Follow Your Gut Podcast

When and Why You Should Incorporate CBD into Your Wellness Routine

• Season 3 • Episode 116

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I’ll never forget the moment my midwife first mentioned CBD to me. I was six months pregnant, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my fourth baby, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety about the postpartum period. My previous experiences had been marked by intense hormone swings, mood shifts, and an overwhelming sense of being lost in a fog. I was already grieving the time I knew I would miss with my three other children as I braced myself for the inevitable postpartum haze.

I’m sharing this story with you because my introduction to CBD came from an unexpected place, and it ended up transforming my life in ways I never imagined.

I want to break down the why and how of incorporating CBD into your life, so you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how it works, how to use it effectively, and whether it’s the right addition to your daily wellness routine.


Thanks for listening! I would love to connect with you ♡


Sending love and wellness from my family yours,
xx - Juniper Bennett
Founder of ōNLē ORGANICS

I’ll never forget when my midwife first recommended CBD to me. I was six months pregnant, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my fourth baby, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety about the postpartum period. My previous experiences had been marked by intense hormone swings, mood shifts, and an overwhelming sense of being lost in a fog. I was already grieving the time I knew I would miss with my three other children as I braced myself for the inevitable postpartum haze.

I’m sharing this story with you today because my introduction to CBD came from an unexpected place, and it ended up transforming my life in ways I never imagined. I want to break down the why and how of incorporating CBD into your life, so you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how it works, how to use it effectively, and whether it’s the right addition to your daily wellness routine.

When my midwife first suggested CBD, I was surprised. I had always associated CBD with marijuana, and given that my husband, Ty, is a recovering addict, it was never something I had even considered for myself or our family. But she explained that CBD, when sourced correctly, could be a powerful tool in supporting the body’s natural systems—especially during the intense hormonal shifts of pregnancy and postpartum. She emphasized that it wasn’t just about managing symptoms; it was about helping my body find balance from the inside out.

I will also add here that she recommended Ty take it in place of this daily dose of Tylenol and Ibuprofen that he used to take for exercise induced pain. We will touch more on this later. 

But the more I learned, the more intrigued I became. CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors throughout the body that helps regulate everything from mood and sleep to immune function and, yes, hormones. By supporting this system, CBD can help create a sense of stability in the body—something that’s incredibly valuable during pregnancy and the postpartum period when so much feels unpredictable and out of control.

With this new understanding, I decided to give it a try. My midwife reassured me that as long as the CBD was sourced from a reputable company, contained 0.00% THC, and had transparent third-party test results, it was safe for both me and my baby. Unfortunately, the company she had been referring mamas to had just gone out of business, and finding a trustworthy source wasn’t easy—especially with so many products on the market and the lack of federal regulation. But after searching high and low, I finally found a brand I could trust through my naturopath. I started taking it daily, and the effects were nothing short of remarkable.

As the weeks went by, I noticed a significant difference in how I felt. The usual anxiety I had experienced during my other pregnancies seemed to lift, and I felt more grounded and emotionally balanced. By the time I reached the postpartum period, I was amazed at how smooth the transition was compared to my previous experiences. The mood swings were minimal, the overwhelming fog never came, and I felt more present with all my children, including my newborn. I hadn’t changed anything else—CBD was to thank for all of this.

Ty started taking CBD alongside me, as I mentioned, he had long relied on over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen to manage his exercise-induced pain. I was always concerned about this because of the negative impact these medications have on your gut health. By switching to CBD, we hoped to find a solution that was not only effective but also gentler on his body.

The results were mind-blowing. Almost immediately, Ty noticed significant improvements. His sleep quality improved, his anxiety levels decreased, and he miraculously no longer needed Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain relief. Even more remarkable, his chronic stomach aches and diarrhea went away. Which confirmed how terrible those medications are on your gut health. It was incredible to see how CBD not only provided relief from pain but also supported his overall mental and digestive health.

Experiencing these remarkable changes in myself and seeing them in Ty, I felt called to integrate CBD into our entire family’s wellness routine. I began giving our children a small, daily dose to support their nervous systems and promote overall balance. The results were equally amazing. They became more calm and content in their bodies, slept better, and had more stable moods. They recovered more quickly from things like the common cold and meltdowns became less frequent.

But. When I was four months postpartum we ran into a roadblock. We ran out of our CBD and our naturopath was on backorder. We hadn’t missed a dose since we started so I ran to the health food store thinking I could surely find one that would do until his was back in stock. Well, I purchased a bottle made by a very reputable supplement brand for $170 that seemed fine. On the drive home though I read the itty bitty fine print. 10% of ingredients sourced in the US. 

My heart sank and my mind started racing, thinking about everything I had learned. Hemp is an incredibly absorbent plant, often used in agriculture to clean up toxic spills and leach heavy metals from the soil. It’s a powerful bioaccumulator, which means it absorbs whatever is in the ground where it’s grown—good or bad.

This is beneficial when hemp is used to detoxify contaminated soil, but it holds a significant risk when it comes to CBD products. Many companies are sourcing hemp from areas with questionable farming practices. Without strict quality controls, this hemp can be tainted with heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. Unfortunately, consumers will never know. I had opened that bottle and taken some before I read the super fine print. I threw it away and knew I needed a better solution. 

I wanted a CBD that I could trust 100% and that I would never run out of. One that I could share with other women, mamas and children. So I decided to create Balance CBD. I packed my bags, and with my children in tow started touring manufacturing facilities until I found one that aligned with my high standards. Balance is crafted from organically grown US hemp, contains 0.00% THC and is designed with a clear focus on purity and effectiveness.

While formulating Balance I learned so much more about CBD and how it actually works within the body. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters distributed throughout your body. The ECS is responsible for regulating various functions such as mood, sleep, pain, immune response, and hormone balance. By supporting this system, CBD helps the body maintain homeostasis—essentially, a state of internal equilibrium and stability.

The ECS includes cannabinoid receptors that interact with cannabinoids produced naturally within your body and those derived from plants, like the CBD found in hemp. Unlike THC, another cannabinoid found in cannabis, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t produce a “high.” Instead, it works by enhancing the activity of ECS receptors to help the body find balance. This interaction supports the body's natural processes, making it easier to navigate periods of stress, hormonal changes, and physical discomfort.

Now let’s talk about the importance of taking CBD daily. I want you to envision your endocannabinoid system (ECS) as your car’s gas tank. Taking CBD daily is like keeping that gas tank filled.

Just as it takes time to fill up a gas tank, it also takes time to replenish your ECS. It will take time for you to experience improvements. Which is why consistent daily doses are so important. You will gradually fill up your ECS, and notice your sleep, mood, hormones and overall health transform. 

Once your ECS is well-supported, you’ll experience improved balance and stability. Maintaining this daily routine ensures that your ECS remains full and functioning optimally, which provides long-lasting benefits to your overall health and well-being. Given that most people suffer from endocannabinoid depletion due to modern lifestyles, keeping your ECS “tank” full is important for supporting your body’s natural balance and resilience. When I learned this it was a non negotiable. It just makes sense and if there is an option to keep my family’s tank full and that full tank supports all of our bodily systems in functioning optimally, without any negative side effects? I am all in. 

In addition to providing a solid foundation for overall wellness, CBD can be incredibly effective for addressing specific concerns as they come on. For example, when our children are teething pain, experience fevers or growing pains, or take a hard fall at the skatepark, we give them an extra dose or two. 

CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to help regulate pain, inflammation, and stress responses. When used in these targeted situations, CBD can provide fast relief, helping to soothe teething pain or reduce fever symptoms. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are particularly useful for easing the discomfort associated with growing pains and minor injuries. 

By integrating CBD in this way means we have a powerful tool in our pocket at all times, one that supports both ongoing health and immediate needs. This really aligns with our commitment to a balanced, holistic wellness routine and empowers us to be the leaders of our health.

Now that you understand how CBD works, let’s talk about the appropriate dosage for you and your children. Finding the right amount is important for experiencing the full benefits. For Balance CBD, which is 1000 mg per bottle, here’s a general guideline to help you get started:

  1. Start Low and Go Slow: Begin with a low dose, maybe 0.5 to 0.75 mL per day, and gradually increase as needed. This allows you to gauge how your body responds to CBD and find your optimal dose.
  2. Remember Consistency is Key: To support your endocannabinoid system effectively, you will want to take CBD daily. It may take a few weeks to notice a difference, so be patient and consistent with your routine.
  3. Adjust Based on Your Needs: Depending on your specific needs—such as anxiety, sleep issues, or pain—you may need to adjust your dosage. Some people find relief with a lower dose, while others may need more. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust accordingly.

For reference, I personally take 1 mL per day, and so does Ty and our 14-year-old daughter. Our 10 and 7-year-olds take 0.75 mL, while our 5-year-old takes 0.5 mL. During my luteal and menstruation phases, I take two doses per day. When our children experience bumps, growing pains, or other issues, I increase their dosage as needed, often giving a full 1 mL dose if they are in significant pain. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your children respond to it!

In wrapping up, I hope this deep dive into CBD has answered your questions and helped you learn if incorporating CBD into your wellness routine is right for you. By understanding how CBD works and how to use it effectively, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s a good fit for your health needs.

If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences with CBD, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to connecting with you in the next episode. Until then…