CBD Answers - UK
We answer questions about the use of CBD products, CBD oils. their uses and benefits, and CBD legislation in the UK.
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Best Way and Time to Take Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms, often referred to as Ganoderma lucidum or the Mushroom of Immortality, have been used in traditional Eastern medicine for centuries. There might be an extensive list of Reishi mushroom benefits, but are these benefits affected at all by the method of ingesting them and the time that you do so? How to Take Reishi Mushrooms Many functional mushrooms, such as Shiitake, are suitable additions to a meal, but such is not the case with Reishi. These mushrooms have a woodier texture and bitter taste that is not pleasant to eat. As such, most Reishi mushroom products come in the form of extracts, such as tinctures, powders, and capsules. Neither of these products is more beneficial than the others; it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer taking Reishi mushroom steeped in tea over powdered extracts mixed into foods. Unfortunately, there are limited and non-researched recommendations for how much Reishi to take per day. It largely depends on personal physiological factors and the severity of the condition. That being said, products purchased from reputable sources will usually include guidelines. If they don't, your doctor can give you a more personalised opinion on your situation. When to Take Reishi Mushrooms Most people will claim that the best time to take Reishi mushrooms is a few hours before bed to improve your sleep quality, but this isn't necessarily true. It's difficult to know how long it takes for Reishi mushrooms to work as the benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms don't present after a few hours. Instead, they need a few days to a few weeks to build up as your body adjusts to the bioactive components. What matters far more is the frequency that you take them. To experience the most benefit, you should take Reishi mushrooms every day for an extended period. How Long Should You Use Reishi Mushrooms? There is limited research into using Reishi mushrooms for periods longer than 6 months, so you should exercise caution when reaching this duration. Although you might not have to stop their consumption at this point, you should consider taking a break from them and consulting with your doctor to assess whether or not you might be at risk for adverse reactions.
Asked 5 months ago
Consuming Cordyceps During Pregnancy: Is It Safe or Not?
Cordyceps is a functional mushroom native to the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, China, and Bhutan, and is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to boost energy, endurance, and exercise performance. It is often referred to as the "athlete’s mushroom" or "energy mushroom". Today, Cordyceps is used in supplements to boost energy and stamina, reduce fatigue and reduce inflammation. Although functional mushrooms are generally considered safe to consume, one has to be increasingly vigilant about what they ingest while pregnant. Keep reading to discover the risk of using Cordyceps during pregnancy. » Find the perfect mushroom blend for your condition - take this short quiz Side Effects & Risks of Using Cordyceps During Pregnancy According to the Botanical Safety Handbook, which talks about adaptogenic mushrooms and functional herbs in pregnancy and lactation, "Cordyceps can be safely consumed during pregnancy." However, as supplements in general do not go through FDA approval and there simply isn't enough research on this topic, many medical practitioners recommend avoiding functional mushrooms when pregnant. Even though they are generally considered safe, Cordyceps may cause stomach problems, nausea, and dry mouth in some people. It is strictly advised not to take Cordyceps if you have a bleeding disorder. Cordyceps can also interact with certain medicines such as blood thinners and immunosuppressors. » Want to learn more about Cordyceps? Discover this mushroom's health benefits and potential side effects The Verdict: Should You Avoid Cordyceps During Pregnancy? There are no specific prohibitions to taking Cordyceps during pregnancy. That said, it is always best to be on the safe side and check in with your healthcare provider. These mushrooms have numerous properties such as being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-allergic, antiarthritic, and anti-aging. Supplements containing adaptogenic mushrooms such as Cordyceps may boost your health and immunity during pregnancy, but it is best to take them under proper medical supervision to avoid any complications.
Asked 5 months ago
Side Effects of King Oyster Mushrooms
King Oyster mushrooms, the largest of the oyster mushroom family, offer a very earthy and meaty flavour that makes them a popular choice for many different dishes and cuisines. Like many other species of mushrooms, they offer numerous health and nutritional benefits, but do they pose a risk of adverse reactions? Read on to learn more about the side effects of King Oyster mushrooms. » Find the perfect mushroom blend for your condition - take our free quiz Common Side Effects of King Oyster Mushrooms Truthfully, there is extremely limited research into the side effects of most mushroom species, including King Oyster mushrooms. That being said, the people who commonly experience side effects from mushrooms are likely to experience similar side effects from all mushrooms. Additionally, the risk of side effects from consuming mushrooms usually occurs due to overconsumption, and generally ends once consumption is ceased. As such, some general side effects from mushrooms include: Gastrointestinal issues Consuming large quantities of any fungus may stress the stomach and cause gastrointestinal issues like upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.Rash Some people may experience a rash when consuming mushrooms, as discussed in Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms for Skin Health.Headache and dizziness In some cases, individuals sensitive to mushrooms may experience dizziness and headaches from consuming too many King Oyster mushrooms. Aside from these general side effects, some studies have suggested that King Oyster mushrooms may cause respiratory issues, but more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Who Should Avoid King Oyster Mushrooms? Despite the relatively low risk of side effects from mushrooms in general, certain people should exercise caution, such as the following: Those with mould allergies King Oyster mushrooms are a fungus, and so anyone with a mould or fungal allergy will likely suffer an allergic reaction when consuming them.Diabetics Many functional mushroom species offer some hypoglycemic effects that may be dangerous for those on diabetic medication.Those with bleeding disorders Those who have blood disorders, or those expecting surgery, may suffer extra adverse effects when consuming mushrooms.Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers The effects of mushrooms on pregnant or breastfeeding mothers have not been studied, and so it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid them outright.
Asked 5 months ago
Melatonin vs. CBD and Mushrooms: Which Is Better for Sleep?
The popularity surrounding melatonin and CBD as natural sleep aids and treatments for insomnia is growing, but how do they do this, and which one is more effective for improving your sleep quality? How Melatonin Affects Sleep Quality Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by our bodies and signals to our brains that sleep is near. In individuals with a healthy sleep schedule, it is usually released 2 hours before the regular sleep time and then peaks around 5 hours later. Individuals with sleep disorders (like insomnia) usually have issues with proper melatonin release before and throughout the sleep cycles. Research has found that melatonin supplements effectively reduce sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) and wakefulness and improve the quality and duration of sleep cycles. How CBD and Mushrooms Affect Sleep Quality Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid of the cannabis plant that reportedly has numerous therapeutic benefits. It has been observed to interact with the body's innate endocannabinoid system, which is believed by scientific study to modulate various physiological functions. Although it's not clear exactly how CBD may improve sleep, research has observed positive results on sleep quality in patients taking CBD. On the other hand, many cultures have widely used functional mushrooms to treat various conditions. This is primarily due to the number of beneficial components found within mushrooms, such as polysaccharides, proteins, antioxidants, and more. Research has shown that particular mushrooms effectively improve sleep quality and duration of certain sleep cycles. Another reason for CBD and mushrooms' potential benefit on sleep is their stress-relieving properties. Melatonin vs. CBD: Which One Should You Take for Sleep? Unfortunately, there is no right answer for CBD vs. melatonin and mushrooms for sleep. Melatonin appears to be better at bringing on sleep by regulating the circadian rhythm, while CBD and mushrooms appear better than melatonin at reducing the effect of stress-related sleep disorders. This is why various companies are combining them together as CBD-containing melatonin gummies and other similar products. However, both are relatively well tolerated and with minimal side effects, and so the choice is yours. You have to weigh up the pros and cons of melatonin, CBD, and mushrooms. For some potent sleep aids that combine the power of CBD and functional mushrooms, Cannabotech's M2CBD formula might be exactly what you are looking for. Purchase any of the following products directly from our online store: Relax Drops with added chamomile and lavender for assisted relaxationBeauty Sleep Drops with a higher concentration of chamomile for improved sleep
Asked 5 months ago
Benefits of Chaga Mushroom for Skin Health
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a functional woody fungus that promises many physical and mental benefits. One of these benefits is a reduction in detrimental skin conditions, leading to overall improvements to skin health, but is there any truth to this? Can Chaga improve skin health, and how should you go about using it? How Chaga Can Improve Skin Health There are many ways that Chaga can benefit your skin, and the most prominent ones are discussed below. Anti-inflammatory Properties Studies have shown that Chaga possesses anti-inflammatory properties that could not only improve the symptoms of inflammatory disorders like asthma but also of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. Antioxidative Properties Additional research has shown that Chaga can also eliminate oxidative stress by protecting cell components from free radicle damage. Skin quality declines as you age, owing partly to free radicle damage, which can be prevented to some degree with the use of Chaga. Photo-Protective Properties The process of Chaga and melanin supplementation is a difficult one to debate. There is existing research suggesting that the melanin content in Chaga can increase melanin in the body, leading to better protection from sun damage (photoprotection). However, additional research suggests that Chaga can act as a tyrosinase inhibitor and actually prevent over-pigmentation, leading to skin brightening. Essentially, it appears that Chaga can be modulatory, depending on what your body needs. How to Use Chaga Mushroom for Skin Even though Chaga appears to have numerous benefits for the skin, the optimal way to use it doesn't involve any form of topical application (creams, lotions, balms, etc.). While you may still experience some benefit from using Chaga-infused creams, it won't be as beneficial as oral usage in the form of teas, capsules, and tinctures. Many people choose to add a scoop of Chaga powder to their morning coffee as the heat helps break down the chitinous walls and allow your body to access most of the nutrients, but tinctures already have the chitin broken down (see our M2CBD formula for more info about specific products). There is no right way to use Chaga as it depends largely on personal choice, and there are no guidelines for proper dosages, which is why you should always be wary of the potential side effects.
Asked 5 months ago
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