healthcare professional or one of our CBD experts to determine the best option for you.

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Party With Us For Cloud City Supply’s 2nd Birthday

Party With Us For Cloud City Supply's 2nd Birthday

This month marks an important moment in Cloud City Supply’s history. It’s officially our second birthday! To celebrate, we’re giving you an inside look into our origins and how our brand was born.

 

The void that needed to be filled

Before the owner of Cloud City founded this award-winning Silicon Valley CBD Store, she searched tirelessly for a natural remedy for her debilitating sleep and anxiety issues. Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were shifting, and the cannabis industry was still gaining momentum in the South Bay. Amy Taylor had previously been introduced to different forms of cannabis, but had a hard time identifying solutions that worked as health aids that didn’t come with overwhelming psychoactive side effects.

Her initial research would include visits to three different dispensaries that gave way to varied outcomes. The first shop sold her an edible that had way too high of a THC concentration level. Though she enjoyed the experience, Amy knew this wasn’t a sustainable solution if she wanted to be able to function throughout the day. At the second, she was greeted by budtenders who were equally as unconcerned with helping clientele as they were uninformed about the products they were selling. The third time had to be the charm though, right?

 

Relief at last

Finally, she found the CBD-based help she was looking for at the third dispensary she visited. But for a less-determined individual, Amy knew the slim possibility of making it this far. Having to jump through hoops would have turned the average customer off forever, and she knew so many people who could benefit from the relief she did eventually find with CBD. Thus, she decided she would be the one to fill the void between great products and sophisticated customer service.

Amy opened Cloud City Supply in downtown Campbell, California in the summer of 2021. In such an uncertain time, her mission was to connect those in need to personalized solutions by educating her customers in an inviting space. Not only do Cloud City employees take the time to recommend products according to each client’s individual needs, but they also provide detailed instructions on how to use each one before letting anyone leave the store. In the short two years it’s been in operation, the store has established itself as a reputable brand for quality CBD products. The Cloud City Supply staff has built a tight-knit community based on the trusting relationships they have with their customers. In addition to being recognized by Mercury News as the Best CBD Store in the South Bay, Cloud City has enjoyed immersing itself into the downtown Campbell community by hosting several events including educational seminars, the Sunday farmers market, the Bunnies & Bonnets parade, Wine Walks, an annual community Blood Drive, and more.

 

Celebrate with us!

This year we’re celebrating Cloud City Supply’s second birthday with a FREE event at our brick-and-mortar in downtown Campbell. Join us for mouthwatering bites by local food vendors, music by a live DJ, a raffle, and of course, a champagne toast to commemorate our growth and the special community we have to thank for it. 

Oh, and we also have great specials going on all week, both in-store and online. Check out the event details below and pencil us into your calendar for this Saturday. RSVP here to save your spot!

 

Cloud City Supply’s 2nd Birthday Bash

Saturday, August 19th, 2023

6:00 – 9:00 pm

325 E Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008

 

P.s.- both your human and furry friends are welcome too!

 

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Is It Safe To Take CBD With My Medication?

Is It Safe To Take CBD With My Medication?

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to providing clean, safe, and highly effective CBD products supplemented by educational-based customer service to help you find solutions tailored to your individual needs. When you shop at Cloud City Supply, you can rest assured that any product you pick up has undergone an extensive testing process by independent labs to ensure its formulation is free of any heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, or any other harmful ingredients you might find in other CBD brands. However, although all our products meet the highest quality market standards, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all safe for any consumer to use. Today, let’s review the different types of CBD products we offer and how they coincide with other drugs or medications you might be taking.

 

Topical CBD

When you apply CBD to your skin, it is not absorbed into your bloodstream nor metabolized by your liver. Therefore, topical CBD products are safe to use regardless of what medications you are currently taking. Topical CBD products include creams, lotions, salves, balms, serums, bath salts, bath bombs, and oils. Topical CBD products are the safest way to experience the relaxation and relief CBD can bestow upon muscle aches and joint pains.

 

Oral CBD

CBD in the form of gummies, capsules, softgels, pills, and beverages passes through your gut and is metabolized by your liver. Because CBD is broken down in the liver by binding to specific enzymes (p450 CYP3A4) that break down drug compounds in over 25% of over-the-counter medications, mixing it with prescription meds or other drugs presents a potential risk, as it may alter the efficacy or increase the blood levels of those medications. Depending on the medication, unintended side effects might include nausea, drowsiness, and even possible overdose with certain painkillers. Because CBD strongly affects these enzymes, we recommend asking your doctor or booking a free consultation with our in-house CBD coaches before experimenting if you are taking other medications.

 

How do you know if the medication you are taking is broken down by the p450 CYP3A4 enzyme?

Here’s one easy way to tell: If the label or pamphlet provided by your pharmacy says not to take the medication with grapefruit, then it is not safe to take with oral CBD products. Grapefruit contains compounds that also interact with the p450 CYP3A4 enzyme and thus suggest the same possible risks that mixing these medications with CBD do.

 

Sublingual CBD

CBD oils and tinctures work by holding the liquid product under your tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing it. This is called sublingual administration, which bypasses liver metabolization and absorbs directly into the bloodstream. Generally, sublingual tinctures are safe for most consumers. However, because of the oral ingestion process, there’s a possibility a small amount could still reach the gut and be metabolized by the liver, which could present some of the same risks as oral CBD products.

 

In addition to confirming with your doctor or one of our in-house CBD coaches, we recommend discontinuing your use of CBD with other medications or enforcing a two-hour waiting period between the time you take your medication and the time you administer CBD sublingually if you feel an increase in drowsiness or any other unwanted side effects.

 

Book your free CBD consultation today

We will always encourage you to err on the side of caution and advise you to seek confirmation from a medical professional before starting any supplement, including CBD. Since many physicians and health providers are not formally educated about CBD, feel free to bring this article to your appointment for reference. Otherwise, you can book a free consultation with one of our in-house CBD coaches who are available to answer any questions you have.

 

Helpful Definitions

CYP3A4 – a p450 liver enzyme that CBD inhibits when taken orally, potentially causing a drug interaction with over 25% of prescription drugs.

Sublingual – delivery of drug through the tongue so it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and avoids first-pass metabolism.

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Reserve Your Spot Today For Our 7/15 Summer Pop-Up Event

Reserve Your Spot Today For Our 7/15 Summer Pop-Up Event

It’s official- summer is upon us! Who’s ready to party? (We are!)

To kick off the summer season right, Cloud City Supply is partnering with women’s wellness brand, Ladykind, to host a pop-up event for all CBD lovers. Join us to connect with fellow users and advocates of premium CBD products. In addition to learning about the safety and efficacy of CBD and its incredible potential to positively impact your health and well-being, we will also have CBD mocktails, tasty treats, and fun icebreaker activities for you and your furry friends to enjoy. Yes- pets can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of CBD, too!

 

Event details

The event will take place on Saturday, July 15th, 2023 at the Cloud City Supply store located at 325 E. Campbell Ave in Campbell, CA. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are FREE!

 

About our experts

Seize this opportunity to try out some of the best CBD products on the market and chat with leading CBD experts in the South Bay, including Dr. Dale H. Levandowski, MD, and Dr. Milan Chavarkar, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, IFMCP. 

Dr. Dale graduated from Campbell High School in 1973. Later he received his medical degree from Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, where he completed a Residency in Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His military medical career, spanning over 31 years, includes deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He served as the Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas for six years and only recently retired from active duty. He now works part-time for Doctor on Demand and enjoys golf, swimming, and good food (which can abundantly be found in downtown Campbell!). Dr. Dale is a medical consultant for Cloud City Supply. 

Cloud City Supply’s second medical consultant, Dr. Milan, is the founder of Lotus Integrative Health, a women’s health and fertility specialist, and an Integrative and Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner. Similarly, she is also a Bay Area native who first realized her passion for providing holistic primary and OBGYN care during her time at the Women’s Clinic at UC Berkeley where she began her career as a nurse-midwife. After graduating with her Master’s Degree in Family Practice, she went on to complete UCSF’s nursing doctoral program in 2019 to refine her skills as a leader and educator. 

 

How to RSVP:

Upgrade your wellness routine this summer with the Cloud City Supply x Ladykind family for tips and advice on how to best support your mental and physical health using alternative, plant-based remedies. Get your tickets here or scan the QR code below. See you there!

 

Reserve Your Spot Today For Our 7/15 Summer Pop-Up Event