While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for some, others may find it difficult. Along with festive cheer, the holiday season can also bring about stress, anxiety and loneliness. We decided to examine how CBD could help you ease into the Christmas spirit and caught up with Molecule founder Daniel Zemmour for advice.

There’s a lot of stigma around hemp-based products, and most of it is down to a lack of information. Legal restrictions still exist, meaning that scientific research is still in its infancy. And while many places in America – particularly California – are jumping ahead with research into CBD, here in the UK, we are still trying to get all of the information on how CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system.

What is CBD?
CBD is the short name for cannabidiol – one of the two chemicals in cannabis with the most health benefits. The second chemical is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis which is what makes you feel ‘high’ associated with drug use.

CBD binds to receptors in the brain, and it is thought it inhibits the endocannabinoid system, which has multiple functions, including the regulation of mood, appetite, memory and pain sensation. CBD comes in different concentrations and in various forms, such as oils, capsules, gummies and under the tongue sprays and liquids.

For CBD to be effective, it’s important to ensure you find your CBD dose. It means that the rules vary depending on several factors, including how you consume it and the effect that you’re hoping to achieve. Daniel’s own health complications led him to believe in the benefits of CBD and to open his own boutique called Molecule, selling a range of products and educating others about the hemp-based chemical.

Daniel Zemmour’s Story
A former trader in the finance world, Daniel (above left) often found that he was highly stressed, suffered from anxiety and had issues sleeping. Not one for alternative remedies, Daniel was sceptical as to whether CBD could help him; however, he proceeded to try a few different products to find out. Sadly, they didn’t seem to work for him, and he put the CBD experience down to a lost cause.

“It wasn’t until a friend (who used CBD for his ADHD) let me try some of his concentrated CBD oil. It took me about 15 minutes, but the effects were unbelievable; I felt calmer and had a sense of clarity”, explained Daniel. This motivated Daniel to carry out further research into CBD, the science behind the ‘wonder drug’ and the CBD UK marketplace.

In his findings, he discovered that the regulation surrounding CBD products in the UK is weak, and there is a significant issue with mislabeling. Some brands do not display true information about the quantity of CBD, quality, production methods, and ingredients. Hence the first CBD products he tried did not work.

After seeing the benefits of good quality CBD, Daniel and the team embarked on their mission to source the highest quality CBD products they could find. They met with producers and farmers to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the best and ethical products and production processes available. Once happy with their research, Molecule in the heart of trendy Notting Hill was launched.

To bring about further reassurance, Molecule ensures every product is triple batch tested, meaning each batch is tested three times by third-party laboratories before undergoing further testing by the team before it goes on sale. “CBD is relatively new to most, and people don’t exactly know what it is,” Daniel informed us.

“We aim to minimise the customer’s trial and error process of the products, offering them a tailored number of choices of the top-quality CBD products the market has to offer. We know many vendors are taking advantage of the current wave, building an unsustainable business model and trying to make a quick buck.”

Daniel and his teams take on a “slowly but surely” approach, even if that means it takes over a year to do the product research.

Wellness Space and Café
Taking a 360-degree approach to wellbeing, Molecule’s has a dedicated wellness space in the shop’s basement on Westbourne Grove. It’s a luxurious haven, perfect for restoring some balance and calm and learning more about CBD. Here you will find Daniel and the team offering expert advice and knowledge, advising you on how to find the right product.

This is paired with a beautiful Yoga and meditation studio with a number of classes running throughout the week. And if you need 10 minutes to reset and recharge, there is a beautiful health bar offering a variety of organic coffees, teas and adaptogen blends that can be enjoyed with or without CDB. And let’s not forget the delicious homemade cakes, brownies, cookies, protein balls and chocolate.

Daily life, pandemic or no pandemic, can be laden with stress. Add work life, relationships, family, and finance, and the pressure can continue to grow. And while CBD is a great supplement, according to the research out there so far, it isn’t a quick fix or a cure-all.

Remember to do your own research and combine it with good lifestyle choices, including eating well and exercising. Take these steps, and you’ll be a step closer to reaching a natural high on the road to wellness.

Molecule – Where and How?

Molecule is at 103a Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UW. The shop is open is Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays. For more information, visit www.moleculehealth.com.

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