By Vegan Recipes and Vibes. Paid partnership through abillionveg and Pachamama
I am brand new to the world CBD oil. And when I say brand new, I mean like I barely know how it's made or what it's used for (I just know hemp plants are involved). So when abillionveg and Pachamama reached out and offered to send me some samples to try, I was definitely intrigued.
If you are also brand new to the world of CBD, here are a few facts. According to Healthline, "CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil." No, it will not get you high. It has several benefits such as reducing pain, anxiety, depression, cancer-related symptoms, and possibly acne, although more studies need to be done.
Healthline also lists a few potential side effects: diarrhea, fatigue, changes in appetite or weight. Yikes. However, according to a report from the World Health Organization, “CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential [meaning] there is no evidence of health-related problems associated.” Thankfully I did not experience any negative side effects. Although it can interact with certain medications, so please consult your healthcare professional before trying CBD products just to be safe.
Pachamama was generous enough to send me 4 samples of their most popular products. After about two weeks of using them on a daily basis, here are my thoughts!
Uses: relaxation, great for sleeping.
Cost: $75 for 1oz of 750mg strength; $140 for 1 oz of 1750mg strength.
Taste: Pretty bad; very earthy, musky, and herbal.
Effects: Takes about an hour to kick in for me (taking 1mL). It doesn't make you so sleepy that it knocks you out like some sleep aids do, so you can either sink into it or easily fight against it to stay awake. I feel like this was very mental for me: I knew I took a sleep aid so naturally I felt sleepier. But it does help me stay asleep, and I don't feel groggy the next day. It's great for camping!
Uses: focus, attention
Cost: $75 for 1oz of 750mg strength; $140 for 1 oz of 1750mg strength.
Taste: Great! This is my favorite. It has a hint chocolate which overpowers the earthy flavor well.
Effects: Takes about 45 minutes to kick in for me (taking 0.5mL) which makes me feel like I drank a cup of coffee without the jitters. In fact, it actually pairs well with coffee to give you that extra boost you need, but calms you at the same time. This is something I would consider buying the full-size version of!
Uses: immune boost, headaches, relaxation
Cost: $75 for 1oz of 750mg strength; $140 for 1 oz of 1750mg strength.
Taste: Also pretty bad, earthy, musky, herbal.
Effects: Takes about an hour to kick in for me (taking 1mL). So far this has helped with a slight headache, light cramping, and overall wellness. I'm sure this would also be great for when you feel a cold starting. This would be a healthier (although more expensive) alternative to ibuprofen and Advil.
Uses: helps relieve sore muscles, joints, and dry skin
Cost: $50 for 2oz of 500mg strength.
Smell: A nice blend of vanilla with a hint of peppermint.
Effects: This is a very soft, almost whipped lotion. It's very oily when you're rubbing it on, but soaks in quickly. It helped my calf muscles after a 14-day hike, and also my back after kayaking. According to reviews on their website, it also helps with arthritis. This is a small jar but a little goes a long way. Store in a cool place, it melts and leaks out of the jar if it gets too hot.
The Goji Cacao would be my first choice in products to buy at the current moment since it hits my most relevant need. I think the other products would be helpful during later stages of life (for example, the Athletic Rub may be great for when I'm older if I start having joint problems, and the Kava Kava may be great for insomnia during menopause).
Additionally, I do like Pachamama's company awareness, transparency and mission. They harvest from only one farm in Colorado and "use the same strain and family of hemp plants in order to create consistent and reliable products – every batch, every time." They support non-chemical farming practices and use a solvent-free extraction process. You can enter your batch number on their website to review the Certification of Analysis. They have been awarded the Purity Award from The Clean Label Project™ for remaining authentic and transparent. Learn more on the Education page of their website!
They also do not test on animals, and my box arrived with zero plastic packaging (all products are sold in glass containers too).
Overall I'm very glad that I tried a few CBD products so I know what all the hype is about. But unfortunately, I don't think my wallet will allow me to pursue this type of wellness at the moment. I really like where Pachamama is headed and I'm going to keep an eye out for more samples on their website to try, and may splurge if I miss taking the Goji Caco once my sample runs out. I do think CBD could be a very beneficial to a lot of people, as long as they can afford it!
Use the discount code ABILLIONVEG15 at checkout for 15% off your order!
I was provided with free samples in exchange for reviews on abillionveg and Instagram.