CBD gum has many potential benefits to the golfer, average and professional alike. Even Phil Mickelson was allegedly seen using CBD oil during The Masters. Both the body and mind can benefit from CBD, and we all know those two things need to be in sync for you to be at the top of your game!
CBD Stands for cannabidiol and cannabidiol are found in hemp, as well as in cannabis plants. CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause a “high” in the body. And according to a World Health Organization study, CBD is unlikely to have any addictive qualities.
Read Next: CBD vs THC: What's the Difference?
CBD affects the body by attaching itself to certain receptors in the brain. These receptors can potentially reduce the body’s expression of post-workout pain and inflammation. Scott McCarron said that he improved his sleep within the first week of trying CBD which is great for golfers since sleep is a driving factor in recovery and energy!
CBD has been rumored to possibly improve relaxation, reduce anxiety, and increase mental clarity, although there have not been any official studies to back this up just yet, so for now we rely on anecdotal evidence. While the sister chemical, THC, may do the opposite, CBD is suspected of defeating mental fog which is just what you need to calculate your next drive.
The news of CBD is spreading throughout the golf community faster than you can say “FORE!” But how should you take it? Sure there are tinctures, oils, smokeable flower and edible treats but chewing gum is one of the best and easiest ways to consume CBD. Chewing gum is not only beneficial to help in clearing brain fog, but has also been shown to promote relaxation and stress relief, which can be helpful when you are going to putt on the green.
Synapse® CBD Gum separates itself once again in the CBD Chewing Gum category because it has a liquid center that allows for a fast release of the active ingredients in addition to the benefits of chewing gum to help get your head in the game. You can see the Liquid Core for yourself if you manage to… get a hole in one (ba dum, tss). So go grab your clubs, balls, keys, and don’t forget the best CBD gum for golf! ]]>Both are chemically similar to the endocannabinoids that the body can naturally produce, therefore both CBD and THC can interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors.
When these receptors are stimulated, they can release neurotransmitters throughout the body.
Neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating sleep cycles, moods, and muscle movement by acting as messengers between cells and neurons.
Although both compounds can stimulate our cannabinoid receptors and trigger the release of neurotransmitters, CBD and THC can affect our bodies in different ways.
Both CBD and THC are sold in a number of different forms including smokeable flower, pre-rolls, concentrated oils, tinctures, lotions and balms, infused candies, and chewing gums so there is certainly a variety in both categories.
]]>Be Calm. Live Healthy.
Have you ever read an article, got to the end of the page and then caught yourself thinking, “What in the world did I just read?” Yeah, me too. A little more often than I would like to admit, if we’re being honest. Sure, the article you were reading may have actually been boring and struggled to grab your attention, but it probably had more to do with your mind wandering. Things may have gone a little differently if you had a piece of gum to chew while you read. There are studies that suggest that chewing gum while performing tasks can help to increase your focus and brain performance on said task.
This study published by the British Psychological Society, concluded that chewing gum could extend your focus for longer concentration times on tasks, specifically visual ones. So next time your boss hands you a new project, or you are studying for an exam, pop a piece of chewing gum in and get down to business.
According to a study conducted by St. Lawrence University’s Department of Psychology, participants who chewed gum prior testing had performed better than those who chewed gum during testing or did not chew gum at all. Though the enhanced performance only lasted about 15-20 minutes, it still created an advantage during the test. This study suggests that chewing gum could enhance the ability to recall information and cognitively perform better under pressure. So next time you’re studying for your exams or prepping for a presentation at the office, try chewing on a piece of gum to get your synapses communicating!
Sit back, relax, chew some gum and watch your worries melt away. No, I’m kidding. But have you ever had a sudden bout of anxiety come out of nowhere? How do you cope when stressed out mentally, or physically? This happens to me quite often and when it does, I usually have the urge to eat. You know what I’m talking about. Stress eating is not an uncommon phenomenon; however, there may be some science behind why the urge to stuff your face can help you feel better in that moment.
A study by Swinburne University shows that chewing gum can actually reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, in saliva. The reduction of cortisol can also be increased depending on chewing speeds. This leads me to believe that the desire to eat when stressed could be me misinterpreting the desire to chew. Another study conducted by the Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan, chewing gum for 14 days may improve the levels of anxiety, mood and fatigue. Instead of eating an entire large pizza by myself next time I am stressed out, I think I will just stick a piece of gum in my mouth and watch the cortisol levels decrease.
Increase the benefits of chewing, by adding functional components such as the CBD found in a piece of Synapse® Gum! Try a 2-Pack here:
On top of helping reduce your desire to pig-out when stressed, chewing gum can also help you drop a few extra pounds by curbing your appetite. To be clear, I’m not saying that by chewing a piece of gum you are now exempt to the worldly needs and desires of caloric consumption, but it can have an impact on your impulse eating.
This may have something to do with your brain’s reward system or even providing an action or task to perform to keep you occupied, so impulse eating is not done out of boredom. Don’t take my word for it - there was an in-depth study also conducted by the Tokyo Medical and Dental University if you are a facts and numbers type of person.
Afternoon slumps can be hard to shake. An hour or so after lunch, and all you want to do is take a nap. You find yourself day dreaming about anything other than the task at hand. Don’t let this be the reason you’re denied a promotion or fall behind on your to-do list. Studies have shown that the simple act of chewing gum can increase alertness and combat daytime sleepiness! This is suspected to be due to either heightened cerebral activity from chewing or an increase in arousal from mint flavorings. Either way, the proof is in the pudding (or in this case, the chewing) so give it a try for yourself and see if you notice any difference in your energy levels and alertness.
Chewing gum has a long history of being thought of as a treat or a form of candy, so it may come as a surprise that the American Dental Association actually recommends sugar-free gum to help protect your teeth and oral health.
“If you chew sugarless gum after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. Over time, acid can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for decay. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.” –ADA (American Dental Association 2016)
The ADA also recommends looking for a chewing gum with active agents that can help in the protectant and re-mineralization of teeth. Xylitol is a great option as an all natural sweetener with half the calories of sugar and does not spike insulin or blood sugar levels. In addition, xylitol also combats plaque causing bacteria and can help prevent tooth decay.
Did you know that Synapse® uses more xylitol per piece than any other chewing gum on the market?
By now, you should have realized that chewing gum could play a larger role in your life than just fixing your stinky breath. With increases in cognitive performance, memory, alertness and oral health while helping with the decrease of stress and anxiety, as well as impulse hunger, chewing gum can prove to be a handy sidekick for day-to-day life. Also keep in mind that you can up those benefits by selecting a quality, functional chewing gum with added active agents to magnify the effects.
______________________________________________________________________
Sources:
Center for Scientific Information, ADA Science Institute. (2016, August 24). Oral Health Topics: Chewing Gum. Retrieved from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
British Psychological Society (BPS). (2013, March 8). Chewing gum helps you concentrate for longer, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 17, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130308093933.htm
Ikeda, A., Miyamoto, J. J., Usui, N., Taira, M., & Moriyama, K. (2018, February 08). Chewing Stimulation Reduces Appetite Ratings and Attentional Bias toward Visual Food Stimuli in Healthy-Weight Individuals. Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809478/
Johnson, A. J., Miles, C., Haddrell, B., Harrison, E., Osborne, L., Wilson, N., & Jenks, R. (2012, February 01). The effect of chewing gum on physiological and self-rated measures of alertness and daytime sleepiness. Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22061430
Onyper, S. V., Carr, T. L., Farrar, J. S., & Floyd, B. R. (2011, October). Cognitive advantages of chewing gum. Now you see them, now you don't. Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21645566
Sasaki-Otomaru, A., Sakuma, Y., Mochizuki, Y., Ishida, S., Kanoya, Y., & Sato, C. (n.d.). Effect of regular gum chewing on levels of anxiety, mood, and fatigue in healthy young adults. Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21866229
Scholey, A., Haskell, C., Robertson, B., Kennedy, D., Milne, A., & Wetherell, M. (2009, June 22). Chewing gum alleviates negative mood and reduces cortisol during acute laboratory psychological stress. Retrieved May 20, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19268676
]]>What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a natural sweetener made from plant fibers. It is categorized as a sugar alcohol (or polyalcohol), but don't be fooled into thinking that there is any resemblance to your drink selection on a Saturday night. Xylitol is a white, crystalline powder with about the same sweetness as sugar but only half the calories. One of the greatest features of xylitol is its powerful benefits for a healthy mouth and smile.
Benefits:
Why Synapse® uses Xylitol:
Choosing xylitol as a part of a low sugar diet is smart, but to get the oral health benefits, it is important to understand what is considered to be an effective dose. According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended dose for cavity prevention is 6 -10 grams per day. Most sugar-free chewing gums contain xylitol, but the amount per serving is far below what may be effective. Each piece of Synapse® is not only a great delivery method for CBD, but it is also a breath freshening gum that contains more xylitol than any other gum on the market!
Haven't tried it yet? Try the 2-Pack here:
**It is important to note that while xylitol is great for humans, it is NOT SAFE for animals. The metabolic systems of animals are unable to distinguish xylitol from actual sugar, causing their bodies to produce more insulin than they need. This can be very dangerous for your pet, so be sure to keep all xylitol products in a safe place. Call your vet immediately if your pet accidentally ingests any amount.**