CBD products have become increasingly popular over the last 5 years as people all over the world are waking up to their potential.
You’ve likely noticed CBD-themed shops and online retailers selling a variety of CBD and consumer health products including oils, vapes, capsules, CBD edibles, and —the subject of this article— delicious CBD chocolate.
CBD chocolate is one of the most popular ways to consume CBD because, well, it tastes delicious! Plus, everyone likes chocolate, right?
If you’re new to the wonderful world of CBD, you might want to know a little more about what CBD is as well as its benefits and effects before you decide if it’s the right product for you. You’re in the right place.
What is CBD chocolate?
CBD chocolate is chocolate that’s blended with cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD is the second most abundant active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana), but CBD is most often derived from its cousin the hemp plant. Alone, CBD doesn’t contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive compound that causes the high most people associate with cannabis consumption. Although it doesn’t produce psychoactive effects, CBD yields health and wellness benefits (which we’ll come to soon!)
CBD is available in many forms, from CBD chocolate to CBD oil, to more unusual products like CBD-infused sports bras! The substance has been shown to treat various health conditions and ailments, such as chronic pain, inflammation, seizures, and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. It does this by working with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Is CBD chocolate legal?
The short answer: Yes.
CBD Chocolate and CBD products are legal in Europe and the UK as long as they comply with product and packaging regulations and the CBD is authorized as a novel food ingredient. Laws vary around the rest of the world, but most countries are coming to terms with the good safety profile of CBD products.
Why consume CBD chocolate?
As CBD products are relatively new to the market in the grand scheme of things, research is still underway into its full potential.
Both dark chocolate and CBD have antioxidant properties which can help improve overall health and wellbeing. By itself, CBD has either no real taste or is slightly bitter depending on its purity, which is why combining it with chocolate is a great way to reap the benefits of CBD while enjoying a delicious treat at the same time.
But it’s important to make the right choice when deciding which chocolate to buy. Cloud 9 Switzerland’s signature range of sustainable and ethical CBD-blended premium swiss chocolates, VIVA 50 Chocolates, is one of the best options on the market.
Note that the effects of CBD chocolate, like all other CBD products, depends on the amount of CBD contained in the product and its bioavailability in the body. However, the effects of CBD edibles are said to take longer to take effect than other administration methods like tinctures or vapes.
Here are five of the top benefits of CBD for health and wellness:
Relieve stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression
One of the most noticeable benefits of CBD is that it has a calming effect on both the body and the mind. There is a lot of research being done into the effects of CBD on those suffering from anxiety disorders.
One research paper published in 2015 found preclinical evidence supporting the use of CBD to treat anxiety-related disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study detailed how CBD impacts the brain by interacting with the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, and other receptors in the brain that are responsible for regulating stress and anxiety and lowering adrenaline levels.
A more recent 2020 study carried out in New Zealand evaluated the effects of CBD on 297 adults suffering from a variety of health conditions. Those who received the CBD treatment for anxiety or depression reported improvements in their ability to perform daily tasks, as well as reduced pain.
1. Anti-inflammatory properties
Another benefit of breaking off a piece of delicious CBD chocolate is that it offers anti-inflammatory properties. Many scientists and researchers have analyzed the impact of CBD on patients suffering from chronic pain and inflammatory conditions like arthritis and back pain. This works because CBD blocks the production of particular enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body.
Most of the research carried out into the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD has been carried out on animals, such as this 2016 study that analyzed the impact of CBD on rats with joint inflammation. However, a 2017 review shines a positive light on CBDs effects, saying it helps with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, general pain, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and more.
2. It may have neuroprotective properties
Researchers currently believe that CBD’s impact on the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems has the potential to benefit those suffering from neurological disorders like epilepsy or MS. Indeed, a prescription CBD pharmaceutical has been authorized for the treatment of rare forms of childhood epilepsy. More research in this field is needed and may demonstrate the neuroprotective qualities will be one of the major benefits of CBD consumption.
3. It may have neuroprotective properties
Researchers currently believe that CBD’s impact on the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems has the potential to benefit those suffering from neurological disorders like epilepsy or MS. Indeed, a prescription CBD pharmaceutical has been authorized for the treatment of rare forms of childhood epilepsy. More research in this field is needed and may demonstrate the neuroprotective qualities will be one of the major benefits of CBD consumption.
4. Help with insomnia and other sleep disorders
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for health and wellbeing, providing our bodies and minds with the time it needs to rest and recuperate.
However, a majority of people suffer, or have suffered at some point in their lives, from difficulty falling asleep or sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, leading to them not getting the recommended number of hours of sleep each night. Over time, this can impact our physical and mental wellbeing. Sleep disorders are also prevalent among people who suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, of which insomnia is a common symptom.
Although research into the effect of CBD for preventing or improving sleep disorders is limited, the calming effects of the substance on the mind and body can make a huge difference in helping us to relax and fall asleep easier. Having a few bites of a VIVA chocolate bar after dinner, for instance, will help your body and mind to wind down before hitting the hay.
5. Protection against cardiovascular disease
This is another benefit that’s limited in its scope due to a current lack of research due to how long CBD has been around. However, some research links CBD with benefits for the heart and circulatory system to protect against cardiovascular disease.
One such benefit is that CBD helps to reduce high blood pressure and inflammation, some of the main culprits for cardiovascular disease and conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and metabolic system.
With all the research already carried out and being carried out, it’s hard to deny the benefits and positive safety profile of CBD in all its forms. Whether you prefer to snack on a delicious CBD chocolate bar or put a few drops from a tincture on your tongue, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the numerous benefits and effects of CBD for overall health and wellbeing. But if you’re looking for something truly delicious, sustainable, and ethical to start your CBD journey with—try VIVA 50 Healthy Hemp Swiss Chocolates from Cloud 9 Switzerland.
This range of delicious CBD chocolate is made with ethically and sustainably sourced cocoa from Ecuador, Colombia and Ghana. Each bar delivers a 52% cocoa content for a deliciously mild taste—not too bitter or too sweet. We like to think we’ve achieved the perfect equilibrium!
Available in three mouth-watering flavors —Plain Dark, Dark Orange and Ginger, and Dark Moringa & Mint— you’re spoilt for choice. VIVA 50 Chocolates are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO.
But of course, the delicious taste isn’t all you get. Enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of CBD.
Contact one of the specialists from Cloud 9 Switzerland to learn more about our mission, values, and the products we have on offer.
