The Holidays & CBD
Thanksgiving will most likely be scaled down this year, given the realities of COVID 19. Most families will not gather in big numbers—and perhaps that’s better given this year of political and social unrest. A 2019 study by MultiBriefs.com reports that 49–55% of people ages 18–55 admit they are highly stressed during the holidays. So why not rethink the Thanksgiving menu to make the holiday less stressful and more enjoyable?
The traditional Thanksgiving meal contains high traces of tryptophan, which causes lethargy. CBD supports healthy liver function and helps offset that sleepy lull. Strangely, tryptophan causes our metabolism to synthesize serotonin much like THC. The serotonin breaks down into melatonin and makes us sleepy, but CBD can help digest your massive, over-indulgent feast.
CBD comes in multiple forms, of course. The product variety is a smorgasbord in its own right: from vaping, dabbing, and smoking flower, to eating hemp-derived “edibles,” ranging from gummies, tinctures, dried fruit, protein bars, and powders, teas, coffee, honey sticks, chocolate, and more.
Be mindful of the mood you’re looking to enhance. Do you want energy or relaxation? Hemp strains with limonene terpenes have that citrus smell you find in lemons, oranges, and other citrus rinds; it’s known as a mood-boosting agent. And hemp strains with Alpha-humulene induce feelings of calm; this earthy scent is present in hops and spices like sage, ginseng, and coriander.
Cooking & Garnishing with CBD
When incorporating CBD into your Thanksgiving meal, consider adding flavored herbal tinctures. But do so after the foods are prepared to avoid burning off the CBD. Pachamama (Create, Recover, Detox, or Focus tinctures) and Baceae (Happy or Inflame tinctures) are two companies that make great tinctures that match well with food.
Or enjoy your CBD a la carte. Instead of wild decorations, consider a table decorated with your preferred CBD options and let people choose for themselves. Your family, guests, or whomever you spend Thanksgiving with will thank you for changing things up.
Another way to avoid the post-turkey coma is to opt-out of roasting or deep-frying a turkey altogether. Try new recipes like Curtis Stone’s Braised Short Ribs, a Taste of Home’s Favorite Chicken Pot Pie, My Gourmet Connection’s Smoky Bacon-Glazed Salmon, or a Cookie + Kate’s Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole. And supplement with CBD to fine-tune your celebration. Thankfulness breeds contentment.
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