Let’s face it — when it comes to stress relief, a lot of us reach for chocolate.

But candy and other treats with refined sugar aren’t good for our immune system, skin, or blood sugar levels.

So, I came up with a delicious chocolatey recipe that definitely tastes like a sweet treat — and has a healthier stress relief remedy built right in. The result: a Stress Melting CBD Hot Chocolate.

Now let’s talk about CBD. It’s getting tons of buzz these days as a magical wellness elixir. 

CBD stands for cannabidiol, an anti-inflammatory compound that can be extracted from either a hemp plant or a marijuana plant. CBD is one of only dozens of compounds found in cannabis, but it’s most well known because, unlike THC, it is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating.

CBD has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, and to reduce anxiety — all without giving you the “high” associated with the THC compound in marijuana.

In Oregon and Washington, you can legally purchase CBD made from either hemp or marijuana. I’d recommend going with a hemp CBD if you’re worried about the trace amounts of THC that can be in the tinctures made from marijuana.

In the Portland area, you can find CBD tinctures in any cannabis shop. You can also find the brand I used for this recipe — Select CBD — at the CBD Hemp Store in SE Portland. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe is for adults only. Also, you should check with your doctor before you add CBD or other wellness supplements to your diet, especially if you’re already on prescription medication.