How to incorporate CBD into your Valentine’s Day celebrations

Whether you are single or coupled up for Valentine’s day this year, here are some of the ways to incorporate CBD into your celebrations.

CBD may be able to help in a number of different ways from relaxation, to reducing anxiety, boosting the blood flow and libido. There are a lot of different ways to take CBD but what are the best options for incorporating it into your Valentine’s Day celebrations?

Here are some of our best romantic suggestions

Candles

It might sound strange to absorb CBD this way but hear us out!

A study from 2017 found that people who smelled CBD-infused essential oils reported a decrease in blood pressure, while they felt more energised and relaxed. It is worth noting this was an extremely small study of only five people.

It does make sense though as cannabis contains different terpenes. Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds in plants that cause smell and taste. Different terpenes can have an effect on our sense of smell such as usually pine or cloves when we feel ill to clear our nasal passages.

Candles also help us to feel relaxed and can make a house feel like home. Some of the candles can also be used as massage oils afterwards giving you the added bonus of warm CBD to add to any aches or pains. They are normally not made from wax making them safe to use but also kinder to the environment.

CBD massage lotion

Massage lotions are a great way to get a little bit of CBD in your evening routine. Topicals offer a way to potentially relieve pain directly in the affected external area. Not only that but when we are touched, a signal is sent to our brain, which then starts the release of oxytocin which is also referred to as the love hormone.  Serotonin and Dopamine, the happy hormones are also released making us feel better.

We can put a lot of stress on our muscles throughout the day. The soreness can happen if you change your workout routine or start a new exercise programme or occasional sleep in a different position.

This causes microscopic damage to muscle fibres. It can last up to three to five days after your workout which can be alarming. CBD may help by soothing muscle pain and reducing the inflammation around the damage. A study on CBD and joint pain found that daily doses may help to reduce the pain. The study focused on rats with arthritis and the CBD treatment was applied as a gel.

Chocolate

Chocolate can be a great place to start when it comes to romantic edible ideas. If you choose your chocolate carefully then it could even have health benefits.

Selecting dark chocolate over milk can provide the body with an excellent source of fibre, minerals and anti-oxidants. It also has a great supply of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. Our bodies continue to break down and absorb nutrients into our system. This process creates damage often referred to as free radical damage. Anti-oxidants help to destroy any free radical molecules before they create this damage.

Anti-oxidants are key for male sexual health as they may help to reduce erectile dysfunction in men and improve sperm quality.

CBD and dark chocolate are both great sources of antioxidants. There are lots of different options of CBD chocolate available and the options are endless for ways to try it. Adding a sprinkle to desserts, cooking, baking or even just enjoying a box in front of Netflix.

Bath

A long hot bath after a stressful day at work can be great for resetting your serotonin levels.

CBD may be able to make your bath a little bit more relaxing by reducing stress and anxiety levels. It is available in lots of different products from salts to bath bombs.

CBD is thought to interact with the receptors in the brain potentially sending signals to the neurotransmitter, serotonin. There is still a lot of research needed in this area to understand how the two interact.

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for your mental health and lower levels are sometimes associated with depression or anxiety. A study examining the effect of CBD on people with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) found that it may help to reduce anxiety. Participants in this study were given 400 mg of CBD or a placebo. The researchers reported that those in the group given the CBD recorded lower levels of anxiety.

Choosing different terpenes can also help. Terpenes are the active aromatic molecules found in plants that cause smell and taste. Most people associate them with cannabis plants as they are high in concentration.

Linalool which is often found in lavender may also reduce anxiety. A study revealed that inhaled linalool may reduce anxiety, aggressiveness and increase social interaction. It showed anti-anxiety properties in light or dark tests. In higher doses of linalool, the mice showed decreased aggressiveness and increased social interaction leading researchers to conclude that linalool essential oils may help with relaxation and decreased anxiety.

If you need any more convincing to take a long hot bath then it could also help with blood flow. It can make it more oxygenated by allowing you to breathe deeper and slower when you are inhaling the steam. Adding the terpene pinene found in rosemary can boost this benefit too by helping you to clean your airways.

Cocktails

First dates can be nerve-wracking. CBD may be able to help any pre-date nerves or post-Covid anxiety.

Anxiety attacks when we are out of the house can happen really quickly with no warning. Some of the early signs of a panic attack include sweating, shaking, an increasing sense of danger and a pounding heart rate. If you don’t feel comfortable popping a capsule at the dinner table or oil at an after-party then there are plenty of other discreet options. CBD gummies, edibles and vapes are all very discreet options that can be popped into a bag without anyone needing to know what they are.

Even if it’s not a first-date situation, CBD can be easily added to drinks as an alcohol alternative or for added relaxation. There are lots of non-alcoholic options or water-soluble CBD products that can be added to a large margarita.

Why water soluble? Oil floats on the top of most drinks. CBD does not mix with water very well as it tends to prefer fats which is why it is far easier to use in cooking. Water-soluble CBD manages to avoid this meaning there is no oily residue.

CBD experiences 

There are a number of different locations around the world that offer different events or packages that include CBD. Some examples include CBD cafes for a nice lunch, restaurants for dinner, hotel packages for a good nights sleep or even spa retreats.

Here are five UK based options

• The Rosewood Hotel in London has launched two spa and room packages which are also available in other locations.
• Not feeling up to an overnight stay? The Hempist in East Sussex has a full menu of hemp-infused vegan lunch options.
• Fancy heading for a Valentine’s day spa treat? Glow bar in London offers its signature ‘High Vibe‘ 60 minutes facial massage with crystals and CBD. CBD patches can also be added to the experience for an extra £2.
• If you are outside of London then head to NiniSpa in Manchester. Its signature facial massage includes relaxation techniques from around the world including CBD.
• Grassroots CBD and LA Perfection offer a relaxing facial treatment in their spa in Oxford. It uses Grassroots products combined with dermaplaning and LED technology to cleanse, tone and rejuvenate the skin.

CBD lubricant

Although there is not a lot of research on how cannabinoids interact with the ECS, it is thought they interact to activate different receptors.

According to a 2009 article published in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, researchers have found ECS receptors in the sexual reproductive organs, such as the testicles and the vagina. These are also present in the brain.

In a survey of 1,000 Americans by CBD information website, Remedy Review, 68 per cent who used CBD for sex reported feeling more relaxed and felt it improved their sexual experience. A further 44 per cent of those surveyed found CBD useful enough to replace what they are currently using.

CBD lubes may help with pain or anxiety during sex. It’s important to use a water-based oil that is safe for internal use and is condom-safe.

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