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Best CBD for joint pain: 5 CBD products to relieve pain and inflammation

Top 5 CBD products to ease inflammation and discomfort

Best CBD for joint pain: 5 CBD products to relieve pain and inflammation

If you're one of the more than 53 million individuals dealing with arthritis pain, you may benefit from adding CBD to your pain management plan. CBD is growing popular among Americans seeking to manage moderate to chronic pain, and for many, it's become part of their daily regimen.

While CBD may not be the end-all for your arthritis pain, it can provide some discomfort relief and may even offer additional wellness benefits like reduced stress, relaxation, and improved sleep. If you're curious about this cannabinoid’s pain-relieving properties, check out our top choices for the best CBD for joint pain.

Best CBD Products for Joint Pain

1. Best Overall CBD for Joint Pain: Aspen Green Relief Organic Full Spectrum CBD Gummies

2. Best Topical CBD for Joint Pain: R&R CBD Pain Creams

3. Best Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Products for Joint Pain: Canna River CBD Pain Gummies

4. Most Potent CBD for Chronic Inflammation: CBDfx Original Mixed Berry CBD Gummies

5. Best Fast-Acting CBD for Arthritis Symptoms: Soul Rapid Relief Cream

Potential Benefits of CBD

CBD is growing in the wellness industry as a natural aid for various ailments, such as chronic pain relief and stress. While research is still evolving on the short- and long-term effects of CBD use, many promising findings indicate CBD could be an excellent solution for pain relief, improved mood, better sleep, and reduced stress.

  • Pain relief: The potential of CBD as a pain reliever is one of the more common reasons people use CBD. Many researchers have explored CBD as an option for chronic pain relief, especially as an alternative to opioids. Pure CBD is non-intoxicating, making it a much safer chronic pain relief option than opioids, which can be highly addictive.
  • Improved mood: One potential benefit of CBD is easing anxiety and mental tension. Many people enjoy CBD for its calming effects, which help them unwind and relax after a long day. Some research is even looking at ways to use CBD as a treatment for mood disorders. Although it's not yet proven to help mood disorders, preclinical and clinical evidence suggests it could provide relief for conditions like bipolar disorder or depression.
  • Reduced stress: Because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which is a system in the body that helps regulate stress, research indicates that CBD is effective in relieving stress.
  • Better sleep: Many people who use CBD find it helps them fall asleep. Part of this is because CBD may help lower stress and reduce pain, which could inhibit people from falling asleep. Initial research also suggests that CBD may help relieve insomnia, leading to better sleep.

Best CBD Products for Joint Pain

1. Best Overall CBD for Joint Pain: Aspen Green Relief Organic Full Spectrum CBD Gummies


What we love

The Aspen Green Relief gummies are a physician-formulated blend of full-spectrum CBD oil and THC meant to alleviate pain while promoting recovery. These certified USDA organic gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Each flavorful piece contains 50mg CBD and 2.5mg hemp-derived THC, plus various other phytocannabinoids like CBG and CBC for the ultimate entourage effect.

What customers love

Customers rave about the Aspen Green Relief gummies, mentioning they are some of the most effective full-spectrum CBD gummies they've tried. People mention that with regular use, these gummies cut discomfort and help individuals get a restful night's sleep. The pain-relieving properties of these gummies have worked on knee, elbow, and neuropathic pain. This full-spectrum CBD extract works wonders for those who use it in conjunction with other remedies.

About Aspen Green

Aspen Green promises customers pure CBD options for optimal well-being. The company's pillars are quality, integrity, and transparency, which it implements at every step of its process, from sourcing to selling the final product. All products from Aspen Green come from organically farmed hemp, are physician formulated, and tested by third parties for potency and safety.

Pros:

  • Subscription discounts available
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO
  • Certified USDA organic
  • Physician formulated

Cons:

  • Only comes in one flavor

Specs:

  • CBD type: Full-Spectrum CBD
  • Size: 30-count container
  • Strength: 50mg CBD and 2.5mg THC per gummy
  • Flavor(s): Cherry

Learn more about Aspen Green Relief Organic Full Spectrum CBD Gummies today


2. Best Topical CBD for Joint Pain: R&R CBD Pain Creams


What we love

Massage your stubborn joint pain with doctor formulated R&R CBD pain cream. This extra-strength, full-spectrum CBD topical cream blends up to 5000mg of cannabinoids like CBD, THC, CBG, and CBN to help relieve acute to chronic pain. Additional active ingredients in their proprietary formula include jojoba oil and MSM to reduce inflammation, and arnica montana to promote recovery.

What customers love

Customers love R&R CBD products, and many mention that the company makes some of the most effective products they've tried. Customers also note that they are long-time users and have had positive experiences with R&R's customer relations team.

About R&R

R&R was among the first CBD brands to earn the USDA Organic Certification in 2019. A veteran and employee-owned company, R&R infuses all its products with a proprietary organic extract from local farming partners to produce a quality product. R&R also operates an FDA-registered facility and is registered with the FDA and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Pros:

  • Subscription discounts available
  • Both full and broad spectrum available (with or without THC)
  • Comes from certified organic-grown hemp
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Only comes in one size

Specs:

  • CBD type: Full-spectrum CBD
  • Size: 2.5fl oz container
  • Strength: 1000mg, 2500mg, and 5000mg CBD per container
  • Flavor(s): N/A

Learn more about R&R CBD Pain Creams today


3. Best Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Products for Joint Pain: Canna River CBD Pain Gummies


What we love

The Canna River Pain Gummies are perfect if you're looking for a flavorful CBD option that tastes like candy. Choose from four delicious options, all naturally flavored and colored. These gummies provide the ultimate pain relief with 50mg of CBD and CBG to help your body and mind feel at ease.

What customers love

Aside from tasting great, customers say the Canna River Pain Gummies are great for pain relief and inducing sleep. Many people use these gummies to help with arthritis pain and muscle soreness.

About Canna River

The Canna River's mission is to provide customers with quality CBD products at affordable prices. All products come from non-GMO hemp sourced from Oregon. The company also provides free carbon-neutral shipping for a more sustainable product. In addition to gummies, Canna River also sells CBD tinctures, topicals, and vapes.

Pros:

  • Free of gluten and alcohol
  • Plant-based
  • Made with natural flavors and colors
  • Cruelty-free

Cons:

  • Only comes in one potency
  • No subscription pricing to help save on recurring orders

Specs:

  • CBD type: Broad-Spectrum CBD
  • Size: 30-count container
  • Strength: 50mg CBD and 50mg CBG per gummy
  • Flavor(s): Passion Orange Guava, Pink Watermelon, Red Berry, Strawberry Mango

Learn more about Canna River Pain Gummies today


4. Most Potent CBD for Chronic Inflammation: CBDfx Original Mixed Berry CBD Gummies


What we love

Sometimes when you have a pain flair-up, it might take an extra-strength product like CBDfx CBD gummies to do the trick. These broad-spectrum CBD gummies contain up to 200mg of CBD per serving. They're made with all-natural ingredients and organic hemp, so you can feel confident you're only putting quality ingredients into your body.

What customers love

CBDfx CBD gummies have nearly 2000 reviews about flavor and quality. Customers say they've helped with pain relief, elevated mood, and better sleep. Customers also mentioned how easy it is to order and how quick shipping is.

About CBDfx

CBDfx started in 2014 with a mission to improve the quality of CBD products in the industry. The company uses a single-pass CO2 extraction method on all products to produce an ultra-premium CBD oil made from USA-grown hemp plants, guaranteeing a safe experience with maximum benefits. Besides gummies, CBDfx sells CBD oils, capsules, topicals, vapes, and pet products. The certificate of analysis on any of their CBD oil products is easy to find, a crucial point for safety.

Pros:

  • Subscription discounts available
  • Vegan and gluten-free
  • Made with all-natural ingredients and organic hemp
  • Cruelty-free

Cons:

  • Only comes in one flavor and size

Specs:

  • CBD type: Broad-Spectrum CBD
  • Size: 60-count container
  • Strength: 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg of CBD per gummy
  • Flavor(s): Mixed Berry

Learn more about CBDfx Original Mixed Berry CBD Gummies today


5. Best Fast-Acting CBD for Arthritis Symptoms: Soul Rapid Relief Cream


What we love

When the joint pain hits, you need a fast-acting CBD topical like Soul Rapid Relief Cream. This soothing cream contains 1500mg CBD and menthol to help ease even the most stubborn pain. It also contains organic coconut oil to help moisturize the skin while relieving discomfort. This topical comes from organically farmed hemp and contains no THC.

What customers love

Customers rave that the Soul Rapid Relief Cream is fast-acting and helps soothe sore muscles and joints. Many users mention this cream is a staple of their workout recovery and something people use to assist with arthritis pain.

About Soul

Soul began with two siblings who wanted to eliminate the guesswork associated with good health and natural wellness. They designed their CBD products to be effective, great-tasting, and doctor-formulated. Soul’s products are made with clean ingredients and triple-tested for quality assurance.

Pros:

  • Subscription discounts available
  • Organically farmed
  • Made with USA-grown hemp
  • Fast-acting

Cons:

  • Only comes in one size and strength

Specs:

  • CBD type: Broad-Spectrum CBD
  • Size: 3.4fl oz container
  • Strength: 1500mg CBD per container
  • Flavor(s): N/A

Learn more about Soul Rapid Relief Cream today

What Is CBD and How Does It Provide Join Pain Relief

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many active compounds in cannabis from hemp plants. It's closely related to the compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), also found in cannabis, but without producing a “high.”

When CBD is extracted from hemp, it comes with various other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavoids. All elements combine to provide an entourage effect, essentially the ultimate calmness and relaxation, but not a high.

CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system. This bodily system plays an essential role in helping to regulate many functions throughout the body, including pain. Many CBD products also include other natural substances known for their anti-inflammatory properties to act as a potential pain management solution. If you can’t just rely on CBD oil to relieve pain, consider working it into your routine for overall wellness.

How To Find The Best CBD Products for Your Pain Symptoms

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the endless CBD options on the market. Not all CBD products are made the same, and it's important to find the right CBD option to manage your pain symptoms. You'll want to consider the CBD type, potency, intended benefit, form, scent, flavor, and affordability.

CBD Type

There are three types of CBD: broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolate. Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD contain additional cannabinoids aside from CBD that work together to provide a more profound effect. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, containing no other cannabinoids.

Most CBD products for pain management come from a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD oil. Both will provide similar results, the only difference being that full-spectrum contains small levels of THC.

Potency

Potency refers to the strength of the CBD product. Understanding the potency of a product is essential because too mild of a concentration of CBD may not deliver your desired results while a too-strong product can lead to adverse side effects.

In general, if you've never taken CBD before, it's best to start with a lower potency product (around 25 or 30mg CBD per serving). If you're a CBD veteran or low-potency products aren’t providing you with the desired results, try an extra-strength CBD product. In many cases, people trying to relieve arthritis pain or chronic pain tend to find better results with higher-potency CBD options.

Intended Benefit

CBD has many potential benefits, all of which you can achieve simultaneously. However, some CBD products include additional active ingredients to provide further relief for a specific ailment, such as pain relief.

When shopping for CBD to provide pain relief, you may notice natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, white willow, or Boswellia. These ingredients work alongside CBD to help reduce pain and inflammation of the joints and muscles.

CBD Form

CBD comes in different forms. The most common forms include CBD oil or tincture, gummies, capsules, and topicals. Most forms of CBD will provide similar results, and choosing a form is more about your preference for convenience and serving control.

While any CBD form can help with pain relief, many people find success with topical CBD products. When using a topical, you rub the CBD directly onto the affected area. Not only does the skin absorb CBD for fast-acting relief, but many topicals have additional active ingredients to help with other things that may be causing pain, such as inflammation.

Scents and Flavors

Oral CBD products, like CBD oils and gummies, tend to come in various flavors. Hemp has an earthy taste that you either like or don't. People who like the natural taste of hemp may go for an unflavored product or try something with a natural flavor. People who don't like hemp can look for artificial flavors or sugars that can help mask the taste.

Topical products may have a naturally or artificially enhanced scent, making them more pleasant to apply. Some products may also contain menthol, which can help with pain relief but also has a strong scent.

Affordability

CBD is available at a range of prices to fit any budget. Like any dietary supplement, expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. There are plenty of affordable options that provide incredible results.

If you are looking for CBD on a budget, consider brands that offer subscriptions that help you save on recurring orders. Subscribers often receive free or discounted shipping. You can also look for companies with a 30- or 60-day money-back guarantee if you try a product that doesn't work.

Types of CBD

When shopping for CBD products, brands will indicate whether the product is broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolate CBD. This indication is the type of CBD. All types of CBD provide similar results, but small differences between the three are important to understand when choosing CBD products.

Full-Spectrum CBD

A full-spectrum CBD product contains all the natural cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant, including small levels of THC. All these compounds interact to create the entourage effect, which leads to a greater sense of calmness, relaxation, and pain relief.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum, containing many of the natural cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant. However, broad-spectrum products undergo an extra process to remove any THC. It will still provide an entourage effect and benefit, although some people find the intensity of the effects to be lower than full-spectrum CBD.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. Unlike broad and full-spectrum products, it contains no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. CBD isolate will be the mildest of the CBD types, but it can still provide similar benefits.

Types of CBD Products

CBD type refers to how you take CBD, whether that's a great-tasting edible, beverage, oil, or topical. Most CBD types provide similar results, so it's about finding something that works for you and your pain management regimen.

CBD Tincture

CBD tincture, also called CBD oil, is one of the most common types of CBD products. One of the plus sides to CBD oil is that you have more control over the dose than you would with a capsule or gummy. You can find CBD oil to help with pain relief, sleep, or stress. You can also find broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oil.

CBD oil is easy to take. You can put it directly into your mouth or mix into a favorite beverage or smoothie. They come in tons of flavors, potency, and sizes, making them one of the more diverse CBD options.

CBD Gummies

If you're looking for a convenient CBD option that you can take on the go, you might like a CBD gummy. People tend to gravitate toward gummies because each piece contains a premeasured amount of CBD, so you don't have to worry about measuring the correct dose with each use. People also like gummies because they're discreet, as they look and taste like candy.

CBD Topicals

A CBD topical is a lotion or cream infused with CBD oil that you rub onto your skin. Topicals are primarily used for pain management, relieving discomfort from the area where you apply them. Many CBD topicals include menthol and botanicals to help with inflammation, making them a great option for joint or arthritis pain.

CBD Drinks

CBD drinks are growing in popularity as an alcohol alternative. They're not the best choice for pain management, but they provide a calming effect that may help relieve stress, tension, or discomfort. CBD drinks come in tons of options, such as infused sodas, seltzers, teas, and carbonated waters.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules are perfect if you like the convenience of gummies but aren't a fan of the flavors or candy-like consistency. Like CBD gummies, capsules contain a premeasured amount of CBD per capsule, making them easy to consume or take on the go as part of your pain management plan. You can find capsules in broad and full-spectrum options like CBD oils and gummies.

Potential Side Effects of CBD

CBD is a dietary supplement. And with any supplement, there are potential side effects to using CBD, including:

  • Changes to alertness
  • Drowsiness
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Mood changes
  • Dry mouth

Side effects are more likely to occur if youconsume high amounts of CBD in one sitting or use higher-potency products. Most side effects will disappear after a few hours once the CBD wears off.

It's important to know that CBD may interact poorly with alcohol and prescription medications. If you're taking prescription medications, it's best to consult with a doctor before using CBD to ensure it's safe.

FAQs

Is CBD safe?

CBD is relatively safe when taken responsibly. Always follow CBD instructions when using a CBD product, and stop use if you experience any adverse side effects.

Is CBD legal?

CBD is federally legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp and hemp-derived products from the Controlled Substance Act. However, some states may have regulations on purchasing, selling, and using CBD, so it's always important to understand local laws before using CBD.

How much CBD should I take for joint pain relief?

The amount of CBD you take for joint relief will depend on your CBD tolerance and the type of CBD you use. If you've never taken CBD, start with the lowest recommended serving advised by the CBD product you're using. Depending on the product, the starting dose can range from 15 to 30mg of CBD. If you're not feeling the desired effects, slowly increase your consumption or look for a higher-potency product.

Will CBD make me high?

No, CBD is not a psychoactive compound and will not cause a high. Even full-spectrum products, which contain THC, don't cause a high because the amount of THC is so low; it won't give you the psychoactive effect. However, some products do have added THC, which may lead to a high. It's always important to read labels and ingredients to ensure you know what you're taking. You can also look at a product certificate of analysis, which breaks down what's in each product.

Can I take too much CBD?

While not advised, research indicates that the average person can tolerate up to 1,500mg of CBD per day. However, taking that much CBD is likely to lead to unwanted side effects such as dry mouth, changes in alertness, diarrhea, and irritability.

How fast does CBD work for joint pain relief?

CBD works at different speeds depending on the person and the product. Most oral CBD products, like oils or capsules, can start working in as little as 15 minutes or as long as 3 hours. Topical CBD can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours.

Can CBD help with rheumatoid arthritis pain?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, causing severe pain, swelling, and stiffness. CBD is not medical cannabis and is not a treatment or cure for rheumatoid arthritis; it may be beneficial within a larger pain management plan to reduce symptoms such as chronic pain. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it's always best to consult with a doctor before using CBD, especially if you're taking prescription medications for your rheumatoid arthritis.

Can I take CBD with other pain medications?

Studies show that CBD does negatively interact with some prescription medications, such as anti-epileptics, antidepressants, and opioids. If you are taking prescription medication, talk to your doctor before starting a CBD regimen.

Will CBD show on a drug test?

CBD will most likely not show on a drug test. However, if you're using a full-spectrum CBD oil with added THC, regular use of the product may lead to a positive drug test.

Find The Best CBD Oil Product For Your Pain Relief!

You don't have to suffer from joint pain, and CBD may be the solution you need to manage your arthritis pain as part of an overall pain management plan. There are plenty of CBD oils, gummies, and topicals, with additional active ingredients to soothe discomfort. If a product isn't providing you with the pain relief you deserve, don't be afraid to try high-potency products or different brands until you discover the best CBD for your joint pain.

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This week's happy things include saving the environment, sibling love, and the most incredible birdcalls you've ever heard.

True

Wanna know what we’re thankful for this week? The Internet. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving us the best of humanity every single week—and Thanksgiving week is no exception. Check out these five things we’ve found that are guaranteed to make you smile (and maybe even shed a few happy tears).

Enjoy—and don't forget to share the love!

1. This kid's incredible knack for birdcall

@diabetic4one This is Samuel’s bird call performance at his schools talent show. He loved every minute of this #autism #birder #fypage #talent #agt ♬ original sound - lori

We dare you to find a better impressionist than ten-year-old Samuel Henderson, this ten year old student from Oklahoma City. Samuel, who has autism, has mastered over 50 different bird calls and performed several of them at his school’s talent show recently. These calls were so accurate that scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology reached out to Samuel and invited him to their lab to study birds. We couldn't be happier for him. (Also the way he throws these birds over his shoulder when he’s done with them—perfection.)

2. Protecting America's most treasured places.

Subaru Share the Love Event and National Park Foundation

Good news for national parks! As the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation, Subaru has protected over 400 national parks throughout the Subaru Share the Love Event. What’s more, Subaru and its retailers will donate a minimum of $300 to charities like the National Park Foundation, helping preserve and protect the national parks for future generations.

3. This adorable brother-sister dance.

When six-year-old Harper couldn’t find a partner for her dance studio’s annual summer showcase, her 14-year-old brother Micah stepped in to save the day. The two performed an adorable “Barbie and Ken” themed routine, complete with an adorable fist bump and a lift. What a gentleman.

4. A high school football team cheers on the band kids.

Cue the happy tears: A group of football players at American Fork High School in Utah showed up to cheer on the band kids at a recent competition. Their coach, Aaron Behm, encouraged his team to start showing up to support after noticing a divide between the football players and the marching band. In an interview with Today.com, Behm said, “They come and play at our games and provide an awesome environment, and they deserve our support.” Now that’s sportsmanship.

5. This heartfelt exchange between neighbors

This neighborly exchange captured on camera doorbell footage is the perfect antidote for everyone who’s been feeling like the country is seriously divided lately. On her way to a Muslim funeral, one neighbor stopped by her Muslim neighbor’s house for advice on what to wear. Not only does the Muslim neighbor give her a demonstration on how to wrap her headscarf in real time, the neighbor lets the woman keep the item. Beautiful.

For more reasons to smile, check out all the ways Subaru is sharing the love this holiday season, here.

Pop Culture

People born before 1990 are sharing their now-useless but 100 percent nostalgic skills

For instance, recording songs on tape from the radio while yelling at the DJ to shut up during the intro.

From holding the phone on your shoulder to folding a map to knowing what "cornflower" and "goldenrod" are, here are pre-Y2K skills at their finest.

Hey there, millennials! Welcome to the "Holy crapoly, I have real-life memories from 20 years ago!" club. It's a strangely disorienting milestone to reach when you find yourself starting sentences with "When I was young…" or "Back in my day…" isn't it? Your Gen X elders have been here for a while, but even we have moments of incredulously calculating how the heck we've arrived at this place. Time is a tricky little jokester, isn't he?

To highlight how much has changed for middle-aged folks since we were young, a user on Reddit asked people born before 1990 what useless skills they possess that nobody has a need for anymore. It's both a hilarious trip down memory lane and a time capsule of life pre-Y2K. (Do kids these days even know what Y2K was? Gracious.)

If you're down for some good-old-days nostalgia, check out people's responses:

Making brown paper bag book covers

"I can cover a textbook with a brown paper bag." — sourwaterbug

Oh goodness yes. And there was always that one girl in class who had the art of the brown paper bag book cover perfected. (They're probably Pinterest influencers now.)

Folding a map—and knowing where to find a map

"I can re-fold a map correctly."JungleZac

"Man remember actually using maps…I had an atlas with the road system in my car to navigate other states during road trips. Crazy." – jagua_haku

How did we ever figure out how to get anywhere before GPS and Google Maps? (Two-inch thick road atlases in our car and stopping at gas stations to buy local maps while traveling, that's how. Positively primitive.)

Memorizing phone numbers and answering the house phone

For real, though, kids these days don't even know.

"Remembering phone numbers." — greatmilliondog

"Not only that, having to speak to your friend's parents for a few minutes when you call their house."  Logical_Area_5552

"How to take a message when the person they want to talk to isn't there." — Amoori_A_Splooge

How about dialing on a rotary phone, using a pay phone and making (or taking) a collect call?

The skillful phone shoulder hold

"Using your shoulder to hold a telephone up to your ear while doing multiple other things at once. Now, the phones are so damned small I drop them." – Regular_Sample_5197

"100 ft phone cords 🤣" – mrch1ck3nn

"I got in sooooo much trouble for stretching the phone cord into the bathroom for some privacy. Accidentally clotheslined Grandma 😬 She laughed about it but Mom was pissed!" – AffectionateBite3827

Knowing the exact name of every Crayola color because we only had so many

"I know what the color “goldenrod” is." — ImAmazedBaybee

"That and burnt sienna were the crayolas of choice." — Signiference

"Cornflower would like a word." — cps12345

The art of the mixed tape—especially from the radio

I don't think kids these days fully grasp how revolutionary Spotify and the like are for those of us who spent hours in front of the radio with our cassette tape recorder queued up at just the right spot waiting for the song we wanted to record to come one. And they will never, ever know the frustration of the DJ yapping right up until the lyrics start.

"Record to tape from the radio. Trying to make sure to not get the DJ/presenter talking sh-t or an ad" – Gankstajam

"'Shut up, shut up, shut up!!! I'm trying to record my song!!!'" – tearsonurcheek

"Haha yeah and trying to tell others so they don't make random noise or knock on the door.

How about making cassette-based mix tapes, trying to figure out to the second, how many and which types of songs in which order, that would still fit perfectly on the length of tape per side.

People who make digital recordings do not have to worry about 'running out of tape.'

Having the first side be tempting enough that they'd flip the other side to continue listening. That's before continual playback machines existed. Had to flip the cassette." – CrunchyTeaTime

And there were many more, from rewinding a cassette tape with a pencil to writing in cursive to tearing the sides off of printer paper without tearing the paper itself. (Oh and of course the ability to count out change and understand what you're supposed to do if something costs $9.91 and someone hands you $10.01.)

Gotta love it when the things that used to be totally normal now sound like historic artifacts found in a museum. Kind of makes you wonder what normal things from today we'll be laughing about in another 20 or 30 years.


This article originally appeared last year.

Millennial shares 'proof' they're not aging as quickly as Gen Z

Millennials and Gen Z truly have a sibling kind of relationship. They take turns teasing each other but in the end it's nothing but love between the two generations. In recent months people were taunting Gen Z about their looks saying that they age like milk and several from that generation agreed that people often mistake them for much older than they are.

Well, it seems Gen Z is back with their own commentary about how poorly Millennials age but instead of the older sibling in this rivalry conceding to the point, they dispute it...with receipts. Ouch, this one probably stings a bit. Chris Bautista uploaded a video response to TikTok addressing the young whippersnappers telling Millennials they look old to explain why they feel that way.

The answer is quite simple. Millennials set the bar for what aging looks like for people approaching middle age according to Bautista.

"I'm gonna say this a little bit louder for the Gen Zers in the back that didn't hear me the last time. Millennials look fantastic for our age and you cannot tell us otherwise," Bautista starts. "The reason why you think we don't look great for our ages is because we have set the new standard of what it looks like to age."

Then he pulls out receipts. Pictures of celebrities who were the age Millennials are right now when the pictures were taken. Yikes! Most Millennials look no where near the age of the people in the pictures, but maybe the camera added 10 years?

Watch the video:

@bautistud This needs to be said for millenials 🫡 #millennialsoftiktok #genzvsmillenial #aging ♬ original sound - Chris Bautista

"It's cause all millennials used the St. Ives peach scrub exfoliating wash and we achieved eternal youth," someone surmises.

"It's gotta be the Flintstone vitamins," another guesses.

"I don't know, I am 40 and got stopped at my son's high school security guard because he thought I was a student. No one ever believes my age," one person writes.

"But seriously like what's the reason? Cause this life has been stressful," someone else asks.

So is Gen Z really aging poorly or did Millennials get some weird radioactive Flintstone vitamins laced with asbestos that is causing their cells to age slower? The world may never know but hopefully these two generations forever keep the sibling banter alive.


This article originally appeared in June.

Education

Mom shares how her first grader's homework on the second day of school broke his spirit

"It's breaking their spirit and it robs them of what little fun and family time they have when they come home after a long day of school."

Photo credit: Cassi Nelson/Facebook

How much homework is too much homework?

Debates about homework are nothing new, but the ability of parents to find support for homework woes from thousands of other parents is a fairly recent phenomenon. A mom named Cassi Nelson shared a post about her first grader's homework and it quickly went viral. Nelson shared that her son had come home from his second day of school with four pages of homework, which she showed him tearfully working on at their kitchen counter.

"He already doesn’t get home from school until 4pm," she wrote. "Then he had to sit still for another hour plus to complete more work. I had to clear out the kitchen so he could focus. His little legs kept bouncing up and down, he was bursting with so much energy just wanting to go play. Then he broke my heart when he looked up at me with his big teary doe eyes and asked…. 'Mommy when you were little did you get distracted a lot too?!' Yes sweet baby, mommy sure did too! I don’t know how ppl expect little children to sit at school all day long and then ALSO come home to sit and do MORE work too…."

Nelson tells Upworthy that she was "shocked" that kindergarteners and first graders have homework, much less the amount they were expected to do. "We didn't have homework like this when we were in these younger grades."

Expert opinion and research is somewhat mixed on the homework front, but there isn't any conclusive evidence that homework is universally beneficial for students and too much homework can actually be harmful. As a standard, the National Education Association (NEA) and the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) support a limit on homework of “10 minutes of homework per grade level."

With that as a guide, a first grader shouldn't have more than 10 minutes of homework on any given school day, but it's not unusual for young kids to have two or three times the recommended limit of homework. That can be stressful for both kids and parents, cutting into valuable family time and limiting kids' time to decompress, play and freely engage in imaginative activity.

As Nelson concluded, "It’s breaking their spirit and it robs them of what little fun and family time they have when they come home after a long day of school."

Most parents and even most teachers in the comments agreed with her that four pages of homework is too much for a first grader, especially on only the second day of school:

"Poor little man. Children below a certain grade should not be given homework! Small children have a hard time sitting still for a long period of time yet alone expected to sit and do hours of homework, for what??? They are SMALL CHILDREN! Let them snack, play, laugh and all the other fun things when they get home. You are only a child once, they don't need that taken away from them. Let them embrace their inner creativity, imagination, recipes, etc."

"This breaks my spirit. Our schools are huge scams. You're exactly right Cassi. Homework is ridiculous. Kids til the age of 10 primarily learn through real life situations and play scenarios."

"I hate that for him! My little one has ADHD and doing homework after sitting in class all day is very stressful to him and makes him hate school. They are in school for 7 hours they shouldn’t have homework. That definitely takes away any kind of family time and that’s why kids never spend time with parents anymore because they have all this homework to do after being gone all day.I feel that if it can’t be done in the 7 hours they have the kids then it should wait until the next school day."

"I don’t make them do homework at home when they are that little. It’s not fair!They are at school allllll day! And it’s already sooooo much for their little bodies and brains! I’ve never had a teacher upset about it either.. and even if I did oh well!"

"That breaks my heart. 4 pages is absolutely ridiculous for young kids. My daughter is going into 2nd grade next month, the 2 years in school it was always 1 page of homework sometimes back and front if it was math. And to read."

This article originally appeared in August "I was in this boat with my son…conversation with the principal and teachers helped dramatically!! It’s too much and we have to advocate for them."

Nelson was blown away by the response to her post, which has been shared on Facebook over 89,000 times. "I NEVER thought me sharing my thoughts openly about how my heart hurt watching my little guy struggle would connect to so many others worldwide going through the same thing," she says.

Many parents shared that excessive homework is one of the reasons they decided to homeschool their children, which Nelson took to heart. The week after sharing her viral homework post, she shared that they had had their first day of homeschooling. It was "A HUGE SUCCESS!!!!" she wrote, with her son getting far more work done in a far shorter amount of time, sitting for classes for just 1 hour and 45 minutes total.

Nelson tells Upworthy she was totally intimidated to try homeschooling. "I seriously thought there was no way," she says. "But I knew I had to set my fear aside and just take the leap for my kids. I told myself I'd figure it out one way or another. And here we are three days in and it's been the easiest and best choice I've ever made."

Homeschooling is not going to the right solution for every family, however, so the question of homework remains an important issue for kids, parents, teachers and schools to work out.


This article originally appeared in August

3-month-old baby repeats full sentences shocking mom

Babies can't talk. This isn't something that needs to be studied and researched, it's a pretty common fact that humans have. The reasons babies cry is because they can't talk to tell us what they need, at least that's what the general understanding has been for centuries. But what if some babies could talk and we simply haven't been exposed to them because the world is so big?

Thanks to social media, the world has gotten a whole lot smaller when it comes to being able to take a peek into other people's lives. This means we get to be exposed to things that may otherwise gone unseen. Mekeia, a mom of two recently uploaded a video of her 3-month-old son talking. Not the cute baby babble that we like to call talking, but repeating actual short sentences.

Mekeia was recording her daughter playing with the baby when they captured the moment on video.

The little girl holds the baby's face and says, "say I am two months," before Mekeia corrects her, "say I am three months," the little girl pipes back up. Clearly the baby was trying to join in the conversation with what was expected to be baby babble when the mom instructed the older child to let the baby have a chance to "talk." It was then that the baby shocked everyone by sounding like he repeated the same phrase.

The two are visibly and audibly shocked not wanting to believe the baby actually repeats what the other child says. Mekeia is on the phone with a friend when the entire thing happens. Presumably thinking this is a fluke, the mom attempts to put the phone up to the baby's mouth. When he just babbles, she tells the baby, "say hey Bam." Nothing. Just more babble and drool.

Just when you think your ears were playing tricks on you, the baby does it again when the mom tells him to say, "hey Quintin." Clearly the baby still sounds like a baby but you can clearly hear him repeating the sound and cadence of the words so much so that it sounds like he's fully saying the words. His older sister is overwhelmed with emotion and begins to cry while Mekeia seems to be so shocked that she begins to laugh while the person on the phone is just stunned into confusion.

@foxondemand

Watch until the end 😱omg🥹🥰!!

♬ original sound - Mekeia 💖


People in the comments were eager to jump in with exclaiming the baby is a genius with one person writing, "he is a baby genius start showing him math problems."

Another person jokes, "next thing he's writing emails and making appointments."

"Talking so clear would scare me sooo bad he's so intelligent," someone writes.

Others explain the phenomenon with a condition called echolalia. "Echolalia is a normal part of child development. As children learn to talk and understand words, they imitate, copy or echo the sounds and words they hear. Over time, a child usually learns to talk by connecting new words together to make unique little phrases or sentences,” according to Speech and Language Advisor Claire Smith when interviewed by the BBC.

While echolalia can be a sign of autism, that's not always the case. Many kids grow out of it by the age of three and continue their typical development.


This article originally appeared in August.

When people move in and refuse to move out, what do you do?


Squatters' rights laws are some of the most bizarrely misused legal realities we have, and something no one seems to have a good answer for. Most of us have heard stories of someone moving into a vacant home and just living there, without anyone's permission and without paying rent, and somehow this is a legal question mark until the courts sort it out.

According to The National Desk, squatters' rights are a carryover from British property law and were created to ensure that abandoned property could be used and to protect occupants from being kicked out without proper notice. It should go without saying that squatter law isn't meant to allow someone to just take over someone else's property, but sometimes that's exactly what happens.

It's what happend to Flash Shelton's mother when she put her house up for rent after her husband passed away. A woman contacted her with interest in the property, only she wanted to do repairs and look after the home instead of paying rent. Before anyone knew it, she had furniture delivered (which she later said was accidental) and set up camp, despite Shelton's mom not agreeing to the arrangement.

But since the woman had expressed her intention and already moved in, the matter was out of police hands, as Shelton found out when he tried to contact the local sheriff.

“They said, ‘I’m sorry but we can’t enter the house, and it looks like they’re living there, so you need to go through the courts',” he shared in a YouTube video.

Shelton rightfully didn't want the expense of a court battle, so he took matters into his own hands—not with violence, but with logic. He had his mom lease the home to him, and then told the squatter that she had to move everything out because he was moving things in.

“If they can take a house, I can take a house," he said.

He was calm and clear about her having to get everything out within the day or he would have people come and take it, and thankfully, she didn't put up a big fight.

That experience made him realize how squatter law can be abused, but that there's a faster system for removing a squatter than to go through the court system. If a squatter can move in and force a homeowner to take them to court to prove they are living there illegally, then he could simply move in alongside the squatter, putting the squatter in the position of having to take the homeowner to court instead.

"The legal process is so slow, and at some point when they're in there, you're going to feel like they have more rights than you do and that's how you're going to be treated. So even though you it's your house and you're paying the mortgage or whatever, at some point squatters feel like they have more rights than you, so they don't have an incentive to leave until a judge tells them to, until they're actually ordered to, and that could take months."

After successfully removing the squatters in his mother's house, Shelton has been tackling similar squatter situations for other homeowners in California, earning him the nickname "The Squatter Hunter."

"All I'm doing is becoming a squatter and flipping this process on them," Shelton told CBS News. "I figured if they could take a house, I could take a house."

According to CBS, he's successfully removed a dozen squatters in the past year. ""I'm not going in and I'm not hurting anyone," he said. "I'm not kicking them out, I'm not throwing them out." He's literally just moving in himself, setting up cameras, and then creating small annoyances until the squatters get fed up enough to move out.

California isn't the only state that has seen issues with squatters. There are squatter stories from all over the U.S. of people moving into a property and refusing to leave without a court order, tying owners up in lengthy, expensive legal battles.

Shelton even has a Change.org petition to try to get squatter laws changed to "make squatting in residential maintained homes criminal." Making squatting illegal "will shift the burden of proof onto the squatter and make the crime punishable with restitution an option for damages," the the petition states.

Watch Shelton share his personal story:

This article originally appeared in April.