You know the feeling. You’re on a deadline at work, or you just received an unexpected bill in the mail, or perhaps your child just went to her first day of school…ever. Your palms are sweaty, you’re short of breath, your chest feels tight and it’s hard to concentrate. This is anxiety, and you’ve felt it before. Sometimes you feel it every day of the week.

Anxiety gets a bad rap, but it’s actually an evolutionary response designed to help us react to threats to our safety, welfare, or environment. Anxiety can motivate us to avoid danger, to perform better, or to approach a difficult situation and resolve it.  It’s when anxiety starts to interfere with our daily activities that it can become problematic. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), characterized by persistent and excessive worry about things such as money, health, family, or work, is just one of many anxiety disorders recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.

Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders affect a huge segment of our population. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 19% of US adults 18 and older experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year, and 31% of adults 18 and older have experienced an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. That’s a lot of folks like you and me! With such a prevalence of anxiety disorders, researchers are constantly looking for the best treatment.

These days, anxiety disorders are often treated with a combination of cognitive therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This treatment can be effective, but not everyone responds well to the latter. Side effects of SSRIs include drowsiness, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, diarrhea, nervousness and dizziness. 

Fortunately, early research shows promising signs that CBD may be an effective alternative treatment for many anxiety disorders. While researchers are not yet certain how CBD works to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms - some theorize that CBD oil may influence receptors in the brain involved in the modulation of serotonin, while others believe that CBD may interact with various ion channels in the brain to produce a therapeutic effect – the studies conducted so far certainly demonstrate a level of effectiveness.

Further research is currently being conducted. In the meantime, CBD has been used for years as a self-treatment for anxiety, from everyday worries to the more worrisome disorders. According to a 2018 survey published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, almost 62 percent of cannabidiol users reported that they used CBD to treat a medical condition, with the top three conditions being pain, anxiety, and depression. The internet is filled with success stories from users of CBD that have not only alleviated anxiety itself, but also other symptoms such as insomnia and pain.

Humans are not the only ones that may benefit from CBD’s potential ability to alleviate anxiety. Dogs also have the receptors that aforementioned research suggests are positively affected by CBD treatments. According to PetMD, a survey published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association found that 72% of the people surveyed reported using a hemp product for their pet, with 64% reporting that they were certain it helped their pets. Our furry friends are family, and if CBD oil might help alleviate their fear of thunder, why not?

Here at Fully Activated CBD, we’ll continue watching the research as it continues to expound the many beneficial effects of CBD oil as a treatment for anxiety. In 2018, the research really started to pick up, and we are excited to see what 2019 will bring!

2018 was a huge year for hemp. 

While the hemp industry has been steadily growing since President Barack Obama signed the 2014 Farm Bill, the bill limited use of hemp to agricultural and academic research within a higher-education setting and only in states that chose to legalize it.  In 2016, individual states all over the USA voted and began to accept hemp as an industrial crop.  However, hemp was still not classified as legal and remained a grey area in federal law.  Our federal law stated that all “cannabis” was illegal, and while hemp is not the same species as the high-THC cannabis sold in dispensaries (like Cannabis Sativa & Cannabis Indica), by scientific classification the plants have the same genus - Cannabis.  Cannabis ruderalis (hemp) is known for its low THC and high CBD content.  There was no original distinction that hemp (cannabis ruderalis) and THC cannabis (cannabis sativa & cannabis indica) are separate plants.  Further research has recently shown that they are, in fact, different. 

Based on our national laws, states were allowed to individually legalize hemp before the federal government recognized it as an industrial crop.  However, the companies working with hemp and hemp farms were limited to remaining in the states in which hemp was legal.  Registered hemp farms were state-legal after 2014, but without national recognition, resources were limited.  The US banking system would not process payments for hemp, which made commerce around hemp products incredibly difficult within legal states.  Under state laws, hemp farms were legal, but still not recognized nationally. 

In 2017, more than 38 states and Puerto Rico had bills regarding legislation around hemp.

Fast forward to 2018.  As more states continued to legalize hemp farming, national awareness around the plant grew and legislators took notice, marking the beginning of legalization on a national level.  In December 2018, The Agricultural Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) passed in both the House and the Senate which nationally recognized hemp as an agricultural crop.  Woohoo!  Through a redefining of the former blanket term “cannabis”, the federal government granted cannabis ruderalis a place on the national list of legal agricultural crops.  This means industrial hemp is more supported than ever before.

Not only did hemp receive agricultural recognition on a national level, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, & Oklahoma all voted to legalize hemp within the state.  The 2018 Farm Bill says that states must submit a plan to regulate hemp production, and to date, there are 11 states that have not legalized the plant: Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington DC, Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, South Dakota, Iowa, and Idaho, although we expect to see new legislation announced in 2019.

We are eager to see where this new legislation takes the hemp and CBD industry nationwide!  2018 brought a new definition for hemp and cleared the path for more sustainable farming.  Instead of importing hemp into the US, we can now source materials locally, avoid the import taxes that drive prices up, and create new jobs in a new industry.  What an exciting time to be alive!  2019, we’re ready for all of the hemp growth, are you?

There are so many way to use CBD, from ingesting tinctures and applying CBD salves to using pure CBD isolate in your food.   Many report chronic pain relief when using CBD, so this could be a perfect pairing with rigid joints on this cold holiday!  Want to read more about Pain & CBD?  Read more here!

This holiday season, we want to offer you some delicious and creative ways to incorporate CBD into your Christmas dinner!  The following recipes include between 5mg-10mg of CBD per serving.  Each person’s tolerance may vary, so if you know that you prefer a higher amount of CBD in your food, please use at your own discretion.  If you want to learn more about Pure CBD Isolate and Full Spectrum Distillate, click here!

Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your CBD culinary adventure:

APPETIZER

Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Dip

Makes 10 servings ~ approx 10mg CBD per serving

Ingredients

• 12 ounces broccoli florets (about 6 cups)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 100mg of Pure CBD Isolate
• 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces mild Cheddar, shredded (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450*F.
2. Toss broccoli in olive oil with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper.  Spread on baking sheet and roast for 15-20minutes.  It will begin to brown, but will not be mushy.  Place on cutting board and chop coarsely.
3. Melt butter in saucepan over medium & add onions, cook for 6minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook until soft.
4. Slowly begin to stair in flour and cook around 4 minutes, until flower has lightly browned.
5. Stir in half & half and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until heavy cream consistency is reached.  Stir occasionally.
6. Once desired consistency, turn off heat & cheeses and stir until melted.
7. Add CBD Isolate, broccoli, and mustard and stir.
8. Pour into serving bowl and chop veggies or add chips around bowl.
9. Enjoy!

You can add our tasteless pure CBD isolate to just about anything, but one thing to note about cooking with CBD isolate: it’s best to not heat the CBD over 400*F, as it could lose potency and effectiveness.  So, think about foods that require low-heat or that CBD can be added to after baking.  CBD is fat-soluble, so it’s best to add it in to fats, butters, and oils instead of water.  You can add it into a balsamic vinaigrette, or in your Christmas stuffing or dressing.  Dissolve CBD (cannabidiol) isolate in to your olive oil or similar oils and add to whatever main dishes you like!  While there have been no known overdoses from CBD, many would recommend keeping the ratio to between 5mg-10mg per food serving.

Don't forget about your beverages!  You can add a little CBD isolate powder right into whatever drink you choose.  While it will dissolve best in things like eggnog and coffee with creamer, the sky is the limit with CBD!

DESSERT

Four Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge

Makes 15 servings (squares) ~ Approx 7mg CBD per square

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed dates - Approx 20 dates (pitted // measured after pitted)
• 1 cup creamy salted peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter) - self-ground is your best bet!
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
• 1/4-1/2 cup melted coconut oil
• 100mg of Pure CBD Isolate
• Roasted salted nuts (chopped // optional)
• Cacao nibs (optional)

Instructions

1. After dates are pitted, place in food processor and blend until paste or a ball forms.
2. Add peanut (or alternative nut) butter and blend.
3. Add cacao powder & CBD Isolate and blend.
4. Add 1/4 cup of melted Coconut oil & blend. Small amounts of melted coconut oil can be added while blending to achieve a fudgey paste consistency (no more than 1/2 cup total coconut oil used).
5. Line a loaf bread pan with parchment paper or wax paper and pour processed mixture into form.  Smooth with the back of the spoon & top with option nuts and cacao.
6. Place in freezer until firm (approx 20mins-1hr).  Remove, slice, and serve.
7. Store extra for 1 week covered in refrigerator or 1 month in freezer.  It may be too soft if left unrefrigerated.

Fully Activated offers a wide variety of products like Full Spectrum CBD Salves, Pure CBD Isolate, and Pure CBD Oil for sale.  Fully Activated guarantees the quality of our isolate and distillate and can help you find a product that may work best for you. 

JOIN THE PROGRAM

Click the orange Rewards icon on bottom left side of homepage.
Sign up by clicking "Join Now". You can earn more benefit bucks by clicking the rewards icon and scrolling to "Ways to Earn"

VIEW REWARDS

VIEW REWARDS

REDEEM REWARDS

REFER A FRIEND

After 77 years of prohibition on industrial hemp, American farmers have begun to grow the crop again!  Although we’ve been in a restricted time regarding hemp, awareness is growing and many are beginning to see the light that has always been there. 

“Tin Lizzie” Automobile by Henry Ford

In 1941, Henry Ford was looking for a solution to the metal crisis that the US was experiencing during the war.  As an avid agriculturist, he grew hemp and soybeans on his property and used the crop to create something more sustainable during the metal shortage.  The bioplastic paneled car prototype was made from soybeans, wheat, and corn, and was designed to run on hemp fuel.  As the war weakened, the project was pushed aside when steel was no longer in high demand.  Many Ford records were destroyed in a fire a few years later, and the exact descriptions of the car vary between stories.  Some report that the car was 25% lighter in weight and vastly more durable, not to mention, made with highly renewable resources.

Ropes & Sails

Even longer ago, early ships and covered wagons used canvas or hemp to travel far and wide.  Early ropes were made from industrial hemp due to its incredibly strong fibers and a naturally higher resistance to mold and bugs.  Many things we know were made from canvas, could have easily been made with hemp, as “Canvas” is also said to come from the word “cannabis”. 

The American Flag

Some historians claim that the first American flag made by Betsy Ross was made out of industrial hemp.  While there is not much research that explicitly states what the first flag was made of, many speculate that it was made from canvas or hemp, due to the resources available at the time.

Paper

Although hemp and paper were once both used as parchment, due to production costs, paper took the lead for newspapers, packaging paper, and other short-term use paper goods.  Hemp was most commonly found in higher end paper goods like banknotes and cigar papers.  Even though hemp offers up to 5x longer fibers, stronger, and has a greater pulp retention when recycled, paper from wood pulp beat out hemp.

Edible Hemp & CBD

Hemp can be eaten as seeds, oil, milk, butter, and in a number of dishes.  Seeds can be eaten raw, hulled, ground, or soaked in water and blended to make hemp milk.  Hemp seeds are high in fiber, B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, as well as, very high in essential fatty acids.  It also provides an amino acid profile much like milk, eggs, and meat.  This is likely why you will find hemp proteins emerging in the health food market!  CBD products like tinctures and capsules can fall into this category, too.  Read more about CBD here.

Wearable Hemp

While hemp bracelets, bags, and dresses have been seen as “hippie clothes” in somewhat recent culture, hemp as a textile has been used for years to create uniforms and bedding.  In the last year or two, hemp has become the cloth for sustainable fashion, and it’s not just for those who live in a commune.  Companies like Adidas and New Balance have launched hemp tennis shoes, and companies like Patagonia and Nordstrom are selling partial hemp clothing in their stores.

Hempcrete

Hempcrete is an alternative construction material has recently come on the scene that is both an insulator and a moisture regulator.  While it’s more lightweight and renewable than traditional lime concrete, it cannot withstand the pressure as a building foundation, so it’s typically found used in building walls.  Since it it a low-density material and does not crack with movement, it could be a useful material in earthquake zones.  In the US, special permits are needed to build with hempcrete but other countries have been using it for years. 

At Fully Activated, we're big believers in this plant for many reasons and we're excited to see where the future of hemp leads us!  For more information on our Colorado-grown hemp, Read Our Story Here!