Under my tongue – CBD oil from the Good Level

I wouldn’t put myself in the same bracket as a toker, in fact, those days are long gone! However, over the past month I have been enjoying the fruits of the cannabis plant in the form of CBD oil. 

Traditionally, the marijuana plant has been earmarked for its psychoactive properties and recreational purposes- and only recognised by a few as an alternative medicine; however, scientists have discovered that the phytocannabinoid extract, Cannabidiol (CBD) is much more beneficial when used in isolation, and can address everything from skin concerns to period pain to relaxation. 

Instead of focussing on Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main psychoactive cannabinoid (the one that causes the “high”), CBD consists of the stalk, stems, leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, which contain high amounts of active, therapeutic cannabinoids. This extract was discovered as a stand-alone treatment in 1940, and has been refined over the last 80 years, resulting in a combination of products designed to address anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain.

Still retaining an air of eliteness, the majority of CBD you can buy in the UK is imported from overseas, where it is harvested on an industrial scale in North America and China; however, I have been sampling “homegrown” from a company founded by friends Joe and Jonny. The self-confessed, “regular guys’ founded The Good Level after fruitlessly searching for pure, effective, and consistent CBD which benefited their lifestyles and was grown in the UK. After years of research, they decided that it was possible to grow their own, and have created a state-of-the-art method of cultivating the plants in the UK. The benefits being that, the pair can oversee exactly how the hemp is grown (in specialised greenhouses with individual pots, all drip-fed specific nutrient blends to ensure consistency between batches), and how much CBD is produced in a controlled, organic way. Further rigorous testing ensures that the oil is sold on a spectrum, which means that users can gauge how little or much they need- putting them in control. 

Suffering from anxiety and sleep problems as a result of the pandemic, I was looking for alternatives to help calm me down, and someone suggested a spliff. Electing to refrain, I did however investigate the non-addictive little sister, CBD oil from The Good Level. This comes in many forms (such as jellies, balms and drops) and you can choose your strength. I plumped for the beginner’s 5% oil, which is diluted with a carrier of olive oil. Easy to use, with albeit small print measurements on the pipette to ensure that you are taking an accurate dose, I just had to squeeze and go! The recommendation is to place this under your tongue and relax. I wasn’t expecting fireworks or to fall immediately asleep, but I could definitely taste something that made it seem like medicine!

Using it as a tincture is the most popular way for anyone wanting to experiment, as you can start slowly and gradually increase your dosage over time. To be honest, I didn’t really feel much difference for the first six or seven days of use, but I persisted regularly taking a squeeze every night before bed. And just like that! I realised that I was sleeping better. Nothing fancy, but I just wasn’t whirring things over in my head as I lay in the darkness trying to drop off. My brain felt relaxed, and my body followed, kind of like the feeling when you’re enjoying a massage. I can’t actually say this is a miracle, but as I have a reputation as a dreadful fidget, this pipette does seem to contain the holy elixir! I just wonder what my sleep pattern would be like without it now. 

Although it doesn’t contain addictive properties, I can see why there are already 6 million people who are already using CBD in the UK. More people are turning to it as a natural treatment for depression and anxiety and is an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from pain-  without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or pharmaceutical drugs.

So whether you want to chill out, de-stress or have more chronic pain, it won’t do you any harm to try The Good Level. With their transparent supply chain, the organic buds are extracted using a filter-clear method to remove all nasties and unpleasant taste. It also ensures, most importantly of all, that there are high levels of the good stuff, so users can be assured that going back to nature is good for the mind, body and soul.

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