CBD for Stress & Anxiety

If you've human, chances are you've experienced stress or anxiety at some point in your life. For some, this can be temporary and for others it can be chronic. Dealing with stress or anxiety can have a negative impact on your health in more ways than one. In this blog, you will learn how CBD can help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as other therapeutic tools that you can use in your everyday life to achieve a calmer state of mind.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, most commonly known as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis-hemp plant. Unlike THC, CBD is 100% non-intoxicating. In other words, it will not cause a sensation of feeling "high". CBD has been found to have many health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to reduce joint/muscle pain, calm stress and anxiety, and improve quality of sleep.

How Does CBD work?

CBD works through many pathways in the body, one being The Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This system is made up of cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body, known as CB1 & CB2, as well as enzymes and endocannabinoids (Anandamide & 2- AG). Endocannabinoids are produced in the body on demand that bind to cannabinoid receptors to regulate many bodily functions such as mood, appetite, pain, immune response and more. Research has shown that CBD works by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down, in turn increasing the levels of these compounds in the body. By slowing down the breakdown of your body's natural endocannabinoids, you're helping your body maintain balance, this is also known as homeostasis. Research has also shown that CBD also interacts with other receptors outside of the ECS, such as Serotonin and Vanilloid.

Effects of Chronic Stress & Anxiety

When we are faced with a stressful situation a hormone called 'cortisol' is released in the body. This hormone then triggers the "fight or flight" mode, where it will decide to either face the problem head on or run away from it. This is a natural process of the body that our ancestors developed as a survival skill. However, chronic stress and high levels of cortisol can wreak havoc in the body, with consequences that include:

-Digestive problems

-Weight gain

-Depression

-Heart Disease

-Headaches

-Fatigue

-Anxiety disorders

-Cancer

How Does CBD Help To Reduce Stress & Anxiety?

Researchers believe that CBD interacts with the neurotransmitter Serotonin to give a calming effect in the body. Serotonin plays an important role in your mental health. Low serotonin levels are commonly associated with people who have depression. In some cases, not having enough serotonin may also cause anxiety.

Several studies point to the potential benefits of CBD for anxiety

*In a 2019 study, researchers found that 300mg–600mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult males.

*The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety in animals such as rats.

*CBD may help treat anxiety-induced insomnia as well.

*One 2020 article reviewed eight studies investigating CBD’s role in treating various anxiety disorders. The authors found evidence to support the use of CBD for treating generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

How much CBD do I take for anxiety?

Many of the human studies on CBD for anxiety use doses anywhere between 20mg (moderate dose) to 600mg (extremely high dose) per day. Since there isn't a universal dosage it is best to start with 20mg - 30mg, once or twice daily and increase your dosage gradually to find what works best for you. We do not recommend exceeding more than 100mg of CBD per day, as this much CBD or higher can cause sedation. The average daily dosage of CBD is anywhere between 10mg - 60mg CBD per day.

Which CBD product is best for anxiety?

Since everyone's body and needs are different, there isn't one product for all. Check out our top picks for stress and anxiety relief here.

There are a few other tools that you can use in conjunction with CBD in your day-to-day life to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Deep Breathing - This can be done anywhere and is a great way to help your mind and body slow down and relax

-Breathe out slowly through your nose

-Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly and breathe in

-The hand on your stomach should rise more than the one on your chest

-Breathe out and feel your belly lower

-Repeat for 5-10 minutes or until you feel relaxed

Exercise - Move your body!

It's well known that exercise can increase your overall health and wellness but did you know that exercise has a direct effect on reducing stress? Yup, it does! Physical activity can help increase the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Any aerobic activity, such as a game of basketball, tennis, a nature hike or at home workout can contribute to releasing more feel-good endorphins.

Find an activity you enjoy and schedule into your week - this will help you keep on track. A good rule of thumb is 3 - 4 physical activities per week, especially if you have a sedentary job, like a cashier or an office worker.

Connecting With Nature Connecting with nature can help lower stress hormone levels, according to a study published in the Frontiers in Psychology. Find a park that you can explore in the morning, after work or in your evening to relieve feelings of stress, clear your mind and uplift your spirits.

It's important to have a holistic approach when it comes to your health - supplementing with CBD, doing more physical activities and practicing deep breathing are all great tools to use in your everyday life to bring balance to the mind and body.

Ready to incorporate CBD into your daily regimen? Check out our most popular products for stress and anxiety relief here.

Disclaimer: this is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any ailment. Consult your doctor before starting a new supplemental product